[MR] Heavy Vs. Rapier

[vandevander]

I must say the mental image provoked by the subject  line gave me a chuckle.

But seriously, to say one activity is more exciting than the other is a moot
point.  The real point is they are both worthwhile endeavors (the guys over
at the HACA might say otherwise, but . . .).  Sure, embroidery and
pottery-making could never pack a list field, but it's still worth doing and
makes the participants feel like they are contributing to the overall health
of our society.

By my troth ( or "heck," if "bmt" seems a bit too much), I know of at least
one Duke in AEthelmearc who fences now because he felt he needed a new
challenge.  I shudder to think what would happen to the first poor sot who
called him a wire-weenie.

All in all, this seems to be the silliest argument I've seen in some time.
Of course we're not going to switch to a rapier king!  Or an archer king!
Or a sewing king!  Some fundamental changes would have to take place in the
mindset of the populace before such a thought could be seriously considered,
let alone acted upon.

Stefen von Baden



----- Original Message -----
From: "Egil Liefson" <storvikegil at yahoo.com>
To: <Atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 9:10 AM
Subject: [MR] Heavy Vs. Rapier


> Forwarded to the list by request.  In reference to Hrothgar's comments
> on rapier fighting.
>
> Ok, he is correct - heavy fighting is more exciting for the general
> populous
> to observe, however rapier provides an alternative to heavy fighting.
> Some
> people are more interested in the grace, eloquence and skill of rapier
> as
> opposed to hitting each other as hard as you can with a big stick.  Ok,
> so
> that isn't truly the point of heavy fighting, but that is how many who
> have
> not tried it feel.  I, personally, am interested in rapier because I
> want to
> become more actively involved in the SCA and because it is a physical
> activty in which I can participate without getting terribly bruised.
> (Go
> ahead - call me a wimp - I've seen the football size bruises and 3 inch
> welts that ooze blood my sweetie brings home on a regular basis - but
> of
> course, "it doesn't hurt") Also, have you compared start-up costs?  Oh
> certaintly every practice has loaner-armour, but if someone is serious
> about
> fighting - properly fitted armour is the only way to go.
> In summary, while I love to watch my big, sexy viking beat on others,
> rapier
> is the sport that I enjoy playing.  Granted this does not address the
> issue
> of becoming King through rapier - that would take a major change in the
> entire premise of the SCA - it is also, not to be sexist, but why we
> have
> Queen's and consorts - to moderate the rule of the heavy fighter.
>
> -Yngvildr Gustavsdottir
>
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