Atlantian Rapier Rules
These are the rules of rapier combat for the Kingdom of Atlantia, as set out in the Kingdom Great
Book of Laws (Acorn Red Tape Issue). The copy provided here is not the official copy; in case of dispute,
the official source is the hard copy Acorn Red Tape Issue. The official version of the Red Tape Issue is available
electronically at the Kingdom of Atlantia Web Page,
as are these rules. The official
numbering of the rules is based on that copy. This version is, however, easier to use, and more nicely formatted
(Thanks, Melys!). It may be downloaded, printed and distributed freely, for the purpose of supporting
the advance of the Art of Defence.
These rules have been updated (1/20/97) to reflect changes that became official as of the January issue of the Acorn.
The additions are between [square brackets]; please read these rules carefully to be sure you are aware of these recent
changes!
The Atlantian Rapier Rules of Combat are courtesy of
Angharad Melys, Scholar.
A. Rapier Conventions of Combat
B. Rapier Combat Weapons Standards
C. Rapier Combat Armor Standards
D. Rapier Authorizations
E. Rules of the List
A. RAPIER CONVENTIONS OF COMBAT
1.1
A Valid Blow is any thrust with positive force towards the opponent in ine with the blade or any draw cut
using at least 12" (about 1/3) of the blade. [At their option, schlager combatants may choose to acknowledge blows of
other nature, for example, cuts or scratches as outlined in section 3A.1.2.7.]
1.2
To Draw Cut is to pull the blade away from the
opponent while the blade maintains noticeable and constant pressure
against the opponent. Push Cuts which are delivered by pushing the
blade towards the opponent are not allowed.
1.3
To Win is to render one's opponent unable or
disinclined to continue, for any reason. (See 2.7
below)
Critical Areas are those which are
especially
vulnerable to valid draw cuts, and include areas where deep cuts threaten
arteries, veins and vital organs, such as
- the entire neck, especially at the front of the throat and the
sides at the jugular veins
- the brachial arteries, located on the inside of the upper arm
between shoulder and elbow
- the femoral arteries, located on the inside of the upper leg
between groin and knee
- the abdomen between the bottom of the rib cage and the pelvis
2.1
Target Area is the entire body. Fighters are
considered to be fighting in a shirt and hosen or a skirt, and no blow may
be discounted because of the actual clothing worn by the fighter.
2.2
A Killing Blow consists of any valid thrust to the
head, neck, or torso; or a valid draw cut to any critical area. (See 1.4 above).
2.3
A Valid Blow (thrust or cut) to an arm or leg
will cause the loss of the use of that limb.
2.4
A Valid Blow to a hand will cause the loss of that
hand. The arm may still be used for parrying, but the hand may not grip,
hold, or push.
2.5
A blade may be parried by the off (non-weapon) hand or arm,
but the blade may not be grasped or trapped under any circumstance.
2.6
Fighters should realize that the blunt, flexible foil blades
we use are far more likely to glance off the body or mask than the rigid,
razor sharp rapier blades they represent. Any contact between the body
and a blade would cause a cut or wound, even if the thrust or draw was
insufficient to cause major injury. A fighter may withdraw because of a
disabling wound, because of accumulated damage or blood loss, or because
of any small scratch (depending upon the agreements previously made by the
combatants) or upon the fighter's discretion, considering the state of
medicine in period...
It is unlikely that most rapier combat in
period was of the "fight to the death" variety. Fighters are encouraged
to fight to some condition of victory other than death, using rules such
as First- or Second-Blood to determine victory, and to make
every effort to simulate the actual effects of wounds received, taking
into account pain, loss of blood, etc. In period, duelists who had even a
minor wound had to consider the odds of permanent disability, and so would
be unlikely to continue all but the most dire of conflicts after being
wounded.
All weapons or devices to be used in the list shall be inspected by a
Rapier Marshall for safety and compliance with the following rules prior
to use.
1.1
[The standard blade is a #5 practice foil or epee, or practice schlager. No other blades may be
used, except that blades of these types of non-standard lengths may be used with the consent of the fighters and of the
Rapier Marshall in Charge.]
Blades shall be in good condition, having a single gradual curve
[(except for schlager blades which need no gradual curve)] and no cracks, kinks or multiple curves.
1.3
3A.2.1.3 Epee or foil tips must be covered by a standard plastic or rubber foil tip, in good condition.
[Schlager tips shall be ground so as to have no sharp edges, and be covered by a standard rubber/plastic archery bird
blunt, with the end of the blunt covered by a coin or other metal disc (or the equivalent). In the case of all types
of rapier, the tip shall be] securely fastened so as not to be dislodged during combat. [The use of a contrasting
color of tape or adhesive that makes it obvious when a tip has been lost is strongly recommended.]
1.4
Guards may not have openings large enough to admit the
point of a tipped blade in normal combat. All guards should be padded on
the grip side.
