Procedure for an under 18 year old combatant to begin training in the Kingdom of Northshield:
This procedure will be followed for youth fighters 14 or older for rapier combat and youth fighters 16 or older for armored combat who wish to participate in SCA combat (whether at practice or at an
event).
1. The youth must approach an authorized person* to sponsor them. The sponsor should, through conversation with the youth, get to know their maturity level. The sponsor also will assess the physical
ability for that combat the youth wishes to participate in.
2. This sponsor will then have a meeting with the parent** of the youth and discuss SCA combat. This will include a discussion of the youth’s maturity level and the danger inherent in SCA combat. If both the parent and the sponsor feel the youth is ready to begin training the Northshield Youth Combat form will be filled out. This form must be signed by the parent/legal guardian, the sponsor, and the youth before being sent to the Kingdom Earl Marshal (KEM). It may be scannedand sent electronically to the KEM with a paper copy to be sent later so that the youth fighter may participate immediately. The KEM will respond in a timely fashion that this form has been received and
recorded.
3. Before any actual training may occur the youth and parent must fill out and have notarized (by a registered notary) the SCA corporate form Minor's Waiver and Informed Consent to Participate in SCA Combat. If the parent will not be present when the youth is participating in SCA combat they must fill out and sign the Medical Authorization for Minors form. (These are corporate requirements that Northshield cannot change.)
· http://sca.org/officers/marshal/docs/minorcombatwaiver.pdf
· http://northshield.org/Resources/PDF/MinorMedicalWaiver.pdf
Both of these forms should be kept by the youth combatant at all times when participating in SCA combat.
The youth may now begin to train and practice. The sponsor does not have to be the youth’s main trainer nor is the sponsor or parent required to be in attendance when the youth participates in SCA
combat.
Authorization process:
The only additional requirement for a youth authorization is that the sponsor and parent of the youth must attend the initial authorization of the youth. The parent and sponsor’s attendance at advanced
authorizations is not required.
*An authorized sponsor is a peer with at least 5 years experience in the activity(the peer must inform the KEM of their intent to be a sponsor and who they will be sponsoring), or any authorized combatant with at least 5 years experience and authorization from the KEM. (This may include but is
not limited to grant-level SCA awards and deputies of the KEM,)
** Though the document refers to parent throughout, it is understood that a legal guardian is also acceptable.
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Society Change of Rattan Weapon Thrusting Tip Rules
Please visit the Society Earl Marshal website for the full update, but here is the summary:
1) Single handed weapon thrusting tips may be 3/4” thick, and the diameter of the weapon, and must provide 3/8” progressive resistance.
2) Two handed thrusting tips on weapons 7.5’ or less must be 1.5” thick and 1.5” in diameter (or the diameter of the rattan, whichever is greater), and provide progressive resistance.
Age Change for Armored and Rapier Combat, as of March 1
As of the publishing of the March issue of the Northwatch, the limitations on combatants under the age of 18 years old are changed. This change was done and approved prior to my tenure as Earl Marshal, but was not publicized well enough and there is some confusion about the policy. Please review the updated versions of the appropriate handbooks for full details.
In summary, minors (16-18 for armored, and 14-18 for rapier) may participate in tournament and melee combat, against any adult opponent. We no longer have 'youth marshals' specifically for the task of training under 18 combatants. For armored combat, some extra armor for 16-18 is required. Please refer to the Northshield Armored Combat Handbook.
All minor combatants must have a waiver signed by a parent, as has always been required. Also, all minor combatants must have their helm/mask marked with 3" white diamonds. Visiting minors from other kingdoms can be inspected to society minimum standards, but must mark their helm/mask. The Society Earl Marshal has just issued a ruling that all minors must have helm/mask markings, as well as an indication on their authorization card. Northshield will stay with the white diamonds we have always used. If a visiting minor's home kingdom does not allow them to fight with adults, they must obtain a Northshield authorization before doing so.
Likewise, this means that minors from Northshield may participate in combat in other kingdoms which allow under 18 to participate.
Summary of rules changes and updates, as of January 1
These changes and updates are official as of the publishing of the January issue of the Northwatch. They are included in the Northshield Armored Combat Handbook. A new Society Marshals Handbook has also been released, so all marshals and combatants should read it. Really, really should!
Here are the main points recently updated:
1) Punch bucklers and thrusting shields are not allowed.
2) Fiberglass spears must be a minimum of 8 feet in length.
Marshals of the Field (MoFs) no longer need to file quarterly reports. Only Group Marshals (including Group Marshals in Training), Regional Marshals, and Deputy Marshals are required to file quarterly reports under this new system.
Update 7/6/08: All waivers must be sent to the Kingdom Minister of Waivers, a deputy to the Kingdom Seneschal. This system will no longer collect or store waivers, instead this is done by the Seneschal's office.
Minister of Waivers
Kristin Leifsdottir
waivers@northshield.org
The full address is not provided because this website is fully open to the public. Please send an email or check the Northwatch for the mailing address.
Update 11/22/08: The third radio show on the Northshield Marshallate is available for listening here on the site. Check out the Radio Shows page.
There is a lot to designing a site like this, and your patience is appreciated. Please provide feedback about things you'd like to see. I welcome your input or suggestions on further improvements. Check back soon for further updates on progress.
Gunther Kegslayer
Earl Marshal
Email: earlmarshal@northshield.org
Current Status: 07/05/08
Armored Combatants, Rapier Combatants, and Equestrian Participants should review the rosters to verify their authorizations. All participant rosters can be exported in various formats.
Tosten du Calais
Northshield Armored Combat Marshal
Email: kacm@northshield.org
Please visit the Society Earl Marshal website for the full update, but here is the summary:
1) Single handed thrusting tips may be 3/4” thick, and the diameter of the weapon, and must provide 3/8” progressive resistance.
2) Two handed thrusting tips on weapons 7.5’ or less must be 1.5” thick and 1.5” in diameter (or the diameter of the rattan, whichever is greater), and provide progressive resistance.