Rapier Marshals Handbook - Midrealm / Middle Kingdom

SECTION 3
MARSHALING GUIDELINES
Rev. 2.0
20 th of July, A.S. XXXV
1-5
1.2 RULES OF THE MIDDLE KINGDOM
1.2.1 REQUIRED READING
Rapier Fencing in the Middle Kingdom shall be conducted in accordance with these rules and the
Corporate Rules for Rapier Combat in the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (hereafter referred to as
the S.C.A., Inc). All Middle Kingdom fencers are responsible for knowing the information contained in
Sections 1 and 2 of this booklet, "The Middle Kingdom Handbook for Rapier Combat (hereafter referred
to as "The Handbook." Rapier Marshals are required to know also the information contained in Section 3.
1.2.2 MINIMUM AGE FOR PARTICIPATION
All fencers must be at least 18 years of age to be able to participate at any practice, tournament, melee or
authorization. Proof of age must be provided on the request of any marshal at any time.
1.2.3 REPORTING TO THE LIST
Before participating in any tournament, melee or authorization, a fencer must report to the List Minister
for that event, sign all appropriate waivers and forms, and show proof of membership in the S.C.A., Inc.
Currently authorized fencers, participating in any tournament, melee or authorization must also show the
List Minister a valid Middle Kingdom Rapier Fencing Authorization Card. This card must be provided by
the fencer upon the request of any marshal at any time. Membership in the S.C.A., Inc. and a valid Middle
Kingdom Rapier Fencing Authorization Card are also required for participation in demos (cards, in this
case must be shown to the Marshal-in-Charge). Visiting fencers from other kingdoms see Section 1.2.18.
1.2.4 MAINTAINING AND INSPECTING EQUIPMENT
All combatants, prior to every tournament, melee, demo or practice, shall ensure that their equipment,
gear and weapons are safe, in good working order and have been inspected (and passed) that day by either
a warranted rapier combat marshal (also called a marshal of fence or MOF) or a duly supervised rapier
combat marshal in training (MIT).
1.2.5 DRUGS, ALCOHOL OR MEDICAL IMPAIRMENT
Marshals may bar a would-be participant from martial activities if he or she appears to be adversely
affected by drugs, alcohol, or a medical impairment, under the auspices of "Rules of Lists of the S.C.A.,
Inc"--Section 1.1.3, which states that all combatants must be acceptable to the Crown or their
representatives.
Marshals are cautioned that the suspect behavior or impairment must be such that a prudent person
without applicable specialized training would have concern about the safety of the participant, the
participant's opponents, or the spectators. In the absence of such behavior or impairment, but where the
marshals have good cause to believe that a potentially unsafe condition exists, the marshals may advise
the participant on the safety and chivalry of his or her actions and try to persuade the participant to
voluntarily excuse him or herself. If that fails, the marshals may take it upon themselves to advise other
participants of the marshals' concerns and let the participants decide for themselves whether or not they
will compete with the affected party. Finally, marshals are reminded that they themselves are not
obligated to marshal any activity and may excuse themselves without penalty.
1.2.6 THE CROWN'S REPRESENTATIVE
When not otherwise directed by the Crown, the Crown's representative upon the field and in all matters
dealing with Society Combat is the Earl Marshal, and, by delegation, members of the kingdom
Marshallate.
1.2.7 OBEYING THE MARSHALS
All rapier combatants shall obey the commands of the marshals overseeing the field or be removed from
the field and subject to further disciplinary action as outlined in this Handbook.
1.2.8 REMOVAL FROM THE FIELD
Any rapier combatant may be removed from a tournament, melee, practice or demo by the Marshal-in-
Charge of that event, if the Marshal-in-Charge believes the rapier combatant's actions are unsafe or
dangerous to the combatant, other rapier combatants, the marshals, list personnel and/or the spectators.