Tournament and massive battles

[Ragnaras]

Hello.
Maybe organizers could explore the rules of fighting in tournament and in massive battles?

[Runya]

Hi,
Some rules could be found here: http://mytofest.ee/index.php?option=com ... &Itemid=81.
The rules of massive battle are worked at yet and if ready, will be posted here also.

[Ragnaras]

And maybe there is rules of massive battles already? Or we will discuss it just before the battle?..

[Musthabe]

And maybe there is rules of massive battles already? Or we will discuss it just before the battle?..

These are ready in Estonian. Give me a litle more time for translation.

[Väemeel]

Enjoy.



Battle Rules

The participants are divided into two sides.

Every participant is required to have armour that covers the permitted hit areas and recommendedly other areas as well. The armour has to be based on historic examples, but more importantly it HAS to cover the wearer’s knees and elbows – for this purpose modern plastic knee- and elbow-pads are allowed under clothing. The safety of the armour for both the wearer and to other participants will be checked by the judges before the battle.

All weapons must be minimum 2 mm blunt. The judges may ban too dangerous weapons. The minimum weight of a sword is 1200 grams. Sharp-tipped weapons must have rounded tips and the diameter of the round tip must be at least 15 mm. Weapons have to be based on historic models.

All weapons and armour must be cleaned of rust and refined, meaning that all sharp edges, burn-dust etc has to be removed.

Every participant will himself count the strikes that hit him. Strikes that slide off or are too weak do not count.

A strike is correct when it:
• hits a permitted hit area,
• stops at the target-point, meaning it does not slide off,
• is performed with adequate force. This can be decided on by observing the speed and distance covered by the blade before reaching the target.

The permitted hit areas are:
• top of the head,
• chest,
• stomach,
• back,
• shoulders,
• biceps (arms form elbow to shoulder),
• thighs.

Forbidden hit areas are:
• face, sides of the head and back of the head,
• neck,
• groin,
• elbows,
• arms,
• hands,
• knees,
• shanks.

The opponent may only be hit with the blade of the weapon. Bashes with the full surface of the shield are allowed. Strikes performed with the edge of the shield are strictly forbidden. Physical contact (wrestling etc) is forbidden.

When a participant is hit onto the top of the head, he is immediately „dead“ and must lie down, recommendedly acting his death. When a participant is hit for the 1st time to any other permitted hit area, then he may ignore that strike. When the participant is hit for the 2nd time to a permitted hit area that is not the head (to either the same area as the 1st time or to another area), he is immediately „dead“ and must lie down, recommendedly acting his death.

The side whose members (or a single member) will be the last standing wins.

[Ragnaras]

Thanks

The armour has to be based on historic examples, but more importantly it HAS to cover the wearer’s knees and elbows – for this purpose modern plastic knee- and elbow-pads are allowed under clothing. The safety of the armour for both the wearer and to other participants will be checked by the judges before the battle.

So without knees and elbows protection we cannot fight?..
In Lithuania we never use modern protection for elbows and knees. And in X c. there is no evidence about that And all of us still have arms and legs...
In Poland situation is the same like in Lithuania...

[Väemeel]

I myself have never used modern protection either and am quite against it. But others involved insist and the urge is not illogical - safety is, after all, important. As this is an event with quite great media coverage, then it would be catastrophic if someone's knee was smashed in front of hundreds of spectators and many cameras.

I personally have hard leather vambraces and grieves that cover the elbows and knees as well. Also, the gambeson and mail may cover the elbows and the gambeson may even be long enough to cover the knees. So it can well be done in a period manner.

[Ragnaras]

ok, I understood.
We'll try to create something in period manner...

[Väemeel]

That'll be great.