Hardsuit Combat

Technically not a selfie.

This is me at my first fighter practice. Fighter practice? Fighter practice. Within the SCA (Or Society for Creative Anachronism for you... long winded people). Which, as you will see, is not just dressing up like period medieval folk and running around shouting "HUZZAH." Most people picture that, but what people come to spectate is this!

The trash can is period.

Next to me is a Duke. My first night I was taken in by experienced knights (Knights who have fought and trained to become knights, because you can't just be a knight). Jack is the Duke's name, the two guys in front are some other fighters. Yes, those are spears!

For those wondering, that helmet weighs about 10 pounds. It is all steel, and the armor you see is all real. Hardsuit combat is full contact. Everything above and knees and elbows is legal to strike and results in "wounds" or "death."

When I first showed up I thought it was wicked cool to hear myself and everyone around me clank when we walked. Still my favorite part.

Sir Duncan, the only person there that was my height! If you look you can see his shield is held differently from mine. It's what is called a "centerboss," I am using a heater shield. The main difference being that a heater is strapped to your arm and centerboss is held by the hand at the center of the shield. This is primarily what the vikings used. You have a lot more range of movement with a centerboss. Unfortunately, it's also heavy to wield if you have noodle arms like me and if you're new, the tendency is to throw it all over the place to block shots which leaves you open to attack.

Two of our spearmen. You can see the different pieces of armor worn here. A helmet, gorget (keeps your neck from being squished), chest protection in the form of plates or lamellar, gauntlets, etc.

Jeans are totally period.

On the right is my Lord, with the dragons on his shield. He took me in and appointed me Man at Arms. He is training me to be an effective swordfighter. What he doesn't know is I secretly chose him and puppydogged till he gave in. He has mastered footwork, in-your-face fighting, and this offhand leg shot that makes you want to curl up and die. This is primarily due to all the real life combat he did in the Marines...

See how he's standing there with his guard down? He does that to everyone. I fought next to him at Estrella war and it was spectacular to watch the spearmen look at him like "what, are we going now?" Yes. And now you're all dead!

For reals he doesn't stop charging the front line.

Alright so this is a selfie but I'm displaying my armor. I made that, it's called lamellar. Plate was expensive and difficult to forge, so they made these tiny plates instead and laced them together. This was about 2 weeks worth of work. Also pictured is my gorget!

Did I mention Estrella War? Yeah, this is it. 500 fighters on our side, 500 on theirs. My Lord and I fight with the Thirteen, and we were on the front lines. My Lord and I frequently charged the spearmen on the front line to disrupt and open up their defenses for an attack from our side. It hurts tho. You charge full bore into 5 six foot tall guys, shield over your head, and they all reach over the top and beat you with their swords until you fall.

And yeah, you fall. Curl up under your shield and protect your legs and ribs, you WILL be stepped on.

More combat. It looks like chaos because it is. But sometimes it's strategic.

And yes it is full contact. I don't wear armor on my bottom.... I will soon. This is one of three strike I received in the same day.

Learn to block!

It wasn't very chock full of info but if you guys want more details on how it works, different parts of armor and rules, let me know! I love this sport and the camaraderie it involves. I've made so many friends and it's the only place I've genuinely enjoyed going to for fighting (I've done boxing, kung fu, etc...). I have learned so much and I am still learning. I can't wait until one day I have the skill to match these guys!

EDIT** Alright obligatory FP edit time. I appreciate the support you guys, and all the questions have been amazing! The number one question I have gotten has been how to get involved. So I'll make a little thing here.

GETTING INTO IT:

First, go to the SCA website and locate your kingdom. Kingdoms are big, overarching things that contain what are called baronies.

Next, find your barony. A barony a piece of the Kingdom. You want to find the region closest to you. They usually have websites and facebook pages, you'll find the marshal's information there.

Find out when they hold fighter practice. For instance in Phoenix, Kingdom of Atenveldt, Barony of Atenveldt, we hold fighter practice at 8pm-10pm on Tuesday nights at Coronado Park. During the fall months we hold fighter practice at Encanto Park.

Contact the marshal! They are more than happy to direct you and let you know about the rules. In addition if you let them know you're coming, they'll likely have loaner gear ready for you to wear so you can try it yourself! IMPORTANT! You will need a cup (males AND females)!

Get involved! There's more to the SCA than just fighting. The arts and crafts are amazing. I personally do leatherwork, some woodwork, sewing, etc. Try it! It's a blast, the community is incredibly welcoming and generous, and they love curious new folks!

ARMOR:

The next biggest question was about armor. I'll make a new post about that because it's a lot to explain here to get yourself geared up!

Post is up! http://imgur.com/a/yOUmY

WEAPONS:

Primarily made of rattan or polycarb and follow very specific rules. You are not limited to swords and spears. There are glaives, axes, knives, bow, experimental weapons, siege weapons etc. One of my fav stories is of one of our combat archers. She wields a bow. When she was charged one time she threw her bow down and whipped out a dagger she'd hidden. Now, typically combat archers yield when swordsmen get too close. She did not and took them by surprise, and killed a whole bunch of them before they finally got her!

Literally dagger up the sleeve!

FIGHTING, REAL TECHNIQUES?:

Yes and no. SCA combat has a lot of modification involved. Organizations like HEMA are more historically accurate. However, it's not all bashing people with sticks and there is real techniques from ye olden days of fighting involved (Such as flat snaps, offhands, etc). These guys have real skill and before I experienced it firsthand, I too thought it was a bit "bashy with sticky". My Lord especially made me realize that the technique and footwork are what make a difference in your combat. Anybody can swing a stick. Knights know how to do that and make you wonder where the hell it came from and why you're looking up at the night sky.

EDIT 2*** I totally forgot to mention events and personas.... errr.