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<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=222012418-08022002>Once
more into the wall;</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002> I have read quietly, (rare for me to
be quite) all the varied and sundry comments on fighting of various sorts. And
as usual I have a few observations:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002>1. There are any number of references
to Pas and challenges and tourney matches that recount dozens or even hundreds
of blows thrown by each opponent with the fight continuing until a judged
outcome was reached or one party could not continue. If anyone is so hot for
real bouts of Stamina and strength well then we should allow fighters to flail
away until one can not or will not continue. I know my armor is up for that sort
of Crown Tourney, but since I am the sort that would enjoy fighting in such a
match, I would make a bad crown.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002>2. You can learn things about your
opponent if you can observe him eat, sleep or just walk. It becomes easier if
you can observe him playing chess or teaching something. Of course not everyone
can make use of this observational knowledge of even decipher what it might
be.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002>3. I fight light weapons, now,
because of bone and nerve damage to various portions of my body and the armor
load just makes it more likely to reinjure myself. But some of the nobles and
most honorable combat I have seen has been in rapier combat. Not that
inspirational moments are not found on the heavy field for surely there are
many. Fencers are not fighting for crowns or peerages, they are fighting for the
joy of the game.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002>4. While there are a great number of
rapier practitioners that do not really have that real blood-sport killer
mentality and may shy away from heavy fighting because of their physical stature
and training, there are also any number of heavy fighters that just do it
because that's what the other "guys" are doing. They have no real lust for
combat either.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002>5. I would be more than willing to
defend fencing and the opportunity to pursue it in any manner required, even on
the heavy list, see comment 1.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002>6. Many people in the Society play
their parts simply for the fun of it. If they are enjoying themselves how does
this threaten anyone else's game?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002>7. If fencers, archers, equestrians,
hounds men, or people that throw weapons were to get a peerage, Would that
really cheapen or devalue anyone's previous accomplishments?
</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002>8. There is more than a little
documentable evidence that highly proficient sportsmen, gamesmen, and such could
elevate their social status, from Roman times on through the renn. So why not
that 4th Peerage being for people that play and compete at contests and games? A
Sports award as it were. This could include: fencers, archers, horsemen, dog
coursers, chess players etc. Things that are NOT really covered by service
or A&S awards unlike armorers and tailors and such.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002>9. Oh and as to games, someone
mentioned chess: a fine endeavor that I am anxious to learn more of. Of course I
learn more from my loses than from my victories. And I enjoy the game greatly
even if I have lost 6 games in 25+ years at SCA events. So catch me at most any
event and bring a board. I'm sure we can find some small token or deed to wager
on just to liven things up and move them a little beyond the intellectual realm.
I hear tell you got some right pretty tin hats and such things lay
about.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002>AshaHito</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=222012418-08022002></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial>Nicholas S.
Malone</FONT> <BR><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="mailto:Nicholas.Malone@VirginiaDOT.org">Nicholas.Malone@VirginiaDOT.org</A></FONT><FONT
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