Combat

Armored Combat

Also called ‘heavy fighting’, this is exactly what comes to mind when you think of a medieval knight. 

Our combatants wear a mixture of chain-mail, leather, and plate armour (according to strict armour standards) and wield non-metal weapons so that our fights can be completely un-choreographed, full speed, and full contact, but still safe. (See Safety) Victories are determined on an honour system, and chivalry is highly valued in our group. To ensure everyone’s safety, all fighters must be authorised as a safe combatant before they take the field outside of training (see our Authorisation Guide), and referees (which we call Marshals) are always on hand to stop a fight in case something goes wrong.

Whether in a one-on-one fight on the tourney field, or as a member of a hundred-strong army in a ‘war‘, the SCA is the safest, most exhilarating way to put yourself in the shoes of a knight in shining armour. 

To get involved, contact our Armoured Combat Marshal The Honourable Lord Wulfric Greycloak (Ron), at marshal@burnfield.lochac.sca.org, or come along to one of our regular practices. We’re happy to lend you some equipment to give it a try! (And when you’re ready to get your own, check out our guide to Getting Equipped below)!

Getting Equipped

All Heavy Combat equipment needs to comply with our safety standards (see the Fighters’ Handbook), and we recommend you spend some time using the loaner gear we have available and talking with more experienced fighters before you decide to buy your own.

There are a number of places that sell equipment suited to SCA Heavy Combat, or even designed for SCA Heavy Combat. Some of these are based overseas, but there are also local people making and importing armour and components. There may even be someone in the Barony who has some extra available to sell, so feel free to ask around. The Barony also runs armouring and weapon-making workshops from time to time, and we usually make bulk purchases of supplies when we do to minimise costs for the students. For a brief overview of the types of armour commonly worn and how much they cost, Check Out This Guide. If you want to explore the topic of medieval armour in more detail, have a look at the Armour Archive.

Armour Suppliers

  • Iron Monger – US maker of good quality solid helms and excellent prices
  • Anshelm Arms – US maker of excellent quality gear, with prices to match
  • Windrose Armoury – A wide range of armour and other combat goods
  • Bokalo – Good quality, reasonably priced armour
  • Esford – A Queensland based re-seller of Mostly Indian made items. Some of it is not appropriate for SCA combat
  • Ice Falcon Armour – US maker of mainly stainless steel kit
  • Medieval Fight Club – A huge range of armour, arming doublets and other stuff. Mostly Indian made and some of it not appropriate for SCA combat.
  • Ebonwoulfe Armoury – A range of good quality baskets hilts and other gear.
  • Historic Enterprises – These guys have everything. Expensive but high quality.
  • Make Your Own Medieval – Queensland based importer with range of good quality items such as boots and accessories.

Resources

Archey

Sword-fighting is all very well, but you’ve always fancied yourself more of a Robin Hood type. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Archery is popular in the SCA, and our canton has some of the best, most awarded and knowledgeable archers in the land.

Our target archery has similar rules and equipment to many other groups, so previous experience will stand you in good stead. 

If you’d like to have a go at shooting a bow, contact our Captains of Archers, The Honourable Lady Aelfgifu of Burnfield (Anita), or come along to our regular practice – we’ve always got extra equipment for beginners to try!

Combat Archery

In addition to target archery, we also allow combat archers to join armoured fighters on the War Field. It’s like paintball, medieval-style! We use ‘blunts’ (arrows with flat rubber tips), low-poundage bows, and light armour to reduce chances of injury. Unlike target archers, all combat archers must be authorized as safe combatants before they take the field. 

Resources

Rapier

Those unsophisticated brutes clanking around in plate armour aren’t your style – you’d rather be Zorro, or Inigo Montoya! (Or maybe you want to do both!) 

With a broader range of techniques than you’ll find in Olympic-style fencing, our ‘Rapier’ experts wield sword, dagger, cane, and buckler in swift and elegant bouts. Rapier fighters use blunted metal swords, and fight ‘to the touch’, like modern fencing. Safety gear is required (see the Rapier Combat Handbook), but apart from the fencing masks, it is generally more subtle in appearance than heavy armour, and easily disguised as part of a stylish Renaissance outfit. Combatants must be authorised as safe combatants before participating in a tournament, and trained referees (called Marshals) monitor each fight for signs of danger.

Would you like to be a swashbuckler? Contact our acting Rapier Marshal The Honourable Lord Wulfric Greycloak (Ron), or come along to practice to give it a try!

Resources