MK Marshal's Handbook - Authorizations, Inspections, and the List Table

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See Marshal's handbook

Authorizations, Inspections, and the List Table

A. General

1. A copy of the Rules of the List and the Combat Conventions of the Middle Kingdom must be available at the List table, at any official event at which authorizations are conducted. Note that this includes a group practice if an authorization is to be attempted there.

2. No less than two warranted Marshals and preferably three are required to authorize a combatant. At least one should be relatively unfamiliar with the combatant authorizing. A single warranted Marshal at an event may not authorize combatants.

3. Authorizations at practices are allowed as long as there is at least one warranted Marshal from outside the group participating as a marshal in the authorizations and with the permission of the REM or KEM. A Marshal cannot authorize someone in a weapons style in which they are not authorized.

4. All combatants must authorize first in single-handed weapon and shield. In cases where there is good and sufficient reason the Regional Deputy Marshal or above in the marshallate chain of authority can grant an exception. See Alternative Primary Weapon section.

5. Authorization is by the use of the weapon or technique. Whatever style the combatant is authorizing in, the combatant is responsible to be competent with the weapon actually used.

6. All members of the Chivalry are assumed to be responsible to use only weapons they are competent in, and so are authorized in all forms except Combat Archery and Siege.

B. Planning

1. Organizing for authorizations becomes more important the larger your event and the wider your draw from the combatant community. Emphasis should always be on getting new authorizations and authorizations for combatants traveling long distances from remote groups handled first. Have the following resources ready and available to keep the process running smoothly:

2. The List Table: your staff at the List table should have enough of the correct forms and be familiar with completing authorization forms. The Group Marshal and/or MIC is responsible to make sure the paperwork (with enough copies of each form) is there and the List staff comfortable with the forms and procedures.

3. Lists: plan to have enough room to be able to run more than one set of authorizations at a time, whenever space allows.

4. Marshals: more is better. Try to arrange for Marshals from outside your immediate area to meet the familiarity requirement (see below) with the combatants authorizing.

5. Experienced Combatants to act as authorization partners: more is better here too, especially from outside the local area, but familiar to the Marshals. Make sure the authorization partner has the required authorization.

C. Authorizations

The authorization process is one of the most important safeguards in SCA, Inc. fighting. Authorizations must be taken seriously. Standards for authorizations are oriented first towards safety, and in advanced authorizations competency as well. A Marshal does a great disservice to the marshallate, combatants in general, and the combatant in question by ignoring or overlooking a standard as a "favor" to help authorize a combatant. The Kingdom Earl Marshal may revoke a marshal’s warrant for such irresponsible conduct. Local Marshals and their trainers should give the new combatant a clear idea when they have reached the authorization threshold, and wherever possible be present at the first authorization attempt.

Middle Kingdom Armored Combat Authorization Definitions:

1. Single Handed Weapon and Shield (W/SH): Single handed swords, maces, axes, hammers and shield. Must also demonstrate regular and face thrust ability.

2. Polearm (PA): Two handed mass weapons, 4’ – 7.5’ in length to include short spears. Must also demonstrate regular and face thrust ability.

3. Two-handed Sword (GS): Any two-handed sword style including ricasso and bastard sword. Must also demonstrate regular and face thrust ability.

4. Spear (SP): 7’7” to 12’ spear in a melee situation. Must also demonstrate regular and face thrust ability.

5. Two-Weapon (TW): Any combination of previously authorized weapons styles. Must also demonstrate regular and face thrust ability.

6. Combat Archery (CA): Bows/crossbows using specially constructed armored combat arrows. See the Combat Archery Handbook for complete details.

7. Siege Crew/Engineer. See the Siege Combat Handbook for complete details.

D. General Authorization Procedures

Authorization procedures (for all weapon forms) will follow a set pattern of bouts:

1. Sparring Bout: Combatants acknowledge blows verbally, calling out "good to the head", "good to the leg", etc., loud enough for the Marshals to hear, but not act out the blow's effect. The sparring bout should demonstrate the full range of the authorizing combatant's skill in both offense and defense. A skilled opponent will spend some of the time changing tactics: "pressing" the candidate and some of the time retreating from him/her to encourage a full display of skills. The sparring bout is to last no more than five minutes. A candidate who does not have the endurance to fight in a normal authorization can be failed for this reason alone. The Marshals should confirm the following from the candidate:

a. Has read and is familiar with the Rules of the List and the Conventions for Combat in the Middle Kingdom and the Society for Creative Anachronism and exhibits that knowledge on the field.

b. Must be a paid member of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

c. Must have signed a waiver (A blue membership card is equivalent to a waiver).

