The Armour Archive

DukeAvery

In the forlorn hope of mending the sundered circle.

DukeAvery

Words are one thing, deeds another. His Grace is very concerned with the rampant use of large shields to the serious detriment of our art. If this were to change, if people would simply read, follow, and understand his advice, or have your household leaders contact his son Brion (Current Leader of B...

DukeAvery

I didn't read this until today, because this is what I grew up with and have lived my entire sca career.

http://www.bellatrix.org/school/section05.htm

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

Ah, the whiner card. His Majesty has seen fit to decorate me so. Are you Sir, saying so as well? Please understand I would not presume to advise you, or anyone else, on shield sizing, without a through evaluation. Why on earth would you want to do great swords if you can't do a smaller shield becaus...

DukeAvery

Shield size was the very thing we were discussing when the "suggestion" was made. Foolishly, I thought I could succeed where others fear to tread. It should also be noted that the discussion was made with the "crown off", and so it seems fitting that we should meet on the field w...

DukeAvery

It's his proposed solution "way past the debate"- read the title of the thread. Otherwise we are back to where we were debate-wise, with more bruises. Which I am OK with, but don't pretend that it resolved anything. Besides, the probability of us meeting with Greatswords in the next 8 day...

DukeAvery

I'm looking to commission a bard for a song I'd like written - the working title is - The Emperor's New Shield.

Have fun out there.

Avery

DukeAvery

75 counted blows would truly be an extraordinary feat. My recent decent showing at West Crown was at most 25 counted blows with 10 minute breaks. Good luck! Most admirable. I would recommend stopping at first significant blood (as a result of armor failure or slippage) as well to retain a family air...

DukeAvery

Your Majesty I regret I will be unable to attend, except perhaps for the late morning at great need. I see that our households are at odds philosophically on matters near and dear to both our hearts, and I do not see how we will able to resolve them at this time and I dread unfortunate outcomes. Thi...

DukeAvery

Great swords then?

DukeAvery

Made of two sheets of aluminum and edged with thick hydrallic hosing it will likely survive all of us here. I think most people underestimate how hard sca people (especially our construction, military, and iron type workers) can hit when they choose to pull out the stops.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

Very nice, Sir Rhyance. I have no doubt you would have earned your strawberry leaves had that been the course you chose. No doubt at all.

DukeAvery

Well, we did end up being friends. I told him not to pull that #$#$% again however. Degree and intent, fair enough. I recall a private event where my opponent led off with a blow to my shield that numbed my arm. He wanted to see what I was made of. Enraged, I hammered his leg and rained 10's until h...

DukeAvery

I recall a private event where my opponent led off with a blow to my shield that numbed my arm. He wanted to see what I was made of. Enraged, I hammered his leg and rained 10's until he flinched. I was sad. I am minded that SCA combat, whatever it may be, is all to easily transformed into a game of ...

DukeAvery

So fun to watch this. First, I'd change your gear up. How tall are you? You remind me of my squire Ivan (now Duke Ivan) and also of Duke Torgul except you are in your "I'm a pell" stage. That will change. Add 2" to your round shield, maybe as much as 4", hard to say but otherwise...

DukeAvery

... I look forward to the training and our fight @ crown ... Uther Well met, then your Majesty. I appreciate your kind words. I have come to believe that most friendships are based on some shared interest. Perhaps this will be ours. With all due respect however, I would see small shield/thrustless ...

DukeAvery

Come back to the reservation ... please. Make what apologies are necessary. It is not so hard.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

Your Majesty I have at times called big shields barn doors, which I have retracted elsewhere here on the archive. I am not aware of any other derisive words I have posted on the subject or said in person, but I apologize for them as well. For your part I will point out twice now you have made small ...

DukeAvery

Guilty as charged. I don't do it lightly - the art is at risk.

Any big shield tournament fighter is a band saw away from getting back on the reservation.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

Awesome Ciaran. Wear good armor, especially to start with including wrists forearms elbows back and chest hips waist legs You will get hit more and while pain I'm sure is not a problem damage is. Heavily armored wrists and forearms especially turn hits that would end the night if not longer into use...

DukeAvery

I dunno; One day Paul hit a guy in the kidney (area) and he pissed blood. Could be the strike had nothing to do with it, but I'm going with Paul's kidney armor rule - don't break your toys.

Have fun out there.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

Congratulations Marc.

Well done.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

Because one lady almost got hit with a thrown sword (or so I heard), I always and with pride wear a lanyard (or the equivalent) at tournament. Because somebody's mother might be watching. I'd ban perpendicular (shovel grips) at the society level if I could (because I know how hard they can hit and i...

DukeAvery

Looks like fun.

Check this guy out, if you get the chance.

http://www.bellatrix.org/school/appendix_i/index.htm

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

Your Majesty

I am moved by your words, and will attend if I can. For those of us with limited hours available what part of the day do you think would be most profitable to attend?

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

I find your cognitive process of transferring information very tasty.

I did have to fire up the smoker and lay down a haunch bathing in green chilies and apple juice.

DukeAvery

Good post brother Johnathan.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

What - is there any doubt a knight would take out a ninja? More seriously, I am greatly enjoying this discussion (meaningless as it is) and what I am learning from it. The teacher from the phillipines story really touches my heart. I've only done football, wrestling, collegiate fencing, and SCA comb...

DukeAvery

I don't know, but that photo makes me pine to be there.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

I was just at a practice yesterday run by Paul Bellatrix and it sure felt like a martial art to me. I'm lightly sore high up in the shoulders and outer thighs but no big bruises. Lots of minor ones. Horse stance which I am unusual in using extensively around here is becoming easy. This Sir Marc fell...

DukeAvery

An advanced fighter's shield is properly sized if it takes him or her to within a hair's breadth of fame and no more. For one duke I know, that is a dinner plate. For me it is a 24" round. For my squire now duke Ivan it was a 30" (but he could have done it with a 28" and his sword fam...

DukeAvery

With respect, I earnestly believe that overly large shields are eroding our art, and that it is being done to prop up egos (or defensively - "keeping up with the neighbors". Hence, my use of the phrase 'intractable differences' in my proposal, which was in turn meant to avoid this discussi...

DukeAvery

I would say rule 3 would be - "Armor up". I still believe, with all due respect to his grace (and thanks for helping us get back on topic), that I fighter does not have the right to strike another fighter arbitrarily hard. Advanced and/or strong fighters must be careful of newer and/or sma...

DukeAvery

Syr EikBrandr

My fondness for the Great Kingdom of the Middle ever increases.

Kind Regards

Sir Avery

DukeAvery

I believe Calontir uses a different system that may be at safe different distances. I suggest testing on some spare Grimfeller's faces. I'd be surprised if they hadn't already determined what ranges are ok for kids already ..."Does this hurt?" "No." "Step forward." Rega...

Re: Getting Past the Shield Size Debate: A Proposal

Is SCA "Combat" a martial art (however impractical