Contents
Heavy/Armored
Videos from Fight Practice
Our own Don Talentus has taken several videos of local fight practices and offers them for your viewing pleasure! The videos are at Talon’s YouTube site.
About Heavy Fighting
The Original and most common style of Marshall Arts as practiced in the SCA is what is commonly referred to as “Heavy” fighting. Its goal is to approximate the traditional fighting skills of the Medieval Knight. The primary weapon style is “sword and board” or sword and shield, but other weapons such as the mace, two-handed great sword, battle axe, assorted pole arms and a style called Florentine using two swords are also used.
© 2002 Dame Gwen the Potter
Heavy fighting like other marshal arts is a full contact sport. Blows are made with sufficient force to simulate real combat. To ensure the safety of the sport, each fighter or heavy must wear armor that adheres to a comprehensive set of regulations. Vital areas of the body must be protected in specific ways, however, a variety of interpretations are possible allowing each fighter to construct armor to express their particular persona or personal flair. Bruises are common and often considered a badge of honor, especially when received from a top notch fighter. Full details on armor requirements are laid out in the ABC’s or An Tir Book of Combat (link to the An Tir Library of documents)
Weapons are constructed of rattan, padded and wrapped in layers of duct tape. The weight of these weapons approximates real swords or other weapons. Requirements for weapon construction is also covered in the ABC’s.
Combat occurs in two forums; tournament or tourney fighting and war scenarios. Tourney fighting pits one fighter against another in a formal bout. Occasionally, melee or small team fighting is included in a tourney format. Wars are set up to involve a large number of fighters in armies often including archers and siege weapons. They give fighters an opportunity to practice strategy and unit tactics.
In all fighting situations, the slain man says if he be slain. And dying a good “death” is almost as important as striking a good blow. Marshals keep an eye on the festivities to ensure safety regulations are observed. Should the marshals deem the fighting unsafe for any reason, from a loose strap to a pet loose on the eric, a hold is called on the field. When the fighters hear a shout of “Hold” all fighting ceases. Marshals then give instructions to resolve the issue and fighting may resume at the marshal’s call of lay on. A Shout of “Hold” has also become a general warning of unsafe conditions throughout the SCA.
Rapier & Cut-and-Thrust
Link: Official Dragon’s Laire Rapier and C&T Group on Facebook
Archery
Link: Official Dragon’s Laire Archers group on Facebook
Did you know?
An IKAC, or Inter Kingdom Archery Competition, is a competition where You shoot : 6 arrows at 20, 30, 40 untimed: TWICE. You shoot a speed round, 30 seconds as many arrows as you can, at 20, 30, 40. TWICE. The total is 12 rounds. The target and scoring is the same as for a Royal Round. For more information: see the website scores-sca.org (IKAC) Inter Kingdom Archery Competition.
Useful Archery Links
You can find the archery scores for the Barony and the Kingdom online at: http://scores-sca.org
The Kingdom of Caid has assembled a library of archery material, accessible here: http://archers.sca-caid.org/library/
Siege Weapons
Siege weapons activities are part of the Archery Marshallate, subordinate to the Chief Archer. Link: Official Barony of Dragon’s Laire Siege Crew on Facebook
Thrown Weapons
What are Thrown Weapons?
(© Dave Peters)
Live steel weapons are thrown at wooden rounds and straw bales. Sound fun? Come try your hand at the art of Thrown Weapons. Expert instruction is provided for new throwers at all practices. Seasoned throwers can record scores at all published practices.
Scoring in thrown weapons involves 20 axe, 20 knife, and 20 spear throws. Axe and knife are thrown from 10 feet at a wooden round.
The target face has 3 inch, 8 inch and 14 inch concentric circles. Three points awarded for cutting the 3 inch circle.
(© Mark White)
The Spear is thrown at a straw bale placed 15 feet from the line. An 8 ½ by 11 inch piece of cardboard with a 3 inch circle is placed in the upper half of the bale. Scoring is 3 points for cutting the 3 inch circle, 2 points for cutting the cardboard and 1 point for hitting the bale. The highest possible score for all three weapons is 180 points. Our Thrown Weapons Champion is determined by skills at standard target and novel scenarios.
Where can I try my hand at Thrown Weapons
Thrown Weapons practice is held weekly, weather permitting. Thrown Weapons Competitions are also held at various events in An Tir during the Tourney Season.
One Dragon’s Laire event featuring Thrown Weapons is June Faire. Our Thrown Weapons Champion is determined by skills at target scenarios.
Please note that there are age restrictions: the youngest thrower (with parent present) on the practice field must be 9 years of age.
Useful Thrown Weapons Links
The Great Throwzini – http://www.throwzini.com/ One of the best thrown weapons site on the web.
Thrown Weapons e-mail list – antir-thrownweapons-subscribe@antir.sca.org
To check on Thrown Weapon’s Scores in An Tir, go to: http://scores-sca.org/antir_tw
Youth Combat
How-To by a Youth Combat Warden
The following instructions were written by our former YAC Warden, THL Myrick le Bear. Copyright is his!
Link: Official An Tir Youth and Family Achievement (YAFA) Facebook group
Link: Unofficial Kingdom of An Tir Youth Armored Combat (YAC) Facebook group