Archery & Archery Combat
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Archery is mostly
divided into two parts Target and Combat, with the most significant
difference being Target Archery uses standard points or live arrows and
Combat Archery uses blunts and the target generally shoot back. As with
any of the Society activities you participate in how much you do or how
seriously you take it will depend entirely on you, as with the other
combat forms there is an underlying concept of chivalry that provides a
guide for our behaviour.
In target archery this
can be easily seen in the system of allowing each individual to count
up and report their own score, and in combat archery where it is the
person who is struck by the arrow who determines if it should be
counted. If you have read the rattan combat page then forgive me for
repeating myself. "The SCA is not about reality
but a 60's recreation
of a victorian perception of an Authurian fantasy." I do not see anything wrong with this and if we
reject this as just a romantic folly and want to do a closer recreation
of historical
combat bear in mind the image of reality is a wonderful thing to copy
or recreate, but if you discard the key element of idealism that
permeates Victorian, Authurian and period literature then you will lose
any semblance of balance between competitiveness and for want of a
better term sporting behaviour.
With target archery it is just a matter of getting the appropriate equipment and turning up to practice or an event where archery is scheduled and following the guidance of the organisors or line marshals.
With combat archery you will need to complete some prerequisites and paperwork required by our Laws and insurance requirements before you can join in, but don't worry if it all seems a bit complicated the Marshals will be there to assist. Any of the other archers will also be happy to help you out with this.
Also if you are currently under 18 years of age, Lochac Kingdom Law dictates that you must have written permission from a parent or guardian to participate.Contact the Shire Knight Marshal prior to attending for important information about the above info
Getting
Started
Choosing
a Kit
Links
Top
Y ou
may choose to take this archery thing relatively seriously, and go to
great lengths to research
totally authentic equipment, garb and armour,
alternatively
you
may decide to get some passable kit as quickly as possible so
that you can join in the fun bit as soon as possible..... and of course
you may find yourself
somewhere in the middle. All of these are just fine,
because this is a hobby not an exam or a job, so the whole point
is to have fun,
and set your own goals.
The various bows
and missiles allowed in Society archery are a bit different to
most clubs, arrows are required to be made of wood, and you cannot use
compound bows or many of the obviously modern accessories such as
sights or compensators. So as long as your bow resembles a medieval piece we are not
concerned to much about it being fibreglass or a modern laminated bow. With most things in the Society regarding general
appearance, if it looks medieval at 10' (3m) it is
fine, and here it may be appropriate to mention that one of the
greatest strengths of the SCA lies in its ability as a community to
accept anybody who makes a reasonable effort to fit into the ambience
we try to create at events.
Both bows and crossbows are used, below we have focussed on bows but please feel free to ask for assistance if you wish to use a crossbow.
Basics for Target Archery:
Apart for an attempt at medieval garb you will need,
Bow
with string,
Six
wooden shafted, "feather" fletched - field point arrows,
Finger
tab or glove
Arm
guard.
To be
in medieval looking garb at events and some practices.
A spare bow string, more arrows, and a quiver wouldn't go amiss but they are not essential. If you are not sure ask and somebody will be happy to help, and there may even be some loaner equipment available.
Basics for Combat Archery:
Bow
30lbs at 28 inch draw
Wooden
shafted, spiral wrapped with reinforced fibre tape, arrows with SCA
approved blunts.
Helmet
with approved mesh, and a plume if you do not want to get hit by rattan
fighters.
Neck,
Groin, Elbow, Knee, & Torso armour which meets Lochac (Australian)
standards
Appropriate
footwear
In training with an experienced
person or be authorised
Both bows and crossbows are used, below we have focussed on bows but please feel free to ask for assistance if you wish to use a crossbow.
Basics for Target Archery:
Apart for an attempt at medieval garb you will need,
Bow
with string, Six
wooden shafted, "feather" fletched - field point arrows, Finger
tab or glove Arm
guard. To be
in medieval looking garb at events and some practices. A spare bow string, more arrows, and a quiver wouldn't go amiss but they are not essential. If you are not sure ask and somebody will be happy to help, and there may even be some loaner equipment available.
Basics for Combat Archery:
Bow
30lbs at 28 inch draw Wooden
shafted, spiral wrapped with reinforced fibre tape, arrows with SCA
approved blunts. Helmet
with approved mesh, and a plume if you do not want to get hit by rattan
fighters. Neck,
Groin, Elbow, Knee, & Torso armour which meets Lochac (Australian)
standards Appropriate
footwear In training with an experienced
person or be authorised For
combat your
bow must not exceed the specifications of 30lbs at 28 inch draw, and to
keep costs down many people use the same bow for target and combat
archery. Your arrows will need to meet fairly rigid guidelines which
may be found here
along with the other requirements of your equipment.
Your armour can be based on practically anything pre 1600 and known to Europe. If you are not sure where to start something along the lines of the Western European armours circa 1300 - 1400 are relatively easy to pattern or purchase and can get you into combat relatively quickly. This type of armour is relatively simple to reproduce in a basic workshop with minimal tools, you might even decide to purchase the more complex pieces such as knees, elbows or helmets and finish them up as complete armours yourself. It all depends on what you can afford the most of, time or money.
Recent rule changes regarding armour will come fully into effect as of August 2008 at which time all combatants on the field will have to wear the same minimums, so you will not have to worry to much about the difference between rattan and archery combat armour. Making armour is fun, no particular skills are require to get started, just some enthusiasm and the ability to listen. Figure out what sort of look you want, get some pictures of the way you want it to look and get yourself along to the local armouring meeting or workshop.
Your armour can be based on practically anything pre 1600 and known to Europe. If you are not sure where to start something along the lines of the Western European armours circa 1300 - 1400 are relatively easy to pattern or purchase and can get you into combat relatively quickly. This type of armour is relatively simple to reproduce in a basic workshop with minimal tools, you might even decide to purchase the more complex pieces such as knees, elbows or helmets and finish them up as complete armours yourself. It all depends on what you can afford the most of, time or money.
Recent rule changes regarding armour will come fully into effect as of August 2008 at which time all combatants on the field will have to wear the same minimums, so you will not have to worry to much about the difference between rattan and archery combat armour. Making armour is fun, no particular skills are require to get started, just some enthusiasm and the ability to listen. Figure out what sort of look you want, get some pictures of the way you want it to look and get yourself along to the local armouring meeting or workshop.
Remember if you are
going to fight in any of your armour check what you want
against the SCA rules and your Kingdoms requirements before committing
your resources. Which neatly brings us back to one of your priorities
as
a new member,
ask questions.
The Shire Knight Marshal can be contacted here to answer your questions and assist you.
The Shire Knight Marshal can be contacted here to answer your questions and assist you.