The Combat Handbook of Caid (Volume II)
Rapier Combat

(Electronic Version, Revision 3 - 8/2002)
 
 

NOTE

Since electronic documents can be easily modified, the only official copy of the Caid Rapier Combat Rules will be the versionprinted in the Third Edition of The Combat Handbook Of Caid (Volume II)
 
 
 
 

 Presented to Their Royal Majesties of Caid, Guillaume de Belgique

and

Felinah Tifarah Arnvella

Memo Hazara Khan-ad-Din

on the 23rd day of September, AS XXXV.












These rules are the culmination of several months work by numerous members of the kingdom. Much appreciation and praise should be directed towardsmy predecessor, Doña Arabella da Siena, who wrote the initial draft,coordinated the revisions and submitted these new rules for final approval.If it were not for her diligence and graceful demeanor, this herculeantask would not have been accomplished.
 
 

In addition, the individuals I worked with on the revision committeesshould be recognized: Lord Andre Miguel Rodriguez de la Rosa, DoñaCaitriona Ghabhalfhada, Don Alexander Baird, THL Beorn of the NorthernSea, Don Kelan McBride, Lord Sven Larsson Sture, Don Giacomo Cavalli daTreviso, THL John Garr, His Grace Edric Aaron Hartwood, Don Alexander Kalidokos,Don Njall Olaf Hagerson, Lady Cristeane Regan MacNab, Lord Robert CamulusBrigantia, Lady Grainne ingen Lasrach and Lord Thomas Dudley. I am surethat there are a few individuals I may have accidentally not listed, butthey are as deserving of recognition as the rest.
 
 

These rules represent the progress that rapier combat has made bothwithin Caid and in the Knowne World. The admirable respect and honorableattitude of the rapier community in Caid is the result of the hard workof my predecessors and the leaders within the kingdom. I believe theserules will ensure that Caid's rapier community will continue to flourishand to pursue the goal of honorable historical reenactment of this martialart.
 
 

In Service,
 
 
 
 

Don Laertes Blackavar McBride

Deputy Earl Marshal of Fence, Caid
 
 
 
 

1. INTRODUCTION
 
 

1.1 GENERAL INFORMATION
 
 

1.2 WHO CAN PARTICIPATE:
 
  1.3 BEHAVIOR ON THE FIELD
 
 
 
 

 

2. WEAPONS AND PARRYING DEVICES

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2.1 DEFAULTS
 
 

2.2 IN GENERAL
 
  2.3 BLADES:
 
 

The following classes of blades are used in Caid:
 

A. "Fencing-type" rapiers [35-40 inches tip to hilt]:
All types of fiberglass blades are allowed by permission of the MIC only and considered non-standard. Fiberglass rapiers are classified as"heavy-type."   The use of standard sabers is expressly forbidden in Caid.
 
 

2.4 ALL BLADES ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:
 
 

A. Fencing type blades (e.g. foil/epee) may not be used against heavier-type (e.g. schlager) blades.
 
B. Daggers may be used against either class of blade.

C. Blades must be clear and free from pits, nicks and jagged edges likelyto weaken the blade or snag on an opponent’s armor or equipment. The edgemust be at least 1/16 inch.

D. Any blade with kinks, sharp bends, or cracks shall not be used. Steelblades that develop these defects cannot be repaired and must be retired. Blades with "S" curves shall not be used unless they can be properly re-curved.

 E. Steel blades must be manufactured by commercial suppliers. Artisans desiring an exception must apply to the Deputy Society Marshal for Rapier Combat and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

F. Steel blades will not be altered by grinding, cutting, heating, hammering,or other actions that could significantly alter their temper, flexibility or durability. Normal combat stresses and blade care do not violate thisrule.

Exceptions are:

 G. All steel blades must be reasonably flexible. (See Appendix #1, for field tests of flexibility.)

H. Weapons may use a hand guard such as a cross guard, cup hilt, quillions and knucklebow. Heavier-type rapiers (e.g. schlagers) may use swept hilts.

