In the 16th Century, men of breeding were expected to be proficient in the refined art of defense. Masters of Defense set up competing schools of defense to teach the gentlemen of Europe.

Period rapier combat has been a part of the SCA since the beginning. Like armored combat it has evolved and improved over the last 30 years in authenticity and safety.

These rules are a proposal for safely recreating period rapier techniques within the SCA. They are carefully crafted to use equipment and techniques that match the current understanding of period activities while using 20th century materials for the maximum possible safety.

After much consideration, the author of these rules proposes that the West Kingdom take the lead in authenticity ahead of the other SCA Kingdoms. The use of the theatrical rapier blade (also known as the practice schlager blade) as the primary weapon will accomplish this. This blade closely approximates the size, weight, and look of period rapiers while being nearly unbreakable. For safety and authenticity it is unrivaled.

The equipment specifications are designed to meet the national SCA standards and to provide the maximum reasonable safety. We are, however, participating in a simulated combat sport with metal weapons. Any material can be penetrated under the right circumstances. These rules set an armor standard that under normal use should not result in serious injury and have not in the more than 17 years that they have been used.

2.1a Definitions

"Impenetrable" materials are defined as any fabric or combination of fabrics that will withstand four hard thrusts from a broken foil blade. Four layers of trigger (heavy poplin, 35% cotton and 65% polyester) or four ounce leather have been shown to pass this test, but all materials must be tested. Kevlar, due to breaking down from sunlight, sweat, and most laundry detergents, may not be used.

The "four thrust test" is performed by lying the material to be tested on a penetrable surface such as the ground or a block of ethyl foam (used for archery targets). A modern foil blade that has been broken flat will be used to perform the test, as it has a smaller cross-section than the blades actually used. Holding the broken blade in both hands, punch the material four times, increasing the force each time. Examine the material after each punch. If it has been completely penetrated or significantly damaged, it fails. If there has no damage or only the top layer has been damaged, it passes.

"Resistant" materials are materials that will withstand the normal stresses of combat (such as being snagged by an unbroken blade) without tearing. Broadcloth, denim, poplin, or similar tightly woven materials are examples of acceptable materials. Knit materials, gauze, and muslin are examples of unacceptable materials.

2.1b General Guidelines

There must be no skin showing. Regardless of a rapier fighter's stance, there will be at least 3 inches of overlap between separate pieces of protective clothing.

2.1c Impenetrable material

Impenetrable material is required on the backs of the head, the entire neck, the torso (including the chest, back, shoulders, arm- pits, abdomen, sides and groin, and the arms to within 1" above the elbow.

2.1d Resistant material

Resistant material is required on the lower arms, legs, and all other areas not specifically mentioned in these rules. When a skirt or kilt of resistant material is worn, high boots or pants are required so that no skin is exposed during combat.

2.1e Face Protection

The face will be protected by a standard 12 kg (or stronger) fencing mask. The mask will be in good condition and repair. The mesh shall not have any rust or weak spots and shall not flex significantly under pressure. The bib shall remain in place over the throat at all times and must be secured to ensure that the mask will stay in place. A mask that comes off or becomes dislodged during combat will cause the fighter to immediately forfeit the bout. Further, the fighter may not continue fighting until the marshals are satisfied that the mask will stay in place.

Combatants are encouraged to get their mask tested annually. This test is to be performed with a commercial 12kg mask punch device.

2.1f Throat Protection

A gorget must be worn to protect the larynx, trachea, and to cover the jugular notch at the top of the sternum. The gorget must be made, at minimum of eight ounce leather backed by 1/4" of closed cell foam (or the equivalent) over the areas above. Metal is also an acceptable material.

2.1g Hand Protection

The hands must be protected by gloves. The body of the gloves must be made of leather, but the cuffs may be made of resistant materials. The gloves must overlap any sleeve openings by at least 3 inches.

2.1h Foot Protection

The feet must be completely covered by shoes or boots that meet the standards for resistant material. They must overlap the leg covering or skirt/kilt by at least three inches, through a typical range of motion.

2.1i Groin Protection

Male fighters are required to wear rigid groin protection. Any holes large enough to admit a broken blade must be covered from the outside with impenetrable material (pennies taped or glued in place work fine.) Female fighters are encouraged, but not required, to wear rigid groin and breast protection.

2.2a Rapier Blade

The standard blade for competition within the West Kingdom will be the theatrical rapier (TR) blade, also known as the practice schlager blade. This dull, oval cross section blade is available in lengths ranging from approximately 35 inches to 45 inches. Diamond cross section blades are not allowed.

Foil and saber blades are not allowed in the West Kingdom.

Epee and fiberglass blades may be used for training purposes at the discretion of the group marshal. These blades may only be used against blades of the same type. Double-wide epees (also known as Musketeer blades) may be used against normal epees.