1.5
Quillons shall be no longer than 12 inches, tip to tip. The
ends may not be sharp or otherwise dangerous in combat. Quillons or
guards designed to break blades are prohibited.
1.6
Pistol grips of all types are not period and are not allowed.
2.1
Metal Flexi-blades obtained through modern fencing suppliers
are the standard dagger blade. No other type of blade is allowed.
2.2
Dagger blades may be at most 18" long.
2.3
The blades, guards and quillons of daggers shall meet the same
standards as rapiers, excepting that the curve in the dagger blade is
recommended, not required. (See 1.2 - 1.6 above)
3.1
Bucklers shall be made of lightweight materials (quarter-inch
plywood or sole leather are good examples), and may be no larger than 18"
in any direction.
3.2
Bucklers which can catch or trap blades shall not be used.
3.3
Bucklers shall be so made as to present no hazard (splintered
edges, raised bolts, etc) to the bearer or his/her opponent.
4.1
Soft parrying devices include (but are not limited to) cloaks,
hats, gloves, and any other non-rigid articles that might be used for
parrying in combat.
4.2
Soft parrying devices shall be recognizable as the original
item.
4.3
Soft parrying devices may be weighted or stiffened with
cloth or padding, but not with metal or any rigid material.
4.4
It is illegal to trap and hold a blade with a soft parrying
device.
5.1
Hard parrying devices include (but are not limited to)
scabbards, pistols, candlesticks, and any other rigid articles that might
be used for parrying in combat.
5.2
Hard parrying devices may be constructed of any safe
material. They may not have sharp corners, rough or splintered edges,
holes that could admit the point of a tipped blade, or be too heavy or in
any way dangerous.
5.3
It is illegal to use any hard parrying device to attack one's
opponent, whether by slapping, striking, or thrusting.
7.1
It is ultimately the responsibility of each fighter to resolve
any questions about what weapons are being used before combat begins.
All combatants shall be inspected by a Rapier Marshall for safety and
compliance with the following rules prior to engaging in combat.
1.1
Impenetrable Material is material able to withstand
four hard thrusts with a broken foil blade when placed on a penetrable
surface, regardless of composition or number of layers. Four ounce leather
or four layers of sturdy cloth normally will qualify as impenetrable;
some brocades and other heavy fabrics may require only two layers to be
considered impenetrable material, while it is probably impossible to use
enough layers of gauze to achieve impenetrability. All "impenetrable"
material should be tested in the above fashion.
1.2
Resistant Material is one layer of sturdy cloth that
resists tearing under normal combat stresses.
1.3
Examples of Sturdy Cloth include: a single layer of
trigger cloth, duck cloth, denim, most garment leathers, and many brocades.
2.1
Armor must have no gaps. No bare skin may show.
2.2
There must be no gaps through which a blade may penetrate
so as to slide under layers of armor.
2.3
There must be at least three inches of overlap between any
separate pieces of armor.
2.4
Additional protection (beyond what is described in these
rules) such as breast cups, high-topped leather boots, et cetera may be
worn so long as they do not interfere with normal blow acknowledgement.
2.5
Any protection or article of clothing that prevents a fighter
from properly acknowledging blows will not be allowed.
3.1
An FIE approved fencing mask (which meets the 12 kg punch
test) or the equivalent shall be worn. The mask must cover at least the
front and sides of the head. It must be securely fastened so that it can
neither come off nor be significantly dislodged during combat.
3.2
All areas of the head and neck that are not covered by the
mask must be covered with impenetrable material. One-piece hoods which
cover the head and neck and extend to cover the upper chest are preferred.
[In addition, fighters engaged in combat with schlagers shall wear rigid (20 ga steel or the equivalent)
gorgets covering the throat from the mid-portion of the adam's apple to below the sternoclavicular joint.]
4.1
The torso (chest, back, abdomen, and groin) must be covered
with Impenetrable Material.
4.2
The armpits must be completely covered with Impenetrable
Material regardless of the combatant's position.
4.3
Any lace holes or button holes should be backed with a 3"-4"
placket to prevent a blade sliding inside the torso protection.
4.4
The torso protection should be belted or otherwise closely
fitted to prevent a blade sliding up from the bottom.
4.5
A modern fencing jackets shall not be worn as the outer
layer of a fighter's protection. Fighters and marshalls are reminded that
modern fencing jackets are right or left handed -- one side has only a
single layer of fabric.
4.6
Male fighters must wear rigid groin protection such as an
athletic cup, adequately secured.
4.7
Female fighters should be aware that their breasts are in a
favored target area. They are encouraged to take protective measures.
As the amount of padding and protection needed varies with the
individual, it is left to the fighter to see that she is adequately
protected. Female fighters are also encouraged to have additional padded
or resistant groin protection.
5.1
Arms shall be covered with Resistant Material.
5.2
Hands and wrists must be covered with gauntlets made of
leather or other Resistant Material. Leather work gloves are
acceptable.
