Armored Combat:Glossary

Glossary

The definitions that follow apply throughout the Handbook, unless specifically stated otherwise. They are intended to clarify usage and establish a frame of reference for the various materials used in SCA combat.

Armor materials

Aventail

Flexible curtain of chainmail on a helmet, extending to cover the neck and shoulders.

Bars

Used in the visor or faceplate of helms, bars must be steel a minimum of 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) in diameter, or the equivalent. If the distance between crossbars is 2 inches (50.8 mm) or less, 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) bars can be used.

Camail

Flexible curtain of mail or leather on a helm, extending to cover the neck.

Closed-cell foam

Stiff foam with closed cells, less dense than resilient foam (e.g., Ensolite).

Equivalent

Virtually identical to the specified material in effect or function, including impact resistance, impact distribution, and impact absorption characteristics, but not necessarily in physical dimensions.

Foam

Any open- or closed-cell foam, including foam rubber, foam neoprene, polyurethane, etc.

Gauge

U.S. sheet metal standard. Note that 16-gauge is officially 1/16 inch (1.6 mm), but commercially available sheet is frequently rolled to .058 or even .055 inch - much too thin for helms.

Gauntlet

An armored glove covering the back of the hand, fingers, and thumb and the points and back of the wrist.

Gorget

A piece of armor designed to cover the throat and neck.

Heavy leather

Stiff leather, nominally 11/64 inch (4.4 mm) thick. This is referred to as 11 ounce leather.

Mail

Any fabric of small metal components either linked together (e.g., chain) or attached to a flexible backing (e.g., ring or scale).

Padding

Quilted or multi-layered cloth material, such as mattress pads, moving blankets, carpet, felt, or equivalent

Partial gauntlet (also called a half-gauntlet or demi-gauntlet)

An armored glove covering the back of the hand and at least the first knuckle of the thumb, as well as the points and back of the wrist.

Plate

Large components of rigid material.

Resilient foam

Dense, plastic, closed-cell foam such as ethyl polymer.

Rigid material

1. Steel of no less than 1/20 inch (1.27 mm) (18 gauge), or aluminum of no less than 5/64 inch (1.89 mm) (14 gauge).
2. Other metals of sufficient thickness to give similar rigidity to those listed above to include treated steel or aluminum
3. High-impact-resistant plastics such as ABS or polyethylene of sufficient thickness to give similar rigidity to those listed above
4. 11/64 inch (4.4 mm) or 11 oz thick stiff leather that has been hardened in hot wax, soaked in polyester resin (properly catalyzed), or treated in such a manner as to permanently harden the leather
5. Two layers of untreated 11/64 inch (4.4 mm) or 11 oz thick stiff leather
6. Other materials equivalent to those items listed above (Any armor of unusual construction or materials must meet the approval of the Kingdom or Principality Earl Marshal or their designated deputy.)

Steel

Cold- or hot-rolled mild steel or equivalent ferrous material

Weapons

Striking surface

Because of the nature of our activities and the ability of our weapons to break during use, the "striking surface" of a weapon is to be considered throughout the entire striking portion. ie. the entire blade or head of the weapon, not only the outside "skin" or layer. This includes all interior construction materials and parts no matter how "deep" inside.

Approved rigid plastics

HDPE piping is currently the only rigid plastic approved for the striking surface of a weapon.

Bow

A projectile launcher consisting of a material held under tension by a string. Also referred to as a Handbow.

Crossbow

A projectile launcher consisting of a bow (called a prod) being mounted to a stock, with a lock mechanism to hold the string at full draw and allow its release via a trigger.

Flail

A weapon with a striking surface attached to the handle via a flexible arm or pivot.

Handle

the gripping area of a single handed weapon, two handed sword, great sword, or bastard sword that is covered by a gauntleted hand(s) or basket hilt during normal combat. Handles can be less than 1 1/4 inch (31.8 mm).

Haft

The haft is defined as the section of a weapon or spear not used for striking and not covered as a handle defined above.

Laminated rattan

Two pieces of rattan, each being at least 1.25 inch (31.8 mm) in diameter, attached to one another by tape or other method of binding. Note that use of glues, epoxies, or adhesives, which substantially reduce the flexibility of the rattan, is prohibited.

Missile weapon

Projectile weapons including, but not limited to, bows and arrows, crossbows and bolts, thrown weapons, and siege engines/siege munitions.

Polearms

Hafted weapons, generally long, designed to be wielded with two hands (e.g., glaives, halberds, etc.).

Progressively resistant give (as used in discussions of thrusting tips)

As pressure is applied directly to the thrusting surface, it will compress gradually, without bottoming-out or bending to the side enough to expose the end of the blade, haft or blunt/core of the weapon to which it is attached.

Quillons

Cross-guards of a sword.

HDPE pipe

HDPE water service pipe materials meeting ASTM D2239 (and minimum of 1 inch (25.4 mm) inner diameter) or ASTM D2737 (and minimum of 1 1/4 inch (31.8 mm) outer diameter) and manufactured of PE3408, PE3608, PE3710 or PE4710 resin, or equivalent. The material is approved for various uses throughout the rules in pressure ratings ranging from 100 PSI to 200 PSI. Please check the standards in the appropriate area of the rules for what is allowed. Siloflex is an example brand of this type of piping.

Spears

Hafted weapons designed for thrusting only; also called pikes.

Single-handed mass weapons

Maces, axes, war hammers, or other weapons designed primarily to crush or punch holes (on account of the weight of the real weapons), rather than primarily to cut (on account of sharp edges on the real weapon). Maximum length for single-handed mass weapons is 48 inches (1220 mm).