2. Crown Bout: Combatants conduct themselves as if participating in a Crown Tournament. All blows are acted out. Victory in the bout is not a consideration for authorization; this bout is held to demonstrate the candidate's ability to properly and safely act out the effects of the blows received and given in a manner befitting combat in the Lists.

3. Following each bout the Marshals and the experienced opponent consult and discuss the performance of the combatant during the bout. Consensus should be reached as to whether the combatant continues to the second bout, should train more before attempting authorization or continues with advice, and ultimately if successfully authorized.

E. First-time Authorization Procedures:

1. The default first authorization is weapon and shield. If a participant wishes to authorize in a different style first, they may do so with the permission of a Regional Marshal or Kingdom Earl Marshal. Permission will be given only in special circumstances unless it is through the Alternative Primary Weapon Program.

2. The new combatant must have his/her arms thoroughly inspected prior to the authorization bouts.

3. Following the inspection the Marshal should confirm that the new combatant has had some practice and is using at least a helm, shield and weapon used in practice before. This does not require ownership of the equipment, only familiarity. A person who performs poorly and uses equipment problems as a reason should not be authorized.

4. When authorization bouts are announced, the candidate should be directed to the List table to sign an event roster and an authorization form. The combatant will then present him/herself armed with a single-handed weapon and shield to the presiding Marshal when called. The Marshal will ask the candidate if s/he has read and understood the Rules of the List and the Conventions of Combat of the Society and the Middle Kingdom. If the candidate has not read them (which should not happen) s/he will be directed to the List table copy, and told to return when s/he has done so. Once they have reviewed the information, they may continue to the bouts.

5. The sparring bout in a single-handed weapon and shield first authorization is required to contain four parts:

a. The combatant and opponent are fully armed and on their feet.

b. The combatant is on their knees fully armed and the opponent is on their feet fully armed.

c. The combatant is on their feet fully armed and the opponent is on their knees fully armed.

d. The combatant is off-hand single-sword on their feet and the opponent is on their feet fully armed.

6. First Authorization Standards:

a. Exhibits safe and courteous behavior on the field.

b. Begins in and maintains a proper stance and uses the shield or weapon properly to maintain defense.

c. Delivers blows from a proper range and at a proper strength and sustains an adequate offense.

d. Reacts correctly to pressure, with the ability to "fight back" without becoming confused or losing control.

e. Feels and judges blows correctly, both those received and those given.

f. Single hand weapon and shield authorizations are to include face and body thrusts as part of the authorization procedure. Safety is considered the primary factor in determining whether a combatant meets these criteria.

F. Alternative Primary Weapon Program In certain circumstances, and in an effort to promote the fighting arts, individuals may obtain permission to attempt a “bypass authorization”. The two cases for which permission will be given are:

1. An authorized Rapier combatant wishes to authorize in spear

2. Combat archery is desired as the primary weapon authorization

In both cases, an individual must enlist the aid of a member of the Order of Chivalry as a sponsor to teach them the conventions of combat and rules of the list. Any member of the Chivalry that agrees to take on such gentles also agrees to become responsible not only for their training, but also to be responsible for their training in the culture of armored combat as practiced within the Midrealm. Note: The Chivalry sponsor must be present during the authorization as they must ALSO sign the authorization form. The actual authorization must take place at an SCA event during a melee as per the rules in the Marshal's handbook. In order to gain any further weapon styles, the combatant who went through a bypass authorization must undergo a weapon and shield authorization first. The purpose of this program is not to see how many new authorizations can be generated, but rather to increase combat awareness and to offer continued guidance in the Rules and Cultural Expectations for combat archery among the Heavy Weapons Fighters.

G. Advanced Authorization

1. The combatant must demonstrate competence, as well as safe use of the advanced weapon style. Competence is a subjective standard but should include demonstrated familiarity with the unique characteristics of the weapon style, and awareness of the tactics for both offense and defense with the style.

2. Anyone who has not participated in SCA, Inc. combat for a year or more may be required to re-authorize, at the discretion of the Marshal-in-Charge. Normally a successful authorization bout for sword and shield will reactivate all the previous authorizations held, but the person may attempt to re-authorize in another weapons style instead of single-handed weapon and shield if s/he prefers.

