label or
where appropriate.
Where future changes have been proposed, this appears in a separate window with an
email link to the proposer.
Annotations are included for information purposes only and are not intended to show full or complete reasons for a change. They are based on my recollections and notes supplied by other people who were there at the time. The annotations themselves are entirely subjective, therefore in any argument about what the annotations mean, I win.
Minor variations in spelling or punctuation are not noted, except where there is a different shade of meaning.
Additions and changes from the published version at Dunghaven are shown with an
label or
where appropriate.
Where future changes have been proposed, this appears in a separate window with an
email link to the proposer.
The Glenfield rules had their own numbering sequence, by virtue of being set on a typesetting system, not a word processor. Dunghaven also has a different numbering system and introduced new sections as well. For the purposes of these annotations, rules (i) and .1 is taken as being equivalent to a), and so on. No rules are provided for the Maldon Conferences (1985 & 1989) as they were run under the NVG rules then in force.
Most of the changes made for Dunghaven have the effect of removing the concept of Marshalling and put the responsibility for managing each club in combat on the club's nominated senior combatant. The Dunghaven rules also mentioned the host club by name. I have substituted a more generic "Event Organisers" and made an annotation about the change where it occurs.
Annotations start with Castle Mountain. In Steve Hand's words, "I was at the original conference (Macquarie, 1983) and the rules as I remember them were, no face thrusts, take your blows and don't be a dickhead. They certainly weren't written down." So there you have it.
*as agreed by the meeting of combatants at the Sixth Australasian Mediaeval Conference at Cataract, NSW 1991, with amendments from Glenfield, NSW 1993, Brisbane, Queensland 1995, Geelong, Victoria 1997, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria 1999, Macksville, NSW 2001, Porepunkah, Victoria 2003, Nagambie, Victoria 2005 and Dunghaven, NSW 2007 for use at the biennial conference and other interclub events at the discretion of the host body. They evolved from the discussions started at the Macquarie Conference in 1983.
Other versions of the rules are in the order of last use:
An alternate set of rules is used by the New Varangian Guard Incorporated at their events. The NVG combat rules are found on http://www.nvg.org.au/.
An alternate set of rules is used by The Queensland Living History Federation Incorporated at their events. The QLHF combat rules are at http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Sparta/7135/guide.html.
The NAAMA Rules are used in New Zealand. The NAAMA combat rules are at http://www.medieval.co.nz/Naama/combatru.htm.
Addendum A - Guidelines for Projectile Weapons - NSW Rules
Addendum B - Guidelines for Projectile Weapons - Victorian Rules
1.1 Combat will be organised either by the Event
Organisers or as displays by individual clubs. The former is referred to as "organised
combat" and the latter as "display combat" for the purposes of these rules. "Non-organised
combat" (impromptu combat organised by individuals or clubs) may also occur and is bound
by the same rules as organised combat unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers.
1.2 These Guidelines shall be applicable to all organised and non-organised combat and all
combatant displays, unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers.
1.3 In any place where these rules are found to be either insufficient or indistinct, common sense should prevail.
2.1 Organised combat will occur only in defined areas. Each of these areas will be defined as a "field of combat".
2.2 A combatants's meeting shall be held with club training personnel prior to combat to
clarify any rules in question. The combatant representing each group will then be
responsible for answering the questions put forward by the group.
2.3 A "Combat Reporting Area" area will be set aside so that non-organised combat can be reported to and
cleared by the Event Organisers. Non-organised combat will occur only with the approval of the
Event Organisers.
3.1 Only those safe in a weapon may employ that particular weapon in combat.
3.2 Weapons will be inspected by combatants from the respective clubs and/or by the
Event Organisers before combat commences; all sharp edges, hooks, spikes and rust
must be removed.
3.3 No sharp or pointed weapons are permitted on the field of combat.
3.4 No weapon of any type, such as maces and flails, banned under state legislation
shown in Schedule 1, may be used in any capacity in any combat unless a valid permit
has been obtained and presented to the the Event Organisers for inspection.
3.5 No combatant will be admitted to the field of combat under the influence of alcohol and/or any other perception changing and/or performance enhancing drug or medication. Further, no alcohol or aforementioned drugs shall be taken prior to or during combat.
