Biesiada

A Biesiada is a grand celebration held to commemorate significant military victories. Traditionally, only a king could call for a true Biesiada, though over time, lesser lords began to host smaller versions of these feasts to elevate their own prestige. While these lesser celebrations may not carry the full weight of royal authority, they still serve as a way for lords to display their success and honor their warriors. In the age of kings, following a war between the five kingdoms, the victorious side would always hold a Biesiada, sometimes even extending invitations to the defeated royalty, partly as a display of superiority and triumph.
The hallmark of any Biesiada is the Dawanie, or the act of gift-giving. This ceremony honors knights, generals, and others who distinguished themselves in battle. In some cases, kings have even used the Dawanie to strip underperforming lords of their lands, only to reward them to warriors who proved their worth. The Biesiada serves not only as a moment of celebration but also as an occasion to reshape the kingdom's hierarchy in the aftermath of war.
However, a true Biesiada is never restricted to the nobility. In its most authentic form, the entire settlement—if not the whole kingdom—takes part in the festivities. There is even a version of the Dawanie for the common folk, where soldiers who distinguished themselves in battle could find themselves at the heart of the celebration. It was not uncommon for these common soldiers to be carried into the noble feasts by their comrades, where they would be knighted by the king in a public display of honor and unity.

Primary Related Location

The Sundered Marches

Related Ethnicities

• Rynkowski