Fencing:Authorisations

General Requirements

1. The Kingdom Rapier Marshal may, at their own discretion, authorise an adult combatant or marshal in any Rapier or Cut and Thrust authorisation he or she may believe is required to benefit the Kingdom and the Society.
   1. The Kingdom Rapier Marshal may as part of this authorisation impose additional restrictions as may be deemed necessary.
   2. The Kingdom Rapier Marshal will provide letters to the authorised person detailing the terms of the authorisation, which will act as proof of authorisation.
   3. Any such authorisations must be noted in the Kingdom Rapier Marshal's quarterly report, and a copy of the authorisation letters kept by the Kingdom Lists (Authorisations) officer.
2. The applicant must provide an appropriately completed authorisation form.
3. Each adult authorisation must be renewed at least every four years. Renewals will be conducted by performing a repeat of the test appropriate to the authorisation level, in the same manner as if they are applying for the first time.
4. Only a marshal authorised and rostered in Lochac and who holds a current membership of the SCA or one of its affiliate organisations may perform an authorisation. This marshal must witness the authorisation and must execute the appropriate paperwork to ensure the authorisation is registered with the Kingdom Lists Officer within three months of the authorisation taking place.
5. A copy of the authorisation paperwork may be used in lieu of an authorisation card for a period of up to three months from the date of the authorisation.
6. Authorisation paperwork will expire three months from the date of the authorisation test. Expired authorisation paperwork will not be processed by the Kingdom Lists Officer.
7. Authorisations shall be registered with, and kept on file by, the Lochac Kingdom Lists Officer. This officer, or their appointed deputy, shall be responsible for keeping properly completed indemnities and issuing combat authorisation cards. In addition to maintaining registration of authorisations, the Kingdom Lists Officer shall provide the Kingdom Earl Marshal or Kingdom Rapier Marshal with a list of all current authorisations upon request.
8. Authorisation cards shall not be issued to persons residing in other kingdoms unless such persons are defined as subjects of Lochac by specific royalty treaty.
9. No authorisation card may be issued to Australian residents until a properly completed indemnity is filed with the Lochac Kingdom Lists Officer. (In Australia, a completed authorisation form includes an indemnity. This form must be completed by both the Authorising Marshal and the candidate. New Zealand resident candidates do not need to complete the indemnity.)
10. Indemnities for SCA combat-related activities shall be kept on file for seven years. In the case of indemnities for minors, these shall be kept for twenty-one years.
11. Visitors to Australia engaging in combat-related activities must sign an Australian indemnity before participating in combat activities.
12. Authorising Marshals must hold the same combat authorisation being sought by a candidate in order to grant the said authorisation. The Rubber Band Gun authorisation is exempt from this rule and may be granted by any Authorising Rapier Marshal.
13. The minimum age for training and authorisation in rapier combat is 14 years. Youth rapier training and authorisation is for persons 10- 14 years - see Youth Rapier rules: https://lochac.sca.org/rapier/index.php/Rules
14. When combatants under the age of 18 undertake training and authorisation, the Kingdom Rapier Marshal (or their designated representative) shall ensure that the minor's parent or legal guardian has observed rapier combat, is aware of the risk of injury inherent in this martial art, and has signed a statement explicitly acknowledging the above.
15. Each authorisation of a person under 18 (minor authorisation) must be renewed every 2 years.
16. Renewals will be conducted by performing a repeat of the test appropriate to the authorisation level, in the same manner as if they are applying for the first time.
17. The Society requirement for identification of minors does not apply in Lochac. (2018 SCA Board decision)

Combat Authorisations

General

1. In all authorisations, safety will be the paramount consideration. A display of minimum skills will also be required in order to pass.
2. Two authorising marshals, or one authorising marshal and a combatant authorised in the authorisations being examined, shall perform the authorisation. The two examiners must agree on an authorisation.
3. One of the two examiners must fight while the other observes.
4. Anyone relocating to Lochac who is already authorised in Heavy Rapier or Cut and Thrust rapier may continue to use those weapons forms until their card from that person's original kingdom expires or 6 months pass, whichever is the shorter. Fencers carrying only a light rapier authorisation are not considered authorised under the Lochac Rapier Rules. Immigrated combatants must abide by the Lochac Rapier Rules including armour standards. Visiting combatants must abide by the Society Rapier Handbook for protective equipment (armour) and the Lochac Rapier Rules for all other matters pertaining to rapier combat.
5. Authorisations may only be issued by an Authorising Rapier Marshal.
6. The Cut and Thrust Rapier authorisation may only be issued by an Authorising Cut and Thrust Marshal.
7. The authorisations that rapier combatants may earn are:
   • Rapier (includes the use of off-hand parrying devices both rigid and non-rigid, and the use of a secondary weapon such as another rapier or dagger)
   • Pole Weapon
   • Cut and Thrust Rapier
   • Rubber Band Gun Only (Allows use of rubber band guns in melee/war situations)

Requirements for each category of authorisation

Rapier Authorisation

• Safe weapon usage.
• Basic defences including parries made by the rapier, the offhand and the proper use of distance and voids.
• Basic offence; the ability to attack using valid thrusts and cuts. These must be shown with both hands.
• Proper calibration must be demonstrated with both thrusts and cuts.
• The authorising person must verbally demonstrate an understanding of the rules, conventions and canon of rapier combat in Lochac.
• They must fight from the ground and attack someone who is seated on the ground.
• They must demonstrate knowledge of armour and weapons requirements.
• They must be able to respond properly to a "HOLD" called by the marshal or their opponent.
• They must demonstrate knowledge of the conventions and canon that pertain to the use of parrying devices (both rigid and nonrigid). In particular, the difference in off-hand parries made with and without a parrying gauntlet.
• Competent and safe use of off-hand devices must be demonstrated. It is not necessary to demonstrate the use of all possible off-hand devices.

