ARMORED FIGHTING

What is SCA combat?  Is it a martial art? Is it a competitive sport? Is it a
recreation of medieval combat? SCA combat is a martial art, though not 
a formal one. We have no system of progressive awards, such as the 
belts used in oriental martial arts, indicating levels of mastery.  But, like
other martial arts, SCA combat is to some extent a competitive sport, 
but with an important difference: our concept of personal honor and 
chivalry. When you're fighting in the list, you're not trying to impress
the judges at ringside.  The marshal in the list with you is not a referee,
although he can be called upon to act as one. When you receive a blow 
that feels "good" to you,  you are honor-bound to call it good. And the
same applies to your opponent. Often you'll find one fighter in a contest
insisting that the blow they just received was a good one, while the 
fighter who threw that blow insists that it wasn't.

Another important difference: We, as individuals, do not fight for our 
own glory or advancement; we do not fight for our own honor, but for
that of another, the lady or lord who inspires us to fight as their 
champion. Chivalry is an ideal that everyone in the SCA is expected to
try and live up to, fighters and non-fighters alike. The ideal of chivalry
requires  that one give courtesy to all, aid to the distressed, defense to
the weak, and to inspire chivalry in others by example. Remember that
to become a Knight in the SCA, it's not enough to excel in the combative
arts; one must stand as an example of chivalry, courtesy, courage, and 
honor. 

We are recreating medieval combat, or at least an ideal of medieval
tournament combat with a strong emphasis on safety. If some realism 
must be sacrificed in the name of safety, so be it. Late period tourneys 
made many of the same sacrifices for the same reasons.

Effective 4/1 
Fencing will  be held at the Julia Davis Park 
at its usual location between the BBQ pit and 
the Zoo, on the following days and times.

Sunday 10 AM and
Wednesday 6-8 PM