War as spectacle

[Þorfinn (Þorfinn)]

There are many examples of a leader gathering am army and challenging the incumbent leader
- Brunabrough - sides each with several kings and many died
- Stanford Bridge - King of Norway (died) vs King of England
- Hastings - King of England (died) vs Duke of Normandy
- Bosworth - King of England (died) vs Tudor Pretander
- Most other battles in the wars of the Roses - Lancaster vs York for who is the King (several died)
- Agincourt - King of England vs King of France both survived and married to join the kingdoms (did not last)

So this could be played out as a series of melees (keep the audience close to see who fights well)

(should not be written after midnight before heading to Festival).
All who would like to fight in the melees, but are not contenders for the crown await each melee
The person who would contend needs to be at least a plumed non-combatant
The contest would be a single kill to keep the event to a reasonable time.
For each battle each contender would rally a team from the non contending fighters
- then fight loser eliminated, contender is also eliminated if killed
- if the sides are too lopsided a rout could be declared and the smaller side eliminated
Repeat until there is one left.