Cunnan - User contributions [en]

Cut and thrust sword

2007-10-25T22:47:37Z

128.187.4.149:

cchilidomba
A '''cut and thrust sword''' is a [[sword]] used to deliver both cutting/slicing and piercing blows. Typically it had an unsharpened [[ricasso]] in front of the [[crossguard]] allowing a different grip where the index finger sits of the top of the [[crossguard]] and permitted greater control during a thrust.

The [[blade]]s of these [[sword]]s were typically wide shouldered and tapered to a sharp [[point]]. At times part of the [[blade]] might have a [[diamond section]] and the other a [[fuller]].

Cut and thrust swords were developed in the [[14th century]] and existed in many forms over the next three hundren years.

[[category:swords]]
[[category:weapons]]
[[category:14th century]]

Category:Combat

2007-10-25T22:47:33Z

128.187.4.149:

olotrocc
This [[Special:Categories|category]] lists articles about [[combat]].

Society for Creative Anachronism

2007-10-25T22:47:28Z

128.187.4.149:

aceldarsit
The '''Society for Creative [[Anachronism]]''' (or SCA for short) is a hobby organization devoted to studying and re-creating the [[Middle Ages]] and [[Renaissance]], primarily in Western [[Europe]] but also other regions such as the Middle East and [[Japan]]. It could be considered a [[historical reenactment]] or [[living history]] organization, but, unlike most such organizations, the SCA does not concentrate on a narrowly-defined time [[period]], let alone a specific war or other event. The SCA also does not have a [[minimum standard]] of authenticity. The activities of the SCA have more to do with
re-creation (and recreation) than with re-enactment. Some SCA participants describe the SCA as a large group of people with interlocking hobbies.

At a typical SCA event, you will see a wide range in the quality of re-creations and reenactments. Some individuals may do some aspects of re-creation well (say, [[music]]), while simultaneously doing others poorly (say, [[clothing]]). Still, there is one standard that all participants of official SCA events are held to: participants should try to dress in period (i.e., pre [[17th century]]) garments.

The relatively low requirements to participate are also one of the strengths of the SCA. For example, they make it possible [[to participate in the SCA on a small budget]]. As long as you are genuinely interested in medieval or Renaissance life, there is a place for you in the SCA. If it was a job or a hobby in Period, most likely someone within the SCA practices it, sometimes to an excellent degree. Excellent practitioners are awarded a SCA [[peerage]] (SCA-wide, highest level award) known as the ''[[Order of the Laurel]]''.

The SCA is worldwide in scope. There are active groups all over the [[United States|USA]], [[Canada]], [[Europe]], [[Israel]], [[Africa]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]] with scattered groups elsewhere. The ''[[Known World]]'' is divided into [[Kingdoms]]. Each Kingdom determines its King and Queen by combat in a crown [[tournament]].

To prepare for tournament and wars, some groups hold 'fight practices' where a unique full contact martial art is practiced. The fighters wear armor (often of their own making) and strike each other with sticks primarily made of [[rattan]] and made to resemble [[sword]]s, [[pike]]s, [[spear]]s, [[axe]]s and other medieval weapons. This '''Armoured Combat''' (sometimes called '[[Hardsuit]]' or '[[heavy fighting|Heavy Weapons Fighting]]') is interesting among [[martial sport]]s for its lack of formalized training, which allows new-comers to add to the game in unpredictable ways. SCA fighters practice many-on-many engagements called melees or wars.

Some groups practice [[fencing]] with modified rules that largely disregard [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] fencing rules. As SCA fencing is supposed to recreate courtly [[dueling]], fencers neither recognise right-of-way nor are they forced to stay within a lane, instead fencing "in the round". SCA [[Fencing]] is based on [[Renaissance]] fencing manuals and includes [[rapier case|two weapon]], sword and cape and sword and shield styles.

Some SCA groups hold regular dance practices where [[Renaissance Dance]] and [[English Country Dance]] is taught.

''See also:''
*[[Live-action roleplaying games]]
*[[metal weapons groups|Reenactment society]]
*[[Living history]]
*[[Historical reenactment]]

== External Links ==
The SCA website - http://www.sca.org/
[[category:recreationists]]
[[category:starting out]]

Rapier

2007-10-25T22:46:58Z

128.187.4.149:

cnaletoco
[[category:weapons]]
[[image:swepthiltrapier.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Replica swept hilt rapier.]]
A '''rapier''' is a slender, sharply pointed, two-edged [[sword]] with a blade at least 90 [[centimetre]]s in length and generally possessing both distal and profile taper, often sporting an elaborate [[hilt]] and hand-[[guard]]. The [[SCA]] uses [[reproduction rapier]]s in "heavy rapier" [[fencing]].

The rapier developed in the second half of the [[16th century]] as a modification of what is now known as the "cut-and-thrust" style [[sword]]. It was slimmer and nimbler than the thrusting [[broadsword]], a feature that enabled it to grow longer, and increased the usefulness of thrusting attacks thanks to its reach.

The rapier became popular in [[Europe]] in the 16th century primarily as a weapon for civilian use. In parallel to the rapier, other weapons were developed for use in war in response to the increasing protection offered by fully articulated plate [[armour]]. These included the [[estoc]] and many speciality [[polearm]]s-- such as the later versions of [[halberd]].

