Copyright © 1985, 1989, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020 by The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This handbook is an official corporate publication of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching and recreating the customs, combat and courtesy of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Copies of this document can be ordered from SCA Marketplace, PO Box 360789, Milpitas, CA 95036-0789 Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., may photocopy this work in whole or in part for SCA use provided that copyright credit is given and no changes are made to the text. The contents of this document will be posted at http://www.sca.org and further reproduction on other Internet sites is expressly forbidden. SCA Fencing Marshals’ Handbook April 2020 Page 1 of 41 Society Marshal’s Forward to the April 2020 Edition The document you are reading is the result of a number of years’ effort and has been worked on by countless people. Over 500 comments were received during the recent period for public commentary alone. Further, the document has been the subject of not one, but several committees along the way. The objectives of all this work are to provide an updated, re-organized handbook for fencing in the Society, to expand our game by making available new activities and weapons, as well as to document rules for activities that have been in use but unregulated for some years. Further, we have attempted to organize a document which, over the years, has often been added to, but seldom fully revised. This handbook will not ever satisfy everyone, nor will it ever be perfect. It sets the limits of this activity within the Society as a whole. Kingdoms may set narrower requirements, as their circumstance, tradition and the best management of fighting activity in their jurisdiction indicate. New weapons or activities added in this book are not “automatically legal” throughout all kingdoms the day after publication. Each Earl Marshal, Kingdom Rapier Marshal or Marshal of Fence is required to implement any new activity wisely in order to maintain an acceptable level of risk for our participants. Those who fail to use wisdom, common sense and due implementation steps do so at their peril. If you let untrained people on the field with a new weapon solely “because its legal in the Society Handbook”, then you are violating your responsibility to manage combat in the Society in a trustworthy fashion. You should probably look for a different way to serve. Nor are all the new weapons or activities required to be allowed in all circumstances. Because spears are now available for use does not mean they are de facto allowed in all scenarios. I expect our new spears will, like rubber band guns or combat archery, be allowed in some but not all scenarios. They will be popular with some, but not with all – and that’s okay. Since the last major revision of these rules, the SCA has created a new peerage order for this discipline. The keeping of the spirit and ideals of the SCA is given to the peerages, in their several Orders. I expect the Order of Defense (warranted or not) to set the example for the conduct of the activities described here. One effect of this should be to eke out the inherent inadequacies of the words on the paper of this Handbook with your actions and the guidance you provide every fighter you work with. I expect all fighters and marshals to approach the Handbook with good faith and to attempt to make it work – I expect this even more from the Masters of Defense. Enough finger-wagging; all of you get on the field, fight hard, fight long, marshal well, and use the rules as intended – as a way for us all to have a fun game that’s reasonably safe! Regards, Gravesend Marshal of the Society SCA Fencing Marshals’ Handbook April 2020 Page 2 of 41 Date Approved by the Board of Page Section Summary of Change Directors Changed the title from “Rapier Marshal’s Handbook” to 1 “Fencing Marshals’ Handbook” April 2020 Throughout Gender neutral language throughout April 2020 Changed the category name of “Heavy Rapier” to “Rapier 8 4.1 Combat” April 2020 Codified the name of “Cut and Thrust Combat”, in places 8 4.1 also referred to as “Cut&Thrust” to “Cut & Thrust Rapier” April 2020 9 5.3 Added line engagement April 2020 9 5.3 Melee is allowed across all categories. April 2020 9 6 Removed language restricting parry-only daggers April 2020 Removal of the requirement that the grip be less than 1/3 of 12 6.2.14 the blade length April 2020 14 6.3 Added the recently experimental rubber tipped spear April 2020 