Fencing:General Information

General Information

General

1. SCA Fencing shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules of the Lists of the SCA, Inc. (see II.B below), these rules, and such further rules as are established by the Kingdoms.
2. Competence in other SCA combat styles does not automatically mean competence in SCA Fencing. Separate warrants and authorizations in Fencing are required.
   1. Each Kingdom can decide how they wish to control authorizations for each category of Fencing and weapons, with the following exceptions:
      1. Use of spears requires a separate authorization.
   2. Authorization for Fencing must, at a minimum, verify that the candidate understands the requirements for armor and weapons, and demonstrate that they can participate in Fencing activities in a manner that maintains their safety and that of their opponent, including appropriate calibration of blows and comportment on the field.
3. All combatants, prior to every combat or practice, shall ensure their armor and equipment are safe, in good working order and have been inspected by a member of the Kingdom Marshallate authorized to inspect Fencing gear.
4. At interkingdom events, for a tourney hosted by a single Kingdom, combatants shall meet or exceed SCA standards for protective gear, and shall comply with whatever weapons standards are set by the host kingdom for that tourney.
5. Unless otherwise directed by Kingdom Law, the Crown's representative upon the field and in all matters dealing with Fencing is the Earl Marshal, then the Kingdom Fencing Marshal (possibly referred to as the Kingdom Rapier Marshal, Kingdom Marshal of Fence, Kingdom Fencing Marshal, or equivalent), then, by delegation, members of the Kingdom Marshallate.
6. The minimum age for training and authorization in Fencing is 14. When combatants under the age of 18 undertake training and authorization, the Kingdom Fencing Marshal (or their designated representatives) shall ensure that the minor's parent or legal guardian has observed Fencing in the SCA, is aware of the risk of injury inherent in this martial art, and has signed a statement explicitly acknowledging the above. For youth younger than the age of 14, please refer to the Youth Combat rules at https://www.sca.org/officers/marshal/youthcombat/
7. A combatant under the age of 18 participating in SCA Fencing activities with combatants at or over the age of 18 must have a yellow diamond no smaller than 0.5 inch (12mm) on the cuff of the glove of the dominant hand. On light colored gloves, the diamond should be outlined in black or other dark color for contrast.

SCA Rules of the Lists

Note: These Rules of the Lists are copied from the Armored Combat Marshal's Handbook, as they apply to Fencing, with clarifications in [brackets.]

1. Each fighter, recognizing the possibility of physical injury to themselves in such combat, shall assume unto themselves all risk and liability for harm suffered by means of such combat. No fighter shall engage in combat unless and until they have inspected the field of combat and satisfied themselves that it is suitable for combat. Other participants shall likewise recognize the risks involved in their presence on or near the field of combat and shall assume unto themselves the liabilities thereof.
2. No person shall participate in Official Combat-Related Activities (including armored combat, period fencing, and combat archery) outside of formal training sessions unless they have been properly authorized under Society and Kingdom procedures.
3. All combatants must be presented to, and be acceptable to, the Sovereign or [their] representative.
4. All combatants shall adhere to the appropriate armor and weapons standards of the Society, and to any additional standards of the Kingdom in which the event takes place. The Sovereign may waive the additional Kingdom standards.
5. The Sovereign or the Marshallate may bar any weapon or armor from use upon the field of combat. Should a warranted Marshal bar any weapon or armor, an appeal may be made to the Sovereign to allow the weapon or armor.
6. Combatants shall behave in a knightly and chivalrous manner and shall fight according to the appropriate Society and Kingdom Conventions of Combat.
7. No one may be required to participate in Combat-Related Activities. Any combatant may, without dishonor or penalty, reject any challenge without specifying a reason. A fight in a tournament list is not to be considered a challenge and therefore may be declined and forfeit the bout.
8. Fighting with real weapons, whether fast or slow, is strictly forbidden at any Society event. This rule does not consider approved weaponry which meets the Society and Kingdom standards for traditional Society combat and/or Society period rapier [fencing] combat, used in the context of mutual sport, to be real weaponry.
9. No projectile weapons shall be allowed within the Lists of a tournament, nor shall any weapons be thrown. The use of approved projectile weapons for melee, war, or combat archery shall conform to the appropriate Society and Kingdom Conventions of Combat.