Of
The Undertaking of a Tournament
AEMMA's
mission is to resurrect and formalize medieval martial arts.
In order to support their mission, I have assumed this task
to conduct the necessary research to develop this document
that describes the rules and policies surrounding a medieval
tournament. It is understood that training in the medieval
martial arts for the sake of training is not satisfactory
in the long term. Tournaments are a logical extension
of the study of these western martial arts. The desire to
test oneself against other practitioners is clearly a motivating
factor in personal training.
In
order to work in this area of formalizing an approach to the
rules of engagement with respect to tournaments, I have used
a number of treatises that reference early period [
1 ] historical swordplay (XVI and
XV centuries) from the medieval period including King René's
"Book
of the Tournament" to help define a method of conducting
a tournament that is relatively consistent with the
medieval period.
The
work entailed in creating this document is the result of a
collective initiative of input and material from various organizations
including The
Chicago Swordplay Guild, The
Company of Maisters in the UK, and Tournament
Productions, California to name a few. Most of the
material in this document is sourced from the "Book
of the Tournament" to define the basic format of the tournament.
In addition to the references identified, I have also distilled
and incorporated the results of a small survey circulated
by myself within our community late in 1999. The survey indicated
trends of preference for tournament structure and function
that I attempted to effectively incorporated into to this
tournament document. The tournament structure and rules were
implemented with success at the following events:
It
is no doubt that a document such as this will continue to
evolve as more data and information is gathered, and to add
to this, our own experience in tournament engagements.
If the read has any suggestions or comments or wish to contribute
to this project, please do email AEMMA at info@aemma.org
or myself at bmcilmoyle@aemma.org.
This
document has been expanded to include the undertaking of a
German armoured judicial duel (March, 2002). The structure
of the duel is based on the fechtbücher such as
Hans Talhoffer 1459, "Alte Armatur und Ringkunst",
Det Kongelige Bibliotek, Copenhagen, Thott
290 2º, 150 ff. Bayern 1459 and von Baumans,
c1470, "Fechtbüch", Universitätsbibliothek
Augsburg: Cod.I.6.40.2. The arms and armour requirements
for this type of duel must meet the same requirements for
the armoured tournament described in this document. The principal
differences between the tournament mode of engagement and
the judicial duel, is that in the duel, the fight is to the
death (Note: simulation of "death").
Table of Contents
Planning
the Tournament
Tournaments
will be planned between two parties a challenger known as
the appellant [ 2 ]
and a defender known as the defendant [ 3
]. It is typical that the two parties will be of two schools
or Western Martial Arts organizations. Once the intent to
hold a tournament is decided by the appellant,
the agreement of the defendant to accept the
challenge should be secured prior to announcing the tournament.
Within the initial agreement should be all the details describing
the types of combats to be undertaken. More on this topic
will appear under "defining the rules". Once agreement
is secured then the details of date and place must be determined.
The appellant and defendant may,
if agreed, decide to share the cost of the tournament.
Generally
the appellant will define the type and style
of combats to take place and also set the rules and guidelines
within the body of the challenge and announcement. Prior to
the announcement these details should be negotiated between
the appellant and defendant.
The
Rules
The
rules of the tournament must be clearly defined and known
to all participants well in advance of the day of combat.
The set of common rules that apply to all combats are listed
below:
- All
combat must cease at the command or signal of any of the
judges,
- All
armour and weapons must be inspected and approved by the
judges before the commencement of the tournament. The inspection
of harness must be done while worn by the combatant,
- Thrusting
may only be allowed if both combatants agree to allow thrusting
(see Forms of Combat),
- Judges
may disallow thrusting in any combat regardless of the wishes
of the combatants,
- Refusing
a challenge or yielding forfeits victory in the tournament,
- Wilfully
striking an unarmoured part of your opponent or thrusting
when no agreement to do so may induce the judges to stop
the fight and forbid the offender from reentering the lists,
- Entering
the lists presumes the ability and willingness to fight.
Unskilled or novice fighters may not enter the lists. The
judges may bar any fighter who does not display the ability
or skills necessary to defend themselves at any time before
or during the conduct of the tournament,
- Any
injury stops the combat immediately,
- Additional
rules may be defined in the announcement of the tournament,
- There
may be no fewer than three judges overseeing any tournament.
All judges must be mutually acceptable to both defendant
and appellant.
Of
the Role of Judges and their Selection
The primary role of the judges is to preserve
and maintain the safety of the combatants at all times. The
judges are granted the authority by all participants to stop
any fight at any time for any reason. The judges may also
refuse to allow any combatant to fight if it is deemed in
their opinion to be in the service of safety to do so. Judges
may disallow the use of any armour or weapon that they deem
to be unsafe or to offer undue advantage to the user.
- The
Judges must agree that it is not their role to interfere
in the conduct of combat. The combatants must be allowed
to fight without hindrance up to the point of victory according
to the agreed rules or to the point that safety may be compromised.
- The
combatants must understand that the judges must make split
second decision and will always strive to err on the side
of safety.
- Injuries
in the lists are expected and are in no way the fault of
the judges. Combatants accept the risk when they step into
the lists. Every combatant must fight with the safety of
his opponent in mind.
The
second role of judges is to announce victory in a combat. In
most cases this role will be simply the restating of an obvious
fact. In most fights the victor and the vanquished are clearly
indicated by the posture of the combatants. One will be standing
the other will not.
