FRöJEL GOTLANDICA VIKING RE-ENACTMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Guidelines

• Equipment Maintenance
• Glossary
• Index

1.0 Chain of Command.

1. A Training officer of the club is subordinate to the Chief Marshall

2. The Marshals instructions on the field are to be obeyed with dispatch at all times.
1. Failure to comply with the directions of the above mentioned officers may mean the offender will be barred from further participation or another penalty may be imposed.
2. At inter club events the hosting Club Officers and the Marshall of the club are ultimately responsible for combat control.

0. Combat Control.
1. Supervised training.

1. Training of the novice by an approved Training officer, under

The supervision of the Marshall. There is no intent to land

A blow on the ‘opponent’, (eg.footwork, shield work or basic weapon

Drill),

Recommendation: Normally to be carried out at reduced pace, each sequence of attacks

and/ or parries to be practiced should be clearly indicated by verbal or physical means

to the trainee before their enactment.

2. Practice combat

1. Free-form training of a trainee by an approved Training officer

Or Marshal, using weapons approved for hand-to-hand combat.

This can evolve striking the opponent, and is to be conducted

Under the close supervision of the Marshall.

3. Individual combat

2.3.1One-to-one combat between combatants who are currently approved

as competent by the Training officer, using weapons approved for

Hand-to-hand combat. The Marshall must be aware of the bout

but need not supervise it.

4. Melee combat

1. Combat involving groups or approved combatants. At least one

Marshal must supervise the control melees.

5. Display Combat

1. Display combat is a special form of combat for display purposes

Performed by fully trained and qualified combatants.

6. A combatant may refuse to fight any other combatant without having to

Provide a reason.

7. The word ‘hold’ may be called at any display, training or combat situation.

0. Codes of Practice for Marshals of club and inter club combat.
1. Marshals

3.1.1A Senior Marshall shall be appointed by the hosting

club for inter club events. All Marshals shall be subordinate to the

Senior Marshall for Combat.

2. Each participating club may be required to provide a

Marshal.

3.1.3Marshals are to report any abuse from combatants to the Senior Marshall of The Club holding the event.

4. The Marshals rulings on the field are Law.

2. The call to ‘HOLD’

1. The word ‘hold’ may be called by any person on the field.
2. When the word ‘hold’ os called all action shall cease

immediately and the call passed on by all participants.

3. Marshals Meetings

1. Marshals shall meet with the Senior Marshall,

before the proposed combat to clarify the rules and the type of combat to be used.

4. Marshals Duties

1. Marshals are responsible for making sure all combatants are

aware of the rules of combat before they take to the field.

2. Marshals shall conduct weapon, armour and safety checks on

all combatants before the combat commences,

3.4.3During combat a Marshals duties are;

• to start combats,
• to call ‘HOLD’ for reasons of safety (EG first aid, danger to participant or observers, etc.)
• to call ‘HOLD’ if dangerous actions are taking place and intervention is required.
• to calm combatants down
• talk to combatants to modify their behaviour,
• to make combatants leave the field because of dangerous behaviour,
• to make combatants remove dangerous equipment from the field.

0. Minimum Age for Participants in Combat
1. There is no minimum age at which training may be commenced but a minimum age of 18 is set for participation in combat.

0. Combat Competence.
1. Combat competence is to be determined by the Training officer or Marshall, based on a suitable level of safety using weapons for which the person is approved, and should be subject to regular appraisal.
2. The Marshall judges a combatant’s competence with the assistance of other experienced combatants.

6.0Blows

1. General

1. All blows are to be delivered in a controlled manner with only sufficient force to be felt by an opponent without causing actual injury to the opponent.
2. No blow is ever to be delivered with full force.

2. Off Target Areas

1. In a training session or combat there must never be any intent to injure a fellow member of Fröjel or of the Tuetonic knights, a person from another club or any other individual.
2. Thrust, blows, feints of any description must not be made at anytime to the following areas;

• Face
• Groin
• Elbows
• Neck
• Kidneys
• Knees
• Spine
• Hands &
• Feet

3. If any of these blows are performed with intent, the offender will be barred from further participation at the event, suffer disciplinary action by the club committee.
4. Spearheads shall not be used above the level of the armpit.
5. Spear thrust to the shins shall be replaced by a thrust beside the shin then a sidewards cut.

3. The Effects of Legal blows in Combat.

6.3.1A legal blow to the following areas is considered to be an instant kill;

• the helm
• either shoulder,
• The torso.

