MK Marshal's Handbook - Combat Authorizations Requirements

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See Marshal's handbook

Combat Authorization Requirements

A. General

1. All persons who wish to participate in SCA combat activities must authorize under the Society and Middle Kingdom authorization procedures. SCA combat activities are defined as armored combat, Society period fencing, combat archery, siege, and marshaling. Other martial activities clearly falling within the scope above are also considered combat-related activities. Youth combat programs are not supervised at the Society level, but participation in such programs requires authorization following Middle Kingdom procedures.

The Middle Kingdom authorization process shall verify that the candidate is a member of the SCA with an activity waiver on file (most normally verified through the possession of a Blue Card), and is familiar with the following:

a. Rules of the Lists of the SCA.

b. The Armor and Weapons standards of the SCA.

c. The Conventions of Combat for the SCA.

d. Middle Kingdom Conventions of Combat.

e. Middle Kingdom specific Armor and Weapons Standards.

In addition to the above requirements, candidates must demonstrate the ability to function on the field in a manner that is safe both to themselves and to their opponents.

a. Only a warranted marshal may perform an authorization. This authorizing marshal must witness the authorization and execute the appropriate paperwork.

b. It is the responsibility of the combatant, NOT the marshal, to ensure that the authorization is registered with Clerk of the Roster.

c. Authorizations may only occur at official practices or events. Official practices or events are those that are published on official SCA websites and/or are advertised in The Pale.

Authorizations shall be registered with, and kept on file by, the Clerk of the Roster. This office shall be responsible for maintaining the registration of authorizations. This office shall provide the Earl Marshal with a list of all current combat authorization cards upon request.

2. To be an authorized armored combatant in the Middle Kingdom requires membership in the SCA with an activity waiver on file in the Corporate Offices (most normally shown by possession of a Blue Card).

3. Signed waivers for SCA combat-related activities shall be kept on file for a period of seven (7) years with the local marshal in charge. Non-SCA members must sign a waiver BEFORE entering the list to train in armored combat at practices. Non-members may NOT fight at events in the Middle Kingdom

4. Combat Authorization cards are issued with an expiration date. If an authorization card has expired, the fighter must re-authorize prior to participating in combat activities, including acting as a marshal.

5. Authorizations shall not be issued to persons residing in a kingdom other than the Middle Kingdom, unless a specific royal treaty defines the person seeking authorization as a subject of the Middle Kingdom.

6. The Middle Kingdom has the following armored combat authorizations:

a. Weapon and Shield: this is the primary authorization and covers a single handed weapon used in concert with a shield, as well as a single-handed weapon used without a shield

b. Two Weapons: the use of any two weapons simultaneously for offensive purposes

c. Pole Weapon: the use of two-handed weapons (polearms and spears) less than or equal to 7.5ft in length

d. Great Sword: swords between 4ft and 7.5ft in length

e. Spear: a thrusting-only weapon over 7.5ft in length

7. Acceptance into the Order of Chivalry shall convey automatic authorization in all TOURNAMENT weapon forms. Knights and Masters at Arms do NOT receive automatic authorization in: Combat Archery, Siege Weapons, Youth Combat, Rapier, or ANY Marshal Warrant.

8. All authorizations in the Middle Kingdom require proficiency in both body and face thrusting.

9. Valid combat authorization cards from foreign kingdoms shall be accepted as proof of authorization, as long as the combatant also presents proof of membership in the SCA with an activity waiver on file in the Corporate Offices (possession of a valid Blue Card is one example of how this may be done). Authorizations of fighters who have moved to the Middle Kingdom permanently will be honored until they expire. The participant may then apply to the Regional Marshal for that activity for permission to directly transfer their authorizations to the closest Midrealm equivalents. The Regional Marshal will either approve the request on a case-by-case basis and forward to the Clerk of the Roster or direct the participant to re-authorize.

10. A marshal from any kingdom may revoke the authorization card of a fighter from any other kingdom for just and stated cause. The marshal in charge (MIC) of the event should be notified immediately and the Earl Marshal of the fighter's kingdom of residence should receive a detailed report of the incident.

B. Minor Authorization

Minors (ages 16-17) may authorize with these additional requirements:

1. In order to be authorized as a combatant or marshal in adult armored combat, an individual must have attained his or her sixteenth (16th) birthday. In order to be authorized as a participant, combatant, or marshal in any other form of Society combatrelated activity, except youth combat, an individual must have attained his or her fourteenth (14th) birthday.

2. No person below the age of eighteen (18) may be warranted as a group Marshal, or the Marshal in Charge of an event.

3. The parents or guardians of the minor must witness SCA combat, discuss with a witnessing marshal how it relates to the participation of their child, and execute a Minor's Waiver and Informed Consent to Participate in SCA Combat-Related Activities. The witnessing Marshal must countersign the waiver.

4. Only the Earl Marshal, former Earl Marshals, the Principality Marshal, or a designated deputy may authorize the minor for SCA Combat-Related Activities. For instances where none of these officers are available, contact the Kingdom Earl Marshal to discuss options.

5. At any event in which the minor is involved in SCA combat-related activities, the minor must either have a parent or guardian present, or must be in possession of a properly executed Medical Authorization Form for Minors.

Said Medical Authorization Form must designate an adult present at the event as able to authorize medical treatment in the case of an emergency. Minors are required to show the “Medical Authorization Form for Minors at the list table, prior to engaging in martial activities, including marshaling.

6. Minors engaging in combat with adults shall be marked in the following manner: A single yellow diamond no larger than 1 inch (25.4 mm) but no smaller than 0.5 inch (12.7mm) to be placed on the front hemisphere of the helm (preferably on or near the inspection sticker).