- In
some combats victory may not be clear. Judges will strive
to only stop fights and announce victory when such victory
is clearly won. In the case of lethal attacks the judges
will be looking for a well executed and delivered blow to
a vulnerable point. The actual armour worn by the victim
can and will have an effect on the judgement. Superior harness
provides superior protection.
- It
is important to remember that the tournament is designed
to allow participants to display skill at arms not just
accumulate kills. The number of victories is not the only
element used to determine overall individual victory. A
particularly large fighter who wins all his victories by
"throwing his weight around" will be found lacking when
compared with fighters who display more skill at arms.
Amateur
boxing is a good analogy in that victory is not always won with
a knock out punch.
In many tournaments the selection of judges
will be problematic as judges must be experienced persons
in both the skills of armour assessment and fight judging.
Initially it is expected that judges will also take part in
the tournament and the role of judge may be passed on to many
people in the course of a tournament. This situation is due
only to the limited number of participants.
Ideally judges would be nonparticipants in
the combat and would be entirely impartial observers skilled
in observation of combats and universally acceptable by all
fighters as fair and just.
It is suggested that in the planning of the
tournament the identity of likely judges be part of the agreement
between the defender and challenger.
If possible there should be one non-fighting
judge from each side that will share the duties as principal
judge. Other judges may be combatants but they must be identified
and acceptable to both parties before the tournament begins.
All single combats must have not less than
three judges observing; one principal judge and two assisting
judges. One of the judges should be in the lists with the
combatants.
All judges will carry a white baton not less
than 2 feet long. The baton will be cast to the ground and
accompany a call of "HALT" when combat is to stop.
Disputes between fighters will be resolved
by the judge in the lists. The fighters may appeal to the
principal judge if they disagree with the list judge's decision.
The ruling of the principal judge is final.
Other non combatants may be employed by the
judges to record victories and defeats and to introduce and
announce the combatants.
Conducting
the Tournament and Determining Victory for the Day
Conducting
the tournament is a balancing act between making sure that
the combatants get enough fighting and controlling the flow
of the day to ensure the tournament is not rushed.
Once
all the details of the tournament are agreed and the announcement
goes out then it is simply a matter of managing the day.
The
judges are responsible for the actual organization of the
running of the tournament. It is suggested that they enlist
some help to look after the recording and announcing of fights.
The
Tournament will be conducted as follows.
One
of the appellants will enter the lists and announce
the style of combat desired. The defendants
will then send out one combatant to meet the appellant.
The combat will be conducted until a victory condition is
met or the fight is stopped by the judges. Once stopped the
fight may be restarted at the pleasure of the judges until
a victory is achieved if safety allows it.
The
combats continue in this manner until all combatants have
fought and the set time elapses
A
set start and finish time for the tournament will be set in
advance. Once the time elapses the tournament must end. Other
informal combats may be conducted thereafter.
After
the tournament the judges will retire to tabulate the victories
and award the day to either the appellant or
the defendant. They will also in consultation
with selected parties decide what individual combatant should
win the prize.
It
is suggested that the team that wins the tournament should
bear the cost of the thirst of the vanquished in the spirit
of camaraderie and fair play.
On
Arms and Armour Inspections:
Prior
to the commencement of the tournament on the day all prospective
combatants must present themselves to the principal judges
in full harness with all of the weapons they intend to use.
The judges will determine the fitness of the arms and armour
with respect to the tournament's armour
requirements and weapons requirements
and possibly approve the combatant for combat. The judges
may disallow any fighter from participating if the fighter's
arms and armour does not meet the requirements defined. If
clarification or verification of the arms/armour is determined
necessary, the judges reserve the right to physically test
the arms and/or armour prior to the engagement.
A
physical test could include a forceful counter cut to the
contestants weapon conducted within a pre-defined safe testing
area. If the judges determine the arms and or armour not compliant
with the requirements may then restrict the type of combat
approved for any combatant not allowing them to participate
in thrusting or restricting them to waster fighting only.
Broken, poorly fitting or inauthentic harness will be rejected.
Inappropriate dress or deportment is also grounds for rejection.
Once rejected no amount of "field repair" will enable armour
to pass and be used. Every combatant must have their own harness
although weapons may be shared.
On
the day of the tournament after armour inspections the appellant
and the defendant will appear on the lists and again announce
their intention to hold a tournament. All fighters attending
will align themselves either with the defendant or the appellant
keeping in mind that even sides are best.
On
the Field or Lists:
Leveraging
the description of the lists enclosure as illustrated in King
René's book, the engagements will be conducted in a
separated area or "lists" from the spectators by clearly demarcating
the fight area with barriers. The barriers will take the form
of rope barriers made clearly visible and obvious with the
augmentation of banners on the rope themselves. The rope barriers
will include two layers of barriers, the inner fighting lists
and the safety outer barrier. The distance between the inner
and outer barriers will be no less than 120cm (4 ft) and the
inner lists width to be no less than 4.5m (15 ft) square (for
lists outdoors, the inner barriers can be limited to a size
of 9m square (30 ft). The illustration on the left depicts
the rope barrier type of configuration for an inner and outer
rope barrier.
The
lists configuration illustration on the right depicts a typical
configuration of the fighting lists used at AEMMA. It is comprised
of a pair of medieval pavilions, one on each end for the purpose
of storing arms and armour for each side, and to offer privacy
for any adjustments to the harness from the spectators. Around
the pavilions, the combatant's armour chests would be positioned
so that they will not interfere with the freedom of space
for fighting, and which are often used as seating while resting
during pauses during the bouts (for taking in water, armour
repair, etc.). The illustration does not depict the double
barrier, however, a double barrier is included in the configuration
of the fighting lists.
