The Armour Archive

While it has been a week past since the Pas at the Neiblungen Krieg I thought that I might speak a little on it and on the joy that fighting in it brought to me. For this tourney was held be The Company of The Swan. the group here in Drachenwald that strives to recreate the look and feal of a Renee' tourney as well as improve the general look and feel of the tourneys here in Drachenwald. The tourney started with the stating of the rules of list which included the prohibition of the the thrust of the weapon as this is a tourney and not a combat situation. I must admit that at first this was a bit of a styming feel for myself as this is one of my primary shots. It was then stated that each of the fights was to be a challenge between combatants. In the first of the challenges that I gave and participated in was one that showed me just how much I had changed in attitude and in fighting style. The contest was that of three good blows of the great axe. After some shots back and forth it was tied at two a piece. with this my opponent threw his shot and lightly struck me in the chest. While it wasn't that hard I took it for I felt that it was placed as it should have and the force was not needed as this was more of a show of style and skills as opposed to that of force. Now what struck me about this was that several of the obseverers and the marshal both comented that there was no reason to accept this shot as it was light. I must admit that the thought that went through my head was " yeah but I'm not you and this is for points and skill anyway". after this bout I had another that was with the off-hand maces. this was one of enjoyment due top the style not being seen that often. The last one of the bouts that I did was one in which I challenged my opponent to the use of his fovorite style against mine. in this I fought with my florentine short maces and he with sword and buckler. This event I must say a very heartfelt thank you to all those that participated as well as the fact that I was able to for a brief moment nearly touch onto the Dream.

To all and sundry
THANK YOU

Lord Elias mac Griogair
shire of Meadowmarsh
Drachenwald

People who come to more authentic tournaments often feel they should lower their calibration, and they often say such things as you did to explain it.

In fact, nothing could be farther from the spirit of the tournaments in question. First, force *is* a function of skill. Yes, there are big gorilla types that can pound newbies into the dirt with heavy, muscular blows, but these guys don't win against senior fighters. Why? Because throwing powerful blows that are based on muscle are just too easy to block. To throw *really* powerful blows (even harder than the guerilla guys throw!) and actually make them *land* on a skilled fighter takes tremendous skill, so don't take light blows any more. Some of us actually feel you're cheating us of the chance to win renown by taking blows that aren't hard enough.

Second, real medieval tournaments were vicious, hard-fought affairs; they weren't games of tag, where any clean blow was accounted worthy! They didn't count blows received (although they did, occasionally, count blows thrown): that's a modern attempt to simulate the fact that multiple heavy, powerful blows would stun you enough to force you to yield. Especially in late-period tournaments such as the Rene model you were using, armor was superb. Tapping someone lightly in the chest wouldn't even have been *noticed*, much less done anything effective!

So, please, in the spirit of *real* tournament fighting, hit harder and take harder, OK? Cheat neither yourself nor your opponent. We don't want these things to degenerate into sissy games of tag!

------------------
Hugh Knight
"Welcome to the Church of the Open Field, let us 'prey': Hunt hard, kill swiftly, waste nothing, make no apologies"

"While it wasn't that hard I took it for I felt that it was placed as it should have and the force was not needed as this was more of a show of style and skills as opposed to that of force. Now what struck me about this was that several of the obseverers and the marshal both comented that there was no reason to accept this shot as it was light."

Whil i am not nearly as mighty as some, Rhys for EX. I would agree heartly, force is skill, skill is force. Skill is throwing fast, accurate, with proper technique and with solid force.

We're in armour we should be able to take a good whack

It's just a stick

to those that know me They would understand what I was trying to say with the power of the shot thrown. I am known for throwing and taking a very heavy shot in most all situations. Even to the extent of starting to be suspected of rhinoing. As a result of this I have tried to calibrate more accurately and become more situationally aware.

OHHH ok

Well then throw the thunder call the rain as i think Duke Gareth says.

Hit hard but be generous with your opponent's shots. Don't give away shots, but if it's pretty good, then call it.

You loose nothing in giving largess.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Murdock:
<B>OHHH ok

Well then throw the thunder call the rain as i think Duke Gareth says.

Hit hard but be generous with your opponent's shots. Don't give away shots, but if it's pretty good, then call it.

You loose nothing in giving largess.</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't actually agree with that. What you do by taking light shots is to rob your opponent of the opportunity to win great renown. As de Charney said, "he who does the most is the most worthy"; if your opponent takes a too-light shot, then you haven't beaten him at his toughest.

Largesses is great, but not at the expense of someone else.

------------------
Hugh Knight
"Welcome to the Church of the Open Field, let us 'prey': Hunt hard, kill swiftly, waste nothing, make no apologies"

Elias,

Thanks for the compliments, and for the bout in question.

If I recall the shot correctly, it was one where I would have been happy if you had not taken it, but was happy for you to call it too. I always try to leave these things to my opponent. As my axe has a very heavy head, I am always a bit careful with it anyway.

Just for the record, the Company is not only interested in Rene type tourneys - this one, for example, was a simple challenge Pas. We are just trying to hold some tournaments that people find more spectacular, colourful and medieval. Our first, at Double Wars in Sweden, was a spectacular success. There was a war practice the day before the behourd, but the gentles on the war field were outnumbered two to one by those who stayed in camp to polish helms, fit plumes and otherwise improve their kit.

Cheers

Aethstan
Captain, Company of the Swan
SCA Drachenwald

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by SyrRhys:
<B> I don't actually agree with that. What you do by taking light shots is to rob your opponent of the opportunity to win great renown. As de Charney said, "he who does the most is the most worthy"; if your opponent takes a too-light shot, then you haven't beaten him at his toughest.

Largesses is great, but not at the expense of someone else.

</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

#1) I love that quote by Charney Its one of my fav's...

#2) I agree about not taking light shots. Shots must have sufficient power (which unless you're a monster require sufficient technique) to truly give your noble combatant a true victory. Now, there are a wide range of power levels that use proper technique, and you may feel free to call those within that range. Please don't start taking below that though, it only rewards those who do not do things properly.

The best compliment will never be "He calls heavy" or "he calls light" but "He calls the good ones".

Sorry for the mini-rant.