Changes from 2009 edition

We will aim to keep the last 12 months of changes in the published PDF.

Version 3.1 - Changes approved August 2019

The following changes have been approved by the Crown (Niall and Sabine), Kingdom Seneschal, Board of SCA Ltd Australia and Committee of SCA NZ Inc, and published in Pegasus, September 2019.

Changes to Classes of Participant

"Appropriate medical release" removed for minors

The Nominated Caregiver doesn't have authority for consenting to a minor's medical treatment, and will seek approval from the parent or guardian if required. Medical professionals will act in the best interests of the child.

" and subject to the completion of an appropriate medical release." removed from 1.1.1.1.c, 1.1.2.1.f, 1.1.3.1.f and 1.1.4.1.c

Changes to Combat Authorisation Requirements

General

Changes to how we keep our rules up to date mean that fighters only need to follow Lochac's rules, and not go looking elsewhere.

2.1.2.a.i Changed to "Rules of the Lists"

2.1.2.a.ii and iii referring to armour and weapons standards and conventions of combat of the SCA removed and following paragraphs renumbered

2.3.2

Added "guardian", changed "present" to "present at the event" to indicate that they do not need to be observing the combat directly. "who is able to authorise medical treatment" removed. The Nominated Caregiver doesn't have authority for consenting to a minor's medical treatment, and will seek approval from the parent or guardian if required. Medical professionals will act in the best interests of the child.

Changes to Rules of the Lists

3.1.2 and 3.1.3 removed

Our requirements for SCA Ltd and SCANZ approval for all rule changes mean that these statements were no longer accurate.

Changes to Conventions of Combat

4.1.2-4

"Rostered member of the kingdom marshallate" replaced with "rostered marshal"

4.1.3

Removed "Society"

4.1.4

'"Society combat" changed to "Society armoured combat" to be relevant for this handbook

4.3.2.1

Updated "my lord/lady I am engaging you" to a gender neutral form.

4.4.6.2

Updated "You are dead, my Lord" to a gender neutral form.

Changes to Melee Weapon Standards

Fibreglass spear thrusting tips

Changing the rules allow 51mm thrusting tips on fibreglass spears in line with a Society rule change from 2013 requires changes to the following in Melee Weapon Standards:

Table 8.1

Changed Fibreglass spears from requiring 'fibreglass spear' thrusting tips (3 inch heads) to high-profile thrusting tips (2 inch heads)

Minor reformatting for word-wrap of cells

Changed "Not spec." to "Not specified"

8.3.1

Changed to allow 51mm tips (high-profile) for fibreglass spears, and updated link to point to 8.4.3 on high-profile thrusting tips

8.3.3 added

Inserted "Fibreglass spears may only have a single thrusting tip; they may not have butt spikes." as 8.3.3 and paragraphs following have been renumbered.

8.4.4 removed

8.4.4 was the construction specifications for 3-inch thrusting tips, so no longer required.

General

8.1.9

Fixed wording for plural agreement, and changed head to surface

Single-handed weapons

8.2.2.7

Sword corrected to weapon

Two-handed weapons

8.2.3.1

Two handed weapons are weapons that can be used with one or two hands.

8.2.3.5

Changed to: "Any two-handed weapon can have thrusting tips at one or both ends."

Added "a. If the weapon is less than 2.29m (7 1/2 feet) in length, it may use two-handed low-profile thrusting tips, as defined in 8.4.2."

Added "b. Otherwise, they must use high-profile thrusting tips, as defined in 8.4.3"

8.2.3.4

Added "Semi-rigid ultra-lightweight shaped foam head" to "laminated or split rattan" as weapons that don't require padding "so long as their construction imparts striking characteristics similar to an unpadded weapon constructed of a single piece of rattan."

Spears

8.2.4 removed

Rolled back into Two-handed weapons

Thrusting tips

8.4.1

Removed reference to towball covers - these are now covered by low-profile thrusting tips.

Changes to Grievances and Sanctions

11.2 Suspension of Authorisations

Changed from Revocation to Suspension, as it may be a short-term issue

Revoke/revoked/revoking/revocation changed to suspend/suspended/suspending/suspension throughout this section.

11.2.3.c

Replaced "the Society Marshal" with "the Board or Committee of the participant's relevant SCA organisation"

11.2.6

Changed to note that the Earl Marshal should include suspensions in their reports.

Changes to Glossary

Helpless opponents

Updated "him- or herself" to a gender neutral form.

Minor corrections included in v3.0.2 - 25 July 2019

1.2.6.1 - typo

Fixed spelling of participants

Minor corrections included in v3.0.1 - 14 July 2019

Back end fix

Generation of table of contents for PDF corrected to fix page numbering error.