All blades must be in good condition. Any blade with kinks, multiple curves, cracks, repairs, rust, or pitting may not be used. The epee, fiberglass, and flexi-dagger blades may have a single, gradual curve. The theatrical rapier blade must be straight. No parts of any blade may be sharp.

2.2b Dagger blades

Only "flexi-dagger" blades may be used. They may be no longer than 25 inches. Rattan daggers and rigid metal "parrying only" daggers made from cut-down blades are not allowed.

2.2c Sword Guards

A theatrical rapier bladed weapon may have a hand guard of any type as long as it does not constitute a danger to either combattant. Quillions may not be longer than 12 inches overall and the ends must be blunt with a minimum diameter of 3/8 inch. Pistol or other orthopedic grips may not be used unless they are medically necessary.

Any guard on a epee or fiberglass blade with openings large enough to admit a tipped blade must have these holes covered by impenetrable material so that a blade will not be caught. Curved quillions that could trap and break a blade are prohibited. These rules are also required for any dagger that is to be used with these blades.

2.2d Sword Tips

All blades are required to be tipped with an appropriate rubber or plastic tip. The tip will be firmly taped or glued in place. The last two inches of blade and the tip will be taped in a bright color that contrasts with both the blade and the tip, so that the absence of the tip or a broken blade will be readily apparent. Silver duct tape is not acceptable for this use. The striking portion of the tip shall not be covered, so that it may be inspected for excessive wear. Theatrical Rapier tips will be no less than 3/4 inches in diameter. (A rubber archery blunt is ideal). TR blades are shipped from the factory with rounded tips. At least 1/8" of the tip should be removed by cutting or filing to produce a broader, flat end. Any sharp edges produced by this proceedure should be smoothed. A strip of four ounce leather or the equivalent must be placed between the tip of the blade and the rubber/plastic tip.

Epee and fiberglass blade tips will be no less than 3/8 inches in diameter. Unwired electric blades must have a metal "button" screwed and glued securely onto the end of the blade, replacing the electric sensor, before the tip is put in place.

The items listed in this section are defensive only. They may not be used to strike an opponent.

2.3a Bucklers and scabbards

A buckler shall be constructed of light weight material such as (but not limited to) 1/4 inch plywood. The edges will be covered to prevent splintering. Any buckler that is designed to trap or break a blade is forbidden. A buckler may be any shape, but is limited in size; it must fit within a 20 inch diameter circle. A scabbard or baton may also be used. It may be no longer than 46 inches in length and no more than 1.5 inches in diameter. No openings are allowed in the end facing the opponent.

2.3b Cloaks

The size, shape and weight of a cloak shall be left to the discretion of the fighter as long as it is recognizable as a cloak and not as a whip or a flail. A cloak may be weighted with soft material such as rope or rolled cloth. The use of any hard or metallic material such as chain or fishing weights is forbidden. A cloak may be dropped over a blade or tossed aside as a distraction. The cloak may not be dropped if it may present a footing problem (e.g. on a polished wood floor).

3.1 Single rapier: The rapier fighter uses a sword in one hand and may parry with the off hand.

3.2 Buckler: The fighter uses a sword in one hand and a rigid parry device for defense in the other.

3.3 Cloak: The fighter uses a sword in one hand and a cloak, hat, skirt or other non-rigid parry device in the other.

3.4 Dagger: The fighter uses a rapier and a flexi-dagger. The dagger may be used for both defense and offense.

3.5 Case of Rapier: The fighter uses a rapier in each hand.

In order to participate in rapier combat in the West, the fighter must meet all Kingdom combat requirements in regards to age and appropriate waivers. A fighter must be authorized in each weapon form he wishes to use.

There are two seperate authorizations that cover the five forms listed above:

Rapier and defensive secondary: This includes the single rapier, cloak and buckler forms.

Rapier and offensive secondary: This includes the dagger and case forms.

A rapier fighter may, at the approval of the marshal in charge and his opponent, mix forms in which he is authorized. This would allow a fighter to fight with dagger and cloak or case of daggers for instance.

Fighters may attempt to become authorized in any order that they wish.

Two warranted marshals who are authorized in the form to be tested are required to run an authorization. At least one of these marshals (and preferably both) shall not be a regular opponent or teacher of the candidate. An experienced opponent who is authorized in the tested form is required. He is not required to be a warranted marshal. One of the marshals may serve as the opponent.

The marshals will ask if the candidate has read and understood the West Kingdom rapier rules. A few, randomly chosen questions will be asked to demonstrate the candidate's knowledge.

Both the candidate and opponent's equipment will be inspected to verify that it meets the standards described in these rules and is in good repair.

If the candidate passes the verbal test and the inspection, the authorization will advance to the combat test. The candidate and opponent will fight and acknowledge all valid blows, calling these out loudly. Non-valid blows which might have appeared to be good should also be acknowledged verbally. The candidate will be tested in each of the forms covered by the authorization he is seeking. The following skills are to be tested:

- blow acknowledgment

- proper blow delivery

- good control whether being pressed or on the attack

- some ability in both offense and defense

- response to a hold.