The
optimum size for the lists would be approximately 20m long
(which includes space for the pavilions) and 6m deep. The
weapons rack holds all of the weapons to be used during the
tournament and will include both aluminum, wooden and blunted
weapons.
Forms
of Tournament Engagements
-
Blossfechten/Fechtschule [ 4
]: "bare fighting" or in other words, "shirt
fencing". The premise for the fechtschule rules
was safe practise and sport competitions based on techniques
for the unarmoured duel. Competitive bouts were usually
fought to the first "red bloom" or first blood. Novice fighters
fought to the first good hit but it was considered bad form
to bloody a novice. The best hits were considered to be
blows to the head since the skull is hard to crack with
light blunts, but bloody superficial head wounds are easy
to inflict. Infliction of grievous damage was avoided. Deliberately
causing grievous damage would result in expulsion from the
fechtschule and often the guild as well.
One notable feature of the fechtschulen
is that participants in the prize fights would be members
of a guild/brotherhood. The "public tourney" would be
hosted by a fight school and members/students of the other
school(s) would be welcome to join the competition.
Modern considerations: (1) safety
equipment = yes; (2) red blooms = no.
Weapons:
The swords are blunted and are constructed from aluminum.
Other weapons can include sword and
buckler. Daggers are also aluminum or steel, fitted
with a protective ball fixed onto their tip (similar to
the Meyer training dagger). AEMMA
(the host) shall provide all of the weapons for the tournament.
Protective Equipment: The compromise to fencing
without protective equipment is to permit a degree of
protection which will not significantly change the "spirit"
of "bare fighting" and which will provide a degree of
protection for the combatants which will not restrict
them in any way. The protective
equipment required for blossfecthen
bouts are defined below.
-
Eskermir à plaisance [ 5
]: to "fight/combat for pleasure", fought primarily
for the demonstration of prowess (swordsmanship skills and
techniques) for the pleasure of combat in times of peace
in medieval Europe. Victory conditions were achieved when
one or more victory conditions defined below were satisfied.
This form of combat historically used specially modified
weapons with sharp edges and points removed or blunted.
Frequently, modified armour was also worn which was especially
adapted for the needs of this particular form of tournament.
Such specialization of "tournament" arms and armour included
more robust and less-articulated guantlets worn on the left
hand, and spears tipped with coronals instead of the single-pointed
heads. However, the armour was in general, the same as war
armour.
It is recommended that individuals
that have little or no experience in fighting in armour,
choose this form of tournament engagement.
For the modern day eskermir à
plaisance tournament, this form of tournament continues
to emphasize swordsmanship skills and techniques. It does
not permit grappling, charging, or throws. The target
area is limited to the general torso area only.
This form of engagement would present to the spectators
the exceptional skill possessed by the participants required
to land a strike on the torso as a result of compromising
the opponent's defenses. The principle constraint is that
each combatant be approximately equal in terms of harness
worn before they are permitted to fight.
Weapons:
In these form of tournaments, weapons were made of various
materials including wood and even whale bone. For the
eskermir à plaisance tournaments hosted
by AEMMA, a compromise with respect to whale bone is that
swords are constructed from aluminum.
Other weapons can include sword and
buckler. Daggers are also aluminum or steel, fitted
with protective a ball fixed onto their tip (similar to
the Meyer training dagger). AEMMA
(the host) shall provide all of the weapons for the tournament.
Armour: The range of protective equipment is wide
for this form of engagement. Protective equipment can
range from minimum armour to full armour. See armoured
harness requirements for eskermir à plaisance
below.
-
Eskermir à plaisance sans
encumbrance: to "fight/combat for pleasure" without
encumbrance. Victory conditions were achieved when one or
more victory conditions defined below were satisfied. This
form of combat historically used specially modified weapons
with sharp edges and points removed or blunted. Frequently,
modified armour was also worn which was especially adapted
for the needs of this particular form of tournament. Such
specialization of "tournament" arms and armour included
more robust and less-articulated guantlets worn on the left
hand, and spears tipped with coronals instead of the single-pointed
heads. However, for the most part, the armour was the same
as war armour.
For the modern day eskermir à
plaisance sans encumbrance tournament, this form of
tournament emphasizes the similar skills and techniques
as described above, however, fewer constraints are imposed
on the duelling pairs. The combatants may use edge and
point freely, and some elements of grappling are permitted
such as elbow pushes, re-directing the blows and arm bars
and locks. Take-downs and throws, punches to the head,
tripping, charging, kicking to the knees or groin area
are not permitted in this form of fighting. However,
the target area is limited to the general torso
area only. This form of engagement would present to the
spectators the exceptional skill possessed by the participants
required to land a strike on the torso as a result of
compromising the opponent's defenses. The principle constraint
is that each combatant be approximately equal in terms
of harness worn before they are permitted to fight.
Weapons:
Weapons for this form of tournament are the same as eskermir
à plaisance. Daggers are also aluminum or steel,
fitted with a protective ball fixed onto their tip (similar
to the Meyer training dagger). AEMMA
(the host) shall provide all of the weapons for the tournament.
Armour: Protective equipment will require historically
authentic, armoured harness. See armoured
harness requirements for eskermir à plaisance
below.