2.3.1

Corrected level of numbered list for 2.3.2-4 (they are a subset of rule 2.3.1) and the following paragraphs renumbered.

3.2.1

Changed "himself or herself" to "themself", in line with the previously approved changes from his or her to their.

4.2.20 (21-23)

Corrected level of numbered list for 4.2.21-23 to a, b and c, (they are a subset of rule 4.2.20) and the following paragraphs renumbered.

4.2.24 (was 4.2.27)

Corrected cross reference from 5.1.2 to 5.1.1.2.

4.4.3.3

Updated "You are dead, my Lord" to a gender neutral form.

7.4.1.7.d

Fixed a typo where 63.5mm was given as equivalent to 21 inches, not 2 1/2 inches.

Version 3.0.0 - Changes approved July 2019

The following changes have been approved by the Crown (Felix and Eva), Kingdom Seneschal, Board of SCA Ltd Australia and Committee of SCA NZ Inc, and published in a special edition of Pegasus, July 2019.

Changes to Classes of Participant and Combat

1.1

The following footnote to 1.1 has now been included as a rule.

The term "combatant" is used in this book to refer to people who are actually fighting, whether with melee or missile weapons. The term "participant" is used to refer to everyone taking an active role in combat-related activities. Everyone on the field, combatant, auxiliary or non-combatant, is a participant. "Plumed participants" refers to both plumed combatants and plumed auxiliaries.

1.1.2.b

Fixed a typographical error. Changed 1.1.2.b from "Must wear a plume in their helmets..." to "Must wear a plume on their helmets..."

Changes to Combat Authorisation Requirements

Section 2

In Section 2, references to marshals with regards to authorising have been updated to Senior Marshals as appropriate. Only Senior Marshals can conduct armoured combat authorisations, as per the Marshal Handbook.

2.1.1

The following footnote to 2.1.1 has been incorporated into the rule.

There are also authorisation requirements for rapier combat and equestrian activities but these are dealt with in their respective handbooks.

2.1.3.a.i

2.1.3.a.i has been updated to clarify that a Heavy Combatant authorisation allows the participant to engage in heavy combat with melee weapons and to take the field as Plumed Combatant or Plumed Auxiliary. And 2.1.3.a.ii has been updated that to act as a Plumed Combatant, a fighter also needs another weapon authorisation such as thrown weapon, combat archery or siege engine. Plumed Participant on its own only allows a fighter to act as a Plumed Auxiliary (banner bearer)

2.1.4.a

2.1.4.ahas been updated to use the term Auxiliary Marshal.

2.1.8

Removed references to indemnities from 2.1.8 as these are dealt with as part of membership, event and practice attendance, not specifically combat.

2.1.10

References to royal treaty have been removed from 2.1.10. Lochac has no royal treaties to consider another kingdom's subjects as its own. References to royal treaty were removed from the Society Marshal's Handbook March 2018. Updated to say "Authorisations shall not..." from "Authorisation cards shall not..."

2.1.11-13

2.1.11-13about indemnities have been removed. Indemnities are dealt with as part of membership, event and practice attendance, not specifically combat.

2.3.2

2.3.2 has been updated to reflect the forms required for minor participation and that it must be the parent or guardian present for the authorisation, not a Nominated Caregiver. References to indemnities have been removed as these are dealt with as part of membership, event and practice attendance, not specifically combat.

2.3.5

2.3.5 had been updated to reflect that minor participants must have a guardian or Nominated Caregiver present at the event.

Changes to Rules of the Lists

3.1

3.1 has been updated to use the wording from the Marshal's Handbook (Oct 2018). The Rules of the Lists cover all SCA martial field activities.

3.2 and 3.3

3.2 and 3.3 have been updated to the most recent version of Corpora (January 2018) and Marshal's Handbook (Oct 2018), and corrected for standard NZ and Australian spelling. There are no changes to these from the April edition of Corpora or August 2006 edition of the Marshal's Handbook used previously. Examples of "he or she" and "his or her" have been changed to "they" and "their".

3.2.4.

Due to our requirement for approval by the Board of SCA Ltd Australia and Committee of SCANZ Inc, we must remove the Sovereign's right to waive any of standards that Lochac has in addition to Society combat rules in Rule 3.2.4.

Changes to Conventions of Combat

Figure 4.1

Figure 4.1 didn't render properly in the Kingdom of Lochac File:Fighters-handbook 2009.pdf . The correct images are now included.

