Combat

Our valiant art is composed of two main virtues.  Taking care of the defense right from the outset is the first.....The second is knowing how to attack your opponent in tempo without also getting hit.  If you receive a hit while hitting your opponent, your glory would be naught, since this would make you simultaneously the victor and the vanquished.  Do not, therefore, share your victory with the opponent, and do not let him share his shame with you.

Antonio Manciolino, 1531; translation by Tom Leoni.

elcome to the Barony of Ildhafn Combat page.  The Knight Marshal, Lady Eleanor Hall (Nicola Haliday), is the officer responsible for everything combat related in this barony.  If you would like to see us in action, then you're very welcome to turn up to any combat training (see the Calendar).

ur group is active in researching and practising various aspects of mediaeval and renaissance sword play (western martial arts). 

The SCA has several distinct but complementary rule-sets: "Heavy" combat, where armoured combatants attempt to land forceful blows using rattan (cane) weapons; 

and "Rapier", or "Fencing", which uses metal weapons, lighter protective equipment, and is played "to the touch". We also enjoy combat archery, equestrian activities, and "war scenarios".

In all cases safety is a priority and both men and women are equally welcome to join in.

ednesday night practices focus on some aspect of historical fencing.  We often spend several weeks working from a particular treatise or style: the current subject is the Bolognese school of early-sixteenth-century Italy, in particular the works of Manciolino and Marozzo.  The list of masters we have studied in the past includes Capoferro, Fabris, Silver, Carranza, Thibault and Meyer.  The Wednesday night group keeps a journal of its activities.

he Kingdom of Lochac combat handbooks can be found here: http://lochac.sca.org/marshal/. 

A collection of links to SCA relevant Historical Fencing / Western Martial Arts resources can be found at Non solum sed etiam.

ver the years, merchants come and go. Our current list of our members have recently bought stuff from is show below, which hopefully can provide you with some places to start looking. Feel free to talk to any of us about where we got various items of our kit!

Swords - wooden wasters, dress swords, rapiers (check with Lady Eleanor Hall first to ensure blade acceptability): King of Swords

Swords - rapiers, fencing helms, dress swords: Darkwood Armory