Information / Overview

General

• Showing respect to fellow event participants is crucial, particularly for a full contact martial art where there is a risk of injury.
  • Respect your partners, respect the weapons and respect yourself.
• Jokes between friends are one thing but it is important to understand where to draw the line. Anyone being disrespectful or causing discomfort or distress to another event attendee will receive one warning only. If such behaviour continues, they will be asked to leave.
• Make every effort to be on time and ready for the event to minimise disruptions to your fellow attendees. If you know in advance you are going to be late please make sure that you notify the organisers as soon as possible; likewise if you need to leave early please make sure that you notify the organisers.
• We strive to have a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our members and guests to comfortably study and a martial art. Politics and personal prejudices have no place in the class room and if your personal opinions interfere with the running of the event you will be asked to leave.
• No alcohol or non-medically required drugs are to be consumed prior to or during the lesson. If someone is suspected of being under the influence they will not be permitted to participate in any part of the event and will be asked to leave.
• Please make sure to bring all equipment required for the event with you; please also make sure that all equipment is suitable and safe for the activities being carried out.
• Our events may include photography and videography, both from individuals appointed by the organisers as well as other participants. These pictures and videos may be used for promotional purposes on websites, social media, etc.
• All attendees must be 18 years of age or older at the time of the event.

Health and Safety

• If any organiser or event attendee calls "Halt!" you should immediately stop whatever you are doing and pay attention. Likewise, if you see anything that could be a risk to anyone (such as a potential trip hazard, improperly worn safety equipment, bystander at risk, etc.) you should immediately call "Halt!" as loudly as possible.
• No alcohol or non-medically required drugs are to be consumed prior to or during the event. If an event organiser suspects someone to be under the influence, they will not be able to participate and no refund will be issued.
• If you are instructed to wear safety equipment during a particular exercise then make sure that you do so. If you do not have suitable safety equipment or what is available does not fit correctly then speak to an organiser.
• If you are borrowing kit from the organisers or any other event attendee then please make sure that you ask before taking it. It becomes your responsibility to make certain that it is looked after and returned at the end of class. If you have borrowed equipment, do not then pass it on to anyone else.
• Safety equipment is neither perfect nor infallible, it is inevitable that minor injuries can and will happen on occasion. However, control should be exercised at all times in order to minimise the severity of any such injuries.
• Anyone with any health problems and who feels they cannot participate in a particular exercise should speak to an organiser. If they are only able to participate in a limited capacity, they should also make sure that their training partners are aware.
• All participants in the event are required to have appropriate HEMA related insurance as well as equipment for use and to behave in a safe and responsible manner.
• The event organisers do not take responsibility for any injury caused during the event.

Cancellation and Refunds

• Once you have registered and paid for the event your place is secured, if you are then unable to attend then a refund cannot be guaranteed.
• The organisers reserve the right to refuse the sale of, or revoke, a ticket to any individual where this is deemed necessary for the safety, conduct, or smooth running of the event. In such an event the individual will receive a full refund.
• Please notify the organisers as soon as you are aware that you cannot attend, if sufficient notice (at least 48 hours) is given and if your spot is able to be filled with an alternative attendee then it may be possible to issue a refund.

As stated in the terms and conditions, all participants are required to have HEMA appropriate equipment for the activities they will be taking part in.

If you have any doubt or concern about a piece of equipment, please feel free to contact us for clarification.

Protective Equipment

Minimum Requirements:

• HEMA CEN Level 1 Mask (350N rated)
• Full mask overlay or back of head protector
• Padded torso protection (i.e. HEMA fencing jacket, good quality gambeson, etc.)
• Medium HEMA gloves (i.e. Red Dragons, Firestones, etc.)
• Groin protection (if appropriate*, recommended for all)
• Chest protection (if appropriate*, recommended for all)

* Use your best judgement, if you believe that this may apply to you then it probably does.

