REDMOND —

Lord Robert Engleson took a padded sparring sword and went medieval on fellow combatants at a sword-and-shield tournament held Sunday morning at Petersen Rock Garden and Museum.

Engleson, who is actually Kerry Fuhrmeister, of White City, came away with a victory in the event after nearly an hour of swinging swords, crashing shields and clanking heavy plate armor.

Central Oregon’s local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, the Shire of Corvaria, puts on these events from time to time in the area.

They host medieval-times reenactments, spanning the years between 600 and 1600 A.D., that are filled with sword fights, archery competitions and even arts and sciences contests.

Fuhrmeister’s victory at the Harvest Tourney and Summits Archery Championship in the Shire of Corvaria means he will advance to a larger tournament in Olympia, Wash., later this year, and he’s pretty thrilled about that.

“This is the one tournament I really wanted to win,” Fuhrmeister said. “I’m really happy right now.”

In his full coat of armor and metal helmet, Fuhrmeister stands well over six feet tall. His size and broad swing of his faux sword rattled a few opponents in the ring. He was also unrelenting in battle. At times an opponent would yield to him, indicating Fuhrmeister had struck a killing blow, only to have Fuhrmeister tell his opponent to regroup and continue.

“I don’t want anyone to count a blow that I think wouldn’t penetrate chain mail,” he said. “In a medieval tournament, you want a chivalrous fight, a chivalrous win.”

One participant broke his shield before a bout, so Fuhrmeister cast his aside when he fought the man. “You always want to be on par with your opponent,” he said.

That chivalry, the fair play and respect, is what lures most participants to these types of reenactments. Nearly 100 people showed up to this three-day event south of Redmond. And while the sword fights can be the marquee events, they’re a single part of a bigger picture.

“The fighting is what hooks people at first, but there are so many other things,” said Victoria Brumely, known in the kingdom as Vicomtesse Duana Traherne. “There is sewing, cooking, calligraphy. I even do some belly dancing.”

The finely sewn dresses worn by the ladies and the sweet breads and hearty meals served up for the revelers all count toward the arts and sciences competition. Everyone can compete if they choose.

Or they can just come to hang out. The group takes history seriously, but are a fun-loving bunch. You only really need to have a zest for learning more about the time period.

“Do you like history?” asked Olivia Haro, whose name at such events is Lady Olivia Magdalena de Haro. “Do you like the Middle Ages? Have you seen all the movies? Then you will like this. There really is a niche for everyone.”

For more information on the local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, visit www.corvaria.antir.sca.org.