Category Archives: photos

Photos: Rapier

Rapier Combat

All of the photographs below are courtesy of Brunissende Dragonette de Broceliande, and she retains all rights. Please do not use them for any purpose without prior permission. If you appear in any of these photos and do not wish them to appear on this website, please contact the Bailiwick web minister at webmaster@ivyeinrust.eastkingdom.org to request removal.

Click on any picture to see the larger version.

In the Society for Creative Anachronism, one of the popular combat-related activities is “Rapier”. Rather than being an art of War, it recreates civilian, unarmored combat of the Renaissance, the antecedent to today’s sport of fencing. Unlike modern-style fencing, however, SCA rapier combatants fence “in the round”, with movement allowed in all directions rather than in a straight line, and the equipment is closer to Renaissance weaponry than modern equipment. While SCA Rapier combatants wear protection, they are assumed to be in “street clothes” of the period. Rapier practices are held regularly in this area, and you will find many who are eager to teach you.

If you decide to give it a try, we will start you out on something easy!

Once you have mastered the basics and you have the required safety equipment, you can start practicing against a live opponent, under the watchful eye of someone with more experience.

Then comes the real fun: once you have “authorized”, or demonstrated to the officers that you understand the rules and can follow them safely, you can take part in tournaments, duels, and melees.

With practice comes blinding speed!

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Photos: Heavy Weapons

Armored Combat

All of the photographs below are courtesy of Liam St. Liam, and he retains all rights. Please do not use them for any purpose without prior permission. If you appear in any of these photos and do not wish them to appear on this website, please contact the Bailiwick web minister at webmaster@ivyeinrust.eastkingdom.org to request removal.

Click on any picture to see the larger version.

One of the most visible activities in the SCA is Armored Combat. Participants use realistic armor and weapons made out of rattan, a springy fibrous plant that “brooms” when it breaks rather than splitting into jagged edges. Duct tape and padding are also used to create weapons with a realistic weight and striking power. Wounds and kills are based on an honor system: fighters are trained to judge whether a blow would have been “true” had the weapons been real.

Armored combat takes different forms. Tournaments, duels, and many friendly “pick-up fights” are usually fought one-on-one. Sometimes a small melee is organized with perhaps a half-dozen to a dozen fighters on either side. At SCA Wars, the melees grow into battles with hundreds of participants on each side, organized into units with commanders, battle standards, and objectives to be achieved.

Because armored combat is a contact sport, safety is of paramount importance. Before taking the field for the first time, a fighter must be trained, and they must demonstrate that they understand the Rules of the List. At every fighting event, equipment is carefully inspected for construction, proper fit, and adherence to the rules.

Some people you will see on or near the field deserve special mention. One such group is the Marshals. They can often be identified by their black outfits that bear a symbol of gold crossed swords, or by the black and gold staff such as you see above. They are the “referees” of this sport, and on and near the fighting field, their word is final.

Pay heed to their words: they are responsible for ensuring the safe conduct of the sport. You should never be closer to the fighting than they are, and better you stand further back.

Both on and off the fighting field, you will see some people wearing plain white belts and gold chain necklaces, and also people wearing plain white baldrics (like a belt that runs diagonally from shoulder to waist). These are members of the Order of Chivalry, men and women who exemplify Honor, Chivalry, and Fighting Skill.

In the lower photo, above, we have a Master of Arms, one of the two titles of rank in the Order of Chivalry. A Master or Mistress of Arms is a member of that Order who is not required to swear fealty to the Crown.

In the top photo, the men wearing white belts are Knights, the other half of the Order of Chivalry. The one in the purple tabard with the gold crown is especially important: at the time the picture was taken, he was King of the East Kingdom, of which the Bailiwick of Ivyeinrust is but one small part.

At the end of the day, it’s all about fun and camaraderie. If you are interested in learning more about SCA Armored Combat, ask any of us for an introduction to the Baronial Knight Marshal!

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Photos: Court

All of the photographs below are courtesy of either Violet Coleson or Brunissende Dragonette de Broceliande, and they retain all rights. Please do not use them for any purpose without prior permission. If you appear in any of these photos and do not wish them to appear on this website, please contact the Bailiwick web minister at webmaster@ivyeinrust.eastkingdom.org to request removal.

Click on any picture to see the larger version.

In the SCA, Court is the center of pageantry and heraldry. In an SCA Court, the rulers of the land call together the people to hear proclamations, learn the important news of the day, and above all, watch as those who have shown themselves worthy are publicly recognized.

There are two basic types of Courts: Royal Courts, and Baronial Courts. As the Bailiwick of Ivyeinrust is part of the Barony of Bhakail, it is likely that you will attend a number of Baronial Courts. The basic rules are the same for both kinds, however.

It is unlikely, though not impossible, that you will be called forward during your very first Court! Don’t panic: it’s very simple. Approach the thrones and stop to bow. You may see the end of a rug or something marking where you should stop. If not, about three or four steps away is a good rule of thumb.

Don’t worry if your bow is not fancy enough, or if you feel awkward, or if you don’t know how to do it with a flourish. The important thing is the intent to show courtesy and respect to the Crown (the King and Queen) or Coronet (the Baron and/or Baroness as the representatives of the Crown).

Then you step forward and kneel—if you can. If kneeling would cause you some distress, just quietly and politely ask if you may stand. No offense will be taken.

Now, unless you are there to make a presentation or the like, it is out of your hands. Being called up in Court is meant to be a pleasant, fun surprise—and you may walk away with something to show for all your efforts!

When you are done, take a couple steps back, bow again, and go back to your seat.

A final note: if you have any questions about how Court works, how to act, and so forth, ask the Heralds. It is the Heralds who are responsible for making Court run smoothly, and they are your best resource.

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