Armored Combat:Change log - 23 June 2026

V2026.0 - Approved by the Board of Directors 23 June 2026

Overview
Was: Target archery - Competitions of various targets and scenarios, including clout shoots, moving targets and more. Mounted archery is included in equestrian activities.
Now: Target archery - Competitions of various targets and scenarios, including clout shoots, moving targets and more. Includes handbows, crossbows, and atlatls. Mounted archery is included in equestrian activities.
Functional change: None
Reason for change: Clarified that atlatls are under the Target Archery Handbook, rather than the Thrown Weapons Handbook.

Overview
Was: 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.
Now: Thrown weapons - knives, axes, spears, slings, and plumbatae are used in competitions of various targets and scenarios. Several of these are also used in equestrian. Safe versions and simulators are also used in armored combat (rattan) and rapier.
Functional change: None
Reason for change: Spears is the term used in the Thrown Weapons Handbook. Corrected plural of plumbata. Not all of the thrown weapons are used in equestrian.

Handbooks - General - 1.3
Was: Kingdoms must include any relevant restrictions on these activities imposed by mundane laws within its boundaries.
Now: Removed
Functional change: Kingdoms are not required to include all mundane restrictions. A page in the handbook is provided if a kingdom chooses to include them.
Reason for change: Removed following feedback. Kingdoms can't be expected to know every possible permutation of legal restrictions in their jurisdictions.

Handbooks - General 3.1
Was: The most current versions of the Society Marshal's Handbooks can be found at https://www.sca.org/resources/document-library/#marshal.
Now: The official versions of the Society Marshal's Handbooks can be found at https://www.sca.org/resources/document-library/#marshal.
Functional change: Official version of the rules are found on the SCA website.
Reason for change: Society rules require the authoritative version to be a static document. The wiki is a useful resource for participants, but the official rules are those held as a PDF of each handbook hosted on SCA.org.

Handbooks - Application of the rules 3.2
Was: Kingdom-specific rules are found within this wiki, or through each kingdom's website.
Now: Kingdom-specific rules are denoted by the Kingdom name and shading (online format) or with blue text (pdf).; Additional information can be found on your kingdoms website - Kingdoms add their url
Functional change: None. Clarification of kingdom-specific formatting.
Reason for change: Updated following feedback.

Handbooks - Application of the rules 3
Was: by delegation, members of the kingdom marshalate.
Now: by delegation, warranted members of the kingdom marshalate.
Functional change: Clarification that this applies only to warranted marshals.
Reason for change: Marshals-in-charge can appoint non-warranted marshals to help. Only warranted marshals can make approval decisions.

Handbooks - Application of the rules 3.1
Added: Unless otherwise directed by Kingdom Law, the Crown's representative upon the field and in all matters dealing with martial activities within a discipline is the Kingdom Earl Marshal, the Kingdom Deputy Earl marshal for the discipline, and, by delegation, warranted members of the kingdom marshalate.
Functional change: Includes existing wording from the Rapier Handbook, and changed to cover all martial disciplines. Original text - "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.
Reason for change: Clarifies the ability of the Kingdom Deputy to also represent and delegate within their discipline.

Handbooks - Application of the rules 3.1
Added: The discipline marshalate has jurisdiction over all SCA martial and related activities for that discipline.
Functional change: Included from Equestrian Handbook, and broadened to cover all martial disciplines. "The Equestrian Marshalate has jurisdiction over all SCA equestrian activities and related activities."
Reason for change: In the past, there has been confusion about jurisdiction over martial activities, in particular where there is overlap (e.g. combat archery for rattan vs rapier, target archery on foot vs equestrian). This establishes clear jurisdiction.