Pennsic 53 General & Armored Combat Conventions

Any of the three principal Earl Marshals may designate a representative for any battle. The Marshal-in-Charge will choose an appropriate marshal to be in charge of each battle. The marshal selected to be in charge of a particular battle shall remain in charge of that battle for its entirety.

Disagreements with decisions made by any marshal or between fighters will be dealt with at a Marshals’ Review after that battle. Until the Review, the marshal’s decision will stand and be enforced. The Marshals’ Review will be prepared to address any serious problems that are brought before it from any martial activity at Pennsic. Marshals or participants can bring their concerns to the Review. The Marshals’ Review will review infractions of the rules and combat conventions. It will consist of a senior peer from each of the principal kingdoms, as well as a Presiding Marshal, all designated by the Marshal-in-Charge.

Recommendations made by the Marshals’ Review will be enforced at Pennsic and passed along to the Kingdom Earl.

Marshal of the defendant’s home kingdom. Marshals’ Review starts 15 minutes after the end of each battle in the Marshal’s Tent. Failure to appear in a Marshals’ Review after being sent to one by a marshal on the field will result in loss of fighting privileges for the remainder of Pennsic and sanctions recommended to the home kingdom’s Earl Marshal, though the Marshal in-Charge may rescind those sanctions for just cause.

No fighter or marshal, including the Royalty of the Society, having fought in a battle, will return to the field to act as a marshal for that battle.

Marshals in a battle shall be equipped with a marshal’s staff of yellow and black, a marshal’s tabard, and a
whistle. The use of armor, gauntlets, and a safety helmet is recommended. Eye protection is required in any
battle that includes combat archery or other projectiles. Acceptable forms of protection are industrial or sports safety glasses/goggles designed to withstand impact. An SCA-legal helmet for armored or rapier combat is also considered sufficient protection.

Marshals must be present during all combat activities, including tournaments. Each side in a battle shall provide a reasonable number of trained and experienced marshals. If not enough marshals are available, the sides must arrange for a draft from their armies.

Marshals have the authority and the responsibility to remove from battle any person who is violating the rules of the list. This includes, but is not limited to, non-acceptance of blows, ignoring the rules of engagement, discourteous behavior, and behavior that is dangerous to combatants. Furthermore, in resurrection battles, marshals will remove fighters who do not immediately return to their resurrection point before continuing to fight. Marshals should keep in mind that all fighters are honorable people and treat them with courtesy and patience. Remember that honest mistakes do happen. Fighters should remember that the marshals are attempting to ensure the safety of all fighters present and treat them with courtesy. Marshals shall always be obeyed during the battle.

The Marshal-in-Charge reserves the right to stop all combat activities for any safety-related reason.

All fighters who wish to participate in the battles at Pennsic War 52 must be authorized to fight. Secondary and re-authorizations may occur at Pennsic. People wishing to authorize in a primary or secondary weapons form must have a marshal from their kingdom present at Marshals’ Point, with the required paperwork for their kingdom.. Authorization bouts will be fought on the list just in front of the appropriate Marshals’ Tent during posted inspection hours only. 9-4 starting Wednesday of Peace Week. We will open at 8am Sunday and Monday.

All armored and rapier fighters, combat archers, and siege engineers should have their authorization cards, either permanent or temporary, with them at Pennsic. If you do not, we will attempt to look you up in the appropriate fighter database, but they are not always available. If you want to be sure that you will be able to fight, have your authorization card with you. Fighters may present a digital copy of their authorization card.

• This service is a privilege not a right or a guarantee a camp will be visited.
• A visit must be arranged and coordinated with the KEM and MOL of your Kingdom.
• In camp inspections will be conducted by the current KEM’s of Aethelmearc, Middle and East. They may also select a representative to act in their stead.
• These in Camp inspections will only occur The Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Peace week. Due to tight scheduling with other martial business.
• The KEM or representative will be accompanied by a MOL from their Kingdom to verify every fighter’s
  authorization status. (No paperwork, No inspection)
• Armor only will be inspected! Weapons must go to Inspection Point.
• This strict process is and will be the same for all fighters regardless of station.
• If you are inspecting multiple helmets, they all must be checked and logged.
• If there is any issue or discrepancy with your authorization card, you will need to report to Marshal point and sort it out.
• The process is a partnership with the MOL office and will be enforced to these guidelines.

