Global:Rules of the Lists

Rules of the Lists

The SCA is not merely a sporting activity, but an inclusive community that pursues research and re-creation of pre-seventeenth century skills, arts, combat and culture through activities, demonstrations, and events.

The "Rules of the Lists", found in the SCA governing documents, are the basic rules for all SCA martial activities. These rules cover all martial activities within the SCA including but not limited to tournaments, non-tourney martial field activities such as wars, formal training sessions, and experimental programs.

They include functional elements as well as key aspects of SCA culture, values, and behavior. The observance of honor and chivalry and the safety of the combatants are the overriding goals of these rules.

The following is intended to bring together the appropriate rules for conducting SCA martial activities.

1. Each participant, recognizing the possibilities of physical injury to themselves in SCA martial activities, shall assume unto themselves all risk and liability for harm suffered by means of such martial activities. Other participants shall likewise recognize the risks involved in their presence on or near the field of combat or designated areas and shall assume unto themselves the liabilities thereof.
2. No one may be required to participate in martial activities. Any participant may, without dishonor or penalty, reject any challenge without specifying a reason. A bout or round in a tournament list is not to be considered a challenge, and therefore may not be declined or rejected without forfeiting the bout or round.
3. Participants shall behave in a chivalrous and honorable manner and shall engage in martial activities according to the appropriate Society and Kingdom conventions and standards.
4. All participants in martial activities shall adhere to the appropriate armor, weapons, and equipment standards of the Society, and to any additional standards of the kingdom in which the event takes place or in the negotiated agreements for interkingdom events.
5. No person shall participate in martial activities requiring authorization unless and until they have been properly authorized under Society and Kingdom procedures. Formal training sessions, including classes and SCA practices, do not require authorization. Experimental programs may further restrict participation.
6. All participants in martial activities must be presented to, and be acceptable to, the Crown or their representative(s).
7. The Crown or the marshalate may bar any weapon, armor, or equipment from use upon the field of combat or designated area for martial activities. Should a warranted marshal bar any weapon, armor, or equipment, an appeal may be made via the established marshalate chain of command to allow the weapon or armor.
8. Fighting with real weapons, whether fast or slow, is strictly forbidden at any Society event. This rule does not consider approved weaponry that meets the Society and kingdom standards for martial activities, used in the context of mutual sport, to be real weaponry.