-
Eskermir à outrance [ 6
]: to "fight/combat for excess", fought without
any constraints imposed under under the eskermir à
plaisance sans encumbrance style of combat. The objective
is similar to eskermir à plaisance in that
the combatants attempt to demonstrate their prowess with
respect to skills and visible historically based combat
techniques. The combatants can achieve one or more victory
conditions defined below.
For the modern day eskermir à
outrance tournament, this form of tournament removes
the constraints listed in the eskermir à plaisance
sans encumbrance. Therefore, grappling, kicking, punching,
thrusting, charging and throws are permitted. In other
words, "no holds barred" or "free-style". This is an attempt
to simulate the medieval "jousts of war" in which the
tournaments were held during wartime or in the border
areas between regions who were not on friendly terms,
however, even during these "jousts of war", it was not
the express goal of the combatants to kill the opponent.
The principle motivation behind these fairly intense tournaments
was the display of skill and courage in these "regulated"
confrontations, and were also useful for training and
preparing the fighters for war. Therefore, the entire
body is a viable target, including hands, wrists, legs,
feet, face and head. The armour requirements are extremely
rigid and must satisfy the armour inspection before engaging
in this type of bout.
The eskermir à outrance
engagements possess the highest risk of injury. The contestant
must ensure that he/she possess the necessary skills and
"intestinal fortitude" to participate in this form of
tournament and care must be taken during the engagement
to reduce the possibility of injury.
Weapons:
Steel blunt swords which are defined
in the rules below. Other permitted weapons include pollaxe,
sword and shield/buckler, spear,
and dagger. AEMMA (the host) shall
provide all of the weapons for the tournament.
Armour: Protective equipment will require historically
authentic, armoured harness. See harness
requirements for eskermir à outrance below.
Victory
Conditions
The
victory conditions for the fighting may be variable depending
on the format of the tournament, region where the tournament
is held or co-ordinators of the tournament. For reference
the following common victory conditions are available for
tournaments hosted by AEMMA.
Blossfechten/Fechtschule
bouts:
For
blossfechten bouts, the following competition
rules apply:
- Each
bout is fought to either one good head blow or two good
body blows. These are the decisive blows:
- Decisive
body blows are solid hits above the knees and beyond the
elbows which strike with either edge or the point.
- Blows
which do not count as decisive blows: hits with the flat,
light or grazing hits, hits to and below the knees, hits
to the hands and forearms.
- All
bouts are witnessed by two seconds and marshalled by a master
bearing a staff. If the staff is lowered between the fencers,
the bout must cease immediately. If a cheap shot is struck
when the staff is lowered, the transgressor shall forfeit
the bout.
- An
elimination round has each fencer fight 5 bouts. Bout selection
is by lot. The winner of 3 or more bouts moves to the final
round.
- A
second elimination round to the best of three bouts will
be necessary only if the number of competing fencers exceeds
12.
- All
finalists fight a match with every other finalist. He who
wins the most, wins the fechtschule. In the event of a tie,
the finalists face each other for another match.
- A
fencer who wins undefeated wins "with distinction".
Eskermir
à plaisance bouts:
For
eskimer à plaisance bouts, the following
victory conditions are available. The combatants must agree
to which victory condition before engaging. The agreement
is made public by the herald or principle martial to the
spectators and officials to ensure everyone is "on the same
page". The blows counted are one that are identified by
the judges/martials and acknowledged by the combatant as
"telling blows". This means that light taps with the flat
will not be acknowledged nor recognized. This will reduce
the probability of "tag" or exploiting the potential "whippiness"
characteristics of the sword. Blows that result in mutual
"kills" or "buffoonery" will not be recognized nor counted
and the combatants will be requested to continue with the
bout.
Combatants
must understand that the victory conditions listed
under eskermir à outrance will be considered
in an eskermir à plaisance bouts, meaning
for example, should one of the combatants loose his/her
footing on their own accord and became unbalanced
resulting in some part of their body other than the bottom
of their feet comes in contact with the ground, the bout
would conclude even if the counted landed blows or counted
blows thrown target was not achieved. However, if any of
the victory conditions listed under eskermir
à outrance were achieved deliberately by
a combatant, this combatant would immediately be expelled
from the tournament.
Counted
Blows Thrown
The first combatant to achieve the number
of blows thrown. It is prudent to set a limit to the duration
of the engagement.
Counted Blows
Landed
The first combatant to achieve the number
of blows landed. It is prudent to set a limit to the duration
of the engagement.
Eskermir
à outrance bouts:
For
eskimer à outrance bouts, if any one
or more of the following victory conditions are achieved,
the bout is terminated. The condition must be "clean" and
identifiable. For example, if both combatants take to the
floor, the fight shall continue until it is clear that one
has yielded or in which the engagement has reached the point
where obvious injury could be achieved, e.g. one of the
combatant's visor pops open, and the other has dagger in
hand. The combatants cannot select which victory condition
to apply for a particular bout given all of the victory
conditions listed below can come into play.
Unbalanced
and Cast Down (3 Points Down)
Meaning that one of the fighters has lost
their balance and placed some part of their body other
that the feet in contact with the ground. This could include
a hand, one knee or the entire body. In all cases the
judges are the final arbitrators if a combatant is cast
down and combat will continue until stopped. The victor
is the combatant remaining standing. If both are carried
to the ground then the combat will continue until stopped.
Ground fighting may be allowed or the combatants may be
required to regain their feet at the judge?s pleasure.
