Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2002 5:50 pm
Just a couple of notes. Knights have not really died out, at least not in England. I believe that the Order of the Garter is still alive and well. I think what started to die out in the Renaissance was the formal page-squire-knight training and requirements, that were prevelant in the Middle Ages.
My personal opinion is that I give swordsmanship the same respect regardless of time period or culture. In other words, I have the same respect for anyone who can wield a sword effectively be it a 2nd Century Roman, a 13th Century Englishman, a 16th Century Japanese, 17th Century Spaniard, or a 19th Century Frenchman OR anyone modern person who can wield a sword the same way.
What I always find amusing is that the rapier forms of combat are often looked down upon by some folks, because it is not "real" fighting. Or that it is not as manly because it does not require full "armour" for safety and does not leave bruises on your body. (Typing this and looking at the quarter sized bruise on my bicep that is just turning yellow now after over a week, which I received from a newbie, who I was instructing.) Yet the rapier martial sport in the SCA is closer to rapier combat of the Reniassance then the SCA rattan martial sport is to the sword combat of the Middle Ages. Does not mean I am not going to do both, nope still plan to do just that. It is just that they are two different animals in that respect.
It is not that the Rapierists have an advantage in documentation, clothing, expectations, or rules, it is that they have the advantage in attitude. That attitude is that I can look great and fight great and have great fun at the same time. Heck the rapier community is starting to use surgical tubing gonnes and the occasional freaking cannon!!! Sweeeeet!
For all of the talk about winning and being the best, what ever happened to the fun?
Rapierists also like to look good, because they see more of their fellow fighters looking good, and somewhat authentic. The only glaring anachronism of a rapier fighter is that big ole modern fencing helm on top of our heads when we go out there. Yet the various methods of trying to cover it up can be rather ingenious. Personally I will be going the GAA route. Yet compare that with the attitude by the rattan community of "here's your stuff, doesn't matter if it looks like crap, blatantly plastic, or has little to any resemblence to the Middle Ages, just get out there fast and win."
If you took a tournament knight from the 15th century and showed him the SCA rattan fighters, he would be aghast at the condition of the armour. How does one uphold honour and chivalry when fighting in tatters? Yes there are some folks out there who fight in some damn good looking armour, and yes there are some folks who are out there who fight in plastic and hide so well it is just barely noticable if at all, and for them I say Hurrah. BUT the majority of the rattan fighters out there seem to have little respect for the armour they own. Coat of plates with the plates sticking through and held in place by duct tape. Exposed plastic or covered by a rug. Worndown leather that is cracked and dry. Rusted helms and chewed up swords. Where is the pride? And if you want to say "Well gee it is a only a sport and we want to be competative." Would you be routing for your favorite NFL team if they took the field with exposed shoulder guards, ragged uniforms, and chewed up helmets? I would have to say that my biggest gripe is not plastic versus steel, or even authenticity above all else, it is the broad disregard for one's own equipment that I see at every event I go to, that to me signifies a fundemental lack of self respect that should be a hallmark of any knight or knight in training. (I also do see some spectacular kits out there, but not as many as the general crap littering the list fields.)
Ok I think I have finally ran out of steam.
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"As long as there are fanatics there will always be heretics
My personal opinion is that I give swordsmanship the same respect regardless of time period or culture. In other words, I have the same respect for anyone who can wield a sword effectively be it a 2nd Century Roman, a 13th Century Englishman, a 16th Century Japanese, 17th Century Spaniard, or a 19th Century Frenchman OR anyone modern person who can wield a sword the same way.
What I always find amusing is that the rapier forms of combat are often looked down upon by some folks, because it is not "real" fighting. Or that it is not as manly because it does not require full "armour" for safety and does not leave bruises on your body. (Typing this and looking at the quarter sized bruise on my bicep that is just turning yellow now after over a week, which I received from a newbie, who I was instructing.) Yet the rapier martial sport in the SCA is closer to rapier combat of the Reniassance then the SCA rattan martial sport is to the sword combat of the Middle Ages. Does not mean I am not going to do both, nope still plan to do just that. It is just that they are two different animals in that respect.
It is not that the Rapierists have an advantage in documentation, clothing, expectations, or rules, it is that they have the advantage in attitude. That attitude is that I can look great and fight great and have great fun at the same time. Heck the rapier community is starting to use surgical tubing gonnes and the occasional freaking cannon!!! Sweeeeet!
For all of the talk about winning and being the best, what ever happened to the fun?
Rapierists also like to look good, because they see more of their fellow fighters looking good, and somewhat authentic. The only glaring anachronism of a rapier fighter is that big ole modern fencing helm on top of our heads when we go out there. Yet the various methods of trying to cover it up can be rather ingenious. Personally I will be going the GAA route. Yet compare that with the attitude by the rattan community of "here's your stuff, doesn't matter if it looks like crap, blatantly plastic, or has little to any resemblence to the Middle Ages, just get out there fast and win."
If you took a tournament knight from the 15th century and showed him the SCA rattan fighters, he would be aghast at the condition of the armour. How does one uphold honour and chivalry when fighting in tatters? Yes there are some folks out there who fight in some damn good looking armour, and yes there are some folks who are out there who fight in plastic and hide so well it is just barely noticable if at all, and for them I say Hurrah. BUT the majority of the rattan fighters out there seem to have little respect for the armour they own. Coat of plates with the plates sticking through and held in place by duct tape. Exposed plastic or covered by a rug. Worndown leather that is cracked and dry. Rusted helms and chewed up swords. Where is the pride? And if you want to say "Well gee it is a only a sport and we want to be competative." Would you be routing for your favorite NFL team if they took the field with exposed shoulder guards, ragged uniforms, and chewed up helmets? I would have to say that my biggest gripe is not plastic versus steel, or even authenticity above all else, it is the broad disregard for one's own equipment that I see at every event I go to, that to me signifies a fundemental lack of self respect that should be a hallmark of any knight or knight in training. (I also do see some spectacular kits out there, but not as many as the general crap littering the list fields.)
Ok I think I have finally ran out of steam.
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"As long as there are fanatics there will always be heretics