Pole Weapon

• Must hold a current rapier authorisation.
• Must have held a rapier authorisation for at least twelve months.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the rules specific to the use of Pole Weapons.
• Demonstrate safe weapon usage, including in situations involving more than one opponent, and situations involving rapidly advancing opponents.

Cut and Thrust Rapier

• Must have held a rapier or full-contact armoured combat authorisation for 12 months. (Cut and Thrust Rapier is considered an advanced combat form requiring combatants to undergo and maintain a higher level of training before and after authorisation than rapier or full-contact armoured combat normally requires.)
• Must hold a current rapier authorisation (4.2.2.1 listed above)
• Demonstrated ability to control a Cut and Thrust Sword through a range of percussive cuts. Testing must be performed with both right and left hands being used to wield the weapon and with the weapon used two-handed.
• Proper calibration must be demonstrated with thrusts and all forms of cut.
• They must demonstrate knowledge of armour and weapons requirements for Cut and Thrust combat.
• They must demonstrate their ability to safely use percussive cuts while armed with a full range of standard offhand equipment against opponents who are using some of the offhand equipment themselves.

Rubber Band Gun Only

• The authorising person must verbally demonstrate an understanding of the rules, conventions and canon of rapier combat in Lochac.
• They must demonstrate knowledge of armour and weapons requirements.
• They must be able to respond properly to a hold called by the marshal or their opponent.
• They must demonstrate safe use of the rubber band gun including loading, firing and securing for a hold call.
• They must experience rapier and rubber band gun shots to the torso and head and demonstrate comfort participating with that knowledge

Marshallate Authorisations

1. Anyone interested in becoming a rapier marshal must be at least 18 years of age.
2. All Rapier Marshals in Training must have a rapier marshal as a sponsor to learn from and who will arrange for the eventual authorisation of said Rapier Marshal in Training.
3. Rapier Marshals in Training may marshal or assist in the training of rapier combatants or the running of a field or equipment inspections under the direct supervision of a rapier marshal. Said rapier marshal must be present with the Rapier Marshal in Training and not engaged with any other activity, including inspecting other combatants or supervising another field.
4. Rapier Marshals in Training must demonstrate their familiarity with all the rules pertaining to rapier combat in Lochac.
5. They must have assisted in marshalling at least 3 separate tournaments and one melee/war activity.
6. Rapier Marshals in Training must be familiar enough with the weapons forms and styles of combat to be able to ensure a safe environment for the rapier combatants in the list or practice.
7. The authorisation must include an oral exam including the following subjects:
   • Rules of the list and how to conduct a tournament field.
   • How they should handle safety issues and holds.
   • The chain of command.
   • Knowledge of the armour and weapons requirements.
8. There must be at least 2 marshals involved in the authorisation of a Rapier Marshal in Training (not including the Rapier Marshal in Training). If the Rapier Marshal in Training is applying to be an Authorising Rapier Marshal at least one of the examining marshals must be an Authorising Rapier Marshal.
9. It is not necessary to be an authorised rapier combatant in order to become a Rapier Marshal.
10. To become an Authorising Rapier Marshal (Authorising Marshal) the applicant must satisfy the following:
    • The applicant must be an authorised rapier combatant. Those candidates who are not able or willing to become authorised rapier combatants may apply to the Kingdom Earl Marshal via the Kingdom Rapier Marshal for exemption.
    • The applicant must be an authorised rapier marshal.
    • Applicants must be able to teach the basics required for someone to satisfy the requirements for the combat authorisations. They must also have demonstrated the ability to teach these skills in the six months prior to the authorisation.
    • A scenario must be run where the applicant will "authorise" a marshal who is acting as a fencer. The applicant will run the authorisation from verbal questioning to inspection, observing the combatant and fighting a part of the authorisation. The Rapier Marshal in Training must then pass or fail the "candidate" with specific reasons. The reasons must have been discussed with the other marshals present. The applicant must also recommend a course of action if the "candidate" fails, in order to bring them up to an acceptable standard. Running more than one scenario is recommended.
11. To become an Authorising Cut and Thrust Marshal, candidates must apply to the Kingdom Rapier Marshal (or the Deputy Kingdom Rapier Marshal for Cut and Thrust if applicable) for approval.
    • The applicant must be an authorised Cut and Thrust combatant. Those candidates who are not able or willing to become authorised rapier combatants may apply to the Kingdom Earl Marshal via the Kingdom Rapier Marshal for exemption.
    • The applicant must be an authorised Cut and Thrust marshal
    • Candidates must be able to teach the basics required for someone to satisfy the requirements of a Cut and Thrust Rapier combat authorisation and may be required to demonstrate their knowledge to an Authorising Cut and Thrust Marshal as delegated by the Kingdom Rapier Marshal or their applicable deputy.