Mortal Wound
A single well delivered attack may be
judged as a mortal wound and may cause the judges to stop
the fight. Thrusts to the armpit and groin are considered
potentially mortal. Any attack to an "open" face is considered
debilitating and will stop the fight. In all cases the
judges are the final arbitrators and combat will continue
until stopped.
Overmatched (beaten)
The judges may stop any fight in which
one of the fighters is unable to effectively defend against
attack and is at undue risk of injury.(usually one of
the other conditions will occur before this one is needed).
Disarmed
If an opponent is disarmed and unable
to attack or defend himself, the judges may stop the fight.
However, if the combatant has disarmed his opponent of
his/her longsword, and the opponent still possess a rondel
dagger, the engagement shall not end until the dagger
is disarmed or some other victory condition is achieved.
Yield
If a combatant of their own choice stops
fighting and gives up .
Take the Door
If a combatant is forced out of the lists
or willfully or in error leaves the lists the combat will
be stopped.
Timed Bouts
The combatants will agree to fight for
a set period of time. It is possible for the time to elapse
without a decisive outcome. In this case the victory could
be judged to be a tie or victory could be awarded based
on the merits of the fight.
Tournament
Arms & Armour
Arms
Requirements
Weapons
are to be constructed according to the pattern of their
historical counterparts. Any combatant wishing to use a
unique weapon must be able to defend its historical providence
with evidence from history.
Swords
- Steel
"blunts" for à outrance bouts
- Sword
blades will possess a blunted/rounded edge of approximately
1.5 - 2.0 mm in diameter.
- The
point will be blunted (rounded) with a diameter of
no less than 2 cm.
- Swords
weight will not exceed mass greater than 0.68kg/30.5cm
(1.5 lbs/ft) nor less than 0.34kg/30.5cm (.75 lbs/ft)
of total length:
- A
longsword of approximately 122cm (48 in) to 137cm
(54 in) will weigh no more than 2.4kg (5.25 lbs)
and no less than 1.4kg (3 lbs).
- A
greatsword of approximately 183cm (6 ft) will weigh
no more than 4.1kg (9 lbs) and no less than 2.04kg
(4.5 lbs)
- All
swords will be constructed of tempered steel, moly-chromium
alloy or other steel-based metals possessing similar
properties.
- The
guards and fittings of swords will not be sharp.
- Swords
will be in good repair and the edges will be smooth
without sharp nicks when presented for inspection.
- Aluminum
longswords for à plaisance and blossfechten/fechtschule
bouts
- Sword
blades will possess a blunted/rounded edge of approximately
1.5 - 2.0 mm in diameter.
- Sword
blades will be a minimum of 0.48cm (3/16 in) to 0.8cm
(5/16 in) thick.
- The
point will be blunted (rounded) with a diameter of
no less than 2 cm.
- The
longsword of approximately 122cm (48 in) to 137cm
(54 in) will weigh no more than 2.0kg (4.5 lbs) and
no less than 1.4kg (3 lbs).
- The
blades will be constructed of "aircraft" aluminum
or other aluminum possessing similar properties, i.e.
type 7075 T6 (aircraft wing struts).
Pollaxe
- Prefered
design of pollaxe is the bec de corbin.
See image on the right, click to enlarge.
- Haft
to be constructed of an appropriate hardwood such as
maple, oak or ash.
- Pollaxe
head to be constructed from cast dense rubber head.
- Haft
length is related to the size of the wielder, however,
it should be a minimum of 137cm (54 in) to a maximum
of 182cm (72 in).
- In
order to enhance the historical specifications of the
pollaxe, the langets should be recessed into the haft.
- The
queue to be sufficiently finished with a cast rubber
butt, flattened or with rounded point.
- Pollaxes
and daggers that have thrusting spikes or points must
be blunted to the radius of a dime. It is suggested
that any thrusting point (other than on swords) be thickened
to 5mm
- The
blades of axes must be 5 mm thick.
Spear
- Spear
heads are to be made out of steel and fitted with a
19-20 mm (3/4") diameter ball bearing welded to the
point of the spear heads.
- Shaft
length is related to the size of the wielder, however,
it should be a minimum of 137cm (54 in) to a maximum
of 182cm (72 in).
- Shaft
to be constructed of an appropriate hardwood such as
maple, oak or ash.
Cudgels (kolbenturier or
maces)
- The
cudgel must be made out of hardwood, such as ash, oak
or hickory (see image above right).
- The
length of the cudgel must not exceed 36" or 90 cm.
- Maximum
diameter at the thickest part must not exceed 3" or
7.5 cm.
- An
appropriately length leather tie or chord (lanyard)
is required to be attached to the wrist.
Shields and Bucklers
- Shields
will be constructed of wood or steel or a combination
of such natural materials. Aluminum shields are forbidden.
The edges of shields should be resistant to cutting.
The use of rubber hose on the edge of shields is forbidden.
- Any
weapon or shield may be rejected by the judges if in
their opinion it does not meet standards for construction,
weight and historical authenticity. Once a weapon is
rejected it must be removed from the list area.
- Anyone
found to be using a rejected weapon will be removed
from the lists for the day.
Armour Requirements
In general, armour should replicate historical
specifications as close as possible and remain consistent
with the target period, for example, 14th/15th century plate
armour worn with a spagenhelm from pre 11th century would
not be consistent and would not be permitted. Modern materials
are not permitted except for those specific requirements
detailed below.
