Rude Slayings

[dennis grace]

Lyonel here,

Sir Kief graciously replied: 

>On the issue of "Rude Slayings" to my Brother Lyonel...NAY. I've seen what
"killing from behind" leads to... People being hurt... As to the spin and whack
>comment... I've seen folks from other Kingdoms that allow K-F-B get served the
>same way. K-F-B does not stop rude folk from being rude. If I was in a real 
>"War" I would kill everyone from as far away as possible, with no warning...
>In the "game" we play Honor is everything... Be it in War or in Tournament. If 
>it's not then I need to find a new hobby...

Funny, but my experience has been just the opposite.  Not that I mean to be
sarcastic; this is exactly the sort of response I was hoping to generate.

In my experience, wars without KFB cause fighters to go to rather ridiculous
lengths to claim that opponents are still "engaged" with them.  On a number
of occasions I've disengaged from opponents (who were occupied with other
fighters!) later have them follow circuitous routes through obstacles and
fighting lines in order to strike me in the back of the head.  Likewise,
chicken-winging seems to occur more frequently.

I will admit, I have seen--in KFB scenarios--the occasional over-zealous warrior
wrestle or throw an opponent to the ground, but not with any frequency and
certainly not with any resultant injuries.  

When I was in the East for a melee event a few years ago, the local Knight
Marshall turned a sour face at my question, claiming that KFB is a dangerous
practice.  In that event, in which no KFB was allowed, I was blind-sided
repeatedly, and one fighter was knocked unconscious by a polearm to the back
of the head.  

Also, as to your claim that the spin-and-whack occurs in KFB scenarios, I
concur.  In the KFB scenario, however, the spin-and-whack is the exception.
In the non-KFB scenario, it's the primary option.

Can you, Cousin, offer any support or rationale for your claim that KFB
causes more injuries?

Yours in Service

Sir Lyonel Oliver Grace
_________________________
Dennis G. Grace
Assistant Instructor
Postmodern Medievalist
Division of Rhetoric and Composition
University of Texas
___________________

Baro, metetz en guatge                    |  Lords, pawn your castles,
Chastels e vilas e ciutatz                |  your towns and cities.
Enanz qu'usquecs no'us guerreiatz         |  Before you're beat to the draw,
                                                    draw your swords.

                   -- Bertran de Born (a really fun Viscount)