I. Quillions cannot extend more than 6 inches from each side of the blade. The ends of quillions must be blunt.

J. All blade ends must be capped with rubber or plastic.

 K. Orthopedic (or "Pistol") grips will not be used unless the fighter has written approval, from the Kingdom Rapier Marshal, for medical reasons, supportedby documentation from their health care provider. 2.5 PARRYING DEVICES:
 
  A. Solid parrying devices will be made of sturdy, lightweight materials and will be resistant to breakage and splintering. There is no size limit for non-standard shields. B. Soft, non-rigid parrying devices (such as cloaks) may be made ofcloth, foam, leather and similar materials. They may be weighted with soft material such as rope or rolled cloth; they shall not be weighted withany rigid material, nor with materials which are heavy enough to turn thedevice into a flail or impact weapon. 2.6 PROJECTILE WEAPONS:
 
 

Throwing weapons and mock-gunnery gear (rubber-band guns) may be used in rapier melee combat only, as long as safety standards for those artsare met and the MIC approves the use of the weapons.

A. The use of any projectile weapon is forbidden within formal rapier Tournament lists (single combat), or in any situation where spectatorscannot be separated from the potential line of fire by more than the effectiverange of the projectile weapons to be used.

B. Throwing weapons shall be made of soft materials such as cloth, tape,foam, golf tubes, lightweight rubber and plastics.

C. The "damage" caused by throwing weapons shall be explained before the onset of the scenario.

D. Mock Gunnery Gear (rubber-band guns) shall be constructed of solid woods and/or lightweight metals. The ammunition shall be made of surgical type rubber tubing.

E. Mock Gunnery Gear may also be used as a Rigid Parry device before and/or after it has been fired. If the Gun is accidentally discharged while being utilized as a parry device, the shot will be considered a valid firing.

F. Mock Gunnery Gear (rubber-band guns) bullets penetrate bucklers andsoft non-rigid devices in a straight line. (e.g. they are not bulletproof.)

G. Damage from a projectile weapon should be resolved the same as thrust.

H.  All non-combatants (including marshals, water-bearers, heralds, etc.) that will be on the field during the combat must be wearing at least shatter-proof eye protection which is sufficient to protect against the projectile weapons in use.
 
 
 

 3. PROTECTIVE GEAR
 
  3.1 DEFINITIONS:
 
 

In order of increasing resistance:
 
 

A. Abrasion-resistant material: Material that will withstand normal combat stresses (such as being snagged by an unbroken blade) without tearing. Examples include, but are not limited to: Nylon pantyhose and cotton gauze shirts are examples of unacceptable materials. B. Puncture-resistant material: Any fabric or combination offabrics that will predictably withstand puncture by a broken blade. Examples include, but are not limited to: These materials need only be tested at the marshal's discretion; allother materials must be tested the first time new gear is used, or if nomarshal on the field knows a given piece of gear to have been tested. Kevlar is not an acceptable material, as it degrades rapidly. C. Rigid Material: Puncture-resistant material that will notsignificantly flex, spread apart, or deform under pressure of 12 Kg applied repeatedly to any single point. Examples of rigid material are: 3.2 HEAD AND NECK:
 
  3.3 TORSO AND OTHER KILLING ZONES
 
  3.4 ARMS AND LEGS
 
 
 
 

4. CONVENTIONS
 
 

4.1 USE OF WEAPONS AND PARRYING DEVICES
 
 

A. Blows will be struck by: B. Chopping or hacking blows are never permitted. Fast circular movements(such as moulinets) may, however, be used to place a blade for draw cuts. C. Parries may be performed with weapons, parrying devices, the glovedhand, or any other part of the body. Though the gloved hand may be usedto parry an opponent's blade and hilt, it shall not be used to push, graspor strike an opponent.
 
 

D. Parrying devices may be used to move, deflect, or immobilize an opponent'sweapon or parrying device in any manner, so long as such use does not endangerthe safety of the combatants or their equipment.
 