Although the armour requirements appear
to ignore the harness worn by the common foot soldier, the
purpose of defining the armour standards was not to orient
the fighter towards the knightly or nobility configuration
of arms and armour, but rather define the requirements that
would best meet the safety requirements of modern society.
It would be impractical and unsafe to engage in steel-sword
tournaments with armour requirements that would be consistent
with the earlier periods of the medieval period.
General Harness Requirements
- The
harness is to be constructed in authentic style in the
form of harness for war or for period armoured tournaments.
Any harness should be recognizable according to style
and materials as belonging to a particular period.
- All
harnesses must be in good repair and fitted to the user.
Due to the requirements for plate armour for safety reasons
harness styles from before C.1300 will not meet protection
standards. Harness styles from C.1320 to C.1500 are acceptable.
Post 1500 style harnesses in the form of harnesses for
combat on foot with weapons of war are acceptable. Some
harnesses from the 1600s where highly specialized for
particular forms of combat (batons or wooden maces, rebated
swords) and may not appropriate and therefore, must be
reviewed by the tournament organizers prior to the tournament.
- Footwear
should not detract from the appearance of the harness.
Combatants must include in their harness correct footwear
consistent with the period of armour, i.e. period footwear/solarets.
Riding boots, army boots, athletic shoes or other modern
footwear is not permitted.
- Combatants
are individualy responsible for the integrity of their
armour and ensuring that it provides adequate protection
against the rigors of combat. A lot of latitude is left
to the combatant regarding the style and level of protection
they are comfortable with. For earlier period styled armour(
<= 1300) it may be necessary to augment the historical
harness with additional protection. This augmentation
of the harness may be hidden but must conform to approved
materials specifications.
- The
judges will reject armour that does not meet the standards
outlined. The judges may also reject any harness that
they feel is in poor repair or of inferior quality if
safety is at issue.
- In
assembling their armour all combatants should have a historical
target in mind. Armour "cobbled" together of bits and
pieces with no thought to historical accuracy will be
rejected.
- Combatants
are encouraged to wear heraldic colors or devices as they
see fit but are in no way required to do so.
- Using
tabbards or heraldic cotes to hide poor or inauthentic
harness is not acceptable. Armour must be inspected without
any coverings over it.
Armoured
Harness Requirements for Eskermir à plaisance
Over
and above the general harness requirements listed
above, the combatant wishing to participate in à
plaisance bouts must satisfy the following harness
requirements.
- The
neck and throat must be protected with a plate defense
covering the larynx and the cervical vertebra. (Note:
It is recognized that this defense may not be authentic
for all periods or styles of armour, nevertheless it is
required protection)
- The
body must be protected by a heavy gambeson extending to
the hips and including the armpits worn under an exterior
protective layer comprised of thick leather/coat-of-plates
of hardened leather or metal, or alternatively, chain
mail defenses.
- All
exposed edges of any plate armour must be treated (rolled,
roped or filed and turned under at the least) in order
to protect the wearer from secondary injuries (edge cuts
to the wrists, upper arm injuries, etc.)
- Plate
thickness, i.e. 14g, 16g, 18g, 20g is a metric that is
considered only as a result of no other method of determining
the viability of plate. Thinner metals such as 20g can
demonstrate similar, if not more resistence to stress/impacts
as would 14g or 16g plate. It is dependent upon the treatment
of the metal:
- mild
steel, cold-rolled steel: Helm (bascinet) recommended
14g, 16g permitted. Visor 16g. Other body, arm plates
recommended 16g for frontal components (those components
that typically receive the blows) and 18g for the rear
components.
- medium/high-carbon
steel, spring steel: Helm (bascinet) recommended
16g, 18g permitted. Visor 18g. Other body, arm plates
recommended 18g for frontal components (those components
that typically receive the blows) and 20g for the rear
components.
- Click
here for a quicky
tutorial on the differences between cold-rolled steel
and hot-rolled steel.
- Helmets
must be no less than 16g construction with occulaira not
wider than 1.27cm (1/2 in). Segmented occularia described
below is strongly recommended.
- Helmets
intended to represent historically open-faced helmets
are permitted provided the open-face is covered with hardened,
perforated steel which is consistent with historical evidence.
Note: Blows to the "open-face" visor will be considered
potentially lethal and will be viewed as an unprotected
face.
Un-armoured
Harness Requirements for Eskermir à plaisance
and Blossfechten/Fechtschule
In
order to permit practioners to participate in the tournament,
but do not possess an adequate armoured harness, this section
describes the minimum requirements that must be satisfied
in order to participate in unarmoured eskermir à
plaisance fencing bouts. Soft
Harness Components
- flat
soled training footwear - black-laced kung fu
boots or similar, with flat hardened rubber soles (these
are effective medieval footwear "simulators" and much
less expensive than their leather counterparts).
- gambeson
- quilted padded material which is worn under the chain
mail and sometimes over the mail. Build
your own gambeson (SCA article, but the design
and construction is viable for AEMMA's requirements).
Buy
a ready made gambeson from Revival
Clothing, highly recommended.
- padded
coif (recommended) - quilted padded material which
is worn under the helm and aventail (worn under the fencing
mask for waster training), or arming
cap - a cloth close-fitting cap with chin ties worn
under the helm.
Hard
Harness Components
The following mandatory hard harness components are designed
to provide protection for the scholler for free-play swordplay
with aluminum swords such as blossfechten (fechtschule
rules) or ?plaisance
style of tournament fencing.
