From
the desk of Edward:
(being
of the Magnus' U.K. mentor)
...Actually, our fighting is less scripted than you may
think . The Viking system is basically attempting to hit
your opponent on the torso and upper legs. Shots to the
back should avoid the spine and kidneys, preferably being
a healthy slap to the rump! Weapons like spears are to torso
only. NO HEAD SHOTS. With this system in place, a hit is
a hit and who ever is best is left standing. This is how
we train all year. However, competitive fighting like this
can result in cunning flicks of the sword which though skillful,
do not register to the public. We have to think about putting
on a show too, so fighting becomes somewhat larger than
life, with much shouting, clanging and breaking of shields.
Blows are 'pulled' before contact is made, thus decelerating
and lessening the blow. With time and practice this gets
easier, so its the new guys who tend to give us bruises
the most. The weapons are of course steel, and do not have
sharp edges! Before each fight they are checked by the safety
officers for burs or nicks from previous engagements.
In the medieval scene, ( getting to your point) we do not
need to be so skillful. Some guys are indeed very good at
their chosen weapon, but usually in a show we clash, pull
back, clash again, take on some water, clash in a slightly
different way and then people on the loosing side and maybe
some well spirited or plain exhausted attackers take their
hits and 'die'. ....
Hitting is harder in the Medieval scene, so the kit is not
just for effect. Of course, the more armour people have
the harder folk tend to wade into them. Technically we are
still considerate to one another and are not 'full contact'
fighters. Head shots are still taboo.....
The end shot of this waffle is that to accurately portray
fighting of the period we feel a system must be in place.
There is nothing worse than seeing folk all kitted up and
then facing each other 'tick tocking' ( this is the kids
way of holding swords at 45degrees and tapping on alternate
sides) like an old Errol Flynn movie. The more realistic
way, of actually trying to hit the sod without getting hit
back means that your armour and techniques reflect the original.
You look at old paintings etc and see what they were trying
to do. You can see why an aspect of kit worked, or was dropped.
You can sympathize with blisters etc. We got into this as
gamers do role playing games, and could soon laugh at those
expressions like " I put my armour on and join the fight"
, knowing this can take half an hour. Then again, if you
keep it on you're on the road to exhaustion in the same
period of time. People ask if we play characters or have
scripts when doing a show. Not intentionally, but inevitably
we end up being authentic by accident. We'd sit and bitch
about the weather, compliment one another on our kit, ask
how something was done, and who made that buckle. Then we'd
reflect that the bastard with the black sallet always goes
for the right leg, and speculate about tonight's roast and
drinking session while reflecting about how pleasing to
the eye a girl may look in that dress. The language is contemporary,
we avoid the 'thee's and thou's' which is a trait I'm afraid
is most used your side of the pond. (note from editor:
i.e. Americans: we should keep in mind Elizabethan speech
has not been invented yet!) On the field
in front of the public we're going to shout about poxes
and curses rather than scream "Die ,Mother F#cker!" but
you get the gist....
Again, forgive my inane banter and spelling ( except of
course for ArmoUr!) (editors note: Armor is of tanks,
Armour is of body protection) I hope this is of some
interest. I found a surprising amount of knowledge amongst
those I spoke to in the States, though I guess at an event
you're going to attract the right sort. ....
Best
regards, Edward.
Expanding
our minds:
We
can learn from European and U.K. re-enactors just in the fact
that it is their history. Re-enactors and Living Historians
there have been researching and displaying for far longer
than we in the United States here.
What
can be learned:
First,
it should be noted how they take valid shots in combat.
As Edward said,
-
strikes
to torso are valid
-
upper
legs are valid
-
shots
to the back should avoid the spine and kidneys, preferably
being a healthy slap to the rump!
-
pole
arms are to torso only.
-
NO HEAD SHOTS.
-
With this system in place, a hit is a hit and who ever
is best is left standing.
All-in-all,
exercise caution. It is not about getting a shot in
and triumph is not about slaying an opponent. Triumph
is about being able to stave off your opponents' attacks,
while being able to skillfully place a shot in on that opponent
with no worries about causing injury or second-guesses.
Weaponry
Of
pole-arms, das hellebarde:
Being
the main function of the unit is that of trained halberdiers,
the main focus of combat training shall be with the "hellebarten",
the halberd. The pole-arm user's front hand ( usually
left) is on top of the pole not under. This is harder to hold,
but it means the tip is a lot less likely to go up into a
face. Against shields, aim for the lower half of the shield
so it can't slide upwards.
"ein
Schwert tragen": to bear a sword,
To
bear a sword in the 15th century Empire is a privilege, not
a right. Only Nobles are allowed to own a sword.
Those belonging to a militia are allowed to keep a sword,
be it rented from the armoury. To get around that, commoners
carry what is called the "Grosse messer"
or the "long knife", essentially a short sword with
no regal fixings.
Members
of this Kompanie have the official doctrine of the Landgraf
to keep, train and handle a sword. However, members
who are not Combat Officers must first acquire an appropriate
pole-arm, such as a Halberd, before spending money on a secondary
weapon such as a sword. Members of this Kompanie are
to train with the Kompanie Officers and Fechtmeister,
training from appropriate edicts from the Fechtbuch.
We have a very good copy of Hans Talhoffers' edicts on the
Fechtbuch that is our main source of educational material.
Official Kompanie meetings may fill the day with discussion,
so special fighting practices will be either scheduled or
impromptu. Feel free to get a hold of a senior of the
Kompanie and schedule a time to train.
Adams
Wood & Metal has graciously donated wooden
wasters for beginner level. You may purchase a waster
for $20.
Sparring with steel is only allowed after the Officers of
the Kompanie deem you safe with the waster and appropriate
to handle live steel.
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