[Ansteorra-rapier] Proposed revision to rapier rules

[Jhan Knebel]

Where can the MOST recent version of the Rapier rules be found? The CPH on
the marshal's site is dated 2008, and I know changes were made more
recently to the youth rapier rules. There are rules posted from 2010 on the
rapier marshallate site, but I don't know if they are the most current. I
would like to review the rules in total before I comment on this proposal.

Rixende

On Wed, Oct 10, 2012 at 9:04 AM, Pug Bainter <pug at pug.net> wrote:

>  Good Morning,****
>
> ** **
>
>   As some folks know, we are working on reducing the Kingdom Rapier rules
> down to match the other marshal areas by simply being statements of where
> we differ from Society. This greatly reduces the complexity while improving
> the clarify of our rules. It also allows for less churn when Society makes
> changes.****
>
> ** **
>
>   When discussing this recently with the Don Iago (KRM), Sir John (KEM),
> Duke Ulsted (KSen) and Their August Majesties, I made a proposal which
> generated a concern there may be some pushback based on earlier
> discussions. Because of this concern, I asked permission to socialize this
> item with the community to see if the concerns are still warranted.****
>
> ** **
>
>   First, and foremost, we are a historical recreation group. This means we
> need to be able to remember our history from time to time. Because of that,
> the wording on this was very specific.****
>
> ** **
>
>   It has come to pass that the evolution of our fencing blades has been
> successful and the fading out of light rapier blades has succeeded. As part
> of our rules simplification, there is one item I would like to propose
> because it is in reality but not in law.****
>
>
> ****
>
> *Ansteorra convention:** Except under the Youth Rapier Program, Light
> Rapier is to be eliminated within the borders of Ansteorra effective March
> 17th, 2013. After that date, Light Rapier blades can only be used with
> variances obtained in writing from the Kingdom Rapier Marshal at least 30
> days in advance such as for historical SCA theme events. Ansteorra’s Rapier
> authorizations permit use of Light Rapier blades at out of Kingdom events
> where allowed.*
>
> ** **
>
>   In order to make sure we don’t cause any knee jerk reactions, the date
> suggested here is to ensure that it will be published in the BlackStar and
> socialized at Gulf Wars with our rapier community before going into effect.
> ****
>
> ** **
>
>   When first thinking through the elimination of light rapier blades
> (foils & epees), it concerned me a great bit because of Bryn Gwlad just
> recently having an anniversary event where some of the older equipment was
> not only displayed for viewing, but also used in a tournament. The wording
> was selected to allow for that in case others were interested in these
> types of nostalgic events as well.****
>
> ** **
>
>   Going back to us being a historical recreation group, the styles of
> weapon we call a foil and epee today were created in the late 17th to 19thcentury replacing the blades that we are commonly using within our heavy
> rapier program. So while we may be taking a step back from our origins as
> an organization, we are taking a step forward by disallowing historically
> inaccurate weapons.****
>
>
> ****
>
>   There are some other arguments that could be used to counter this that
> have shown invalid in many other areas of the Society and shouldn’t hold
> this up either. The ones I’ve heard voiced are why eliminate a safe weapon
> and allowing visitors to our kingdom to participate.****
>
> ** **
>
>   While the original Markland arrows (padded wood disk w/ wood shaft) were
> developed in Ansteorra for use in combat archery and were perfectly safe,
> Ansteorra allowed them to fade out and then eliminated them because of
> better options being available such as the modern Markland arrows (padded
> UHMW w/ fiberglass shaft). I would be surprised if this was the only
> example throughout our history that has been eliminated for non-safety
> reasons.****
>
> ** **
>
>   With regards for the need to be accommodating to visitors who only fight
> light rapier. I may be being naïve, but it is my opinion that this is a red
> herring as the likelihood in this day and age that someone would need this
> is statistically insignificant given that several kingdoms and the major
> wars have already gone to heavy rapier blades only. This means that anyone
> likely to be traveling and attending an SCA function is going to have heavy
> rapier gear already.****
>
> ** **
>
>   On a safety note, as our community is aging and given the extremely rare
> use of light rapier blades, I would be concerned with marshals from the
> newer generations being able to properly inspect them for safe versus
> unsafe kinks, curves and pits. I know that I’ve been a combatant and
> marshal for quite a few years and wouldn’t have a clue of what to look for
> since I’ve never seen one on the adult field in my time fighting. This
> could be an argument for elimination under the Youth Rapier program as
> well, but I am (maybe mistakenly) assuming that this *extremely small*community of marshals is being properly trained.
> ****
>
> ** **
>
>   Btw, I started this discussion only on this list at this time in case
> there is a huge explosion that I can’t foresee. Depending on the feedback,
> I plan on cross-posting to “The Legion of Swashbucklers” Facebook page as
> well in order to get a breadth of feedback.****
>
> ** **
>
> In service,****
>
> Baron Phelim Gervase called Pug, OP, OL, etc****
>
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>
>


-- 
Baroness Rixende de Rouen, CIM, CSM
Quidam audit valde, facit valde
rixende at gmail.com
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