BACKGROUND
For many years now there has been interest among the more combat orientated Re-enactment groups in establishing an Australian Circuit for Competitive combat. The purpose of this is to create a suitable environment for competition duelling to see who is the best fighter around, accross a number of combat disciplines.

APPROACHES TO COMBAT
There are many different approaches to combat in re-enactment today, including:

• the formal research and practice of historical manuscripts such as done by the Stoccata School,
• the free-form training and combat practiced by most metal weapon groups, and
• the many styles practiced with metal and rattan weapons within the SCA (refer to the 'Approved Rules for the Study and Education of Historical Combat Techniques within the SCA' )

These approaches (and everything in between) have their legitimacy and place and a competitive combat circuit will not seek to influence or impede the pursuits of each group or school. It will serve as a venue in which each approach and it's representatives may be tested on it's/their merits for fun, kudos and further learning.

For a historical perspective, the article 'Competitive Combat: Playing the Prize, A Fechtschule in late 16th-Century Germany gives a vivid account of a heated competition between fencers in the 16C. It also describes how the event was organised and controlled.

POINTS OF SIGNIFICANCE

RULES - The circuit would involve formal rules and scoring, refereeing and suitable safety standards.

RELEVANCE - The Australian circuit will aim to reflect others internationally to encourage Australian competitors to compete overseas and vice versa. There is no point setting up a crcuit in Australia that has no bearing or significance to competititve combat elsewhere in the world. Therefore, we expect to draw as much from existing circuits and events as possible to guide us.

AVAILABLE EXPERIENCE - Michael (Kiwi) Hunter, of the Order of the White Stag, ACT, succeeded at becoming the Two Handed Sword Champion at a circuit held in New Zealand. Please accept our apologies Michael (and everyone) that at this point we don't have further details about the New Zealand Comp but we'll endeavour to get information ASAP. Michael has expressed his support for establishing an Australian Circuit and his experience and advice is valuable to say the least.

We're aware that other Australian re-enactors have been involved in such things at different levels both locally and internationally. We hope to receive input from these people and we'll contact them to encourage them to be involved and to ask for their help, advice and guidance. Naturally we want to hear from anyone who is interested.

COMBAT TYPES - There are significant differences between the re-enactment combat that we are all used to and competitive combat. Safety is only one of the major differences. The article 'Classifications of Combat' by J. Christoph Amberger thoroughly discusses the differences between a number of uniquely different types of combat.

1. Combat for absolute dominion and/or survival
2. Comment combat
3. Competitive combat and
4. Theatric combat.

RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS - Armour and weapon types may restrict the type of competitive combat that can be safely attempted.

FORUM - The Circuit will not be a forum for pushing the ideas or approach of any group, school or movement. The idea is:

• Firstly - for everyone to offer their thoughts and suggestions and the benefit of their experience or acadmeic knowledge in the establishment of the circuit.
• Secondly - To agree on rules and standards that will be strictly adhered to at each tourney (but will probably be amended as required over time)
• Thirdly - Then, if you want insist that your way is best, you enter your name in the list and prove it with actions (time and again) not words.

Some significant overseas, events, combat circuits and schools of combat:
Wherever possible the austrailain circuit will draw from the knowledge and structure of existing circuits overseas.

AEMMA
The Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts or AEMMA (pronounced "ehma"), is a historical European martial arts school focused on the research, reconstruction and resurrection of authentic medieval martial arts of all fighting styles (armed, unarmed, armoured and unarmoured), firmly based on the works of the late 14th century Friulian swordsmaster by the name of Fiore dei Liberi, demonstrating the deadly practicality and effectiveness of the art as it applies to today's personal self-defense.

The International Jousting Association
The International Jousting Association (IJA) is a world wide governing body for the sport of jousting. It aims to:
- Promote the sport of jousting throughout the world.
- Promote IJA sanctioned tournaments throughout the world.
- Promote an international standard of certification in jousting and related skills
- Promote a high standard of historical accuracy.
- Promote a high level of sportsmanship.
- Promote a high standard of horse welfare.
- Promote a high standard of safety

A Proposal for Combat Standards to the IMA: - 'This proposal, prepared for the first Swordplay Symposium International, is the result of research into the diverse combat systems in use throughout the world to govern the conduct of medieval swordsmanship. An analysis was also prepared, "Tournament Formats and Combat Systems: Internationalization in the Medieval Martial Arts" that reviews this material.'

FORMAT FOR THE ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION TTHE CRUSADES 2006 (EASTER WEEKEND):

1. The round table discussion over the easter weekend seeks to gain feedback, expressions of interest and suggestions from those combatants interested in competing in the circuit.
2. The round table dicussion will have a formal presentation on the Friday with a contribution from Michael (Kiwi) Hunter (Order of the White Stag).
3. Everyone interested in competing will then have the Saturday and Sunday to discuss ideas informally.
4. Another formal round table will be convened on the Monday to progress the concept and decide on what the next actions should be.

NEXT ACTIONS:

In response to a very positive round table discussion and a series of Competitive Tourneys in the Tournament Ring over the easter weekend a number of individuals have offered to represent their groups in a working group whose objective is to have the first of the competitions running by the XIVAMC2007.

Group representatives are:
Micheal Brown - Ancient Arts Fellowship
Hugh McDonald - The Black Ravens
Dennis Nadazdy - Danelaw
Dale Thompson - Hrafnlid
Michael Hunter - Order of the White Stag
James Murray - Hafdan

If your group's representative has been ommitted or you would like to join the working party please contact Danelaw to have you name added to the list.

Michael (Kiwi) Hunter, of the Order of the White Stag has prepared, a discussion paper to help progress the development of the circuit. Please have a read and offer your feedback.

FEEDBACK and CONTRIBUTIONS:

Please send any feedback and submissions to: secretary@danelaw.org or please feel free to contribute your thoughts in the public forum of the living_history list.

TOURNEY ENTRY FORM and SCORING SHEET TEMPLATES:

Templates for Tourney Entry Forms and Scoring Sheets are available here as Excell and PDF Files.