4.2.2

4.2.2 The footnote "See Grievance procedures" has been removed.

4.2.24

The following footnote to 4.2.24 has been incorporated into the rule:

This rule is meant to allow the kneeling combatant to straighten if they desire and is not intended to keep the standing combatant from leaning forward to stay in range if the kneeling combatant leans back. Gendered pronoun has been changed.

4.5.2

The footnotes for 4.5.2 indicating that holds may not be necessary if the problem can be dealt with without one for broken weapons and armour have been included in rule.

Changes to The Use of Weapons and Shields

5.2.3

A Society rule update in 2008 included further instructions around the use of pavises. This has been inserted as 5.2.3, and the subsequent paragraphs renumbered.

Changes to Target Areas and Acknowledgement of Blows

6.5.2-3

A Society rule update in 2008 included further instructions around the use of pavises. 6.5.2-3 have been updated to reflect that combatants behind pavises struck by siege munitions are no longer killed, and include instructions for when pavises are hit by siege munitions.

Changes to Armour Requirements

7.3.1.a

The following footnote to 7.3.1.a has been incorporated into the rule:

The cervical vertebrae are the vertebrae in the neck. The first thoracic vertebra is the first major lump which can be felt in the spine at the base of the neck.

7.4.1.2

The following footnote to 7.4.1.2 has been incorporated into the rule:

While it is necessary to protect the bones of the jaw, it is not considered essential to completely armour the soft tissue in the underside of the jaw.

7.4.1.3

Rule 7.4.1.3 had a footnote about helms made prior to 2002 of 1.3mm (18 gauge). This footnote is no longer valid and has been removed.

7.4.1.4

The following footnote to 7.4.1.4 has been incorporated into the rule:

The process of spinning the top thins the metal, thereby requiring a heavier gauge to start with.

7.5.7 c

The following footnote to 7.5.7 c has been incorporated into the rule:

Although the gauge of the woven wire is less than previously allowed, the protection offered by this security mesh is superior to the current approved materials.

7.5.7

12kg fencing mask mesh, and other mesh which will not significantly flex, spread apart, or deform under pressure of 12 kg applied by a standard rapier mask tester repeatedly to any single point have been added as options to 7.5.7 as e. and f.

7.8.1-3

Rule 7.8.1-3 have been replaced with the new wording from the Society Marshal's Handbook Oct 2018. The prohibition on wearing groin protection designed for the opposite sex has been removed

The rules were updated to make things more inclusive for trans and non-binary participants. The prohibition against wearing the opposite gender's groin protection had been included due to marshals of the past requiring women to wear a male athletic cup.

7.9.1

Rule 7.9.1 has been updated to note that viscoelastic polymers (i.e. Zoombang) can be considered the equivalent of heavy leather worn over 1/4 inch (6 mm) of closed-cell foam. (Society update from August 2014)

7.11.1

Rule 7.11.1 has been corrected to match Society minimum requirement for hand protection to extend to 25.4mm (1 inch) above the wrist. The footnote about coverage has been removed.

7.11.1.b.iii

The following footnote to 7.11.1.b.iii has been incorporated into the rule:

Ice hockey gloves are considered to be the equivalent, but look blatantly modern, and their use is discouraged. Kendo, lacrosse and street hockey gloves are not equivalent.

7.11.2

7.11.2 has been updated to clarify protection requirements, include those using throwing weapons, and clarify that those who wish to be able to transition to using melee weapons during combat must be wearing the appropriate hand protection for use of their melee weapon.

7.14.4

A Society rule update in 2008 included construction standards for pavises. This has been included as 7.14.4.

7.16 and 7.17

Rule 7.16 and 7.17 are formatting errors in the 2009 pdf and have been put back into 7.15 Noncombatant Armour Requirements as 7.15.5 and 7.15.6

Changes to Melee Weapon Standards

8.1.10

Rule 8.1.10 The use of flails and quarterstaves for combat in the SCA is expressly forbidden.

The use of quarterstaves for combat in the SCA is not expressly forbidden in the 2018 Marshals Handbook, so that statement has been removed from the rules. The rules continue to prohibit weapons from having a cutting and/or smashing heads at both ends.

8.1.12

The following footnote to 8.1.12 has been incorporated into the rule:

The purpose of this rule is to ban weapons where there is no mechanical leverage or give in the weapon/hand/arm system to absorb some of the force of the blow.

8.2.1.4

Rule 8.2.1.4 has been updated to say that all cutting edges and thrusting tips shall be marked in a contrasting colour, rather than contrasting tape as there are other valid ways to mark them. (Society rule update in 2008)

8.2.2

What was 8.2.3 Single-handed Mass Weapons has been combined with 8.2.2 Single-handed Swords as 8.2.2 Single-handed Weapons, and the subsequent paragraphs renumbered.

