Who Says Chivalry is Dead?

Spare the rod, spoil the strumpet.

A Yelm-area man reportedly upset with his 16-year-old daughter because she went to Puyallup without parental approval Saturday night is accused of forcing her to suit up in armor and then beating her with a wooden sword for two hours until she could no longer stand, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

The father, identified as Freemon Everett Seay, 38, is a Renaissance fair enthusiast. He also donned armor and gave her a wooden sword before the assault, Thurston County sheriff’s Lt. Greg Elwin said.

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The events that led up to the alleged beating began Saturday night, after Freemon Seay went to Puyallup to pick up his daughter, Elwin said. Once they returned, Seay directed his other daughter to go outside and collect numerous willow branches, Elwin said. Seay, 5-foot-10 and 300 pounds, then used the switches to beat the 16-year-old on the back of her legs and back while she was on her stomach and he sat on top of her, he said.

According to Elwin, Seay then gave his daughter armor, a helmet and a wooden sword. Seay also suited up in armor and armed himself with a wooden sword, and they fought for nearly two hours, from 2 to 4 a.m. Sunday, until “she could no longer stand from exhaustion.”

The 16-year-old was not hospitalized, but she suffered extensive bruising on her face, torso and legs. After Seay realized the extent of his daughter’s injuries, he reportedly told her he was sorry and “he did not intend to go that far.”

[The Olympian]