14 6.3.3. Sunset steel headed spears as of December 31st 2020 April 2020 14 6.4 Added greater definitions of projectile weapons April 2020 Mandates the use of combat archery blunt types from the 15 6.4.6. Society Marshal’s Handbook April 2020 Clarified that cloaks may be thrown over the opponent’s arm 15 6.5 or weapon, but not the head April 2020 Expands the section to better describe the amount of force to 16 7.1. be used in Society Fencing April 2020 Use of spears combined to match the rules laid out in the 16 7.4 initial experiments for each type of spear April 2020 17 7.11. Clarifies the acceptable use of a gloved hand April 2020 Clarifies that blows are accepted by the recipient; therefore, 18 8.1. they must be able to sense them April 2020 Removal of leg shot being completely disabling in Cut & 16 8.3.5 Thrust combat April 2020 Groin protection. Changed from “Male fighters shall wear rigid groin protection” to “external reproductive organs … 22 9.8 must be covered by rigid protection” April 2020 Addition of rigid protection as required for “any body part vulnerable to disproportionate bleeding, such as … 22 9.8 hemangioma” April 2020 Added requirement for body-worn medical equipment to be 22 9.8.1 covered by armor April 2020 Eliminated the use of a flat-broken foil blade as an acceptable 31 Appx 3 method for testing penetration resistant material April 2020 Appx 38 4 & 5 Expanded marshaling notes included April 2020 40 Appx 6 Inclusion of procedures for experimental programs April 2020 41 Appx 7 Inclusion of a list of items for adverse event reports April 2020 SCA Fencing Marshals’ Handbook April 2020 Page 3 of 41 Table of Contents Page 1. Introduction 4 2. General Information 4 3. Conventions 6 4. Categories of Fencing 7 5. Types of Fencing 8 6. Description of Weapons and Defensive Objects 8 6.1. Types of Weapons 8 6.2. Metal Bladed Weapons 8 6.3. Spears 12 6.4. Projectile Weapons 13 6.5. Types of Defensive Objects 14 7. Use of Weapons and Defensive Objects 15 8. Acknowledgement of Blows 16 9. Armor Requirements 17 10. Marshalling 21 11. Adverse events 22 12. Use of weapons, styles, and armor requirements outside of these rules 22 Appendices: Appendix 1. Glossary 24 Appendix 2. Inspecting a combatant’s arms and armor 27 Appendix 3. Testing methods for penetration resistant armor 30 A3.1. Procedures for creating a Drop Tester 30 A3.2. Procedures for use of a Drop Tester 34 Appendix 4. Marshalling Fencing 37 Appendix 5. Authorization 38 Appendix 6. Procedure for experimental programs 39 Appendix 7. Adverse Events Reports 40 SCA Fencing Marshals’ Handbook April 2020 Page 4 of 41 1. Introduction 1.1. These rules set fundamental standards for Fencing Combat in the SCA. They are designed to allow use by the Kingdoms of the Society as basic rules. 1.2. In keeping with Corpora, Kingdoms retain the right to add rules which establish more restrictive standards. 1.3. All combatants and marshals are responsible for knowing these rules, as well as the additional rules of their Kingdom. 1.4. Combat in the Society poses risks to the participant. This recognition, however, does not excuse fighters from exercising control of their techniques. If a fighter throws blows which force their opponent to retire from the field, from a real injury (even one which only causes brief incapacitation), the marshal responsible for the field shall take such steps as are appropriate to stop the problem from recurring. 1.5. Rules are designed to promote safe combat in the Society. However, no matter how clear or accurate, rules cannot replace common sense, good judgment, and concern for the participants. If a question arises when applying these standards, choose the answer that promotes the greatest degree of safety for all participants. Should a situation arise not explicitly covered by Corporate or Kingdom Fencing rules, the marshals should not assume that the situation is forbidden or inappropriate. Rules are not meant to replace common sense, good judgment, and concern for the participants. 1.6. Note: Underlined terms are defined in the glossary. 2. General Information 2.1. SCA Fencing shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules of the Lists of the SCA, Inc. (see 2.8 below), these rules, and such further rules as are established by the Kingdoms. 2.2. Competence in other SCA combat styles does not automatically mean competence in SCA Fencing. Separate warrants and authorizations in Fencing are required. 2.2.1. Each Kingdom can decide how they wish to control authorizations for each category of Fencing and weapons, with the following exceptions: 2.2.1.1.