 

E. Striking an opponent with any part of a weapon or parrying device not approved for that purpose is prohibited.

 F. If a fighter is disarmed or drops a weapon, it is up to his/her opponent whether the fighter is allowed to recover the dropped weapon.Otherwise, the fighter must be able to draw another weapon from his/herperson or yield. No hold shall be called unless there is a safety issue.
 
 

G. For heavier-type Rapiers Only AND by consent of both fighters only: Fighters may choose to grasp, rather than parry, heavier-type blades (not daggers).

 H. The use of Fleche (running at an opponent with rapier extended) or similar uncontrolled attacks is prohibited. 4.2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF BLOWS
 
  A. In rapier combat, blows will be counted as though they were struck with a real rapier, extremely sharp on point and edge. Any blow that would have penetrated the skin shall be counted a good blow. Any blow that strikes a mask, helm or gorget shall be counted as though it struck flesh. A valid touch is not negated due to sliding off after contact.
 
 

B. In judging blows, all fighters are presumed to be wearing common civil attire of the period, not armor (i.e., a shirt, pants/skirt, softleather shoes). If the blow could have been felt through this attire, regardlessof armor actually worn, then it is good. There is no such thing as a "lightblow." Slaps, or merely brushing of the cloth, are not considered good.
 
 

C. Tourneys may be held which define areas of the body as armored, andto what degree, so long as all the participants are made aware of these special conditions prior to the start of combat.
 
 

D. A good thrust, draw or push cut to the

 shall be judged incapacitating, rendering the fighter incapable offurther combat (e.g. "dead"). E. For Heavier-type Rapiers Only: Tip cuts shall count the same asdraw cuts in the following areas: Tip cuts to eyes, head, and chest can be acted out at the fighter's discretion. F. A good blow to the arm (down to and including the wrist) will disablethe arm. A good blow to the hand (below the wrist) shall render the handuseless; the rest of the arm may still be used to parry.
 
 

G. A good blow to the leg (down to and including the ankle) will disable the leg. The fighter must then fight kneeling or seated, but may not rise up from the ground.
 
 

H. A good blow to the foot (below the ankle) will disable the foot. The fighter must then fight kneeling, sitting, or standing on one leg (e.g. supporting their weight on one leg). No hopping. If kneeling, the fighter may rise up on one knee as long as the knee of the injured leg stays incontact with the ground (e.g. no lunging from the ground).
 
 

I. If an effective blow is thrown (already started the motion) before, or on, the same moment as an event that would stop a fight (a "HOLD" being called, the fighter being "killed" himself, etc.), the blow shall count.If the blow is thrown after the hold, killing blow, or other event, itshall not count.
 
 

 4.3 MELEES: Caid norms are as below:
 
  A. In melees, fighters are engaged with all opponents immediately upon the call to lay on.
 
 

B. The DEFAULT for melees is the `120 degree rule.'

 C. Death From Behind (DFB) is allowed if it has been announced beforehand. If a melee scenario allows DFB: D. No full-speed or full-strength "suicide charges". E. In special scenario melees (e.g., bridge or town battles), additional restrictions may be imposed by the marshals as needed. 5. RAPIER MARSHALLING
 
 

5.1 MARSHALS
 
 

Rapier Marshals and Provost Marshals are referred to as Warranted Marshals. The warrants for Marshals fall into the following categories with the listed powers and restrictions.
 
  A. Rapier Marshal-in-Training: 1. Assists warranted Rapier Marshals with armor inspections.

2. Assists warranted Rapier Marshals on the field during combat.

3. Can act as Marshal-of-the-Field under the supervision of a warranted Rapier or Provost Marshal.

4. Can function as a Marshal on a challenge field.

5. Calls 'Holds' for safety reasons.

 1. Marshal 8 events as assistant Rapier Marshal on the field. To qualifyas having marshaled an event, the RMiT must have marshaled at least 3 therounds of the tourney, 2 the scenarios of a war or melee, or equivalent.

