Because Marshals are responsible for safety on the field, all Marshals (including Marshals-in- Training) must be eighteen ( 18) years of age or older and a current member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. 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.
Rapier Marshals-in-Training are to be warranted by a Rapier or Provost Marshal-in-Charge of an event. A copy of the warrant shall be sent to the Earl Marshal for inclusion in the Fighter Authorization List.
Rapier Marshals-in-Training have the following responsibilities and privileges for Rapier
combat:
A. Assists Rapier Marshals with armor inspections.
B. Assists Rapier Marshals on the field during combat.
C. Calls 'Holds' for safety reasons.
D. Acts as Marshal-of -the-Field under the supervision of a Rapier or Provost Marshal.
E. Can function as a Marshal on a challenge field.
1. Marshal 8 events as assistant Rapier Marshal. To qualify as having marshaled an event, the RMiT must have marshaled at least 1/2 the rounds of the tourney or 1/2 the scenarios of a war or melee. This requirement is halved if the RMiT has been an authorized Rapier fighter for at least six months.
2. Marshal 4 events as Marshal-of-the-Field under supervision (same restrictions as '1' above). This requirement is halved if the RMiT has been an authorized Rapier fighter for at least six months.
3. Have the recommendation of 2 Rapier Marshals or Provost Marshals.
4. Attend a Collegium class on Rapier Marshaling
5. Pass a written test.
6. Have shown a consistent attitude for safety.
7. Demonstrate a knowledge of Rapier/Fencing history and must recognize and use realistic and period techniques.
Note: Exception to these requirements require the approval of the Earl Marshal.
A Rapier Marshal can become a Provost Marshal when appointed by the Deputy for Rapier with the approval of the Earl Marshal.
All rapier combats require at least one Rapier Marshal, and one marshal-in-training (two
marshals
minimum), and at least one additional marshal-in-training per four combatants participating on
the
field at one time.
The primary duties of a Rapier Marshal is to inspect armor and weapons prior to combat, to watch
for missing tips on weapons and missing or loose equipment, and maintain the safety of combatants
and spectators. As with all combat in Caid, the Marshal also has a responsibility to advise the fighters
as to the appearance of their blows. Unless a fighter is demonstrating a continuing inability to
perceive successful attacks upon him/herself or is exhibiting unsafe behavior, it is always the fighter's
prerogative to make the final decision on a blow.
If a fighter appears to have difficulty
acknowledging his opponent's attacks, the marshals may call a hold and ask the fighters to "calibrate"
their blows against their opponents.
Marshals shall call a HOLD immediately should the point of a weapon be caught in anything (including armor. clothing or an opponent's hilt) except a held cloak.
If the Marshal-in-Charge (the Rapier Marshal in charge of the event) feels that a fighter has a problem that cannot be easily resolved on the field, he should convene a Marshal's Court to deal with the problem.
Any fighter that leaves the field, by definition, declares that he is satisfied with the combat. The Rapier Combat Marshal shall attempt to resolve any problems with the combat before the field is cleared.
The Rapier Marshal-in-Charge of an event shall report any broken blades during an event or practice to the Kingdom Deputy for Rapier. This report should include the names of the combatants, the type of blade, and the circumstances under which the blade broke.
If no Rapier Marshal is present, a Period Fencing event may not be held. (SCA rule)
Before proceeding with any combat authorization, the combatant must first tale and pass the written test on the back of the Light Weapons Authorization Form. This is true even if the fighter is already authorized in heavy weapons or other light weapons forms. Do not proceed with the combat portion of the authorization if the test is not passed. Do not append a Rapier Combat authorization to a normal 'Additional Weapons' form.
The combatant will present himself armed with the weapon(s) he wishes to qualify with. The Provost Marshal shall then inspect the combatant's equipment. If the equipment is substandard, do not proceed with the authorization. If this authorization is for schlager blades, both of the combatants must be equipped with proper neck armor. For authorizing with schlager, the opponent should be armed in a similar manner and must be an already authorized schlager fighter.
Have the combatant indicate the appropriate response to thrusts and cuts to various parts of the body as pointed out by the Marshal.
Have the combatants spar at full speed for several minutes, calling blows verbally. During this phase the Marshal and any observers should be getting an impression of the combatant's footwork, coordination, stance and parries. If this portion of the test is successful, have the combatants initiate a combat as if it were a normal Lists combat, counting blows normally until one is defeated. During this portion, check the fighter's aggressiveness, reactions to blows and ability to cope under the stress of real combat. Repeat this phase as often as required to form a good opinion of the fighter's abilities and reactions.
Judge the results as follows:
a) Does the fighter know and apply the rules and customs of Rapier combat?
b) Does the fighter exhibit safe behavior on the field?
c) Does the fighter maintain proper stance and parry properly?
d) Does the fighter avoid locking blades?
e) Is the fighter's offense adequate with his blows being realistic and not overly hard?
f) How does the fighter react under pressure?
g) Does the fighter acknowledge blows properly?
h) Does the fighter immediately acknowledge and respond to calls of HOLD?
i) Is the fighter's conduct courteous and honorable?
j) If using a buckler or cloak, does the fighter use it in a safe manner?
If the fighter is adequately qualified, the Rapier Combat Marshal shall initial the appropriate sections on an existing or temporary Authorization Card.
If the authorization is for Schlager blades, the authorizing marshal should take special care in determining that the fighter is capable of using the schlager blade in a safe manner. Blows should be delivered with control and not too hard. If the marshal is satisfied that the fighter can use a schlager blade safely, the marshal will write in "SLG" on the back of the authorization card and initial the entry. A combatant must be authorized in Standard Blades before attempting authorization with schlager blades.
In all cases, the authorization form should be returned to the fighter to send in to the Earl Marshal.
| Caid Combat Handbook - Volume II | 8/30/95 |