These will be tested in the following circumstances:

- both fighters standing

- with the candidate fighting with the off hand

- with the candidate fighting from the ground while the opponent stands

- with both fighters fighting from the ground

- with the candidate standing while the opponent fights from the ground.

The marshals and testing opponent shall discuss the candidate's skills at several points during the authorization. If they agree that the candidate has show sufficient skill to participate safely in rapier tournaments, then the candidate shall be considered authorized in the tested form. Appropriate paperwork will be completed.

All equipment to be used on the field must be inspected by a warranted marshal prior to use. The fighter will present himself fully armored with weapons in hand. The equipment shall be in good repair and meet the requirements listed in these rules.

All fighters are considered to be wearing light period street clothes, i.e. hose or a skirt and a shirt. No blow may be discounted because of the actual clothing worn by the fighter. Any protection or clothing that prevents a fighter from properly calling a blow shall not be allowed.

Blows are struck by thrusting with the tip of the blade or by drawing 6 inches or more of blade edge across the opponent. Any thrust or draw that causes positive pressure against the skin is to be considered good. Chopping, slashing, push-cuts and saber-type cuts are not permitted. Tip cuts are not prohibited, but a fighter is not required to accept a tip cut unless he judges it to have been sufficient to cause injury.

The entire body is a valid target, from head to toe and both front and back. A valid blow to the head, neck, torso, groin, brachial artery (armpit) or femoral artery (inner thighs) shall be considered a killing blow. A valid blow to a limb causes the loss of that limb. The hand is considered a separate limb from the arm and is considered to be protected only by a leather glove. Thus, it is not protected from either thrusts or draw cuts. The loss of a limb does not necessitate the calling of a hold.

Realistic acceptance of blows (subject to the minimum guidelines in the rules) is encouraged. For instance, a tip drag across the forehead might not kill or disable, but it would cause a loss of blood leading to eventual fainting. Similarly, a slight nick on a fingertip would hurt and bleed, but not cause the loss of the hand.

A fighter who has lost one or both of his legs must fight from the ground. Once settled, he may not rise up or move across the ground. His opponent may not "corkscrew" him.

All rapier fighters are assumed to be nobles of honorable upbringing and character, and are thus to be trusted to judge the bout themselves. Upon being struck a valid blow, the fighter receiving it shall be honor bound to acknowledge it. Similarly, he is honor bound to inform his opponent when he fells the opponent has accepted an invalid blow. Communication between fighters is highly encouraged. If a fighter has questions during a bout, he shall first call "hold". All questions should be resolved on the field, with the input of the marshals. If both fighters leave the field, the bout will be assumed to have been satisfactory to both of them.

A bout will conclude when one opponent dies or yields. If a fighter drops his last offensive weapon, his opponent may require him to yield, or allow the recovery of a weapon.

Engaging in rapier combat with the deliberate intent to inflict injury on an opponent is strictly forbidden. A fighter who violates this rule shall be suspended from all society rapier combat for a minimum of six months.

Dishonorable conduct such as grappling, throwing a weapon at an opponent, striking with excessive force, consistent ignoring of blows, or deliberate misuse of the rules shall not be allowed. Violation of these rules shall result in at least the withdrawal of the fighter for the day and possibly the removal of their authorization.

No fighter's equipment way be grasped, gripped or trapped against the body by another fighter. The arm and hand may be used to parry, subject to being wounded by an appropriate blow. The blade may not be parried between the fingers of the hand. A rigid parry device shall not touch any part of the opponent's body at any time.

No lost limb may be used to protect a valid target area. When a limb that has been lost covers a valid target area and is hit, that valid target area is considered to be hit.

Fighters must maintain control at all times so that when a hold is called, they can immediately cease all offensive action and assume a non-agressive posture.

No fighter shall be allowed to intentionally fall, roll, or use any other move that would not allow him to maintain control at all times.

The modern fencing moves known as the "balestra" and the "fleche" may not be used. In other words, no "flying" or leaping attacks will be allowed.

Period rapier combat, being distinctly different from SCA armored combat shall have its own marshals. These marshals will be trained in the rules and warranted by the Kingdom. The rapier marshalate will be separate and independent from the armored marshalate, except that the Kingdom Marshal of Rapier Combat will report to the Kingdom Earl Marshal.

To be warranted, a candidate must meet several conditions. He shall be an authorized rapier fighter with at least six months of experience since authorization. He will have assisted with marshaling and authorizations at at least two events. He must show knowledge of the rules and techniques of rapier combat. Finally, he must be acceptable to the Crown, the Kingdom Earl Marshal, the Kingdom Marshal of Rapier, and the Principality Marshal of Rapier (if appropriate.)

A marshal in training, second, or warranted marshal is required at any official practice or demo.