SCA 201 About Fighting

This is page two of six

Please start here: https://sites.google.com/site/kadasresearch/sca-200/sca-201

Know what is going on and why you should care:

A. Consider fighting in the context of a spectator sport. 

If you have ever watched sports at all, this is a chance to not only have front row seats every single weekend for the entire summer, but also to meet the best of the best. Some of the greatest players in the game may live only a shire away from you.

B. Consider fighting in the context of a political process. 

Heavy fighting tournaments determine who will rule over the kingdom. If you have ever watched political debates, this is our equivalent. Watching tourneys beside the actual Crown and Coronet will show you which individuals or groups are currently powerful, up and coming, building a power base, likely to soon sit the thrones, etc.

How to watch a tourney. Fighting for the Spectator.

SCA combat is almost always a spectator sport. Those watching usually vastly outnumber those on the field. This hand-out will not cover the volunteer positions surrounding the field (waterbearers, marshals, and chiurgeons). This is an extremely basic overview of what fighting you are likely to be seeing in the next few months. 

Tips for a good day watching. Take appropriate weather protection. This may include sunscreen, hat, sunshade, warm gloves, cloak, etc.

Take something to sit on. Chairs are best, but blankets for the ground are also fine.

Take a lunch, and plenty to drink.

Take a small handicraft. 

Tourneys will be most enjoyable if you have some idea of what is going on, and follow individuals that you feel an interest in. The easiest way to learn about fighting is to attend a few practices, and to listen to the fighters' conversations. 

This is also a good opportunity to get to know some of the fighters. Watching the tourneys is much more fun if you know the people involved.

Even if you know all the people fighting, it is not mandatory that observe every blow of every tourney ever fought in the SCA. It is important to keep up on the general trends as this determines many other facets of SCA life. If you find that you have other strong interests and activities to do during events, by all means do them! However, when presented with the chance to watch the top fighters in the kingdom, see the finals of Crown or Coronet, or interact with the fighters, you CAN make an effort to attend.

Summary of What You Might See. (or what in the world is going on?) 

Heavy fighting.-Rigid protection in specified areas. Full Contact. Rattan Weapons. Wide variety of arms, armor, and individuals.

*Decides who will be King, Queen, Prince, Princess.

Tournament-usually single combat. Wins/losses recorded, person with most wins, wins. Final round 2/3 (often)

Types of Tournament

Double elimination-2 losses = out. Diminishing # of fighters.

Round Robin-Each fighter fights with all others.

Holmgang-Small area, push out or kill. "Iceflow" Winner keeps field, losses recorded. Less formal. Person at front of line takes next available fight.

Squire tourney-all fight all. Wins and losses recorded, fighters move in and out, as in

Melee-1 round. "Last person standing" Mostly each for own.

Double kills-refight or count against both.

Announcements-in formal tourneys, before each fight herald announces combatants.

Challenge round-to begin important tourneys. Belted and unbelted challenge.

By-fights-when uneven numbers, a fight so everyone is equally tired. Can be destructive or non destructive (more common).

Snowball- starts as tourney, progresses to war. First 2 fight, looser becomes part of winner's army.

War - organized combat between groups of individuals.

Scenarios-many per day usually.

Bridge Battles- constrained area, fall off=drown. First to cross win.

Castle Battle-One side starts inside, other attempts to invade. Those with it at the end, win.

Resurrection-when killed, go to designated point, alive again. Usually time constrained.

Banner, open field, broken fields, chivalry vs. the world.

People/special equipment.

Archers- shoot light poundage recurve, longbow, or crossbows. Arrows untiped, covered with bird blunts.

Siege weapons

Other wepons-javelins,slings,axes,tennis balls,"rocks",golf tubes.

Heavy-light- Fully armored, equipped with both light and heavy weapons. No special marks, must be hit to die or must yield. Often shoot all of their arrows, then use heavy weapons.

Gleaning- to pick up arrows on the field (happens after each battle)

Rapier-Separate combat area. Later period. Schlager blades, less rigid protection. Not exactly fencing. Informal, in the round. Use of parrying objects, 2 swords, etc.

Please continue to page 3: Things to Do During an Event, here: https://sites.google.com/site/kadasresearch/sca-200/sca-201/sca-201-things-to-do