3. All out-of-kingdom authorizations except non-emancipated minors are considered valid while visiting the Middle Kingdom. Any member of the chivalry transferring residence does not need to reauthorize, and will receive authorization in all weapon styles except Combat Archery and Siege. They need to send a copy of their out-of-kingdom authorization card to the Clerk of the Roster for a Middle Kingdom authorization card.

H. Reauthorization

Reauthorization for lapsed Middle Kingdom combatants and combatants transferring residence into the Middle Kingdom:

1. Can reauthorize in any previously authorized weapon style.

2. Successful reauthorization will reactivate all previous weapon style authorizations.

3. Transfers into the Middle Kingdom from another kingdom with no equivalent authorization will be reviewed by the Kingdom Earl Marshal or designate on a caseby-case basis.

I. Inspections

1. At each event, the marshal-in-charge must arrange for the inspection of all equipment to be used in combat (e.g., armor and weapons). This in no way relieves the individual combatants of their responsibility for following the equipment standards. Ultimately, the fighter is responsible for the condition and safety of their armor and weapons at all times. This includes periods between bouts, between battles, and day to day periods between battles at a multi-day event. However, the marshal’s inspection is intended to provide a second pair of experienced eyes and an outside point of view. A reminder: Equipment that was perfectly serviceable at the beginning of the previous event could have broken since, and even the most experienced fighter can occasionally forget some piece of armor.

2. Armor inspection must be done with all armor on the body of the combatant who is going to wear it. Before you start, remind yourself that armor is hot, not to mention heavy. If the weather is hot, try to find some shade in which to hold the inspection, or at least for the combatants to stand in while waiting to be inspected. Similar reasoning applies in case of rain, freezing cold, or other inclement weather. Just because it is possible to fight in your armor, does not mean that it is pleasant or desirable to stand around in it during inspections. Developing a set pattern for performing your inspections will help you maintain thoroughness and efficiency.

3. Weapons and Armor are to be inspected in strict accordance to the standards outlined in the Participants’ Section of this handbook.

4. Inspections are to be conducted using an appropriate gauging tool for all measurements.

5. Armor and Weapon Inspection Standards:

a. Leg Armor: Check that the front and sides of the knee are covered. Have the combatant flex his knees and see that the knee and side of the knees remain covered. Check for sharp edges, broken or missing rivets, or other signs that the equipment is not in good repair.

b. Groin: Ask if the groin protection is in place.

c. Kidneys: Check for kidney armor. Kidneys are in the back, at about the bottom of the ribs.

d. Elbows: Check that the point and sides of each elbow are covered. Have the combatant flex his elbows and see that the points remains covered. Check for sharp edges, broken or missing rivets, or other signs that the equipment is not in good repair.

e. Hands and Wrists: Check the gauntlet and/or basket hilt. Check for sharp edges, broken or missing rivets, or other signs that the equipment is not in good repair. If the combatant is using a basket hilt, have the weapon pointed toward the horizon to see if the wrist bones or hands are exposed. NOTE: this check is for the wrists and hands, not the forearm.

f. Neck and Head: Check that the neck is covered. Check the faceplate and eye slots both for size of openings and to be sure that it is firmly secured in place. Put your hand on the front of the helm, and have the combatant push against it. See that his face does not hit the faceplate. A gentle touch of the tip of the nose at maximum pressure may not be desirable but is not necessarily grounds for rejecting the helm. Check for sharp edges, broken or missing rivets, or other signs that the equipment is not in good repair.

g. Shield: Check the rim for exposed sharp edges. Check the rest of the shield for sharp edges, broken or missing rivets, or other signs that it is not in good repair. If using a shield basket, check that the hand is properly protected by the basket. The wrist bones must also be protected by the shield basket or sufficiently thick leather padded with ¼ inch (6mm) of padding or equivalent. Hand protection behind center boss shields should be checked to ensure that the thumb is sufficiently protected.

h. Swords: Inspect to make sure basket hilt or quillions are firmly attached. Check for lanyard or trigger if single handed. Make sure that sword is in good repair, with little or no rattan pieces poking through tape. Check thrusting tip is attached, of required depth and does not bottom out.

i. Mass weapons. Ensure that head is properly attached and has padding if necessary (e.g. – non-Rathbone axe head requires ½ inch padding).

j. Spears: Check length, 2” tip diameter. Inspect shaft for cracks and butt for cap.