• Side and top of the helm are proof against thrusts (including spear and CA)
• Death from behind and dead on the ground are NOT in use
• Butt spikes are not used on single-handed swords
• Fellwalker ammo is not to be fired from heavy crossbow
• Siege normal targeting (all shots to all legal target areas count)
• Missiles and Thrown Weapons:
  • Due to the safety limits placed on these weapons, including the low mass of the ammunition, missiles will typically strike with less force than a handheld weapon.
  • Missiles and thrown weapons do not need to strike with the same force as a handheld weapon to be an effective blow
    • You are not expected to acknowledge a blow that you are not aware has occurred
    • This does not transfer the responsibility of judging the effects of blows to the archer, as it is left to your honor as
      the combatant being struck to judge the effects
  • The effects of a blow from a missile depends on the type of munition (e.g. siege or combat archery) and where it strikes you
  • Missiles (e.g. siege munitions, arrows and bolts, and thrown weapons) are considered spent when they strike their first target, the ground or a battlefield structure.

Holds will be called whenever a question of safety or other major problem arises during a battle. Holds will be kept to a minimum to allow continuity of battles to be maintained. Marshals will signal holds with whistles and/or vocally. Fighters may call holds vocally, but only for major safety issues.

Any fighter who is found to have called a hold for strategic or tactical advantage, rather than for major safety issues, shall be removed from the field and suspended from participating in any combat or combat-related activities for the rest of the Pennsic War.

When a hold is called, all fighters should echo it. All fighting will cease, and the fighters will be asked to take a knee. Those that have demonstrable physical problems going to their knees may stand quietly and not move. All weapons will be lowered to make it easier for the marshals to find injuries. Those who having been warned still refuse to abide by this rule, whatsoever their rank, may be removed from that battle. It is the responsibility of all participants, marshals and fighters alike, to maintain safety on the field.

Talking about tactics during holds is strictly forbidden and may be cause for removal. Fighters may not change relative position except at the express orders of the marshals. Friendly conversations with and introductions to your noble opponents are highly encouraged.

ALL martial activity on ALL fields will cease if the heat index on ANY field reaches 103. The heat index will be checked at least one hour prior to every battle at the battle location. If the heat index reaches 103 prior to the battle start time then the battle is cancelled. If the heat index reaches 103 during the battle, then the Carnyx horns and air horns are sounded and the battle is concluded.

There are two options for battles that have already begun that are concluded early due to heat. First, if the battle is a simple, single War Point, then the War Point is considered null and neither side gets it. Second, if the battle is one where flags are checked at timed intervals, then the tally at the time of cancellation stands and the War Point is awarded accordingly. Battles with multiple passes, with some passes completed at the time of cancellation, will be scored as is (i.e. if two of four passes are completed at cancellation then two War Points are awarded to the winners of those passes).

No discussion or notification to the Crowns is required by the marshals: the marshals will end the battle.
Activity will resume when the heat index drops below 103 for a half hour. Only the Marshal-in-Charge can
reopen the fields.

Three marshal’s tents will be set up near the main battlefield for Inspections, Combat Archery and Marshals Meetings.

1. The Inspection Point tent is the site of all on-the-field armor, weapons, and thrown weapon inspections. Lost items left on the field will be brought to Inspection Point, and eventually, to Pennsic Lost and Found.
2. The Combat Archery tent is the site of all missile inspections and contains the box for errant arrows and bolts.
3. The Marshals’ Meeting tent is the site of the Marshals’ Review after each battle and the Marshals’ Meetings before each battle. It will be used for any marshal meetings or marshal gatherings.

Hours of operation will be from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, starting Wednesday July 30, 2025 and running daily until 15 minutes prior to the start of the last battle on Friday August 8th.

Inspection Point will remain open during battles provided there is adequate staff to run it. Otherwise the Inspection Point tent will close 20 minutes before each mass battle, and 30 minutes before the Woods Battle, to allow time for everyone to get to the Battlefield on time.

A pop-up inspection point will be open Saturday, August 2, in the Bog at the Pleasure Pavilions from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Rejected weapons and armor may be reworked and presented again for inspection. No marshal will tell an
individual to fix a piece of equipment and, at the same time, pass it assuming that the necessary changes will be made. If it is a piece of required armor, the person must be completely re-inspected, and must mention the issues raised in the previous inspection. A roster of failed inspection will be kept, and fighters being re-inspected should make sure their name is removed from it.

