The Stramash of Marches

The stramash of Marches happened in the year 480, when the fortress on the large island in the middle of the River Armont was still garrisoned against orcish skirmishers on the east bank of the river. 
As is often the case in the history of the humanfolk, the battle was fought because of a disagreement between themselves, and not external aggressors. In fact, this deadly encounter was the result of a naive young officer and his preference for beef.

The Conflict

Prelude

By the 450s, the garrison at Marches had seen almost of a century of peace. The orcs and elves east of the river had been almost completely subdued after the siege that is nowadays remembered at The Big Market holiday, and the town of Marches had grown substantially both sides of the river. The right bank of the river was already the home of sheep farmers, and the left bank had developed into a haven for skilled cattlemen and women. The absence of external threats perhaps had lead to an animosity or, at least, a friendly rivalry between the two 'factions' on either side of the river. These communities had originally grown up to support the garrison, and there had already been a desire to avoid seeming to prefer one side or the other from the military command.
In late spring 480, Serge Winwood - later Lord Winwood of Neuk - had been commissioned as an officer, second-in-command of the garrison. A new arrival from the nice parts of Duntown and an alumnus of the University, he was not acquainted with the traditions of the area. As such, he made the error of trusting his palate rather than custom in his ordering of food when left in charge. He disliked the taste and texture of lamb and mutton, and so ordered only veal and beef for the month of June.
To add to this unfortunate decision, the Calving made the similarly ill-starred move of celebrating wildly and taunting their suddenly disgraced Lambers across the river. One hot Saturday in early summer, tensions boiled over, and there was a pitched battle on the smaller of the town's two islands.

The Engagement

There was almost no organisation on the part of the Calvers, who were mainly armed with short swords and large butcher's knives. While these were the aggressors in word, the Lambers were the ones who had come to fight, and had taken bows to the hillock on their side of the island. When tensions finally came to the point of no return, an archer had shot an arrow into a crowd of Calvers. This arrow was either batted away or, if you believe the Calver telling of the story, sliced in half, by a large and sinewy leader of the cattlemen.
It is disputed whether the next thing was the charge of the Calvers, or more arrows from the Lambers, but what is known is that both these things happened, and a battle ensued that left a score of dead men on both sides before the garrison could intervene and control the situation.

Outcome

When a town fights itself, there are no winners, only losers. Winwood was relieved of his position and posted to coastguard duty at Neuk, where he was to spend the rest of his life. The Constable of Marches was censured for failing to keep the peace, and when he did not accept his censure, was executed. His or her name is not recorded.

Conflict Type

Battle

Start Date

Summer 480

Ending Date

Summer 480