6.3.2 A cut or thrust to the following areas are considered to have severed an artery and will cause death within 2 minutes

• the inside of the leg above the knee
• the inside of the arm above the elbow

3. One blow to any limb is considered to have rendered that limb totally

Useless.

4. It is the responsibility of the person giving a blow to call as it as having

been glancing. A person receiving a blow must count it as effective weather legal or not.

5. A glancing blow will not be counted as a kill or injury,

4. Shield Ramming and Charging

1. Shield charging may only be done at a maximum of a walking pace and is

Prohibited against an unaware opponent.

6.5Use of Two Handed Weapons.

1. No two handed weapon may be used one handed to strike a blow.

0. Equipment

7.1General

1. Equipment, which is visible to the public, must be historically documentable.
2. Equipment which is blatantly historically inconsistent with the overall

Presentation of a combatant must be hidden from view.

7.1.3Wquipment must not present a safety hazard to the user or other people.

7.2Inspection and Approval

All equipment is to be inspected and approved for use by a Marshall prior to being taken into the training or combat field for the first time.

7.2.2The Marshall may inspect any piece of equipment at any time.
7.2.3 A piece of equipment will be banned from use if it fails inspection.

7.3Maintenence

1. It is a combatant’s responsibility to ensure the upkeep of their own

Equipment.

Note: See Guidelines Section-Equipment Maintenance.

0. Alcohol and other performance effecting substances.

8.1No combatant shall train or enter combat while under the influence of alcohol

or other performance effecting substances (a blood alcohol level of .00)

2. A combatant found to be under the influence of alcohol or other performance

Effecting substances will be barred from further participation at the event, or suffer Disciplinary action .

0. Medical Matters.

9.1Each combatant is responsible for maintaining current tetanus immunity by obtaining booster shots at regular intervals.

2. It is recommended that each combatant has a current Hepatitis ‘B’ immunisation.
1. If a combatant has any pre-existing medical condition, which could effect safety in combat, it must be declared to the Master at Arms for Combat before commencing (HIV or infectious diseases).
2. A bleeding combatant must leave the field of combat immediately and not return until the wound is covered and the bleeding stopped.
3. First Aid Kit

9.5.1A Club MUST have a first aid kit.

9.5.2The Clubs first aid kit must be present at all training sessions, combats and displays along with a qualified first aid person.

9.5.3 The first aid person of the Club is responsible for ensuring that the kit is present and equipped and that someone is qualified in its use is present before any combat takes place.

10.0 Avenue of Appeal

11.0 Alterations to these Rules.

11.1Alterations to these rules require a meeting of the full membership of the club or clubs.

1. General Standards

1. Body armour is defined as a gambeson or other armour providing at least

• The minimum armour required t o participate in a training session is a helm, gauntlets, groin protection for males and females.

• The minimum armour required to participate in combat is a helm, body armour, gauntlets, groin protection for males and females, and breast protection for females.

• There is no minimum armour required to participate in display combat but common sense should be used,

1. Arming caps or helm padding.

2.1Pading must be a minimum of 12mm thick in its uncompressed state and must be capable of being compressed.

2.2 An arming cap or helm padding must cover the back of the head to the neck and cover the temples.

2. Breast Protection

3.1 Rigid ‘Breast Protection’ may consist of sheet leather, scale or lamellar or commercial available items.

3. Gambeson.

1. A gambeson is recommended basic armour.
2. When a gambeson is worn without other armour it must at least protect the groin area, the torso, the points of the shoulders and the armpit area.
3. A gambeson must be padded to a minimum of12mm thick on the body and 6mm on the arms in its uncompressed state and must be capable of being compressed.
4. Other padded armour must conform to the above specifications.

4. Gauntlets.

1. Mailed hand protection should consist of a leather mitten or glove extending to the wrist with mail neatly and securely fastened to the back and thumb. Padding under the mail is recommended.
2. Padded hand protection must provide at least 6mm thick padding extending over the digits, the back of the hand and the wrist.

5. Groin Protection.

7.0Helm

• General Combat

1. A helm should be deep enough to protect the temples.
2. A spun dome should be constructed in a minimum of 1.6mm mild steel.
3. A reinforced helm (with metal strapping) should be constructed of a minimum of 1.6mm mild steel.
4. Rivets should be a minimum of 2.8mm in diameter.

7.2Fastening.

