For those in search of a knight in shining armor, look no farther than Tureaud Hall.
Ordo Procintus, a medieval fighting group founded in 1994, frequently gains the attention of curious passersby while fighting on campus.
The order, which means “order” and “ready for battle,” began as a small group of friends who simply enjoyed sword fighting, said Eric Wiggins, a University alumnus who joined the group in 2002.
When the Renaissance Festival in Hammond began in 2001, the group decided to showcase its fighting skills at the festival each year, he said. Since then, the group has competed in monthly tournaments on a small portion of the festival ground.
Ordo Procintus trains near Tureaud Hall every third Sunday of the month, and its tournaments are conducted at the fairgrounds every first Sunday of the month.
The sport includes five events: long sword, sword and shield, staff, spear and weapon of choice. During the “weapon of choice” event, competitors are allowed to fight with any weapon — most of which are hand-made — with the approval of the weapon master.
Photo editor Zach Breaux followed the group to Hammond and captured one of their battles on film.