2. Marshal 4 events as Marshal-of-the-Field under supervision (see above).

3. Assist in armor inspections for 8 events.

4. Have the recommendation of 2 warranted Rapier Marshals or Provost Marshals.

5. Attend a Collegium class on Rapier Marshaling (or its equivalent).

6. Pass a written Rapier Marshalling test.

7. Have shown a consistent attitude for safety.

8. Demonstrate a knowledge of Rapier/Fencing history and must recognize realistic and period techniques.

 Note: Exception to these requirements require the approval of the EarlMarshal. B. Warranted Rapier Marshal 1. Can be Marshal of the Field.

2. Assists the Marshal-in-Charge as required.

3. May function as Marshal-in-Charge of an event.

4. Inspects and approves standard armor and weapons.

5. May approve non-standard parrying devices at events as Marshal inCharge.

6. Trains Marshals-in-Training.

7. Must report in writing once yearly (by July 1st each year) to theEarl Marshal and the Kingdom Rapier Marshal on his/her activities during the past year.

8. All decisions are appealed to the Kingdom Rapier Marshal, the Earl Marshal, or the Crown.
 
 

C. Provost Marshals

 1. Must be an authorized Rapier fighter.

2. May authorize Rapier fighters (A Provost Marshal must be authorized in schlager before they may authorize any fighter in schlager).

3. Must report in writing once yearly (by July 1st of each year) to the Earl Marshal and the Kingdom Rapier Marshal on his/her activities during the past year.

4. Trains local Rapier Marshals.

5. All decisions are appealed to the Kingdom Rapier Marshal, the Earl Marshal, or the Crown.
 

D.  Regional Provost Marshals

  • A Provost Marshal may become a Regional Provost Marshal when appointed by the Kingdom Rapier Marshal, with the approval of the Earl Marshal.
  • The number of Regional Provost Marshals and the areas of responsibility will be determined by the Kingdom Rapier Marshal.
  • Regional Provost Marshals serve a one year term, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Kingdom Rapier Marshal.
  • Regional Provost Marshals have the responsibilities and privileges of a Provost Marshal in addition to the following:

    •  

     
     
     

    1. Must be a Provost Marshal.

    2. Must submit a written report to the Kingdom Rapier Marshal by the 15th of each quarter-ending month (i.e. March 15, June 15, September 15, December 15).

    3. Responsible for training, informing and supervising Provost Marshals in their area.

    4. All decisions are appealed to the Kingdom Rapier Marshal, the Earl Marshal, or the Crown.
     

    E. Deputy Earl Marshal of Fence ("Kingdom Rapier Marshal")

     1. Appointed by the Earl Marshal.

    2. Must be a Provost Marshal.

    3. Must report quarterly to the Earl Marshal and the Society Rapier Marshal.

    4. Can approve unusual weapons or equipment, and set-up experimental weapon guidelines.
     
     

     5.2 AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURES
     
      5.3 INSPECTIONS
     
      5.4 MARSHALLING CONCERNS IN RAPIER COMBAT
     
      5.5 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE (Taken from the Combat Handbook of Caid - Vol.1)
     
     

    The SCA has established procedures for resolving grievances to activities that are combat related. These procedures have been given for us to implement by the Society Marshal and the Board of Directors of the SCA. They arecurrently approved by the BoD for use on a trial basis. This means thatthey are law but if they are shown to be overly cumbersome or don't dothe job, we may request that the BoD review and modify their position onthese rules at a later date. These procedures are designed to bring usmore closely in compliance with mundane sports law as requested but ourinsurance carrier.
     
     

    A. Grievance Procedures - First Level
     
     

    At the first level there are two procedures for dealing with a grievance:

    a) the report system

    b) the Marshal's Court
     
     

    Any appeals and all reviews of decisions made under these systems shalloccur at the next level of the court: the Quarter Court. Appeals and reviewof a Quarter Court are to be handled by a Court of Chivalry, procedures for which are listed under kingdom law.
     