Knee, Shin, Elbow, Forearm and Throat protection is also recommended.

Weapons / Simulators

Weapon simulators should be representative of historical weapons. They do not have to represent a specific period but clearly fantasy/science fiction weapons are not appropriate and you will be asked not to use them.

Only synthetic weapons are to be used for melee activities. There will be some time for free sparring at the end of Saturday and the morning of Sunday if you wish to bring steel weapons.

Approved makes of synthetic weapons are Rawlings (Red Dragon), Black Fencer, Mac Armour and Chronocide Creations. "Cold Steel" rondels, knives and daggers are permitted but their axes and swords are not. Cap-a-pie spear heads are permitted but their poleaxes are not. Other HEMA appropriate manufacturers are likely acceptable but if in doubt, please check with an event organiser.

Bucklers and shields of all varieties are strongly encouraged for defence. If used offensively then strikes must be controlled (i.e. indicate or "place and push").

Javelins may be permitted but are subject to approval by an event organiser (if the shaft is too long or heavy then it may be limited to use as a spear). If a javelin is approved for throwing then it is also fair game for anyone (including your opponents) to pick up and throw. We take no responsibility for their loss or damage during the event.

Other HEMA appropriate synthetic weapons may be suitable but are subject to approval by an event organiser.

Extra Safety...

• Archers will be involved in some of the games. For insurance purposes only a small number of specific Academy of Steel members will act as archers. Please do not enquire about exceptions, regardless of your experience the answer will be unfortunately be "no".
• Pole weapons are to be limited to thrusting only (as if a spear), they are not to be used for cuts.
• Spears more than 6' in length must be used in two hands.
• Spears less 6' or less in length may be used in one hand (paired with a shield for example) provided the wielder shows appropriate control.
• Regardless of make, flexible/chain weapons such as flails are not permitted due to their unpredictability causing increased risk in group combat scenarios.

In some scenarios armour rules will apply.

There are two separate instances where armour applies and the rules are separate but complimentary: Head Armour and Body Armour. You can have someone wearing just Head Armour, someone wearing just Body Armour or someone wearing both.

Note: Strikes to illegal targets (e.g. back of head or groin) will never count regardless of armour, indeed, if you realise you have accidently struck an illegal then you should count this as a hit against yourself.

If you are wearing on your head distinctive “armour” it will offer some protection and the level will depend on if your vision is impaired more than a fencing mask.

Vision same as fencing mask

If you are wearing an “armour style” design overlay but your vision is the same as it would be in a regular fencing mask then only thrusts, cuts or arrows to the front of the mask (i.e. the mesh) will count as a hit. Anything not striking the mesh can be disregarded.

Example:

Note: Cobra shell and similar hard shell overlays will not count, as they are not “armour” in design.

Vision impaired

If you are wearing an “armour style” mask that has a visor impairing vision (or even just a clip on visor with regular overlay) or a style of mask with a smaller viewing window (eg Windlass helm). This will affect your field of vision compared to everyone else and therefore, for simplicity will be considered that the individual is wearing a full face helm. In these cases ANY strike to the head can be disregarded. This protection extends to the bottom of the chin. The throat and shoulders fall under “body” rules see below. No head shots of any kind will count as long as the vision is imparted.

Example:

For a visor, if the visor is down (e.g. as above) then nothing counts (even if it hits mesh below the visor as protection extends to the full mesh). If they raise the visor (e.g. below), their vision is not impaired so they become open face helms - thrusts, cuts or arrows to the mask mesh will count, but hits to helm protected areas do not.

Example:

A lot of protective HEMA gear looks armour-"ish". Therefore, to make it easier for people to know what will count as a strike, the only people deemed to be wearing any body armour are those who are wearing a clearly armour cuirass/breastplate/brigandine (hereafter referred to as breastplate). Over the top plastrons do not count, it needs to be either made of steel, or obviously based on an original armour design and intended to be worn as “armour”.

