2.9.2007
Combat Archery – And yielding
I got a question asking my opinion on these subjects and my views on them personally and, as a new Knight forming his own household, this is my response.
Yielding is a different item than combat Archery though they are often linked.
First off, if you are a prospective squire of mine that means we’ve talked about my beliefs and philosophies. By now you should know that Combat Archery isn’t an option for you, and Yielding for any reason other than injury will need to be explained to me.
Combat Archery – The SCA is an inclusive organization, it is here it isn’t going away, we may as well accept that and move on.
Yes it is my belief that CA is an ignoble profession that is why I do not allow it of my squires.
If someone were to come to me and ask to join my household as a combat archer, that may be considered, but they would have a “rank” beneath that of the squires.
I am personally against the shafted arrows we use in the SCA as I’ve seen too many bounce back or get broken….It is my belief that we should still use golf-tube arrows. But I doubt my belief will get us anywhere, however with my opinion on that subject and $4.27 you can get a Grande White Mocha at Starbucks.
As you can tell I dislike Combat archery, as I personally believe we should focus on the romantic ideal of the middle ages, tournament and melee. But that’s not what the populace wants so Combat Archery is here.
How do you deal with archers…In the SCA some Archers are full contact, some are touch, some are non contact. The new change is that they are ALL fully armored. The only thing I can say there is try to find out what the conventions are where you are fighting (if your at a war the rules will be in the site book) and adhere to them as best as possible.
Archers the best way to avoid being struck is to not only yell “I YIELD” but to FALL TO THE GROUND DEAD. If for some reason the person chasing you doesn’t hear you yell (and I say yell mind you) “I YIELD” (it can be difficult sometimes especially if you are facing away….they are wearing a helm, and so are you) you are quite likely to take a decent smack.
Archery (target or hunting) I believe to be perfectly noble and fine pursuit. Combat Archery is one of the jobs of peasant levees in the army. – That does NOT mean that they should be ill-treated or take verbal abuse from me or mine.
No I do not agree with SCA Knights who pursue combat archery out of persona (not being something their Persona would have done). If archery is true to their time period or persona then I find it much more acceptable.
What if it is period relevant to one of my squires? IF they wish to pursue combat archery, they are more than welcome to after they leave my service as Squire, that can be by choice or by Elevation. Believe me I’d prefer it to be by Elevation.
What of others Squires who do Combat Archery, that’s an issue for them and their Peer.
Yielding – DO NOT STRIKE ANYONE WHO IS YIELDING, it is that simple it doesn’t matter if they are an archer or not. You should look at them and verbally say you accept. Most often the problem that happens is an archer may not yield until your arm is up and you are about to strike, in which case you should try to stop or pull the shot, if you are unsuccessful, simply apologize and seek them out later and explain to them why you struck them.
My personal view on Yielding: is that anyone who Yields to me is taken under my protection and custody, I usually offer them some opportunity to win back their freedom. Usually by saying to them, that they must fight for my side in the next battle, or some such similar tribute.
My main problem with Combat Archers is that they turn and flee from a fight. As fully armoured combatants, I think they should at least carry a sword and buckler, and be prepared to fight if they are engaged – that, or surrender without running. By running instead of standing their ground, they earn my contempt as a fighter; they prove to me that they are not respectful of my skill or the time I have put into fighting, and that they would not give me the honor of crossing swords with them.
I do not yield, though I will give my opponent the opportunity to do so (and would consider this an honorable option for non-fleeing CA’s). Those who yield are in my ransom, and may purchase their freedom through a small task of chivalrous service – promised service in the kitchens, or aiding another with their gear, that sort of thing.
In tourneys, if I am defeated, I like to treat it as being in ransom to my opponent. Whenever possible, I offer either some small token or gift, or a sweet song of praise sung to their consort, to show my appreciation of their prowess. Ransom is one thing we really don’t do enough of in the SCA!
+++ Like I said before Bastiano – you get it – I’d like to see a bit more ransom as well…we could use a little less sport (just a little) and a little more (just a little) history in our game. we seem to be losing the whole “honorable combat” side of things (not a reference to calibration).
By: Bastiano Francisco de Valencia on January 16, 2009
at 3:26 pm