Slider

A tube or similar device that wraps around the shaft of a spear and is held in one hand, allowing the spear to slide through it. Use of sliders is prohibited.

Split rattan

Rattan of at least 1 1/4 inch (31.75 mm) diameter which has been split in two and applied to a weapon such that the striking surface of the split piece retains a cross section of 1 1/4 inch (31.75 mm). Split rattan construction does not place the split rattan directly against the non-split haft of the weapon, but rather spaces the split off of the haft to allow give in the head by flexion of the split of rattan.

Swords

Single- or double-edged, bladed cutting weapons (including swords with thrusting tips).

Two-handed cutting or smashing weapons

Includes two-handed swords, great swords, bastard swords, polearms, and similar weapons.

UHMW

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene - A wear resistant plastic with outstanding impact strength.

Other definitions

Armored combat-Rattan

A full contact, non-choreographed re-creation of medieval foot combat using clothing, protective armor, and simulated weapons constructed according to SCA standards, with the overall goal of recreating the appearance and methods of combat from the historical period covered by the SCA. For purposes of this definition, all combatants are held to be equipped in the same manner, defined as that of approximately 1100 AD: a knee-length mail hauberk, one-piece helm with nasal, and boiled leather defenses for the lower arms and legs. Weapons and armor are constructed from approved materials as defined by the Society Marshal. Adult armored combat as defined above does not include light contact martial forms, such as rapier and youth combat. Adult armored combat includes all combat archery and siege weaponry used in melees or for war.

Armored fighter-Rattan

A combatant equipped in inspected and approved armor, who meets at least the minimum requirements for combat using rattan weapons, and who uses said rattan weapons in combat.

Authorization

A procedure which determines that the individual fighter has, at minimum, read and become familiar with the rules of combat, been observed while fighting, and met any further requirements for authorization to ensure that they do not constitute a safety hazard (either to self or to others). Details of the procedure used vary from kingdom to kingdom and can include further requirements. (Note: The former term "qualification" is still heard, but should be avoided.)

Battle

A single combat event in a war or war game wherein a specific scenario is enacted.

Combat archer

A combatant who will be using archery equipment, and who is equipped with armor meeting the requirements for combat on the armored combat-rattan field. Rules for combat archery weapons and conventions are found in this handbook.

Directed touch

A thrust that contacts the face-guard of the helm and, while maintaining contact with the face-guard, continues to travel in the direction of the face.

Earl Marshal

The warranted chief marshal of a kingdom.

Effective blow

A blow delivered with effective technique for the particular type of weapon used and struck properly oriented and with sufficient force.

Eric, List Field, Tourney Field

The defined area for fighting, or the fighting field, usually with a roped-off boundary.

Fully armored

For the purposes of acknowledging blows, a fully armored fighter is presumed to be wearing a lightweight, short-sleeved, knee-length, riveted-mail hauberk over a padded gambeson, with boiled leather arm and leg defenses and an open-faced iron helm with a nasal. (The helm can be presumed to include a very light chain mail drape permitting vision and resisting cuts by a mere touch of a bladed weapon.) Also, the hands, wrists, knees and lower legs, and feet, including the areas up to 1 inch (25.4 mm) above the kneecap and 1 inch (25.4 mm) above the bend of the wrist, are not legal targets.

Helpless opponent

An opponent who is unable to defend themself from attack for reasons beyond their control. An unarmed opponent is not necessarily helpless.

Knight Marshal

The warranted chief marshal of a Barony, Province, Shire, Canton, etc.

Marshal

Someone who is monitoring the conduct of combat on the field. (The marshal-in-charge of an event must be a warranted marshal; other individual marshals might not be, so long as the marshal-in-charge finds them competent to do the job.)

Rattan weapons

Rattan or equivalent weapons including, but not limited to, swords of all lengths, great weapons, mass weapons, pole arms and spears.

Rostered

A warranted marshal who is listed on a roster, rather than using the standard warrant form. The roster must include the legal and Society names, address, phone number, and the appointment and expiration dates for each officer. It must be signed by the appropriate royalty and the responsible superior officer, and be updated regularly. The roster must contain a statement that it is the current roster of (office) for the (kingdom, principality) of the Society as of (date). Local Knights Marshal and marshals who are able to perform authorizations must be either warranted or rostered.

Scenario limits

The body of rules and definitions which apply to a specific battle, such as the description of real or imaginary terrain features, obstacles, weapons limitations, allowable conduct, and scoring.

Siege Engineer

A fully armored participant in armored combat who operates a siege engine.

Society Marshal, Marshal of the Society

The warranted chief marshal of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

War

A declared state of feigned hostility between two or more kingdoms, branches, or other recognized SCA subdivisions, for the express intent of holding group combat.

War maneuvers

Group combat events not involving a state of declared hostility, usually with both sides drawn from all of the kingdoms, branches, or other recognized SCA groups participating.

Warranted

An appointed marshal who has been appointed by a Warrant of Appointment to Office of the SCA Inc., signed by the appropriate royalty and the responsible superior officer. Local Knight Marshals, and marshals who are able to perform authorizations must be either warranted or rostered.

Youth combat

A program designed for minors ages 6-17. These programs require armor, require certain weapon construction techniques and materials, train young fighters in proper etiquette, the concepts of chivalry, honor and courtesy, teach teamwork and good sportsmanship, as well as effective fighting arts, in a definitely competitive environment that parallels adult armored combat. It uses marshals, authorizations and strict controls. The marshalate is responsible for youth combat, and each kingdom is allowed to develop and run its own program.