This is a Women-only tournament celebrating the most powerful and successful pirate of all time, Ching Shih, the Pirate Rose of China. All tournament proceeds will be donated to Turning Point, a local domestic violence shelter based in Warrenton, MO. Additional donations at the door (material or monetary) will be greatly appreciated!!
Ching Shih (or Madame Ching) lived from 1775-1844. She was captured by pirates at a young age and quickly rose to prominence and authority. After the death of her husband, she took control of the local pirates in the China Sea, creating a host with over 300 ships and 20,000-40,000 pirates! She battled and defeated navies from the British Empire, the Portuguese Empire, the East India Trading Co. and the Qing Dynasty before eventually being granted amnesty by the Chinese emperor and retiring to a life of luxury with all of her pirated riches.
As Pirate Queen, she enacted a strict code of laws governing the behavior of her pirates toward towns that helped them, the orderly sharing of any seized loot, and the behavior of her pirates toward any women who were captured.
Buccaneer Blades Fencing is hosting this women-only tournament to celebrate women in fencing and raise awareness about domestic violence.