[Steppes] Re: Joint War Practice 5-01-2005

[Mike]

I have error and that is at the end, I am the Deputy Hospitaler of 
Steppes and not the Hospitaler which is Lady Katheryn Cunningghame.

My apologizes to Lady Katheryn for this error.

Michael Fray


Mike wrote:

> Heilsa,
>
> Would someone post this to the Elfsea list. Also I give permission to 
> re-post to other lists if anyone so desires. (Note - I am posting a 
> shorter version to the Missile and Marshal List.)
>
> The plans are to have one war practice a month, usually the 1st Sunday 
> of the Month. The locations will be between Steppes and Elfsea - the 
> next month at this time will be at Elfsea's normal fighter practice 
> location - Veterans Park in Arlington.  My information at this time, 
> possible combat archery there as well, still in the planning stage 
> though. More information will be forth coming as we get closer to June.
>
> The weather was bright and sunny with a varying breeze, the 
> temperature was in the mid to the upper 70's. So it did make for a 
> warm day, especially if you were in armor and fighting.
>
> Our summer will be upon us before we know it. To get the most out of 
> fighter/war practices, need to prepare yourselves by drinking water, 
> more that than you normally do. I start on Thursday, so that my body 
> is well hydrated prior to practice on Sunday. This also works for events.
>
> Suggestion - bring water and/or snacks for you to enjoy the park and 
> the fighting. The warmer it gets, then the more water you will need. 
> By June through the rest of the summer, would suggest 2 gallons of 
> water, plus Gatorade and snacks - pickles, oranges, etc... Sun Screen 
> is always helpful.
>
> A shade pavilion was set up for the general use, and will be set-up 
> through the summer. If anyone else wish to bring out their pavilion, 
> please do so. Thank you.
>
> Rapier fights:
>   HL Robin vs Lady Illadore faced off with rapiers.
>   HL Robin provided additional instruction to those "moderns" who wish 
> to try rapier.
> Thank HL Robin for taking the time to answer their questions and 
> perform a small demo.
>
> Individual fights as a warm up prior to the War practice took place. I 
> recorded what I could and do know that I missed a number of individual 
> bouts at the end of War practice.  Plus some individuals who arrived 
> late and did not have an opportunity to greet them.
>
> The War practice scenarios composed of 3 different types, all took 
> place inside a 50 ft long by 25 ft wide rectangle set-up through the 
> used of rope laid out on the field. Both heavy fighters and the 3 
> combat archers fought within the area. The advantages would be able to 
> work on specific tactics as a unit, rather than a open field scenario 
> in which the fighting would break down into individual fights.
>
> The archers were also restricted in a similar way. They could step 
> across the 25 ft line at each end of this rectangle but could NOT 
> stepped across the side boundary ropes on either side. It provided one 
> of the tightest fire control zones for training of combat archers. In 
> addition, the fighters got training in blocking and/or knocking down 
> combat arrows to protect the ranks behind the shield war. The 3 combat 
> archers got training in firing at a shield wall who were doing their 
> most in blocking their combat arrows before reaching their intended 
> target.
>
> Marshals this for day:
> Lord Hrafn Olafsson (squire to Sir Duncan) - Steppes Knight Marshal
> Centurion Tomas Niallagain (squire to Sir Duncan)
>
> There were 3 types of scenarios composed of this:
>
> 1. Last Man standing - ~6 rounds
> 2. Each side had 2 minutes to defend against the opposing side,
>     plus to the last man standing. ~ 6 rounds
>
> West side of park:
> Sir Earl Duncan - leader - heater and sword
>   HL Robin - heater and sword
>   Centurion Morgan - heater and sword
>   Lord Richard  - round shield and sword
>   Lord Geoffrey - heater and sword
>   Lord CinaedOHosey - war shield and sword
>   Lincoln - heater and sword
>   Eric - heater and sword
>   Kaneki no Ryuto Akimitsu - No-dachi
>   Murdoch MacDuncan (Sir Duncan's son - 17 yr. old) spear
>   
>  Archers:
>     HL William Blackdragon - crossbow (520 in/lbs)
>     Lord Greylond Aston - 22 Lb., recurve
>
> East side of park (facing the sun):
>   Sir Count Gunthar - heater and sword
>    Lord Roc - heater and sword
>    Matthew - round and sword
>    Lord Mordock - spear
>    Bren - spear
>    Milo - kite and sword
>   Thomas - kite and sword
>   Zach - kite and sword
>
>   Archer:
>     Lord Michael Fray - 30 lb., recurve
>   
> 3. Sides were re-divided up for shield and spears and pole arms
>    vs  Shields and archers - last man standing.  ~6 rounds
>
>  East side of park (facing the sun):
>   HL Robin - heater and sword
>   Fighter in "plate" (Name of unknown at this time) - sword and short 
> spear
>   Lord Geoffrey - spear
>   Lincoln - heater and sword
>   Matthew - round and sword
>   Eric - heater and sword
>   Kaneki no Ryuto Akimitsu - No-dachi
>   Murdoch MacDuncan (Sir Duncan's son) - spear
>
> West side of park:
>   Lord CinaedOHosey - war shield and sword
>   Centurion Morgan - heater and sword
>   Lord Richard  - round shield and sword
>
> Archers:
>     HL William Blackdragon - crossbow (520 in/lbs.)
>     Lord Greylond Aston - 22 lb., recurve
>     Lord Michael Fray - 30 lb., recurve
>