Armor that has passed inspection will be marked with a sticker or plastic tag placed on the right side of the helm. This sticker/tag will have the entry tag number of the inspecting marshal and the inspected fighter. Weapons will be marked in bright paint.

The inspect ion sticker and tag remain the property of the Pennsic War and may be marked through or removed during a battle as an indicator that the fighter may no longer participate in that battle. Once so marked, the fighter must present themselves at Marshals’ Re- view after the battle. The Review will decide a proper course of action, which may include issuing a replacement sticker. Fighters who refuse or do not attend the Marshals’ Review may be excluded from future Pennsic War combat and will be referred to their Kingdom Earl Marshal for further action.

All participants in combat-related activity must meet Society-minimum armor standards. All fighters will ensure that their armor meets those standards while they are fighting. The Principal Marshals reserve the right to ban any weapon, even if it would be legal in another kingdom. Any unusual or non-standard armor or weapons will be brought to the attention of the Principal Marshals before they will be allowed to be used. Decisions of the Marshal-in-Charge are final.

1. Maximum spear length is nine feet. Only pultruded fiberglass and rattan are allowed. All spears must have at least a two-inch diameter (minimum) thrusting tip. The Tip end of the shaft must be capped with a Schedule 40 PVC pipe cap or equivalent to prevent the shaft from penetrating the tip.
2. Mandrake-style rubber thrusting tips are PROHIBITED on fiberglass-shafted spears.
3. No experimental weapons.
4. No punch daggers, T-grips, shovel handles, or offensive shield bosses.
5. No passive shields are allowed; a hand must control the shield.
6. No hinged shields or flexible shields are allowed.
7. No more than one hand may be used to hold or control a shield.
8. Shields may be grounded. Only one shield per person is permitted.
9. All shields shall be edged with leather, padding, or other covering or constructed in such a way as to minimize damage to rattan weapons or other fighters.
10. Shield edges may not have flexible extensions or flaps that extend beyond the rim or edge of the shield.
11. No thrusting shields are allowed.
12. Javelins must be a minimum of three feet in length and constructed in accordance with Society standards. They may be used in any designated battles.
13. No polypropylene swords are allowed.

All armor and weapons must pass inspection before they may be used in any combat at Pennsic War 53, including battles, tournaments, or pick-up fighting. Inspections will be performed at the Inspection Point tent. You will need to prove you are an authorized fighter to get inspected. Weapons must still be inspected at the inspection point, unless a principal marshal makes an exception.

All Society-wide rules regarding combat will be enforced. Specifically, note the following rules about behavior on the field:

