Combat
There are many types of combat practiced in the SCA. Each one is described below, and at the bottom of the page you'll find pictures of what it looks like to participate in such activities. For more complete rules, regulations, and requirements for participating in any type of combat, please see the relevant handbook on the Resources and Links page, under the Combat heading.
Within the SCA, we recognize demonstrations of martial skill and honour with everything from simple 'well done's' to elaborate awards, and everything in between.
Please note that, due to a limited number of available certified marshals and suitable practice space, not all types of combat are actively practiced in the Canton of Vest Yorvik. For more information, please contact the Canton Marshal at vymarshal@gmail.com.
Heavy Armour
Heavy Armour combat necessitates a mostly-full suit of armour to protect the body against the severe blows that result from fighting. Twice a year, a heavy armour tournament is held, called Crown Tournament, to determine who the next King and/or Queen shall be for our Kingdom (Ealdormere). Heavy armour combat may be fought with sword and shield, two swords, or a two-handed weapon.
Rapier
Rapier combat, sometimes called fencing, is fought with less protective gear than heavy armour combat due to the reduced impact of the sport. Most 'kills' in rapier occur from simply touching one's opponent with the blade, rather than striking them with it, although in 'cut and thrust' rapier percussive blows are allowed.
Archery
Archery may take on one of two forms: target archery (no armour required, no fighting involved), or combat archery (heavy armour required, fighting is involved). Target archery is as the name implies - shooting at a variety of targets with the goal of scoring the most points. Combat archery involves shooting at heavy armour combat participants during a battle to score a 'kill'.
Equestrian
Equestrian combat may take many forms, such as mounted combat with swords, crest combat, or even jousting. Regardless of the type of equestrian combat, armour similar to that for heavy combat is often used, although in the case of jousting it must cover every part of the body. Eye protection for horses is also required.
Thrown Weapons
Thrown weapons includes throwing knives, axes, and spears, and is often performed in the form of target shooting in a manner similar to that of target archery. Weapons that are thrown must be designed for such a purpose, and must be free from burrs or other protrusions.
Siege Engines
Siege combat is often performed alongside heavy combat, and uses weaponry such as ballistae, trebuchets, battering rams, and early gunpowder artillery (the latter of which is only used for immersive effect, such as for announcing the beginning and/or end of a given battle, rather than to score 'kills' on combatants).
Youth Combat
Youth are able to participate in combat activities from age 6 onward, and they always complete among themselves as opposed to with adults. For added safety, weapons are covered in a layer of foam ('boffer' style).
 Heavy combat |  Heavy combat |
|---|---|
 Target archery |  Target archery |
 Combat archery |  Rapier combat |
 Rapier combat |  Youth combat |
 Siege combat |  Mini siege combat |
 Thrown weapons |  Thrown weapons |
 Equestrian combat |