1. A helm must be securely fastened by a chin strap or equivalent

1. Similar protection for the throat is recommended.

1. Mail.

1. A mailing ring should be made with a minimum 1.4mm thick spring steel but not exceeding 2.0mm with a minimum inner diameter of 6mm and a maximum of 12.0mm with the preferred inner diameter of 8mm and 1.6, thick spring steel.
2. Other sizes of mail rings may be used if documentable.
3. ???? A mail hauberk may be made of lighter rings than stated in 10.1 but must be worn in conjunction with a gambeson
4. A gambeson MUST be worn under a mail hauberk

2. Scale

1. Scale armour must be constructed of a minimum of 3mm leather or 1.2mm mild steel.
2. Thinner scales may be used provided that the scales are small in area.
3. Some scale body armour do not extend to cover all the body as required in the armour specifications. These types of armour must be supplemented to meet the required armour specifications.

10.0Shield.

1. Metal coverings with the exception of a rim and a boss are prohibited.
2. A boss is required to be a minimum of 3mm thick in mild steel.

11.0 Throat Protection.

Arms Specification

1. General Standards.

1. It is recommended that during displays the following weapons be fitted with strap;

• Sword,
• Mace, and
• Single-handed axe.

1. Two handed axes, Swords and Spears should only be used with both hands when attacking.
2. The diameter of a 1 cent piece 17mm
3. The diameter of a 2 cent piece is 21.5mm
4. The diameter of a 5-cent piece is 18mm.

1. Axe

• Single Handed.

1. The maximum head weight for a single-handed axe is 500 gram.
2. The minimum edge thickness before rounding for a single-handed axe is 3mm.
3. The maximum overall length of a single-handed axe is 60cm.
4. The minimum thickness for the blade tips is 5mm.

• Two Handed (Danish Broadaxe)

1. The maximum head weight for a two handed axe is 700 gram
2. The minimum edge thickness before rounding for a two handed axe is 3mm.
3. The maximum overall length of a two handed axe is 1.5 metres.
4. The minimum thickness for the blade tips is 10mm.

1. Dagger.

1. A dagger is a relatively small edged hand weapon not covered under sword.
2. The maximum weight for a dagger is 700 grams (with crossguard, pommel and grip).
3. The minimum edge thickness before rounding for a dagger is 2mm.
4. The minimum point for a dagger is equivalent to a 5-cent piece.
5. The maximum overall length of a dagger is 50cm.

4.1 The maximum head weight for a mace is 500 gram.

4.2 The minimum edge thickness of flanges before rounding for a mace is 3mm.

4.3 The minimum point thickness before rounding for a mace is 10mm.

5.1 State and Federal Laws governing prohibited weapons must be followed, refer to the appropriate legislation.

5.2 The use of the following weapons is prohibited as they cannot be rendered safe and are therefore likely to cause injury to the opponent:

• Weapons with a spike, fluke or other piercing blade set at right angles to the handle used for striking (eg war pick and some types of war hammer

6.0SPEAR

6.1 Head Weight.

6. 6.1.1The maximum weight for a spearhead is 800 grams.

2. The minimum point for a spearhead is equivalent to a 2-cent piece.
3. The maximum length for a single-handed spear for butt to tip is 215cm.

• SINGLE HANDER & HAND AND A HALF.

1. The minimum edge thickness before rounding for a single-handed or a hand and a half sword is 2mm.
2. The minimum point for a single-handed or a hand and a half sword is equivalent to a 5-cent piece.

• TWO HANDED

1. The maximum weight for a two handed and a hand and a half sword are 2.5kg.
2. The minimum edge thickness before rounding for a two handed or a hand and a half sword are 2mm.
3. The minimum point for a two handed or a hand and a half sword are equivalent to a five-cent piece.

1. GENERAL RULES.

1. The rules of general combat are to be followed if and when aspects of combat are not covered in this section. Where the rules do overlap these rules supersede the general combat rules.
2. Projectile combat is defined as: individual or mallee combat involving the use of approved missile weapons. It may or may not be mixed with infantry combat.

2. OF TARGET AREAS.

1. There are no illegal target areas for projectiles.

3. ARROW TEASTING.

1. Every arrow must be tested before each combat in which it is intended to be used.

The test method to be used is as follows:

1. Grasp the blunt between the thumb and forefinger of one hand and the nock between nock between the thumb and forefinger of the other hand then flex the shaft slightly and inspect it for any splintering or cracking.
2. Rotate the shaft by 120 deg and repeat the process, rotate the shaft by another 120 deg. And repeat the process again.
3. If the arrow shows any signs of splintering or other damage the arrow is to be discarded until repaired if this is possible, and is not to be carried or used in further battles.

4. .

1. Arrows, javelins, darts and rocks once used in a combat may not be picked up and reused in a combat unless directed otherwise.
2. In combat where missile re-use during combat is allowed every missile must be checked for damage immediately it is picked up. See section ‘3.0 Arrow Testing’.

