Tournament Rules, BFHS AGM 2004
Rules for an 18th-century tournament - back-sword & transitional
rapier.
The competition will be an informal and entertaining opportunity for those
present to engage in bouting with the additional excitement obtained via the
medium of competition. Mr. Lovegrove must receive the names of
entrants by the close of the
proceedings on the Saturday. Two separate competitions will run simultaneously; a back-sword
competition and a transitional rapier competition - participants may only
enter in one of these. Each competition will be run as a pool if time permits,
or as direct elimination otherwise.
Acceptable weapons
- Back-sword - a rattan cudgel, with or without hilt. These will be available
for loan if necessary.
- Rapier - any flexible blade designed for full-contact fencing. The design of
hilt is not important, and although the rules are meant to represent the use
of a transitional rapier, small-swords or earlier pattern hilts may be used.
Rules
One referee and two spotters are to be provided for each bout. The LSD and
Gloriana will provide referees.
Protective equipment to be minimum mask, jacket, cloves, codde/breast armour
for rapier, same minus jacket for cudgel. More at the participants
discretion: a gorget is strongly recommended.
Both blow and thrust to count with back-sword, thrust only with rapier, as
is appropriate to the transitional rapier.
A blow to the head or thrust to head or body to count as 3, thrusts
elsewhere or blows elsewhere with the back-sword to count as one point.
Blows to the head/face with the rapier to count as one point, blows
elsewhere with the rapier score nothing but are not prohibited and do not
halt the bout. Points are awarded against the fencer who has been struck,
and the first to receive 3 points loses. In a pool situation, the
participant with the most number of victories will win the pool, and in the
case of a tie the contestant with the fewest points received will be the
winner.
Exchanged blows/thrusts to count against both parties, the referee to have
final say on what constitutes "exchanged". A double defeat is a possibility.
Pummelling, nobbing, wrestling, striking with the foote or knee in the
coddes are all permitted unless performed with unnecessary brutality (for a
friendly contest). Referees to call halt and issue warnings if such
naughtiness is seen, 2 warnings => defeat.
A grappling to end as a draw (no points awarded) or the awarding of one
point to the most pummeled at the ref's discretion. A grappling is to be
ended after a few seconds (ref's. discretion) if no advantage is gained.
Single weapons only to be allowed.
Participants may halt the bout if they think they have been touched or a
safety problem is seen. The referee may call a halt if a touch is seen or
there is a problem with safety. Spotters are only to call halt if a safety
problem is seen.
Given that the purpose of this event is for participants and spectators to
enjoy the display of art, all participants are to relax and enjoy themselves.
Er...
That's it.
Comments should go to enquiries @ sirwilliamhope.org. Complaints should be
addressed to /dev/null @ sirwilliamhope.org.
