Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

grs07071@runt.appstate.edu writes:

> In reply to the Reply...:
> 
> 	I agree with what you said principally, gentle whose name I cannot
> remember [scum that I am] but I must argue my point.
> 
> I was not aware that there was no rule regarding light blows, but that simply
> fascinates me that something which is not even a rule can become the norm.
> 
> My point in all of this is that all the fighters on the field are [I DEARLY
> HOPE, ANYWAY] holding back from their most powerful blows.  I know I do; if I
> didn't, somebody would be in the hospital and I'd be in more trouble thann I
> already have gotten in.
> 
> I think that if any blow were regarded as effective, we'd see a lot less
> problem with blow acknowledgement and thus there would be no question of
[...]
> doesn't have enough force to chop your arm off outright doesn't mean it won't
> sever an artery.

  I don't see much of a problem here.  There is a certain minimum blow
strength that will occur anyway as to get past someones defenses one must be
quick.  This speed will cause a fair amount of power to be imparted.  The
idea of _light_ is usually pretty silly.  Now a glance is another story, if
the weapon does not stop when it hits it's target then it was probably a 
glance - with an edged weapon, that usually means no great damage.
  I do agree with you however that we should try to put the breaks on the
trend towards really heavy armor and "gunch" fighting tactics.  Even though
I realize that the period greats were usually large brutes who just smashed
everything in their path.  I have heard rumors of the levels of force used
in a couple of kingdoms and I doubt that I would even bother to fight in 
those places.  I'd certainly lose my temper at being swung at in that way.
 
>forgive me for the sexist-sounding remark, but if the women were the principal
>fighters, an I doubt me not there are quite a few who would love for that to be
[...]
>and, lord help us, what of the fighter who is hit and simply says 'no!' because
>he can't think of the right word? what is his opponent supposed to think then?

  Pointless argument, people of either sex aren't generically stupid.
 
>I really do hate arguing this point, since it is bound to be unpopular for
>awhile...
>but look at the advantages.
>In Atlantia, it is being considered that perhaps the face thrust should be
>dropped because there is too much conflict with blow acknowledgement.  if light
>could not be called, there would be no such.
>In Atlantia, they are considering that if they do keep face thrusts, then they
>will have to upgrade the armor standards for helmets.  this would cost massive
>bucks which we don't need to spend, if the 'no-light' rule could be put into
>effect.

  You have a real problem there.  In the kingdoms that I have fought in out
here mostly (Atenveldt and Outlands) only a touch to the face is required.
There is no such thing as _light_ in a face thrust.  Operating by any other
rule is asking for injury.  It's outright stupid really, A baby could put 
your eye out with a hair-pin, are you telling me that a sword must hit the
face as hard as a fully armored body part?  Open faced helm remember???

[...]

>I personally would LOVE to return to true medieval fighting, where you didn't
>really have any finesse, but simply bashed until your opponent couldn't hold
>his shield up anymore.  or you broke his arm with your two handed sword even
>though his arm is behind a shield.  or simply ran him down. or even hit him so
>hard that he got knocked down, and you stood on top of him and ran him through.

  Not all tournament fighting was done this way, some of it was judged by 
outside judges.  What you are describing is L'Outrance fighting, or grudge
matches with real weapons.
 
> But that won't happen.
> 
> Unless this *unofficial* light rule stays in.
> because the problems with blow acknowledgement will get worse and worse.
> and then we'll all run off and join the Historical Armed Combat Association.
> which would be terrific for everybody to watch, but hell on the people in
> armor.
> 
> Sorry for the diatribe...but I really do think this needs serious study.
> and I speak as one who has seen the effects of overly hard blows from both
> directions, and been chastised for it.

  Write letters to your local chivalry.  They are supposed to be the examples
by which the rest of the fighters judge what should be done.  Hopefully they
aren't all hide-bound "good ol' boys" sitten' on their duffs, if what you say
is true, they should be interested in moderating the trend.
 
> Jonathan Blackbow

Kevin