The Seattle Knights is a stage-fighting

Stage combat

Stage combat is a specialized technique in theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. It is employed in live stage plays as well as operatic and ballet productions. The term is also used informally to describe fight choreography for other...

 and jousting acting troupe, specializing in Medieval Fantasy. The troupe was founded in 1993 by current Director Dameon Willich.

The troupe consists of performers from the Puget Sound

Puget Sound

Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...

 area. Many of the Seattle Knights are professional actors who perform in local theaters around the Northwest, while others perform as a hobby or secondary to another career. Members are trained in a combat system that emphasizes safety and authenticity, as well as entertainment value. They have the best safety record in the industry.

Television and film performances

The Seattle Knights and their members have worked in motion pictures, television, commercials, and radio. Members provided medieval combat stuntwork on the History Channel's 2001 series, "Modern Marvels: Battle Gear". Members of Seattle Knights performed equestrian stuntwork in the 1997 film The Postman

The Postman (film)

The Postman is an American post-apocalyptic epic film based on the 1985 novel of the same name by David Brin. It was filmed in northeastern Washington , Fidalgo Island, Washington, central Oregon and Tucson, Arizona, and was directed by Kevin Costner, who also stars in the film...

, and the independent film Warrior's End

Warrior's End

Warrior's End is a 2009 medieval epic film written and directed by Bjorn Anderson and filmed in Washington State.-Plot:While on tour of the northwestern border, the prince of Midea and his companions discover invading armies from neighboring Kilea...

.

Live Shows

The Seattle Knights are actor-combatants, who perform choreographed, medieval-style combat using real armor and weapons. They regularly perform in renaissance fairs in across the United States, and in annual benefit shows at Bridle Trails State Park

Bridle Trails State Park

Bridle Trails State Park is a 482 acre park in the Washington State Park System. It borders the Eastside cities of Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond, Washington. It has a popular trail system used for horseback riding. There is also an outdoor arena for equestrian shows.- External links :* *...

. The troupe also participates in parades, state and county fairs, and other local events.

Combat is performed by both men and women, utilizing a variety of weapons, including: spears, war hammers, axes, daggers, and swords of almost every variety. Combatants include knights, mercenaries, rogues, damsels in distress, magic wielders, elves, and a variety of monsters, depending on the needs of the story.

In the shows, equestrian wargames test the speed, courage, and horsemanship of the mounted Knights. Jousters contest in armor drawn from many different cultures and periods on a variety of breeds of horses. Warriors awaiting their turn join the audience in heckling, making wagers, and cheering on their favorites.

The more typical shows feature story lines created by Dameon Willich and Darragh Metzger, centering on the fictional land of Tír na nÓg

Tír na nÓg

Tír na nÓg is the most popular of the Otherworlds in Irish mythology. It is perhaps best known from the story of Oisín, one of the few mortals who lived there, who was said to have been brought there by Niamh of the Golden Hair. It was where the Tuatha Dé Danann settled when they left Ireland's...

. As the story goes, this land is entered by crossing the enchanted mists into a world existing parallel to this one. Faerie folk and humans share this world, however, not always peacefully. The ruling body in this land is referred to as the Greater Fey, who wield powers that help keep their citizens lawful. Conflicts are abated quickly by the Greater Fey and their human Triads.

A Triad is created by the Greater Fey which choose humans who have proven themselves to be strong, brave and clever. They consist of Cavaliers, the warrior-knights, Rangers, light fighters, and Mystics, wielders of magic. Each Triad is connected to a Faction, designated by a color. This story line culminates in a tournament, where each Faction may prove it's skill through combat, light horse runs, and the joust.

Other performances

Members of the Seattle Knights perform in two additional shows separate from their traditional medieval performances.
They perform in a pirate themed show as the "Pirates of Puget Sound". The troupe also performs as the "Seattle Swashbucklers" in shows featuring a 1600-1650s theme.
The fantasy-oriented folk music of "A Little Knight Music" has garnered favorable reviews across the northwest.

Training

Members of the troupe meet weekly to practice and engage in mock battles. When not performing in shows, the Knights gather on weekends at private ranches in Marysville, Renton, and Hobart to practice their equestrian skills and foot combat on outdoor terrain. Members of the troupe also lead classes, available to the public, for the training of student combatants.

External links

• Seattle Knights Website—http://www.seattleknights.com
• Seattle Knights performance on Modern Marvels:Battle Gear—http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Video_Clips&content_type_id=53008&display_order=5&sub_display_order=2&mini_id=1335
• Scottish Highland Games featured performers—http://www.sshga.org/games/spectatorInfo/featuredPerformers.htm#knights