Combat Archery from the guy who started this.

[Winterfell]

First off, I knew I was dropping a hand grenade when I posted the original question the way I did. I just did not realize I dropped an H-bomb.
Now then in all of this I do not think I actually voiced my thoughts about archers and knightly combat. My thoughts are this:
When an archer went into battle he targeted everyone, knights, serfs, horses, what have you. When a knight went into battle he was expecting to fight and capture other knights, but if he encountered a poorly armed and armoured serf, well serf was dead. When an archer saw a knight. You can bet he took a shoot at him. That was war. In a tourney, it was time to show off your skill with a horse and with weapons. Knights and nobles fought for honour, glory, and gold. Would they have had archers in a tourney? I have not read so, but just because it was not in a book, or in a museum does not mean it did not happen. As for the SCA, as long as Pennsic is calling itself a war, and going by war rules, then it is a war. A play war but a war nonetheless. With all due respect Rhys, I think you might annoy those who prefer to think of Pennsic as a war, when you call it a tourney. (Regardless of whether it is right or wrong.)
So here is the problem:
1. The SCA, in its attempts to be broad enough, has never clearly defined what, where, or when it is supposed to be. Most of its members are from Western European stock, and thus that is where their interest lies. That does not mean the SCA is Western Europe, if it did then Tuchux, the Horde and the like would be forbidden.
2. By definition, one must fight in a chivalric manner. But chivalric behavior, while a note worthy goal and a good example to live by, was not the true nature of war. (Sometimes tourneys as well). What I mean to say is that the term is misleading because not everyone is a knight. Most of the knights that I have encountered in the SCA worked damn hard to become so and take great pride in it. Some fighters however are Landsknecht mercenaries. Should they follow chivalric behavior? What about Tuchux?
Probably not. But should they fight honourably and safely? Heck yeah.
3. The SCA is not a re-enactment group. They are a recreation group. And while some people may bitch about how much authenticity is lacking in the SCA, in combat style, armour, weapons, and even attitude, they should go and look at the first SCA event, where they fought in motorcycle helmets. Many sub groups try to be more authentic within the SCA, others do not. The SCA itself leans towards the do not side there and as long as it does, it is a fantasy group and authenticity is pretty much out the window.

So should combat archery be allowed? According to the current, yet nebulous definitions of the SCA. Yes. Since it takes so long to get to this point with Combat Archery, my guess is that it will stay. And it’s effects? Well it only means that more people can have fun in the combat. If you don’t like it, well tough.
On a personal note, I left the SCA because frankly I got bored. I want to have fun. I want to do more than just stand toe to toe with someone else in full armour and bash at each other. I have since joined a new group that (while it is still young) has made it clear that all distant ages are welcome to play. Be it Roman, Chinese, English or what have you. We do not say that all of our Society is Western European and only in the middle ages. We say we are members from distant lands and times come together. And yes many of our members strive for authenticity within their persona, and yes we are still able to make it work. Because we say, if you don’t like fighting a samurai, tough, he is here too.
Anyways this has been a long post if you are still here, thanks for reading.





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"As long as there are fanatics there will always be heretics