5. Minimum distance

1. The minimum shooting distance for arrows and bolts is five metres.

Note : An archer may of course move away from a prospective target and so maintain the minimum shooting distance.

2. There is no minimum range set for rocks (note; the rocks referred to are specially prepared, see Arms Specification 8.1-Rocks), but they must be released from the hand.

1. If rocks are used in hand to hand combat their use must conform to the combat rules (eg. The blow must be pulled and on a legal target area).

5.2.3 MISSILE RE-USE DURING COMBAT. The minimum firing distance for a siege engine is 10 metres.

6. Blows against Missile Combatants.

1. An Archer, missile hurler, or any other missile combatant, shall be considered killed by infantry when they are touched by the combatant’s weapon. This shall be done with absolute minimum force.
2. A combatant carrying both a bow and a sword or other such weapon are considered as archers until they discard their bow and can be killed by a simple touch of a weapon (as in section 6.1).

7. The Effect of Missile Blows.

1. A hit by a missile to the following areas is an instant kill;

• The helm
• The torso

1. A hit by a missile to any limb is considered to have rendered that limb totally useless.
2. A glancing blow is counted as a ‘kill’ or an ‘injury’.
3. A hit by a missile from a siege engine anywhere on the body is an instant kill.
4. A hit by a missile on a bow renders the bow useless.

1. Proof Armour.

1. The only armour which is considered ‘proof’ against arrows or thrown rocks is the shield.
2. A shield is not proof against falling rocks or machine hurled missiles.

1. Safety.

1.1 The safety of combatants and spectators is of paramount importance.

2. Rules of Engagement.

1. All persons in the target zone must be informed before firing commences.
2. Low angle shots are to be discouraged.
3. Siege Engine Crew members must be armoured appropriately for the type of combat engaged in.
4. If Siege Engine Crew members wish to take part in combat they must be qualified to do so.

3. Other Siege Equipment.

1. The following equipment must never be used against combatants but may be used against fortifications;

• Battering ram. or
• Siege ladder.

1. Other siege equipment must conform to General Rules of Combat, 7.0 Equipment, Sections 7.1.1 and 7.1.2

1. General Standards.

1. The minimum armour required to participate in projectile combat is a helm fitted with missile proof face protection, complete neck and throat protection, body armour, gauntlets, groin protection for males, groin and breast protection for females.
2. The head and neck, down to the shoulders, must be covered in such a way that it is impossible for an arrow to penetrate through the skin.
3. Combatants must cover all bare skin to avoid minor damage from missiles.
4. Additional armour is strongly recommended.

1. Gloves.

1. The minimum hand protection required by an archer is a pair of leather

2. Neck Protection

3.2.1The back of the neck must be protected by an aventail or a thick leather coif or an arming cap.

3.2.2 If an aventail is used it must be securely attached to the visor so that they effectively become one piece.

3.2.3 A coif not to be laced to the helm.

3. Full-face Helms.

1. Helms which normally provide full face cover (eg. Barrel Helms) need only have 3.5mm woven wire mesh of 1.6mm diameter minimum or perforated plate of 16 gauge thick with holes 6mm in diameter attached to eye slits.
2. Other holes in the helm exceeding 3.5mm diameter should also be covered with woven wire mesh or perforated plate.

4. Perforated Plate.

1. The minimum specifications for perforated plate are; 16 gauge thickness, and the holes 6mm in diameter.
2. Other types of perforated plate must be tested and passed by the Sergeant at Arms before use.

5. Specific Projectile Combat Helms.

1. Throat Protection.

1. Throat protection must be worn for Projectile Combat.
2. The minimum requirement is a 3mm leather collar covering the throat area from above the larynx down to the breastbone in one continuous piece and is to be lined with a minimum of 12mm thickness of padding.
3. Mail covering the throat area from above the larynx down to the breastbone with a minimum of 12mm thickness of padding underneath is also acceptable.

1. Wooden shafts are the only acceptable type of shaft to be used.
2. The minimum arrow shaft size is 5/16 of an inch in diameter. However a shaft size of 11/32 inches in diameter is recommended.
3. The maximum length for an arrow is 28 inches measured from where the string sits in the nock to the back of the rubber blunt.

