Armored Combat:Introduction to SCA martial activities

Introduction to SCA martial activities

Overview

SCA martial activities provide participants the chance to recreate the skills, techniques, and exploits of martial endeavors that occurred pre-17th century.

These include:

• Armored combat (rattan) - fighting in armor with weapon simulators made of rattan (a springy bamboo-type of wood). Battles also include siege engines, and combat safe versions of archery and thrown weapons.
• Armored combat (rebated blades) - fighting in armor with blunted steel weapons, with percussive but no thrusting attacks.
• Rapier combat - "unarmored" combat with blunted steel blades, which includes thrusting and cutting attacks.
• Cut and thrust combat - "unarmored" combat with blunted steel blades, which includes thrusting, cutting, and percussive cut attacks.
• Combat archery - specially constructed blunted arrows are used in battles and melee scenarios. These are included in both armored combat (rattan) and rapier combat.
• Target archery - Competitions of various targets and scenarios, including clout shoots, moving targets and more. Mounted archery is included in equestrian activities.
• Thrown weapons - knives, axes, spears, javelins, slings, and plumbata are used in competitions of various targets and scenarios. They are also used in equestrian activities. Safe versions and simulators are also used in armored combat (rattan) and rapier.
• Siege engines - trebuchet, ballista (giant mounted crossbows), and catapults. Includes both target competitions and use in armored combat (rattan) battles.
• Equestrian - Includes mounted versions of the martial activities (armored combat, rapier/cut and thrust, archery, thrown weapons), plus jousting, skill-at-arms, historical games, and historical maneuvers.
• Youth combat - child-friendly versions of adult armored combat (rattan) and rapier combat.

Other activities clearly falling within the scope above are also considered martial-related activities.

Handbooks

General

1. Each martial activity has a set of rules which must comply with the Society Marshal's Handbooks and the SCA Governing Documents (relevant to and operating under local state and country laws).
   1. The Society Marshal's Handbooks define the SCA minimum requirements and standards for participants, marshals, administrators, including allowed activities, conventions, weapons, armor, equipment, and authorizations.
   2. Kingdoms can define additional requirements, standards, conventions, marshals, or types of authorization (such as weapons forms) if they decide those are necessary. However, they cannot reduce or disregard the requirements and standards delineated in the Society handbooks without a variance from the Society Marshal and approved by the Board of SCA Inc.
   3. Kingdoms must include any relevant restrictions on these activities imposed by mundane laws within its boundaries.
2. These handbooks are laid out in the following order of information relevant to:
   • Participants - How to participate, types of activities and their requirements, conventions (competition guidelines), equipment standards, authorizations, accessibility
   • Participants & marshals - Authorizations, and other safety related information (heat, concussions) and procedures (injuries, misconduct).
   • Marshals - Requirements, types of marshals, roles and responsibilities/chain of command, how to do inspections and marshaling. Marshals ensure participants and equipment comply with SCA rules, conventions and established standards.
   • Administration - Reporting, insurance, interkingdom events, and experimental programs
3. These rules are subject to change or clarifications.
   1. The most current versions of the Society Marshal's Handbooks can be found at https://www.sca.org/resources/document-library/#marshal.
   2. Kingdom-specific rules are found within this wiki, or through each kingdom's website.

Use of particular words

Throughout these handbooks, particular words have specific meanings.

1. When we say "we" and "our", we mean the marshalate.
2. When we say "you", we mean the person who needs to follow this rule.
3. When we say "shall" or "must", we mean that it's compulsory, it's an absolute requirement.
4. When we say "shall not" or "must not", we mean it is absolutely not allowed or prohibited.
5. When we say "should" or "recommended", there may be valid reasons in particular circumstances to ignore it, but the full implications must be understood and carefully weighed before choosing a different course.
6. When we say "should not" or "not recommended", there may be valid reasons in particular circumstances when the action is acceptable, but the full implications must be understood and carefully weighed before doing so.
7. When we say "may", we mean that it is optional. You can choose to do it, or you can choose not to.

Application of the rules

1. These handbooks contain vital and required information, rules, standards, conventions, and procedures meant to promote safe and effective participation in SCA martial activities. However, they cannot cover every situation or scenario, or replace common sense, good judgment, and empathy.
2. If there is a question when applying these rules, marshals should choose the answer that promotes the greatest degree of safety for everyone while being flexible and creative to enable participation to the maximum extent possible.
3. When not otherwise directed by the Crown, the Crown's representative upon the field and in all matters dealing with Society martial activities is the Kingdom Earl Marshal, and, by delegation, warranted members of the kingdom marshalate.

General rules

1. All participants, marshals, and administrators of martial activities in the SCA are responsible for knowing these rules, as well as any additional rules of their kingdom (i.e. your local chapter).
   1. Out-of-kingdom rules - if you are visiting or moving to another kingdom
   2. Attending inter-kingdom events
2. Many of our martial disciplines require you to officially demonstrate that you have the basic competence to not be a danger to yourself or others. This must be done before allowing you to participate in competitions or other activities outside of formal training. The demonstration and the accompanying documentation to record it is called "authorizing". Once completed, you are "authorized" for a period of time determined by your kingdom.
3. Marshals have the authority to regulate the movement of non-combatants on and near the field and to control the location of spectators.
4. Addition policies and requirements of the SCA in general can be found at www.sca.org/resources/

Inter-kingdom activity

Out of kingdom

1. If you are visiting another kingdom, you must meet that kingdom's standards for protective gear, weapons, equipment, and conventions set out in their rules in order to participate in that kingdom's activities.
2. If you move to another kingdom, your equivalent authorizations will be recognized for up to 6 months. After that time, you will need to authorize under your new kingdom's processes.

Inter-kingdom events

1. Martial activities at large events that are jointly operated by two or more kingdoms (usually through a written agreement, such as a charter or treaty) must meet the minimum standards defined in the Society Marshal's Handbooks.
2. These events can define additional requirements, standards, conventions, or marshals, as they deem necessary, but cannot reduce or disregard the requirements and standards delineated in the Society Marshal's Handbooks. These can typically be found on the event's website or gatebook.

For newcomers - ("How do I participate in martial activities at an SCA event?")

1. When you arrive on site, you will need to find the "Gate". This is where you complete any sign-in requirements to attend. This typically includes:
   • Signing a general waiver, or showing proof that you have one on file (for example, proof of current membership).
   • If there are SCA equestrian activities, everyone will need to sign the equestrian waiver regardless of membership, and whether or not they are participating in any equestrian activities.
   • For people under the legal age of majority, additional documents may be required.
   • For events in kingdoms outside of the United States, waiver requirements vary.
2. For most tournaments, you will need to register to compete. This is commonly referred to as "signing in at the Lists table".
3. If you have questions about martial activities, including the format of the practice or competition, ask to talk to the marshal-in-charge.
4. Before engaging in any martial activity, your weapons, equipment and protective gear must be inspected and approved by a marshal warranted for this purpose and activity. This is commonly referred to "armor and weapons inspection".
5. Some martial activities require an "authorization" to enter a competition or other organized activities at events. (Note: authorizations are not required to participate at official practices or classes.) You will need to show proof of your authorization before being allowed to compete or participate in those activities. This proof could be a physical card or provided electronically, depending on your kingdom's process.
6. For all activities, follow the marshals' instructions. They will direct the combat and other martial activities. For competitions, heralds will often announce the order of competition and introduce people on the tournament field. Lists officers are people who record and track the results.