     

    The Report System

    This system is intended as a means for complaints concerning a given individual to be received and addressed directly by the Earl Marshal. Itrequires that the Earl Marshal take an active role in the enforcement andoversight of the Marshallate and is essentially a codification of the EarlMarshal's existing powers.

    a) If the individual returns to accepted levels of conduct during the report period, no further action will be taken, and the individualwill be removed from report.

    b) If any additional complaints are received during the period that the individual is on report, further disciplinary action will betaken by the Earl Marshal (i.e. revocation of fighting authorization; revocation of a particular weapon form; restriction from fighting except under specified conditions; etc) on a defined period of time. This decision may and should be reported to the Quarter Court.

    c) If further complaints are received and verified during the period of disciplinary action, then the case will be referred to the Quarter Court for further disciplinary action.
     
     

         The Marshal's Court

    The purpose of this court is to allow problems to be settled at those events where it is not possible for the Earl Marshal to be present. AllWarranted Marshals are to read and become familiar with these proceduresas they may be required to sit on a Marshal's Court at any event. Thisprocedure, though it requires somewhat more attention to paperwork (thehosting area Marshal shall immediately submit a "Court Report" in additionto his/her Tourney Report), provides additional flexibility in that anyonecan bring a matter before a Marshal's Court for a rules violation, unsafebehavior, illegal weapons use, etc., and get an (almost) immediate response.To cause a Marshal's Court to convene, the individual complaining shouldbring their complaint to the Marshal-in-Charge of the event and requesta Marshal's Court. The Marshal-in-Charge shall convene the court as follows:

    B. Grievance Procedures - Second Level
     
     

    The second level is composed of the Quarter Court, which is a standing court established to review the decisions/actions of the first level procedures.
     
     

    The Quarter Court
     
     

    APPENDIX 1: TESTING STANDARDS FOR CAID RAPIER COMBAT
     
     

    I. FABRIC TESTING FOR PROTECTIVE GEAR:
     
     

    Tests known to be acceptable include:
     
     

    1. For new garments, cloth or garment manufacturer's commercial certification that a fabric is rated to 550N. (Documentation must be available at thetime of inspection.)
    2. Use of 550N garment punch test devices, manufactured by sources acceptableto the Deputy Society Marshal for Rapier Combat and the Kingdom RapierMarshal. Such a device shall be used in accordance with its' instructions.
    3. Use of a drop test device, certified by the Kingdom Rapier Marshal (oran appointed representative), which consistently delivers a force, on dropping,of 4 joules. An example is a dull, flat 5/32" (4 mm) metal rod mounted on a 1.4 kg weight and dropped down a guide tube from 30cm (1 foot) ontothe fabric sample. The sample must be held firm over a 4" diameter canor frame by rubber band or clamp when the drop test is applied.
    An acceptable field test, if none of the above methods is available, isthe use of the 4-punch test. Use a flat-broken foil blade to thrust againstthe material. To conduct this test, lay the material to be tested on firmground or penetrable material (not hardpacked dirt, concrete, or similarlyhard surfaces). Holding the broken blade in both hands, punch the materialfour times, increasing the force each time. After each punch, examine thematerial.
     
     

    For each of these tests, if the material in question has been completely penetrated, or penetrated in more than one layer (or more than 25% if not 4 layers), it fails. If only the top layer has been damaged, then it passes.
     
     

    II. BLADE FLEXIBILITY TESTING
     
     

    If doubt exists about a weapon's flexibility, one acceptable field testis:
     
     


     
     

    APPENDIX 2: PROCEDURES FOR EXPERIMENTATION IN RAPIER COMBAT
     
     
     
     

    All experimentation with new weapons or techniques will be approved, supervised and monitored by the Kingdom Rapier Marshal (or an appointedrepresentative) after permission for testing has been granted by the EarlMarshal. Additionally, experimentation will be subject to procedures specifiedwithin the SCA Corporate Rapier Combat Rules.
     
     

    If tested at an official event or practice, the Kingdom Rapier Marshal (or an appointed represenative) must be present. In addition, all combatants and marshals must consent to the use of the weapon or technique beforecombat begins. If any of the marshals or combatants object to the use ofthe weapon or technique, it may not be used.
     