1. Striking an opponent with excessive force is forbidden.
2. All fighters shall obey the commands of the marshals on the field or shall be removed from the field and subject to disciplinary action. Disagreements with the marshals on the field shall be resolved at Marshals’ Review directly after each battle.
3. Each fighter shall maintain control over his or her temper at all times.
4. Upon hearing the call of “HOLD” all fighting shall IMMEDIATELY stop.
5. A fighter shall not enter the lists or participate in any form of SCA combat activity while impaired by alcohol or drugs (including, but not limited to: drugs prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider, over-the-counter medications, and illegal controlled substances.)
6. Any behavior that takes deliberate advantage of an opponent’s chivalry or safety consciousness, or that takes deliberate unfair advantage of an opponent, is prohibited.
7. A fighter shall not deliberately strike a helpless opponent.
8. Any fighter who obtains an unfair advantage by repeatedly becoming “helpless” (for example, by falling down or losing their weapon) may, after being duly warned by the marshals on the field, be forced to yield the fight at the next occurrence of such behavior. The onus of this is on the marshals, not on the opponent. However, the opponent may ask the marshals to let the fight continue.
9. Grappling, tripping, throwing, punching, kicking, and wrestling are prohibited. Contact between combatants’ bodies, shields, and weapons is expected in corps-a-corps or melee situations, as such controlled contact is allowed during these engagements.
10. Deliberately striking an opponent’s head, limbs, or body with a shield, weapon haft, or any part of the body is forbidden.
11. Grasping an opponent’s person, shield, weapon’s striking surface, or bow/crossbow is prohibited.
12. Intentionally striking an opponent outside the legal target areas is forbidden.
13. The following rules and conventions specific to Pennsic shall also be used:
14. Face thrusting shall be allowed in all battles. An acceptable thrusting blow to the face shall be a directed touch and shall be substantially lighter than a thrust to other parts of the body.
15. Combat Archery and Thrown Weapons shall be allowed in designated battles. All combat participants may be targeted and hit by missile fire from combat archers and siege engineers. In other words, archers and siege engineers do not need “eye contact” with their opponents to shoot them. Legal target areas are the same as a thrust with a hand weapon.
16. Siege engines will be allowed in designated battles.
17. No declared death from behind.
18. No thrusts are permitted to the side, back, or top of the head.
19. Striking from behind is forbidden.
20. Charges: Per Society rule, you may not, as the result of a charge, hit someone in the body with anything other than the striking or thrusting surface of your weapon. Doing so violates either point 9 above in that you are not in control or point 10 in that you may not deliberately do so. In that vein, blind charges are prohibited. You cannot run blindly at your opponent without seeing where you are going and in any sense be controlled.
21. All helms must be obviously marked on the front and back with the color denoting the side for which they fight. No fighter may change the color of his helm for the purpose of deception. Failure to mark a helmet is unchivalrous and cause for removal.
22. Except in the case of unit-on-unit engagement, no more than four fighters shall attack a single opponent. When a fighter is part of a formed unit (i.e. a shield wall) that is fighting a similar unit, he may strike and be struck by any opponent within range. If a break- through occurs, one shot delivered in passing is allowed to the fighters passing and being passed.
23. Dead combatants must immediately cease being an active combatant and indicate that they are “dead” in a manner that is both clear and safe. The best way of dying safely is left to the “dead” combatant and can change depending on the situation, but should always include calling out “good”.
    • Examples of dying clearly include:
      • Dying defensively (hiding under their shield or weapons)
      • Taking a knee
      • Giving a salute
    • Once safe the “dead” combatant shall leave the field weapon overhead. They must leave the field in a way that does not affect the ongoing combat. It is recommended that as they leave the field they call out “dead”. Dead combatants may neither hand weapons nor shout advice to the living.

1. Engagement is the process of making the combatant’s presence and intention as a martial threat known to their opponent.
2. Engagement is gained through specific action to notify an opponent of the combatant’s presence (a light tap with the weapon, shield contact, verbal warning, etc.)
3. AND the combatant has received acknowledgment that the opponent recognizes them as a martial threat before making a serious attack.
4. Combatants may not deliberately ignore attempts to engage them.
5. An opponent in a melee who is unaware of an attacking combatant’s presence is not to be struck, as the attacking combatant does not have engagement.
6. A combatant is engaged during a melee when they are part of a group or line that attacks the front of another group or line that is not currently fighting anyone until the situation changes significantly to mix the lines.
7. If a combatant or a group that the combatant is with comes up to a fight already in progress, they may NOT just join the people on their side and start swinging at the other side. They MUST GET engagement before striking a killing force blow.
8. If, after hitting a person, they say they did not know the combatant was there and they did not think they were engaged, it is the polite and proper thing to treat this situation just as if someone called a blow light or glance.
9. An opponent, by not taking a blow because of lack of engagement, has now acknowledged the combatant as a martial threat, and so they are now engaged.
10. Combat Archers and Siege Engineers are considered to be engaged with all combatants on the battlefield.
11. Striking in the back
    • “Wrap” shots – shots thrown from the front hemisphere of an engaged opponent striking them in the back – are always legal.
    • Combatants may strike a person in the back when they, while fighting the combatant and thus engaged with them, turns and flees. The combatant has until they get out of weapons range to strike them.
    • Combatants may pursue their opponent and as long as they never get out of the combatant’s weapon range, they may strike them. Once they do get outside weapon range, they must re-engage them if they catch back up to them.
    • Combatants may strike a person in the back when they pass through their group or line at the initial point of engagement. The combatant may use a back hand or wrap as they pass or turn and strike them. The combatant gets one attempt and may not pursue the opponent.
12. Four on One (4 on 1) –  there may be no more than 4 attackers on 1 combatant, except when lines are
    engaged.