Authorisation

All officers in the SCA must be "authorised"" by their kingdom superiors and the Crown. Until then, they are merely "acting" officers and may not be permitted to undertake all actions of the office.

Authorisation is also a means of testing a combatant's level of safety. You don't have to be a good fighter to be authorised, just a safe one. Authorisation is accredited with authorisation cards.

Heavy Authorisation

Authorisation involves a practical and theoretical component. The practical component assesses a combatant's safety level not only to themselves, but to their opponent as well.

This may be different in different baronies, but generally the practical part of the authorisation starts off with slow work, where combatants fight at quarter speed. This is intended to assess technique and control. Authorisation then moves to either three quarter or full speed.

You will have to go through several drills.

• Kneeling while your opponent stands, as if you had been legged.
• Standing while you opponent kneels.
• Attack and defense drills.
  • Attacking your opponent while only being able to throw three shots.
  • Defending while only being able to throw three shots.
• Being "monstered" by your opponent (attacking very aggresively and in close) to see how you react.
• Several bouts, during one or more of these the marshal may call "hold" to see that you know what to do. (Drop to one knee, with your sword above your head and repeat the call).

In the theory section, you will need to know such things as the rules of the list, kill distances, basic armour and weapon standards. To be prepared, study the combat handbook.