Hello all!

I cannot believe that there have not been any posts in this forum, given that chivalric combat is so popular. In order to stimulate conversation, I would offer to attempt to answer any questions I can.


Yours,


Duke Drake

Kingdom of Ansteorra

i am usure of the types of combat.
i understand heavy fighting, and perhaps dagger tournaments.
what other types of combat are there?

Hi Joseph,

There are 2 main flavors of SCA combat. Heavy (or Chivalric) fighting consists of wearing protective leather and metal armor and uses rattan as the primary construction in weapons. Most kingdoms also include Rapier (or Light) combat as well. This uses metal weapons commonly seen in modern fencing and the armor typically consists of a fencing mask and multiple layers of cloth over the vital areas of the torso. I have, however, seen some advanced rapier combatants go even farher than required and wear heavier than required armor (ie. chain, etc...) for style and appearance.

Of course, within each general type of combat a participant can use a wide variety of weapons. Some of the weapons typically seen in heavy combat include: sword and shield, 2 sword, great sword, spear, glaive/pole weapon. To answer your question regarding daggers, these are mainly seen in rapier combat, as sword and dagger is a quite common combination. It is possible to hold a dagger only tournament, like any other weapon, but quite uncommon.

These are the two types of combat that comprise 99% of SCA combat. There is a new emphasis on jousting in some kingdoms as well (which is AWESOME).

Remember that both major types of combat can be performed in tournament and war/melee as well. If you are interested in the war aspect, youtube some video for Pennsic, Estrella or Gulf War for a good look at this type of activity.

Yours,

Drake

true the main gauche is used in rapier combat, but i have heard of a type of fighting here in An Tir where they did dagger tournaments. Which consist of heavy armor and a purposely dull dagger and basically full contact fighting until you can simulate slitting your opponents neck. "dead" combatants are disqualified and then rund two starts a little later and it is wittled down until it is two peopel left. I suppose I shuld have said people are paired up to begin with as opponents.

Interesting, every once in a while you will see a dagger's only heavy tournament, but it is pretty uncommon. Physically grappling is not legal in an SCA venue. Of course, many of us have done it at non-SCA locations, and it is fun. Also, at no time would an official heavy SCA event/practice legally allow metal weapons of any type in combat, blunted or not. Again, it sounds fun but is not kosher in the SCA. The combination of the two is REALLY not in the rules of the lyst.

Maybe a non-sanctioned SCA event...or another group entirely? Or perhaps just a bunch of folks who knocked out the An Tiran marshallate with chlorform and went wild one day

More information on cut and thrust (rapier) combat can be found in the Marshall's handbook here!

I myself have only seen it once, but must admit it looks really interesting!

Greetings all,

First of all I have to say that I am home fresh from my first tourney (And I only authorised 6 days ago LOL). After the tounrey bouts had completed, we went to informal list bouts and I had a go at using a 2-handed sword. I'll admit it, I am hooked, I found it incredibly more comfortable to use than sword and shield and I actually moved around as opposed to stand and swing (Hey I am a newb).

A few questions, as my shire marshal is happy for me to continue working with 2-handed weapons.

1) Can thrusting tips be added?

2) If so, can a thrusting tip be added to the pommel (Or am I thinking Halberds?)

Vlad of Dragons Bay wrote:


Hey Vlad,

Yep this stuff can be incredibly addicting. I am glad you enjoyed yourself. Greatsword is a fun style! You typically seen it fought against like weapons (ie anohter greatsword or possibly a pole weapon) because it is a "hard road to hoe" when fighting a S and S fighter of equivalent or greater skill.

Anyway, you pose some interesting questions because that exact ruleset is currently in flux. I would love to answer you definitively, but the butt spike on greatswords may be disallowed soon (or may not) but a thruster on the tip is just fine. If I read the proposed rules correctly, thrusting from both ends will still be allowed on poles however. I bet this will get squared away by the end of the year, and all new rules will become active when they are published. Currently greatswords can have a buttspike by the way.

I would actually say that you should give poles a chance as well. They posess the same freedom you enjoy and are overall a more effective weapon against other styles (although a world-class greatswordsman can still hold his own at a high level). I would also really recommend still keeping with the S and S style as well. It is the overwhelmingly dominant style for a reason AND even if you will mainly using big weapons you need to know how to fight S and S to get a feeling for it's weaknesses when you invariably fight against it.

Good Luck!

Drake, Tribunus Ansteorrae

Thankyou for the timely input Drake.

I am interested in investigating into polearms/axes in the future, although we have a local deficiency of rattan which leads to beg/borrow/steal scenarios LOL. Often here the descision is made if a piece of rattan is sufficiently long enough to make two single blades as opposed to one single polearm.

In light that the butt-spike for greatswords is under review, I will err on the side of potential caution and not add one. (I have been granted an old greatsword that needs refurbishment).

Going further from yesterday's post, I had a greater deal of success using the two-hander against S and S, Long and short Sword combination, and single sword (Although he had me rattled as I wasn't comfortable going against someone without SOMETHING in the off hand)

I have already learned that hard way (The best way LOL) to use and KEEP the distance advantage.

I actually managed to "Black Knight" one of the S and S fighters...

So, total noob questions.

I've been reading and reviewing both the Official SCA Marshall handbook, and my local kingdoms Marshall Handbook and had several questions, so lets begin.

1. Is it possible to be authorized and fight in the lists without becoming an official SCA member?
2. what is involved in the Authorization process? (e.g what is face thrusting? THE MIDREALM ARMORED COMBAT FIGHTER AND MARSHAL HANDBOKE pg 20 section F.6.f)

3. What constitutes the side of the knee joint? (Basically how far around should knee armor wrap?)
4. What are the requirements to not wear a gorget? (I hate them and if I can get away with not wearing one I would like that option)
5. Is there a diagram or other visual aid that shows the minimum areas that are required to be covered by Armor for heavy fighting?

Hello SCAdians! I have a question about the heads of weapons, specifically polearms. The Marshall's handbook is pretty vague about this. I want to create an english bill, that has a head which can, essentially trap and control enemy weapons and shields (as old manuscripts recommend). I want the head to be sturdy enough to beat down, trap, wrench, twist, and overpower enemy weapons (not to mention crush through uncommitted blocks). So I was thinking of using additional pieces of rattan to augment the structural integrity if the head. Essentially, have pieces of rattan coming off the main haft of the weapon configured something like this:

....\\....||
......\\||||
........||
........||
........||
........||

(Hopefully that looks right after formatting)

I would then cover this rattan with rigid foam, and then with padding.

Is this a legal construction method?