Harness
Requirements for Eskermir à outrance
For
à outrance bouts, the combatant's harness
must satisfy the above general harness requirements
and the harness requirements for eskermir à plaisance
listed above. The following are further clarifications and
additional requirements for the purpose of enhancing the safety
of these bouts.
- All
limbs must be protected with rigid plate armour. Plate armour
may be constructed with steel or hardened leather or a combination
of these materials, splint style armours may be acceptable
if properly constructed.
- Arms
must have plate cops protecting the elbows and plate vambraces
and rebraces on the outside side of the arm as a minimum.
Full cannons are recommended.
- The
hands must be protected with a minimum of maille reinforced
gloves. Plate hand defenses are most strongly recommended.
- Legs
must have plate cops protecting the front and sides of the
knee. Grieves protecting the front and sides of the shins
are required.
- The
upper legs may be protected with heavy padding and stiff
leather. Plate defenses are not required for the upper legs.
Plate defenses are recommended.
- Foot
protection will be comprised of sabotons of plate
over medieval styled shoes (optional) or flat-soled martial
arts training shoes are strongly recommended.
- Later
period all-plate harnesses (late 15th - 16th centuries),
in order to be compatible for à outrance
bouts that include thrusting, mail gussets must be worn
in the armpit and inner elbow areas. Any gaps in the plate
armour that does not have any mail under will prevent the
combatant from engaging in à outrance
bouts.
- If
thrusts are to be received then the body defense must include
a full maille shirt falling to mid thigh length with sleeves
of elbow length. There may be no gap or void in the maille
under the arms.
- Wearers
of later period harness that provides superior protection
may petition the judges to waive the requirement of the
wearing of a fill maille shirt, gussets and skirts may suffice.
- Helmet
Requirements:
Helmet - The head must be covered with a steel
helmet and visor of no less than 16G final (i.e. start with
a 14G metal, by the time it is plennished to shape, the
metal becomes thinner and will approach 16G) - assuming
mild steel properties.
Occularia - The eye slots length must be consistent
with the helm and period and may not be greater than 1/2
inch (13mm) high. The slot must be grilled as consistent
with the period as possible. The openings must be no wider
than 1/4" (6mm) followed by a 1/4" (6mm) rib followed by
1/4" (6mm) opening, etc. (see the image on the left for
an example helm with ribbed visor). It is highly recommended
that eye slots have a raised stoprib around the entire slot.(Note:
It is recommended that all combatants wear polycarbonate
safety glasses under their helmets to protect the eyes from
flying steel flakes and chips from swords and to provide
a secondary defense against swords entering the eyeslot.)
- Helmets
of a style intended to represent open faced helmets are
allowed. The open part of the face must be covered with
hardened perforated steel. However they will be considered
as having no face defense in the determination of lethal
blows. Strikes to the faceplate of a helmet with a perforated
steel faceplate will be treated as if the faceplate is not
there. Therefore any part of a weapon coming in contact
under direction of the wielder with the faceplate will be
considered potentially lethal.
- Groin
protection is mandatory for all combatants engaged in à
outrance bouts.
For
more information on the various harness archetypes that would
be appropriate for armoured tournaments, click here
or any of the "archetypes" below.
Combat with Cudgels (kolbenturier or maces)
- All
leg and arm joints must be covered with plate cops.
- The
arms and body must be covered with a padded gambison
- Plate
grieves are recommended.
- The
hands must be covered with padded gloves
- A
plate gorget must be worn
- The
head must be covered with a steel helmet with a closed or
barred faced helmet is required.
- Modern
sports equipment may not be worn as armour. The exception
is knee and elbow pads and protection for the groin. No
modern sports equipment may be visible.
- Clothing
worn under armour must not be obviously modern. There may
not be any stripes or logos apparent on clothing worn under
armour. Plain colored track pants and sweatshirts are considered
the minimum standard.
- Tourniers
are encouraged to wear medieval styled clothes under their
armour. The Appearance of a combatant is a consideration
in determining the recipient of the prize.
On the Judicial Duel (Trial by Combat)
The armoured judicial duel was typically held
between nobles, fought in armour with the knightly weapons
that include the spear, longsword and dagger, usually to the
death. Essentially, the duel was a private affair and the
role of the judge was only to ensure that the duel was conducted
according to the formalities of the period. If a noble had
to undergo a trial-by-combat to settle the issue of whose
case was right or to provide evidence in support of the individual,
the challenger had to wear the same clothing and armour as
depicted. Not all trials were fought to the death. This was
necessary only when a major offenense like murder, treason,
heresy etc. was put to court.
In the case of a minor offense, the trial
would be stopped by the judge when one of the combatants was
exhausted, wounded or perceived as being clearly overwhelmed.
In this case, the judge could stop the fight and ask the parties
if they'd like to consider the issue settled and the point
being proven. If the parties agreed, the fight would stop,
if not, they would continue, but again not necessarily to
the death. The fighting style in the judicial duel will comply
with eskermir à outrance
as defined above.
Additional requirements over and above the
tournament arms & armour requirements will include:
- beirs
draped with sheets, one with a white background and red
cross, the second with a red background and white cross,
- banners
and supporting structures/stands, each banner to represent
each of the combatants in the duel,
- one
spear or staff weilded by the lists judge in order to administrate
the duel from inside the lists (Note: the lists judge must
be fully armoured and which meets the armour requirements
defined),
- medieval
encampment chairs ("X" chairs) or other medieval chair alternative
which the combatants will sit in while the charges are announced
to the spectators,
- no
less than three judges present to administer the duel.