     
     
     

    APPENDIX 3: AUTHORIZATION PROCEDURES
     
     

    This procedure is to be administered by a Provost Marshal on a combatant wishing to be authorized. It may serve as a guideline or checklist during authorization procedures. All requirements must be passed to the satisfaction of the Provost marshal.
     
     

    1. They understand separation between the rapier vs. heavy/lights marshallingstructure.
    2. They understand the difference between the blade types (schlager vs. epee,etc.), and their respective rules (schlager only: swept/open hilts, tipcuts, blade grasping by consent).
    1. Have them describe what puncture resistant ("impenetrable") material is,and where it is required. Have them describe armor requirements for entire body, especially head, armpit, and groin.
    2. Perform a standard armor/weapon inspection.
    3. Check that armor does not interfere with blow calling (such as excessivelybulky or loose fitting clothing/tabards/sleeves).
    1. Have them point out Killing Zones (torso, head, neck, groin, draw cutsto main arteries).
    2. Have them point out Wounding/Disabling Zones (arms, legs, hands, feet).
    3. Do they understand that any forward pressure from the tip is a good blow?Even if it skips across the body/mask?
    4. Have them explain draw/push cuts: what are "edges" and what the requiredlength is (5")
    5. Do they understand what "excessive force" of blows is? Do they understandthat it is unexcusable, even if the other fighter is not taking blows?(They should report any problems to the Marshal-in-Charge.)
    1. Calibrate at speed, as if throwing a real attack. Include thrusts, draw/pushand tip (SGL) cuts.
    2. Have test subject defend while fighter attacks. (Check blow calling)
    3. Have test subject attack while fighter defends. (Check blow strength. Includedraw cuts.)
    4. Have both test subject and fighter spar in normal combat. (Yell "Hold!'at random intervals.)
    5. Have test subject spar with off-hand in normal combat.
    6. Have both test subject and fighter spar with secondaries.
    7. Have fighter on knees while test subject attacks. (Check for corkscrewing.)
    8. Have test subject on knees while fighter attacks. (Check that test subjectstays on ground. No lunging/leaping from knees, walking on knees.)
    9. Have fighter press attack test subject. (Check that they don't panic.)
    10. Have fighter "fall back" and stop suddenly so test subject must break offtheir attack suddenly. (Check that they have control-- pull their attack,break wrist, etc.)
    11. Have experienced fighter attack "unsafely" to gauge test subject's reaction.(Check that test subject does not panic, swing blade wildly, punch fighter,etc.)
    For all bouts, look for:

    Acknowledges "Hold!"

    Calls/acknowledges touches

    Proper blow strength

    Does not hack or slash

    Does not slap or whip blades when trying to attack/defend

    Safe when pressed

    Good control of distance (to opponent, eric edge)

    Does not grab with off-hand

    Proper use of draw/push cuts

    Maintains temper

    For bouts with Secondaries, look for:

    No defensive-only equipment used against opponent's body

    Adequate control of both hands
     
     

    General Notes:

    1. For Sections 4a-4f, the fighter should deliver (and receive) at aminimum 6 blows per section to accurately judge the strength of their blows and their ability to call blows. 8-12 blows per section is recommended.

    2. For Sections 4g-4h (on knees), the fighter should deliver/receive at a minimum 3 blows per section.

    3. For Sections 4i-4k (pressing, falling back, and 'unsafe' attacks), do at least once. Repeat as often as needed to satisfy you that they aresafe.

    4. People who are timid (or new) as to be unable to strike blows on their opponent during authorization, even when the other fighter leavesobvious openings and/or slows their speed considerably, should be failed.If the fighter cannot strike a significant number of blows to be judged,then they do not have enough control of distance/speed to be safe.

    5. Secondary weapons: Include a secondary weapon in the authorization bouts, even if they just hold it (if they are not used to fighting witha secondary). Since our primary authorization includes all forms, we needto make sure they are safe with something in both hands. Not good or competent, just safe.

    6. Off hand: Make sure they are safe using their off-hand to fight with.Same reason as above.

    7. Armor inspection: If the fighter does not know or understand the armor requirements, they fail. Even if the armor they are wearing passes.
     
     
     
     

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