Note: Remember to take into account how much of the shaft is inside the blunt when cutting the shaft to size

4. The end of the shaft which is to be fitted into the the rubber blunt must have its edge rounded.
5. All shafts must be taped longitudinally with fibreglass tape (Scotch 898 glass fibre tape or equivalent) from the base of the fletching to the tip of the shaft.
6. All arrows should be identified with the owners personalised fletching colours (see fletching register held by the Sergeant at Arms of the Order (Melbourne, Victoria , Australia.) and initials on the shaft.
7. Each shaft must be fitted with a rubber blunt with a minimum diameter of 19mm before rounding and a minimum face of 12mm diameter after rounding. The Riverhaven rubber blunts and the HTM rubber blunts are the recommended type of blunts to be used.

1. Bows.

1. The maximum draw weight for a bow is 30 pound at 28 inches.
2. The bow must not have any slights, limb marking or any other shooting aid.

1. Rocks.

4.1 The rocks used in ‘Projectile Combat’ are made of

paper mache and have little appreciable weight.

2. Siege Engine

1. The only types of ammunition to be used in a siege

After each meeting members should check their equipment and perform

the following:

1. File out any notches and burrs in blades, repair shafts and grips.
2. Mend any damaged armour, especially mail as "mail mouth" spreads rapidly.
3. Clean and polish metal equipment with a steel wool or fine emery and protect the surface with alight coat of oil. Apply linseed oil to wooden items and remove splinters by rubbing with sandpaper. Ensure that all leather items are kept clean and dry and that items which must be kept supple are periodically rubbed down with neatsfoot oil.

Weapons must not be stuck in the ground, doing so creates the risk of

serious infection should anyone be injured by the weapon and also risks

damage to the weapon. All weapons are to kept free of rust and other

foreign matter and should be wiped down with methylated spirits

periodically.

• A cloth cap normally quilted which was worn under a coif or a helm.

• A missile weapon consisting of a wooden shaft with a pointed head which is fired from a bow.

• Neck protection which hangs down from the helm to the shoulders, usually consisting of leather or mail.

• A blade attached to a shaft at right angles used in a striking

• A stringed projectile weapon used to throw arrows. Consisting of a flexible shaft with the two ends attached to each other by string.

• An early English term for mail body armour.

• Mailed head defence which was worn by itself or under a helm, dating from the 10th Century.

• A stringed projectile weapon consisting of a bow mounted crosswise on a wooden shaft called a tiller. Used to fire missiles called prods.

• The part of the hilt set crosswise to the blade and the grip.

• Leather that has been hardened by boiling in a liquid such as oil or water.

• An edged weapon consisting of a short pointed blade and handle.

• The groove running along some of the length of the blade of an edged weapon designed to lighten it and make it more elastic.

• A defensive garment made of quilted cloth stuffed with waste material. Originally worn under the hauberk as padding. It was often the sole defensive armour for infantry.

• Hand armour, which was made of leather, leather covered with mail or scale or made completely of plate alone.

• Defensive armour for the lower legs.

• In the 11^th to the 13^th centuries a long tunic made of mail rings was used as body armour. The mail extended from the neck to the knees and was worn over a gambeson. The sleeves at first came down to the elbows but later they were extended down to the wrists and finally the mail reached over the hands to form mittens.

• Head armour, which came in a variety of materials and designs.

• The whole of the grip and the guard of a bladed weapon.

• A light spear sometimes used as a throwing weapon.

• Armour made from interlaced pieces of leather, horn or steel, usually the pieces overlapped upwards.

• A hand weapon consisting of a haft with a head which came in a variety of shapes.

• Armour made from interconnected iron rings, usually riveted (wound wire) or solid (punched) and some abutted in the East.

• An appointed person responsible for the refereeing of combat.

• A bar of iron attached to the front of a helm and extending down over the face in line with the nose, which provided facial protection.

• A short or long shafted weapon with an edge weapon attached to the head of the shaft.

• The end of the grip in swords and daggers used to give a better hold or to balance the weapon.

• A type of combat involving the use of specialised armour because of the use of projectiles, lots of fun and more historically accurate form of combat.

• Armour made from interlaced pieces of leather; horn or steel attached to a backing material, usually the pieces overlapped downwards.

• A large knife or sword with a blade having a straight back, a single cutting edge and a point of varying shape. The size varied from 30-40cm to 85-100cm in length.

• A piece of defensive armour which came in a variety o f sizes and shapes. Usually carried on the left-hand side of the body and used to deflect or absorb missiles or blows from the opponent’s weapons.

• A throwing weapon consisting of a strap of leather or fabric at the centre of which is a pouch for holding projectiles.

• A staff weapon mainly used for thrusting.

• A hafted throwing weapon consisting of a sling attached to the end of a wooden haft.

• An edged hand weapon with a long blade used for either cutting or thrusting or both.

The training officer, Always in control of training and combat .

• Defensive armour for the lower arm.