Sidesword in the SCA

Bob H · Post by **Bob H** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 2:26 pm

I saw a brief description of an ongoing experiment with "sidesword", which if I remember correctly is much like SCA rapier with the addition of cuts or hacks.

Of course, I promptly lost the link. Can anyone direct me to information on the topic?

john · Post by **john** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 3:08 pm

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~wew/fencing/sca/

Hob · Post by **Hob** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 5:01 pm

Quick addendum to those rules:

I took his sidesword class at estrella last month and he now recommends that anyone trying sidesword wear heavy leather demigauntlets as well.

If I were you, I'd consider the "recommended" elbow and knee protection "required"

Kevin the Hound · Post by **Kevin the Hound** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 6:16 pm

I've been involved in Sidesword here in the Midrealm since November. We have been slowly marching up the learning curve in our area. I wear sort of mini-demi gauntlets (no cuffs), kids soccer shinguards on my forearms under the sleeves of my overshirt, metal elbow cups, a padded sleeveless doublet, and kneepads with my thighhigh boots pulled up over my knees. Oh, and a steel Rapier Helmet (Burgonet style). All this is along with my regular Rapier armor. It has served me pretty well so far.

My sword is a Del Tin Bated Rapier blade from Darkwood armory, with a guard from Triplette. It has a little more "beef" than the Del Tin Practice Rapier blade, and is better suited for percussive style combat. I cut the blade length down some, and may yet cut it down some more.

I am primarily studying Marozzo, with the assistance of documentation (and a little training) supplied by Baron Master Gwylym.

It is great fun. The main purpose is to prove or disprove that percussive blows with steel blades can safely be delivered in a controlled fashion suitable for SCA combat.

After the first few times I tried it I realized that it "felt like I had graduated" from Rapier combat. A heady sensation indeed!

Kevin O'Shaughnessy

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Pars Acuta in Alio (The Pointy End Goes into the Other Man)

James B. · Post by **James B.** » Thu Mar 07, 2002 8:58 am

The group I am a part of fights true rapier. We never took out cuts and slashing. Our group is a not so strict on clothing requirements either. I usually fight in a long sleeve shirt, gloves, doublet, knee breeches, tights, boots, and a fencing helmet that also covers the neck (otherwise a gorget is required). We have been doing this now for a year with out a single rapier injury, and only one broken blade, and it was a new blade. If they SCA changed the rules I might go to more rapier tourneys they hold. For now it is too much like fencing.

Flonzy

Seamus · Post by **Seamus** » Thu Mar 07, 2002 9:34 am

For any of you in the Oxnard, California area:

Details for this weekend's Sidesword Seminar:

Times: 10a-4p both Saturday and Sunday.

Location: Via Marina Park in the Shire of Darach (Oxnard, CA).
In the case of inclement weather, the practice will be relocated to a nearby indoor location and directions will be posted at the park.

Address: 301 Keel Way, Oxnard, CA 93030.

Directions, class outlines, etc. are at:
http://www.caidrapier.org/html/ssseminar.html

-Seamus

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Formerly Acdntlpoet
The WaywardCelt