8.2.2.1

Rule 8.2.2.1 has been updated to include polypropylene round rod for single-handed weapons (Society rule update in 2012) and describe the approved Siloflex equivalent for Lochac.

8.2.2.3

Construction requirements for polypropylene weapons have been added as Rule 8.2.2.3 and the other paragraphs in this section renumbered.

8.2.2.5.a

The following footnote to what was Rule 8.2.3.3 has been incorporated as Rule 8.2.2.5.a:

Users should take extra care when constructing mass weapons to ensure that they are able to control the weapon and not inadvertently generate excessive force.

8.2.2.7

What was Rule 8.2.2.6, now Rule 8.2.2.7 - added to match Society maximum weight for single-handed weapons of 2.27 kg (5 pounds). This is a change from the previous 2.73kg (6 pounds). Table 8.2 has been updated accordingly. Subsequent paragraphs have been renumbered.

8.4.3.5

Due to the common usage of low-profile thrusting tips, the following footnote to 8.4.3.5 has been removed and included in the Notes.

Duke Eringlin, Society Marshal has given Lochac this dispensation, June, 2001 - Rubberised towball covers of a lesser diameter must be enlarged to conform to Society standards.

Changes to Throwing Weapon Standards

9.1.4 B

Rule 9.1.4 B has been updated to include Lochac's equivalent to Siloflex.

9.1.6

A Society rule change in January 2015 allows the use of low-profile thrusting tips for throwing weapons. Rule Rule 9.1.6 has been updated accordingly.

Changes to Missile Weapon Standards

10.1.4, 10.1.6 and 10.4.1 a and e.

Society rule about a prohibition on missile weapons intended to simulate firearms, slings, slingstaffs, and atlatls has been added as Rule 10.1.4 and the subsequent paragraphs in this section have been renumbered. This also required the removal of an exception for manually pumped compressed air used in cannon rounds from rule 10.1.6, and the removal of rule 10.4.1 a and e.

10.2.1

Rule 10.2.1 updated to include the Society minimum poundage for bows used for combat archery of 20lb at 28 inches, and manufacturers tolerances for bow weights.

10.2.2

Rule 10.2.2 has been updated to correctly describe measuring the draw weight of a bow according to Archery Manufacturers Organisation standards that bow poundage is measured by.

10.2.2 and 10.2.3

Rule about the use of crossbows in combat prohibited in Australia inserted between 10.2.2 and 10.2.3 and the remaining paragraphs in this sections have been renumbered.

Was 10.2.3

What was 10.2.3 has been made specific to combat archers in New Zealand, and now included the Society minimum poundage for crossbows.

Was 10.2.4

What was Rule 10.2.4 - The rule about the legality of crossbows and its footnote about use of crossbows in Victoria has been removed, due to the use of crossbows in combat being prohibited in Australia by insurance policy, but they may be used without restriction in New Zealand.

10.2.6, 10.2.7, and 10.2.8

Society rules about non-period aids, that bows and crossbows must be powered only by the flex of the limbs, and modern pistol grips are prohibited on crossbows have been added as 10.2.6, 10.2.7, and 10.2.8 and the remaining paragraphs in this section have been renumbered.

Was 10.2.7

What was Rule 10.2.7 - added Society requirement that during inspection, all bows must have their poundage and draw physically measured with a ruler or other metered device and poundage scale.

10.3.3

Updated 10.3.3 to include species name and common names for allowed timbers, removed ramen/ramin as an approved timber type for combat arrows, and added Western Red Cedar.

Changes to Grievances and Sanctions

11.1

Dispute resolution process updated to meet current Lochac Kingdom Law. This removes Quarter Courts.

11.2

References to Society Earl Marshal in 11.2 have been corrected to Society Marshal, in line with Corpora and the Society Marshal's Handbook.

Changes to Procedures for Changes to These Rules

12.2

12.2 has been updated to include a 30 day expiry on temporary rule changes.

12.3.a

List of required approvals for rule changes added as 12.3.a and the subsequent paragraphs renumbered. This change means that the Sovereign may not waive Lochac's satrdards which are additional to those of the Society Marshal's Handbook

12.5.d

12.5.d has had reference to the Society Marshal removed as the list of required approvals is more extensive.

Changes to Glossary

Archers Gauntlets

Archers Gauntlets have been removed from the glossary. Demi-gauntlets are the minimum requirement for combat archers, siege engineers and those using throwing weapons. Removed from Society rules in 2008.

Society Marshal

References to Society Earl Marshal have been corrected to Society Marshal, in line with Corpora and the Society Marshal's Handbook.