[MR] COMBAT ARCHERY CONVENTIONS AT FOOLS WAR

[Rupert Gaddy]

Since I know several gentles are planning to arch at Fools War I give you
the OFFICAL word regarding the CA conventions and armor standards which
will be used there.

I have heard many rumors, some even partially true... so I went to the source!

I hope this prove helpful to those Combat Archers who plan to
attend.....you may need to borrow armor!


Ld Rupert the Persistent

Subject: Fools War Combat Conventions
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 19:08:15 +0100 

Rupert (and all addressees),

I am THL Giovanni Francisco, recently stepped down as the Kingdom Archery
Marshal of Meridies.  I have discussed this matter with the Earl Marshal of
Meridies, and have come to learn that Meridies is going to a standard policy
of "minimum SCA heavy weapons armor" for use at all inter Kingdom events.
Being in charge of Combat Archery at Fool's War, I stand by and support this
policy.  You see, all archers in our Kingdom are heavy archers and subject
to being struck while on the field.  Our fighters are unaccustomed to
"light" archers.  No doubt you'll agree that this could lead to problems
with less than minimum SCA armor standards.

Now this policy does not mean your archers will be struck.  Our fighters are
also very accustomed to touching archers or accepting their called deaths.
What we teach archers here is to a) Yell "DEAD" as loudly as possible, b)
Fall down as if already struck and killed, and/or c) Put their bow over
their head and walk quickly off the field - if possible.  Fighters are
warned not to strike a surrendering archer and archers are likewise warned
not to "fake" a death.  Either party could be subject to dismissal from the
field at the discretion of the Marshals in charge.

For hand protection, we generally require a full gauntlet on the bow hand
and a half gauntlet on the string hand.  Hockey gloves are legal.  We often
allow Trimarian archers to use their "archers gauntlet" at Meridian events
as long as it is in keeping with their Kingdom standards.   I won't go into
the myriad variations of elbow and knee protection, but they should conform
to the current SCA minimum standards.  

I will be discussing with the Marshals of Fool's War about posting a
Conventions of Combat on the Fool's War website asap.  I don't know if it is
too late to do any good, but we will give it a go.

THL Giovanni Francisco

CC:
Autocrats of Fool's War
Marshals of Fool's War
Earl Marshal, Meridies
Deputy Earl Marshal Combat Archery & Siege Weapons, Meridies




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