[MR] [Marshalls] KEM Clarification & Directives -- Period Appearance

Thu Jul 2 11:44:35 PDT 2009

for those that havent seen this yet.  we have been talking about the confusion that some folks seem to have regarding the appearance law.  i have noticed an unacceptable trend of new fighters going to get authorized that are not in compliance with these laws (which, by the way, are now six years old).  part of the authorization process is asking the fighter if he/she is familiar with the rules.  if he/she says yes and isnt in compliance with these simple requirements they clearly are not, indeed, familiar with the rules.  another aspect of an authorization is an armour inspection.  if the fighter isnt in compliance with these rules then the inspection fails and the authorization goes no further.  period.

the blame lies with those that are teaching new fighters.  it is our responsibility to ensure that they are in compliance with these rules, they are prepared to engage in the authorization, and they have been properly trained.  these are all equally important.  it is unfair to your new student to not ensure that they are fully prepared to attempt an authorization and the marshals running the authorization have no wiggle room.  the earls marshal of the kingdom and the society have a responsibility to make sure that those within their staff comply with all rules equally.  the sem is pushing for the enforcement of corpora which specifically addresses that attendees at society events be properly dressed.  we fighters are not exempt from that.

if anyone has any questions about the law or if you are unsure whether or not you or your student are in compliance please do not hesitate to contact me or kynnyth for advice.  we are here to help you help them.   ;^)

regards

logan

"I never did give them hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it was hell." 
Harry S Truman 

"If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared"
Niccolo Machiavelli

www.ebonwoulfe.com <http://www.ebonwoulfe.com/> 
www.fighterpractice.com

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Kynnyth Pyke <scacynwrig at yahoo.com <mailto:scacynwrig%40yahoo.com> >
To: The Marshallate of Atlantia <marshalls at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org <mailto:marshalls%40seahorse.atlantia.sca.org> >
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 11:19:04 AM
Subject: [Marshalls] KEM Clarification & Directives -- Period Appearance

Folks,

Contained in this email are directives and clarifications to marshals in regards to the Period Appearance rules (10.1.4) please review them and ensure that your fellow marshals are aware of them.

First, to ensure you've seen it, please review the actual text of the Kingdom Law that we are discussing:

10.1.4 All plastic and/or modern sports equipment used by all participants on the field of combat must be covered in a manner to disguise the material in an attempt to display historical pre-17th Century accouterments to the average passerby. This section and its subsections will take effect December 1, 2003.
10.1.4.1 Water bearers are specifically exempt from these rules.
10.1.4.2 Plastic and other modern materials specifically required to promote safety or those that are medically required are exempt from this ruling. However, every attempt must be made, in good faith, to disguise those items.
10.1.4.3 Hand protection and shield edges may be made of plastic materials. However, it is the owner’s responsibility to attempt to disguise the appearance of those items to bring them into compliance with the spirit of this law.
10.1.4.4 Participants who are residents of another kingdom are to be considered our guests and are exempt from this ruling provided they meet Society minimum standards.
10.1.4.5 Newly transplanted citizens to Atlantia are to be granted a four month period of time to come into compliance with these laws.

Several exceptions have been explicitly authorized by this office:

Exceptions
1. Plastic and other modern materials specifically required to promote safety or those that are medically required are exempt from this ruling. However, every attempt must be made, in good faith, to disguise those items. These items include, but are not limited to: eyeglasses or sports glasses when needed to correct a deficiency of vision, safety glasses, orthopedic footwear, required joint braces, etc.
2. Items of common question (lamellar, lacquered pieces or other unusual, but documented period designs) may be permitted at the discretion of the Crown or Their representative only if the appearance of that item can not be distinguished from its period counterpart and its display embraces the idea of historical pre-17th century armor.
3. Hand protection and shield edges may be made of plastic materials. However, it is the owner's responsibility to attempt to disguise the appearance of those items to bring them in compliance with the spirit of this law. Uncovered hockey gloves are forbidden.
4. Duct tape and edge marking tape covering of weapons is explicitly excepted from the ban on the use of tape. Also use of tape for marking of sides in melees is acceptable. The use of duct tape for a field repair of armor will be allowed so long as the failure did not exist at the beginning of the day.
5. Fencing masks, blade tips/blunts and tip tape are acceptable for use on the field for rapier combat.
6. APDs and blunts based on plastic and modern materials are explicitly acceptable for combat arrows and quarrels, per Society and Kingdom standards for these items. Visible strapping tape is allowed on combat arrows/quarrels to enable proper inspection of the items.
7. If there are site restrictions regarding use of non-marking soles, waivers for modern foot gear may be obtained from the Earl Marshal, relevant deputies or the Crown.
8. Participants that are residents of another kingdom are to be considered our guests and are exempt from this ruling provided they meet SCA minimum standards. Newly transplanted citizens of Atlantia are to be granted a reasonable period of time (4 months per Kingdom Law, Section 10.1.4.5) to come into compliance with this rule.

Clarifications and directives:
1) There is no provision within law with regards to new fighters. This provision has been in place long enough that senior level fighters and marshals should be instructing new fighters on the requirements and inspecting their kit prior to an authorization attempt.
2) No fighter who fails to meet the requirements of 10.1.4 will be allowed to authorize.
3) No fighter who fails to meet the requirements of 10.1.4 will be passed at an inspection point.
4) Fighters who are transplants should be handled with courtesy and grace, and notified that there is a four month grace period.
5) This law applies to all aspects of field-based marshal activity (including Combat Archery, Armored Combat, Siege, Rapier, Equestrian, etc...)
6) This law does not apply to target activities (target archery, thrown weapons)
7) In situations where the footing is particularly treacherous, modern footwear can be considered "required to promote safety" under section 10.1.4.2, above. However, participants will still be held to the "every attempt must be made, in good faith, to disguise those items" requirements.
8) Marshals who consistently demonstrate an inability to enforce all aspects of Kingdom Policy and Law will have their warrants revoked.

While it is not my place to mandate such activity, I would ask that members of the top level fighting awards (Chivalry, White Scarf, Yew Bow, etc...) for field-based disciplines should work to ensure that participants of their sport are aware of, and in compliance with, the requirements of 10.1.4. I humbly request that a member of these Orders forward this message to the appropriate Order list. Please feel free to copy this email to other lists or web forums as is necessary to get out the message.

In closing, I ask that marshals conduct themselves properly when addressing these issues. Be firm, but courteous, in your application of these laws.

I thank each of you for your service to Atlantia,

Lord Kynnyth Pyke
Earl Marshal, Atlantia
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