As [[plate armour]] became obsolete or shrunk in size due to the increasing use of [[firearm]]s in the late [[16th century]] and the beginning of the [[17th century]], the rapier, in various modified forms, gained usefulness on the battlefield. During the [[17th century]] the cup hilt was added to the rapier giving the hand increased protection again thrusts.

The rapier is capable of both slashing and thrusting attacks, but the style of fighting popular during its advent and heyday favoured the thrusting attacks we popularly associate with "[[fencing]]".

The rapier's slimmer cousin, the [[smallsword]] (reproduced using its descendant, the modern [[foil]]), is the sword most often associated with the [[duel]]s of [[honour]] depicted in [[literature]] and movies, such as ''[[The Three Musketeers]]''.

For a more detailed explanation of the primary use of the rapier-- Dueling-- see [[European dueling sword]].

For a thorough and somewhat technical discusion of the rapier see:
* Characteristics of the Rapier by Chris Evans - http://swordforum.com/articles/ams/char-rapier.php

===Rapiers in the SCA===
In the [[SCA]], the term 'rapier' is commonly used instead of '[[fencing]]'. In those kingdoms that utilize both [[epee]]s and rapiers, they are respectively called "light" rapier refering to [[foil]] or epee and "heavy" rapier refering to [[reproduction rapier]]s or [[schlager]]s and on a limited basis [[backsword|back]] and [[side sword]]. In [[Lochac]], 'rapier' also refers to the in-house [[fibreglass rapier|fibreglass]] blades.
[[category:swords]]

Kingdom of Caid

2007-10-25T22:33:19Z

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Kingdom of Æthelmearc

2007-10-25T22:23:54Z

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bascoel
{{SCA Kingdom box|name = Ãthelmearc|color = red|metal = yellow|device = [[Image:Aethelmearcarms.png|200px]] | caption = Gules, an escarbuncle argent within a laurel wreath and in chief a coronet Or. | founded = A.S. XXXII | king = Rurik| queen = Angelik | area = West Virginia, Western & Central Pennsylvania, and Western & Central New York.| parent = [[Kingdom of East|East]]}}

Having become a [[Kingdom]] in September [[A.S. XXXII]], '''Ãthelmearc''' is the fifteenth oldest in the [[Known World]]. Geographically it consists of West Virginia, Western & Central Pennsylvania, and Western & Central New York.

==History==

As with other kingdoms that were formerly remote parts of other realms, there was much resentment in some parts of Ãthelmearc that the royalty of the East Kingdom rarely visited. There was also a certain amount of heat around the idea of Ãthelmearc becoming a kingdom, perhaps because Ãthelmearc is the site of the [[Pennsic War]] between the [[East Kingdom]] and the [[Midrealm]]. Eventually, the [http://www.aethelmearc.org/pennsictreaty.shtml Pennsic Treaty] was signed; Ãthelmearc agreed not to interfere in the running of the event and the East and Midrealm agreed that Ãthelmearc would be kept informed.

Other events held in Ãthelmearc which are familiar to non-residents include the Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon, which features an arts and sciences pentathlon competition, and [[Ãthelmearc War Practice]], held on the same site as [[Pennsic]].

==Groups==
Ãthelmearc is home to [http://www.lightlink.com/myrkies/ Myrkfaelinn], the only Independent Dominion in the SCA. The Board of Directors ruled that they owed fealty to no king, as their charter mentioned the then-king of the [[East]] by name.

The Baronies of Ãthelmearc include: [[Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands]], [[Barony of the Rhydderich Hael]], [[Barony of Thescorre]], [[Barony of Blackstone Mountain]], [[Barony of St. Swithin's Bog]], [[Barony of Delftwood]], and [[Barony of the Endless Hills]].

* [[Groups of Ãthelmearc]]

==Rulers==

The King and Queen of Ãthelmearc are chosen biannually in either the [[Spring Crown Tourney (Ãthelmearc)|Spring Crown Tourney]], held in May, or the [[Fall Crown Tourney (Ãthelmearc)|Fall Crown Tourney]], held in October. They are then crowned some months later at the [[Fall Coronation (Ãthelmearc)|Fall Coronation]] in September or the [[Spring Coronation (Ãthelmearc)|Spring Coronation]] in April respectively. All entrants in the Crown Tournament must be at least 21 years of age and have been a subject of Ãthelmearc for at least one year. The tourney is usually fought as a [[double elimination]] tournament, although the format may be altered if there are 16 or fewer fighters in the list.

The current King and Queen of Ãthelmearc are Malcolm MacEoghain and Tessa the Huntress.

* [[Past rulers of Ãthelmearc]]

==Events==

Aside from crown tournaments and coronations, major events held by Ãthelmearc are:

* [[Pennsic]]
* [[Twelfth Night (Ãthelmearc)|Twelfth Night]]
* [[Ãthelmearc Academy]]
* The Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon
* [[Ãthelmearc War Practice]]

==Awards==

Aside from the standard [[Society level award]]s Ãthelmearc has three tiers of awards. The Orders of High Merit, which convey a [[Grant of Arms]], the Orders of Merit, which convey an [[Award of Arms]] and the non-armigerous awards.

The [http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/jessa/aethelmearc.html awards] given by Ãthelmearc can be found on Mistress Jessa's excellent page. At the present time, her list does not include the as-yet-unnamed Order of Merit for Martial Authenticity, which is given for having an authentic appearance in fencing or heavy fighting lists, or on the archery range.

==External Link==

* http://www.aethelmearc.org

{{SCA Kingdom}}
[[Category:Kingdoms (SCA)|Ãthelmearc]]