Combat Training Thegn’s Handbook Combat System and Rules Edition 8-2 Copyright © The Vikings 2015 Combat Training Thegn’s Handbook Combat System and Rules Edition 8-2 Revision Record Revision Date Comment 8-0 31-Jan-2015 8th Edition – First Print Run 3.6.5 Remove Lamellar as “Effective” armour for a mutual kill. 8-1 20-Mar-2015 8-2 26-Apr-2015 5.8, 5.11 Add minimum blade point/corner arc’s © 2015 - The Vikings Page 2 of 42 Combat Training Thegn’s Handbook Combat System and Rules Edition 8-2 Forward Weave we, weave we such web-of-spears as the young war-worker waged afore-time. Forth shall we fare where the fray is thickest, where friends and fellows ’gainst foemen battle. The Song of the Valkeries Here is the 8th edition of the Combat Training manual. This latest revision is part of our ongoing effort to improve combat and combat training in “The Vikings”. It replaces all previous versions of the manual. Our rules go back a long way and we owe a huge debt to those who originated our system. They have produced a steel weapon combat that is fun and interesting for the participants as well as being exciting and informative for the public. This latest revision is mostly the work of Jon Finch and Dave Hall, to both of whom my profound thanks go. My thanks also to all those who have contributed revisions and clarifications of whom there are too many to mention. This first volume might be called the warriors handbook. It is an evolution from our previous rules, not a revolution, but there are a few changes that we should all become familiar with, so please read it carefully. It is my philosophy that what matters is training rather than the specific rules. Train your members to fight well and they will pass any assessments we make. To that end the volume two of the manual has been written to improve the clarity of and make clear the progression that a trainee warrior needs to achieve as well as help you to see how one skill provides the foundation for the next. Volume three contains the assessment requirements needed to meet the combat standards of The Vikings. But we should always remember that our training and the success of it depend upon the Recognised Combat Training Thegns and the Group Combat Training Thegns across our many Lethangs, Herreds and Felags. So thanks to all of you and I hope that this new version of the training manual will be a big help to you all. See you all on the battlefield. Skjaldborg! Ganga Fram! Jarl Konal “Ospakr” Ulfrekson High Thegn of Combat Training 18th January 2015 © 2015 - The Vikings Page 3 of 42 Combat Training Thegn’s Handbook Combat System and Rules Edition 8-2 Table of Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Combat System and Rules ...................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Training Guide ......................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Assessments Guide................................................................................................................................. 6 2 Structure & Roles ......................................................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Training Structure .................................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Hierarchy ................................................................................................................................................. 8 2.3 Roles and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.1 Group Training Thegn ........................................................................................................................................ 9 2.3.2 Recognised Training Thegn (RTT) ................................................................................................................... 10 2.3.3 Core and Specialist Thegns ............................................................................................................................. 11 2.3.4 Combat Training High Thegn ........................................................................................................................... 12 2.3.5 Assessing Thegn .............................................................................................................................................. 13 3 Combat Rules ............................................................................................................................................. 14 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 14 3.2 General Safety ....................................................................................................................................... 14 3.3 Combat Locations.................................................................................................................................. 14 3.4 Permitted use of Combat Equipment .................................................................................................... 14 3.5 Combat Participation ............................................................................................................................. 15 3.5.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 3.5.2 Participation Age limits ..................................................................................................................................... 15 3.5.3 Guest Combatants ........................................................................................................................................... 16 3.6 Hits and Kills .......................................................................................................................................... 17 3.6.1 Valid Hits .......................................................................................................................................................... 17 3.6.2 Lethal Character ............................................................................................................................................... 17 3.6.3 Kills – the Two Hit Rule .................................................................................................................................... 17 3.6.4 Mutual Hits ....................................................................................................................................................... 17 3.6.5 The Effect of Armour ........................................................................................................................................ 17 3.6.6 Inactive equipment ........................................................................................................................................... 18 3.6.7 The Berserker................................................................................................................................................... 18 3.7 Target Areas .......................................................................................................................................... 19 3.7.1 Hit Locations on infantry ................................................................................................................................... 19 3.7.2 Hit Locations on Cavalry .................................................................................................................................. 20 3.8 Injuries ................................................................................................................................................... 21 3.9 Cheating ................................................................................................................................................ 21 4 Training Regime ......................................................................................................................................... 22 4.1 Basic Training ........................................................................................................................................ 23 4.2 Specialist Weapons and Advanced Training ......................................................................................... 23 5 Combat equipment ..................................................................................................................................... 24 5.1 General Comments ............................................................................................................................... 24 5.2 Equipment Safety Checks ..................................................................................................................... 24 5.2.1 When/How Often? ............................................................................................................................................ 24 5.2.2 Who? ................................................................................................................................................................ 24 5.2.3 Sharps