[MR] Follow up report on the combat arrow that hit Istvan Toth (Fwd) (fwd)

[Siegfried Sebastian Faust]

>I am sorry to hear of his wounds, as I am of anyone who is
>injured. However, as I am a stranger to his kingdom and his
>kingdom's combat customs, I can only ask:
>
>1) Is it customary to take off one's helm before one leaves the
>list, if there's combat archery?

It doesn't matter if it is customary or not within his Kingdom, it is 
against SCA rules.  SCA rules state that you shall not remove your helm on 
the field of battle.

So, in this case, one or more of any one of the following SCA rules was broken:
A) The guy removed his helm while still on the field of combat
B) A Marshal didn't see this and call hold immediately
C) The 'spectator safety zone' was not properly marked, as is required when 
Combat Archery is in effect, and therefore this guy didn't know he wasn't 
in the safe zone.

>2) Was a hold called, which would mean that shooting stopped? Or
>was combat still going on?

 From getting more information on this topic from the Society Combat 
Archery Marshal.  No hold.  The fighting was still going on.  Basically, 
this guy was dead, walked over to the 'side' of the bridge, and removed his 
helm to stand there and watch the fighting.

>3) Can erics be set up in such a fashion that allows for the free
>play of the archers' capabilities and still allow people to enjoy
>the spectacle?

In fact, this is required by SCA law (as I mentioned above).  A definate 
'edge of the battlefield' and 'spectator safety zone' are to be marked when 
missiles are on the field.

In this case, either it was not done.  Or it was done, and wasn't 'safe 
enough'.  Or is was done, and this guy was knowingly standing inside the 
'non-safe area'.

I have full sympathy for this guy, the injury he sustained, and pain he is 
going through.  I do wish him quick recovery.  However, given the facts at 
the moment, it is obvious that this accident was caused by either a failure 
of the marshals to follow/enforce the rules, this fighter to follow the 
rules, or a combination of both.

Siegfried
Deputy to the Society Combat Archery Marshal


_________________________________________________________________________
THL Siegfried Sebastian Faust     Baronial Web Minister & Archery Marshal
Barony of Highland Foorde        http://highland-foorde.atlantia.sca.org/