3.6 All combatants should have current tetanus and hepatitis immunity.
3.7 Any bleeding combatant must leave the field of combat immediately and not return until the wound is covered and the bleeding stopped.
3.8 No person may join a combat once that combat has commenced unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers.
3.9 No person is required to give a reason for refusing to fight any other person.
Combatants refusing to fight others have the right to leave the field of combat immediately
without being interfered with and without interfering with the combat of any other combatant
around them.
3.10 At any point during combat, any combatant may call:
"HOLD".
All combat will cease immediately and the combatants shall await instructions from the
Event Organisers.
4.1 Head combatants will be nominated by each individual club from their most experienced
members. Their power will be:
4.2 There will be a minimum of one head combatant from each individual club
for each organised combat.
4.3 All combatants will follow the instructions of the head combatant of their individual club.
The head combatants shall have complete control of their individual club members during all
organised combats.
5.1 All disputes in combat will be resolved by the combatants involved in the dispute
after combat has concluded. Discussion on any decision will
be left until after the combat.
5.2 If any of the individual combatants involved in the dispute are unable to
resolve the dispute between themselves, then any of the combatants involved
only may refer the dispute to the Head Combatants of their individual clubs
only. All such disputes referred to head combatants will be resolved by the
head combatants of the individual club only. The head combatants referred
to resolve the dispute will jointly agree whether to attempt to resolve the
dispute immediately or whether to defer the dispute resolution to a later time.
5.3 If any individual combatant involved in the dispute is not satisfied that the
dispute has been resolved fairly and satisfactorily by the head combatants of
their individual clubs they may refer the dispute to the Event
Organisers. All disputes referred to the Event Organisers will be
attended and explained by the individuals combatants involved, the head
combatants of their respective clubs and the Event Organisers only
unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers. The decisions made
by the Event Organisers will be final.
5.4 No combat shall be delayed or interfered with by any dispute between
combatants. If any dispute arises, those combatants and head combatants
involved must make sure that the dispute and its subsequent resolution does
not in any way interfere in the combat of other combatants not involved in the
dispute.
6.1 Minimum protection of a helmet and gauntlets must
be worn during organised combat.
6.2 Padding and additional protection above the minimum standard described in
6.1 (such as guards for the forearm, lower leg, elbow, knee, mouth, breast and
groin) is recommended for all combatants. Non-period protection such as
plastic-capped knee guards should be concealed beneath period clothing.
6.3 Strong footwear/boots that provide toe protection and ankle support are
recommended. Any non-period laces, straps, elastic or labels should be
concealed so that the footwear looks as authentic as is reasonably possible.
6.4 Protection is left to the participants in display combat.
6.5 For all periods of combat, armour will be assumed to protect the wearer from harm exactly
as it would in the period in which it was worn unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers.
7.1 No blows are to be aimed at or below the knees, at the groin, spine, joints or
hands, except where qualified below. No weapon may be used in a thrusting manner to the
shaded areas shown in Figure 1.
7.2 All blows connecting with opponent must be fully under control and slowed in such a way
that upon striking your opponent you will not injure them. Grappling, punching and kicking
is permitted only if blows are fully controlled and will not injur the victim.
7.3 A blow delivered to the crown of the head shall be deemed the only legal head blow.
8.1 Any combatant that receives a "killing" blow shall immediately fall to the ground and
shall not participate in further fighting for the duration of that combat.
8.2 The only exception to 8.1 is during "Resurrection" combat during which a
"killed" combatant may leave the field fully armed and armoured, report to a
"Ressurection Point" and then rejoin the combat in their own time.
8.3 Combat will be declared "Ressurection" or not prior to the commencement of that combat by the head
combatants participating or the Event Organisers.
8.4 No "dead" or "dying" combatant may be struck with any weapon.
8.5 Any legitimate blow to a limb shall be deemed as a kill, incapacity or loss of the limb,
or "no harm done" at the discression of the combatant delivering the blow. If a limb is declared
incapacitated or lost the victim combatant may continue to fight, but
should avoid using the part that has been struck.
Figure 1
Click on graphic for a larger view.
10.1 The maximum length for a spear used combat will be 3.5 metres unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers.
10.2 All weapons with metal edges shall meet the following requirements:
Please see the table in the non-annotated version of these rules for current legislation.
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Prepared by Wayne Robinson,
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