5.3
All gloves must have a long cuffs overlapping the sleeves
by at least 3".
6.1
Legs shall be covered with Resistant Material. A single
layer of commercial tights or socks alone do not qualify as resistant
material.
6.2
Fighters must wear closed-top boots or shoes on their feet.
Boots are recommended. There can be no gap between the fighter's foot and
leg covering regardless of the fighter's position. Footgear must give
adequate traction.
1.
No combatant may participate in any Rapier Combat in Atlantia
unless that person has been properly authorized.
1.1
Any combatant who has allowed their authorization card to
expire for a substantial period of time may be required to reauthorize.
1.2
One on one training of unauthorized fighters, under controlled
conditions with the supervision of authorized fighters, is allowed.
2.
Authorizations may be conducted only at official events. An
authorization team shall consist of one combatant (an authorized Rapier
fighter, preferably an experienced one) and two warranted marshals. The
two marshals may not be from the same local group.
3.
In order to authorize, a Rapier fighter must demonstrate the
following:
3.1
Comprehension and application of the SCA Rules of the List,
SCA Period Fencing Rules and Atlantian Rapier Combat Rules.
3.2
Ability to properly execute and acknowledge various valid
blows.
3.3
Safe and competent execution of offense and defense during
actual combat.
4.
No authorization is valid unless the Atlantian Kingdom
Minister of the Lists receives a completed authorization card (not later
than fourteen days after the date of the authorization).
5.
Visitors to Atlantia from other Kingdoms may participate in
combat without authorizing, but shall first be instructed in the
Atlantian Rapier Combat Rules.
5.1
Visitors will be expected to comply with Atlantian rules and
conventions, including Atlantian armor and weapons standards.
5.2
Any combatant travelling to Atlantia who expects to reside in
Atlantia for more than three months shall authorize in the normal manner
prior to participating in Rapier Combat.
[5.3
Upon the successful completion of a basic authorization, rapier fightrs are
allowed the use of all list-legal rapier forms, excepting schlager. A separate authorization
is required for schlager, and the Kingdom Minister of the Lists shall keep a listing of schlager
authorized fighters, with such fighter's authorization cards showing their qualification to use
this form.]
1.
Engaging in rapier combat with the deliberate intent to inflict
injury on an opponent is forbidden.
2.
Combatants shall maintain control over their tempers at all
times.
3.
A combatant may decline any challenge without dishonor, and
without specifying a reason. In a tournament this may result in
forfeiture of the bout.
4.
Combatants may reject the use of a particular weapon by an
opponent, should they deem the weapon unusually dangerous.
5.
All rapier combat is done in the round, not strip-style in a
line. The one exception is if a combatant has been put on the ground (by
the loss of a leg or foot, for example). In that case the mobile
combatant may not corkscrew or require the grounded fighter to turn
more than about 120 degrees.
6.
There shall be no combat between Rapier fighters and heavy
weapons (armored SCA combat) fighters.
7.
Brawling tactics or deliberate and unsafe misuse of weapons will
not be allowed. Examples include (but are not limited to):
- Grasping, grappling, tripping, or striking the opponent with one's
hand or body. Incidental and fleeting contact is permissible.
- Whipping or chopping with the rapier, dagger, cloak, or buckler.
- Throwing a cloak over an opponent's face so as to blind the
opponent.
- Striking with any part of the weapon not designed for it; or with
any buckler or parrying device not legal for thrusting.
- Deliberately trapping the blade in any fashion.
8.
When a Hold is called, all fighting on the field shall cease
immediately; fighters must assume a non-aggressive stance and not move
unless directed to do so by a marshal.
9.
Hold shall be called whenever a marshal, fighter or spectator
believes conditions warrant it. Such conditions include (but are not
limited to):
- A broken or unsafe weapon, armor, or other equipment.
- Violations of the rules of combat.
10.
Combatants or marshals may request a calibration at any time
during a Hold.
11.
A fighter is armed so long as at least one offensive weapon is
retained. If a fighter is disarmed, their opponent has the option of
allowing them to recover their weapon(s); otherwise, a disarmed fighter
must yield.
12.
A marshal shall, as necessary, warn or remove from the field
any fighter whose conduct is deemed unsafe or unchivalrous. Examples of
unsafe conduct include (but are not limited to):
- Grasping or trapping to the body any portion of a bladed weapon.
- Striking with excessive force or from behind.
- Problems with acknowledgement of blows.
- Deliberate misuse of the Rules of Combat to gain advantage over an
opponent.
13.
At the end of each bout, before the Herald is called onto the
field, the Marshals shall ask each fighter if they are satisfied with the
conduct of the bout. If either combatant is dissatisfied with the
conduct of the bout, they must state any grievances before walking off
the field. Any fighter who leaves the field without stating grievances
is declaring his/herself satisfied with the bout.
Webbed by
Angharad Melys, Scholar.
Atlantian Rapier Page