Comments on: Combat Archery and Yielding http://ulrichvb.com It is a better choice than doing nothing. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:22:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Bastiano Francisco de Valencia http://ulrichvb.com/sca-ramblings/combat-archery-and-yielding/#comment-638 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:26:58 +0000 http://ulrichvb.wordpress.com/sca-ramblings/combat-archery-and-yielding/#comment-638 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).

]]>