The
beirs were assumed to be used as a stretcher used to
carry the dead from ths lists. For additional background information
on a judicial duel, an extract from the Froissart's
Chronicles of the life-and-death duel between James
le Gris and John de Carogne is available for study. Also
refer to the video segments of
a judicial duel conducted by AEMMA and hosted the WCJA
in Orangeville below. For more information and references
on Judicial Duels, refer to the Armoured
Judicial Duels below.
References & Sources
Medieval Tournament and Deeds of Arms References
- Barber,
Richard; Barker, Juliet: Tournaments.
The Boydell Press, London: 1989
- Barker,
Juliet: The
Tournament in England 1100-1400. The Boydell Press,
London: 1986
- Bennett,
Elizabeth: King
René's Tournament Book, A Modern English Translation
September 4, 1998. The material originally sourced from
"Traicté de la Forme et Devis d'ung Tournois"
written in c1460.
- Froissart,
Jean [1337-1412]: "Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of
England, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Brittany, Flanders,
And the Adjoining Countires; Translated from the Original
French by John Bourchier, Lord Berners". London: Printed
by F.C. and J.Rivington, T.Payne..., 1812. Vol II, CAP.
CLXXIII, Pg 511: "Of a feest
and iustes made by the kyng of Englande in Lodon, whyle
the Christen knytes and squers were at the sege before the
towne of Aufryke agaynst the sarazyns; and howe this feest
was publisshed in dyuers countreis and landes." (The
Grand Tournament at London in 1390)
- Froissart,
Jean [1337-1412]: "Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of
England, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Brittany, Flanders,
And the Adjoining Countires; Translated from the Original
French by John Bourchier, Lord Berners". London: Printed
by F.C. and J.Rivington, T.Payne..., 1812. Vol II, CAP.
LXII, Pg 209: "Howe
a batayle of armes was done at Burdeaus, before the seneshall
there and dyuers other." (A deed of Arms at Bordeaux
before Sir John Harpedon (1387))
- Froissart,
Jean [1337-1412]: "Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of
England, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Brittany, Flanders,
And the Adjoining Countires; Translated from the Original
French by John Bourchier, Lord Berners". London: Printed
by F.C. and J.Rivington, T.Payne..., 1812. Vol II, CAP.
LXXIIII, Pg 223: "Howe
the duke of Lancastre sente for the admyrall and mershal,
and his other offycers to come to the weddynge of his doughter,
and the kynge of Portyngale." (The marriage of the
King of Portugal and Philippa, daughter of the Duke of Lancaster
(The alliance between Portugal and Lancaster is sealed by
a dynastic marriage, accompanied by jousting.))
- Froissart,
Jean [1337-1412]: "Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of
England, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Brittany, Flanders,
And the Adjoining Countires; Translated from the Original
French by John Bourchier, Lord Berners". London: Printed
by F.C. and J.Rivington, T.Payne..., 1812. Vol II, CAP.
CLVII, Pg 429: "Of
the ordynaunce of the entre of quene Isabell into the towne
of Parys." (The grand entrance of Queen Isabella
into Paris, and the pageants and tournament that took place
(1389) (Queen Isabella's entrance into the capital is the
occasion for fabulous pagentry and feasting.))
- Froissart,
Jean [1337-1412]: "Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of
England, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Brittany, Flanders,
And the Adjoining Countires; Translated from the Original
French by John Bourchier, Lord Berners". London: Printed
by F.C. and J.Rivington, T.Payne..., 1812. Vol II, CAP.
CLXVIII, Pg 467: "Of
the dedes of armes at saint Ingylberies contynuyng thyrty
dayes agaynste all comers of the realme of Englande and
other countreys: every man thre courses." (The Tournament
at St. Inglevert (Three French knights hold a tournament
at Saint Inglevert, near Calais, and defend the lists for
thirty days against all comers.))
- Froissart,
Jean [1337-1412]: "Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of
England, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Brittany, Flanders,
And the Adjoining Countires; Translated from the Original
French by John Bourchier, Lord Berners". London: Printed
by F.C. and J.Rivington, T.Payne..., 1812. Vol II, CAP.
LXXVIII, Pg 233: "Howe
syr Johan Holande and syr Raynolde de Roy fought togyder
in lystes before the duek of Lancastre in the towne of Besances."
(While the duke of Lancaster's army is campaigning in
Galicia, a French knight, Sir Reginald de Roye, challenges
Sir John Holland to a series of combats in the lists. The
first of these combats is a joust.))
- Keen,
Maurice: Nobles, Knights and Men-at-Arms in the Middle
Ages. The Hambledon Press, London: 1996
- King
George the Third: Statuta
Armorum, c1260, Medieval
Sourcebook
- McIlmoye,
Brian; Cvet, David; Brown, Terry; Mele, Greg; et al: AEMMA
Tournament Survey, Feb 2000
- Muhlberger,
Steven: Jousts
and Tournaments: Charny and the Rules for Chivalric Sport
in Fourteenth-Century France, Chivalry Bookshelf;
(March 1, 2003)
- Muhlberger,
Steven: Fighting for Fun? What
Was At Stake in Formal Deeds of Arms of the 14th Century?,
Nipissing
University, March 7, 2001
- Noël
Coulet, Alice Planche, and Françoise Robin: Le
roi René: le prince, le mécène, l'écrivain,
le mythe, Aix-en-Provence, Édisud, 1982
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