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This
is going to be the edicts our group follows when practicing
Western Martial Arts.
Section
one: What to do.
I.
Respect the Weapons
First,
let it be foremost in everyone's mind that the use of ANY
weapon is just that, the use of a WEAPON!!! You MUST
exercise caution at all times and be aware of all that you
do. Anyone without respect for handling weapons will
not be fielded.
The
first order of business beyond that very simple statement
is that we are re-enacting war. During a battle event,
in front of the public or at tactical, keep your mind on the
fact that your enemy is trying to do harm to you! Our
group is teaching defense as the first object of warfare.
Learn to protect yourself, all other things come second.
Where
this is a very nice hobby, there are a great number of people
you do not know that are wielding weapons. Whether they
treat them with the respect that is warranted or not, you
do not know! So ALWAYS keep your guard up! When
sparring with someone that you do know, you still must not
let your guard down! Even though you may be 100% positive
this person is not trying to harm you, accidents will happen!
If your mind is focused, you can keep an accident from being
harmful.
Another
bit to keep in mind is the fact that you are attempting to
accurately portray a person in times of battle. To do
this as humanly possible means that you keep a straight face
about it. Nothing is worse than seeing a re-enactor
with a broad girlish smile on his face while wielding a weapon,
no matter what era they are portraying. You should look
like you are contemplating death, either for you or your enemy!!
With
these thoughts in mind, let this proclamation be heard:
Any
fellow of this Kompanie found to be "horse-playing"
or making of jokes during a serious sparring session or
battle event shall be pulled from said event. This
proclamation is the only warning you have. To be jesting
or fooling around while enamored in battle shall be treated
as not taking the wielding of weapons seriously and will
have their weapons impounded by the Provost or Highest Ranking
Officer until the infraction is recognized and a serious
frame of mind is returned. Repeated infractions will
result in the member not being allowed to participate in
battles of any kind.
While
this all may sound too harsh to some, it should be recognized
that serious injury or death from incompetence or lack or
serious mind is far more harsh! This proclamation stands.
Again,
however, where safety comes first, fun comes in a very close
second. It is perfectly alright to be found having a
good time, smiling and jesting while not in combat!
We all must steel ourselves and aid each other in keeping
a serious mind set during combat. At group practices,
the atmosphere is much looser and friendly. This is
the perfect opportunity to aid one another in breaking ourselves
of fluffy-bunny "hooray, I'm wielding a weapon! Tee Hee!"
II.
Death and Dying
It
has come to my attention a common occurrence among American
re-enactors. As this is a generally new and not very
wide-spread hobby, our European and U.K. brethren have noticed
some potentially dangerous things we do.
Growing
up in a John Wayne society where our eyes are glazed over
by the silver screen and white lies of Hollywood, a trend
has come to be. Apparently, Americans tend to talk big,
act big and die big. What is meant is this:
Talking
Big: Cussing should be avoided for many reasons. At
public events, children and families are present and it is
unneeded. At tactical events, our fellow re-enactors
are present and you do not wish to shame yourself or this
Kompanie. Cussing to add flavor to your repertoire of
words will not do. Cussing out of frustration will not
do. Maintain yourself at all times, ESPECIALLY on the
field of battle. To get frustrated enough to Cuss on
the battlefield is getting frustrated enough to do something
else stupid and cause harm to yourself or others. If
you feel yourself getting that aggravated, take a hit and
leave the battlefield with dignity. Infractions can
be discussed with your Commanding Officer afterwards.
Also, do not be shamed by a better swordsman, instead, learn
from that swordsman. The only shame you could sustain
by an encounter with a better swordsman, is doing something
stupid due to frustration.
Acting
Big: Being a presence in the community is a good thing,
so long as it is positive. Be a presence on the battlefield
to boost morale is one thing, but to purposefully bring bring
the attention of an entire enemy force solely upon yourself
single-handedly has ALWAYS been a bad thing and I cannot fathom
why this is coveted here in America. Walking about with
pride is a good thing, but walking about pompous is shameful.
Why would anyone bring attention to themselves on a battlefield
where enemies have the idea to do them harm? I surely
don't know and no one in this group should try and explore
the theories. Keep in file, keep your mouth shut and
let the Officers do the talking.
Any member shouting across the battlefield and trying to bring
attention to himself is a distraction to everyone. The
only folks talking before a clash of arms should be the Officers.
Anyone talking out of turn is ensuring an Officers' command
cannot be heard, which impedes against safety. Keep
your comments to yourself until singly engaged in combat with
an enemy. Then, keep your speech period and tasteful.
Keep in mind that your opponent is wielding a weapon and you
should not make them loose their own safe state of mind by
enraging them. Once again, Defense!
Dying
Big: Apparently, something we Americans like to do,
when we finally do bite the big one, is make a big flourish
about our death and again bring lots of attention to ourselves.
For safeties sake, keep death to the sidelines, NOT the middle
of a battlefield. Sounds a bit off, doesn't it?
Let me explain: When one dies on the battlefield, he
is an immobile lump on the ground that is an obstruction to
those still active. Keep in mind that armour will limit
your vision and mobility, as it does others. It is dangerous
for both the person laying on the ground and those active.
Someone engaged in singular combat may be too intent on his
target and not notice someone laying on the ground.
Thus the one on the ground is liable to be stepped on, fell
upon or crushed in some other manner. Remember, the
more weight you wear and the person falling on you wears is
compacted upon you double by the momentum of a falling body.
It
is also apparent that when one dies, they tend to yell about,
throw their arms out and lay sprawled out on the ground.
This goes with the mention above, but is even more emphasized.
If they cannot see your body laying in a lump on the ground,
they surely will not see your arm or leg. Not only does
the crushing weight factor in, but the fact that armour severely
limits the flexibility of your body and force like that applied
to an inflexible limb can be catastrophic!
What
to do: When acknowledging your "death" feign
weakness and drop to your knees, signaling to your enemy that
you are defeated and will struggle no more. Then back
away from your opponent slowly, limping as if hurt and limp
off, or be dragged off to the sidelines, where water can be
administered. If you are intent on putting on a good
show for the public, do it here on the sidelines. Yell
about in pain, without being too obnoxious and bring attention
to your "grievious wound". Call for the aid
of a field lazaret, but attempt to keep from being mistaken
for actually being injured. Put on a good show for the
crowd, by all means; but keep in mind that there is combat
going on and that someone might actually get injured.
You do not want to pry the medics' attention by accident!
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