Running Rapier Authorizations

BE CONSISTENT! For authorizations in any discipline to accurately reflect a standard of knowledge and skill it is of the utmost importance that the process be uniform throughout the kingdom. In Atlantia, to perform an authorization there must be, in addition to the individual attempting to authorize: two marshals warranted in the discipline being attempted (at least one of whom may not regularly interact with the person attempting to authorize in the discipline which that person is attempting to authorize in), an experienced fighter to usher the bout, and a MoL to handle the paperwork. Formerly authorizations were required to be preformed at official S.C.A. events, this is no longer the case. Authorizations may occur at any S.C.A. function where the requisite resources are available; events, demos, official fighter practices. In the interest of providing a consistent authorization experience, the office of the Society Earl Marshal has published an example authorization in procedure form. This document may be found in its original form at the website for the Society Earl Marshal (http://sca.org/officers/marshal/combat/armored/index.html). Below are the contents of that document altered to reflect an authorization in the discipline of Rapier in the Kingdom of Atlantia.

1. Prior to authorizing the candidate and the authorizing marshal will report to the Minister of the Lists who is administering the paperwork for the discipline related activities. All participants of the authorization must complete the requisite paperwork to actively participate in combat related activities. These include properly filed ‘Waiver for SCA Combat-Related Activities (THE WAIVER FOR SCA COMBAT-RELATED ACTIVITIES IS THE SAME AS THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP WAIVER)’ for all persons taking the field and the candidate must file the appropriate authorization forms with the M.o.L.
2. The authorizing Marshals must verify that the candidate is familiar with the Rules of the Lists, and Conventions of Combat, that govern the within the Society and specifically the Kingdom of Atlantia. This is commonly referred to as the question and answer portion of the authorization. During this portion the Marshals should be sure that the candidate is:
   • familiar with the most current edition of the rules and conventions for tournament and melee combat situations.
   • has a functioning knowledge of armor requirements
   • has a functioning knowledge of valid target areas
   • has a functioning knowledge of legal blows
3. The candidate must present himself/herself on the field in armor for inspection. The armor must be inspected on the body and must pass the current armor requirements for rapier combat. This inspection must be complete and exacting and any deficiencies must be permanently corrected before the person may authorize.
4. The experienced authorized fighter (the usher), and the candidate, shall begin armed with weapons of the class and same form. The authorization will initialize with single sword.
5. For the first few minutes of the bout for authorization, the prospective fighter and his experienced opponent shall fight at ½ to ¾ speed and verbally acknowledge all blows landed. During this phase of the authorization the marshals should get an impression of the new fighter’s style, technique, ability to call blows, and the ability to defend himself/herself. As rapier authorizations in the Kingdom of Atlantia are all inclusive, e.g. once authorized the fighter will be permitted to use all weapons forms within that weapon class, it is encouraged that the candidate and usher utilize at least one other weapon form during this portion of the authorization. If this portion of the authorization is not satisfactorily completed the authorization procedure shall be stopped. The candidate shall be told of the problems observed and instructed as to how to correct the problems.
6. If the first portion of the bout has progressed satisfactorily, then the combatants will be told to fight a list type of combat, counting blows until one is defeated. During this phase the Marshals should observe the new fighter’s control, reaction to blows, and ability to cope with pressure.
7. The attending Marshals and the authorized fighter shall confer to decide if the new fighter exhibits adequate performance in the minimum criteria for authorization listed below:
   • Does the authorizing fighter know and apply the Rules of the Lists and the Conventions of Combat?
   • Does the authorizing fighter exhibit safe behavior on the field, both for him/herself and for others?
   • How does the authorizing fighter react to pressure? Does he/she fight back, or does he/she become disoriented and confused?
   • Can the authorizing fighter defend him/herself?
   • Is the authorizing fighter able to feel and judge blows, both those received and those thrown?
8. If the Marshals and ushering fighter agree that the fighter meets these requirements for authorization, the Marshal will notify the fighter that he is authorized. The fighter and marshal will properly complete authorization forms required by M.o.L. required in addition to the previously completed Waiver for SCA Combat-Related Activities.
   • The fighter will be issued a temporary authorization card to be used until the new permanent authorization cards are received by the fighter, from the office of the Minister of the Lists.

The issued temporary card and applicable waiver must be presented to the M.o.L. by the fighter if he intends to participate in combat activities prior to receiving the permanent authorization card. The permanent cards should be received within one month. If the card is not received the fighter should contact the authorization official and forward any information or paperwork required.