By Sir Vladimir Ivanovitch
In the SCA we practice ‘modern’ medieval combat. While both heavy and light (fencing) are represented, this article will concentrate on heavy weapons. The fighting system we use is a full contact honor system, meaning that the fighters are responsible for calling and accepting their own blows. There is no one to tell you when you are “dead” or defeated.
So, let’s say a fighter is struck in the head. The fighter must first consider if the shot was sharp or flat. You can strike an armored fighter with the flat or broad side of a weapon several times without doing any real damage, so the shot has to be with the sharp edge of the weapon. Rattan (a fibrous wood used to make weapons) is round so the edge is represented by a strip of tape or paint. So, if the blow was sharp, the fighter then has to consider if it was hard enough. Well, what is hard enough?!?
This brings us to armor. All fighters are required to wear regulation armor that protects all vital areas. These rules can change slightly from kingdom to kingdom, but overall they are fairly standard. There are dozens of types of armor. Armor style can be based on a fighter’s persona and can vary in materials. Plastic is sometimes used for armor, but ideally armor should look period, so if we use plastic we cover it. Fighters also use steel, aluminum, leather, or even carpet. There are several ways to make protective body armor. But regardless of what the fighter is actually wearing we are considered to all be wearing the same thing for standards sake. In theory, we are all wearing an open face iron helmet with a nasal bar and a chain mail hauberk (long shirt of little metal rings) over a padded gambeson (padded long shirt) with boiled leather arm and leg defenses. If you are familiar with the battle of 1066 A.D., the Battle of Hastings, this is the “armor standard.”
With this standard every one should be accepting the same power of blows regardless if they are wearing a full steel chest plate or a leather vest. So if the blow was sharp and hard enough to penetrate the helmet and kill, the fighter would fall down and die. Fighters also get hit on the arms and legs, in which case, the fighter can fight with one arm or drop to his or her knees. Although this isn’t very realistic -the fighter would bleed to death before they could finish the fight - it is chivalrous. Chivalry dictates almost all of the fighter’s behavior on the field. We are recreating the Middle Ages as they should have been, not necessarily as they were.
We also have combat Marshals. Marshals stand on the field to act like referees. They keep an eye on the fighters. The Marshals are responsible for making sure that the fighters’ armor stays safe (and on) and that the fighters don’t work their way into a bad fighting position (the audience, trees, ditches, etc.) Marshals can be consulted on shots if there is a question but makes no decisions regarding the outcome of combat.
If you are interested in trying out the fighting please feel free to come to fighter practice. We have loaner armor you can use, the only thing you have to bring is a cup (both males of females must have groin protection) and elbow and kneepads. Sweat pants are the most comfortable but any loose fitting clothes will work. Tennis shoes or comfortable boots are best for your feet. We will provide everything else.
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