> At the end of the war practice, the heavy fighters broke off for 
> one-on-one fighting and/or team up in twos to face off against each 
> other. New fighters continue their training. The Steppes loaner armor 
> got a work out, have almost 3 sets and there (by my count) - were 8 
> new fighters, plus at least 2 individuals who are working on their 
> armor now. So, people took turns with the armor. 
>
> There were two 17 yr. olds in armor and fighting. One is Murdoch 
> MacDuncan (Sir Duncan's son), who was fighting both single one-on-one 
> and in the war practice scenarios. While the 2nd 17 yr. old is Zach 
> the son of Lincoln and Sandy, this was his 1st time armor and started 
> off with basic fighting training of how to swing a sword and hold a 
> shield. Then later did some one-on-one. Both sets of parents were present.
>
> The family of Lincoln and Sandy with their two sons, Jeremy and Zach, 
> became involved this day in the following: Father and two sons in 
> heavy fighting, while Mom was learning about combat archery - shooting 
> at both a stationary target and then a live fighter, Lord Geoffrey. 
> See next paragraph for further information on this activity.
>
> 4 people asked if they could received some combat archery training 
> using a stationary target at 20 feet. And Lord Geoffrey volunteered to 
> be a live target with a single sword. Which he used to improve his 
> ability in blocking arrows. 3 of the 4 was their 2nd time to attend 
> the Steppes fighter practice: Sandy, Melanie, Billy, and the 4th was 
> Hrafn, the Steppes Knight Marshal. Thank You, Lord Geoffrey.
>
> In attendance this day:
>
> Sir Count Gunthar
> Baroness Ameline Du Bois - Baroness of Elfsea
>
> Visitor(s) out of Kingdom:
>
> Lady Illadore de Bedegrayne from the Kingdom of Aethelmearc.
>   She came out with her fencing gear to get in to some rapier practice.
>
> Clan Ross:
> Duchess Larissa Alwynn Clarewoode of Aquitaine
> Sir Earl Duncan Arthur Ross
>    with their children:
>      son - Murdoch MacDuncan
>      daughter - Tressa
> Centurion Morgan Buchanan (squire to Sir Duncan)
>      and his lady, Lady Ciannait Chaimbuel
> Centurion Tomas Niallagain (squire to Sir Duncan)
>     and his lady, HL Rixende de Rouen (Seneschal of Elfsea).
> Lord Richard of Durnsford (squire to Sir Duncan)
>     and his lady, HL Mary Elisabeth
> Lord Hrafn Olafsson (squire to Sir Duncan) - Steppes Knight Marshal
> Lord Roc the Bold (squire to Sir Duncan)
>      and his lady, Lady Icia
> Eric and his lady, Stephanie
>      and their children: Katherin, and Michael
>
> HL Robin
> Lady Micola Soranzo - Central Region Youth Marshal
> Lady Chiara Francecsa Arianna d'Onofrio
> Lord Geoffrey
>     and his lady, Lady Katheryn Cunningghame - Steppes Hospitaler
> Lord CinaedOHosey and his children - Tori, Jon, and Nikko
>
> Fray:
> Lord Mordock von Rugen
>     and his lady, Bren
> Milo,
> Thomas
> Zach
>
> House Arkham:
>   HL William Blackdragon
>   Lord Greylond Aston and his son, Andrew
>
> Melanie
> Matthew and his lady, L. Rose of Naareth
> Brian
> Billy 
> Neal and his lady, Melissa
> Kaneki no Ryuto Akimitsu
>      and his lady Hilary
> Lincoln
>       and his lady, Sandy,
>       and sons: Zach and Jeremy
>
> Giles
>       and his lady, Agnella
> Grimolfor Ornsson
> Roana, Athetwolf and Sabina
>
> and myself - Lord Michael Fray
>
> I know that I missed approximately 6 individuals while I was on the 
> field. This included at least 3 new fighters.
>
> People in armor:  29
> Children:  8
> Total in attendance: 64
>
> Weapons used this day:
> Sword
> Great Sword
> Short Spear
> Club
> No-dachi
>
> Shields used this day:
> Heater
> Round
> Buckler
> Kite
>
> Combat Archery:
> 3 Recures
> 1 Cross bow
>   Combat arrows:
>     25 Cross bolts for Arkham
>     21 Combat arrows for Arkham
>     49 Combat Arrows for Condottieri
>
>
> Individual fights this day that I recall:
> Lord Roc with great sword vs Kaneki with No-dachi
> Lincoln with heater and sword vs Lord Richard with round and sword
> Milo with heater and sword vs Lincoln with heater and sword
> Lord Richard with heater and sword vs Eric with heater and sword
> Eric with heater and sword vs Murdoch MacDuncan with heater and sword
> Lord Richard with round and sword vs Zach with kite and sword
> Lord Roc with great sword vs Matthew with round and sword
> Lord CinaedOHosey with buckler and sword vs Lord Richard with round 
> and sword
> Lincoln with heater and sword vs Zach (Fray) with kite and sword
> Lord RIchard with round and sword vs Milo with heater and sword
> Lord Mordock with round and sword vs Lord Roc with heater and sword
> Centurion Morgan with heater and sword vs Matthew with round and sword
> Sir Duncan with heater and sword vs Lord Roc with heater and sword
> Sir Duncan with heater and sword vs Lord Richard with round and sword
> Lord Mordock with round and sword vs Zach (Fray) with kite and sword
> Sir Duncan with heater and sword vs Lord Roc with heater and sword
> Centurion Tomas with buckler and sword vs Murdoch MacDuncan with 
> heater and sword
> Thomas with heater and sword vs HL Robin with heater and sword
> Melanie with round and sword vs Murdoch MacDuncan with heater and sword
> Sir Duncan with buckler and sword vs Centurion Tomas with buckler and 
> sword
>
>
> YIS,
> Lord Michael Fray
>   Combat Archer for the Condottieri
>   King's Archer
>   Steppes Deputy Knight Marshal
>   Steppes Hospitaler
>
>