Simply: If an individual is not wearing a “breastplate”, then they are not wearing any body armour, even if it is made of steel. Therefore all strikes to the body will count.

If an individual is wearing a breastplate then they are wearing armour. Strikes made to pieces of armour will not count. However, the armour has to be either steel or based on armour patterns. Regular HEMA safety gear such as arm wraps, etc. does not count as armour. Strikes and thrusts to any unarmoured areas count as a hit, strikes to armour can be disregarded.

Chainmail will not offer any protection, only armour plate will.

Examples:

No breastplate, therefore “no armour”, all hits count.

There is a breastplate and plate armour on arms, legs and hands (clam shell gloves count as armoured gauntlets if a breastplate is worn)).

Only strikes to unarmoured areas will count.

Clarifications / Rulings

If you are uncertain please speak to an event organiser on the day for a ruling on whether or not a particular piece of protective equipment counts as armour but as a general rule of thumb:

• Are they wearing an amour breastplate?
  • No? Then no body armour counts regardless of what it looks like/is made of.
  • Yes? Then the breastplate counts as armour and additional protective equipment may count.
• Other equipment (only if they are wearing a breastplate).
  • Is it made of Steel? It almost certainly will count as armour.
  • Is it made of plastic but designed to look like armour? It probably will count as armour.
  • Is it soft protection, arm wraps or other clearly modern gear? It probably won't count as armour.

Note: Head armour is handles separately - it is possible for someone to be wearing a helmet and no body armour.

General

• Showing respect to fellow event participants is crucial, particularly for a full contact martial art where there is a risk of injury.
  • Respect your partners, respect the weapons and respect yourself.
• Jokes between friends are one thing but it is important to understand where to draw the line. Anyone being disrespectful or causing discomfort or distress to another event attendee will receive one warning only. If such behaviour continues, they will be asked to leave.
• Make every effort to be on time and ready for the event to minimise disruptions to your fellow attendees. If you know in advance you are going to be late please make sure that you notify the organisers as soon as possible; likewise if you need to leave early please make sure that you notify the organisers.
• We strive to have a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our members and guests to comfortably study and a martial art. Politics and personal prejudices have no place in the class room and if your personal opinions interfere with the running of the event you will be asked to leave.
• No alcohol or non-medically required drugs are to be consumed prior to or during the lesson. If someone is suspected of being under the influence they will not be permitted to participate in any part of the event and will be asked to leave.
• Please make sure to bring all equipment required for the event with you; please also make sure that all equipment is suitable and safe for the activities being carried out.
• Our events may include photography and videography, both from individuals appointed by the organisers as well as other participants. These pictures and videos may be used for promotional purposes on websites, social media, etc.
• All attendees must be 18 years of age or older at the time of the event.

Health and Safety

• If any organiser or event attendee calls "Halt!" you should immediately stop whatever you are doing and pay attention. Likewise, if you see anything that could be a risk to anyone (such as a potential trip hazard, improperly worn safety equipment, bystander at risk, etc.) you should immediately call "Halt!" as loudly as possible.
• No alcohol or non-medically required drugs are to be consumed prior to or during the event. If an event organiser suspects someone to be under the influence, they will not be able to participate and no refund will be issued.
• If you are instructed to wear safety equipment during a particular exercise then make sure that you do so. If you do not have suitable safety equipment or what is available does not fit correctly then speak to an organiser.
• If you are borrowing kit from the organisers or any other event attendee then please make sure that you ask before taking it. It becomes your responsibility to make certain that it is looked after and returned at the end of class. If you have borrowed equipment, do not then pass it on to anyone else.
• Safety equipment is neither perfect nor infallible, it is inevitable that minor injuries can and will happen on occasion. However, control should be exercised at all times in order to minimise the severity of any such injuries.
• Anyone with any health problems and who feels they cannot participate in a particular exercise should speak to an organiser. If they are only able to participate in a limited capacity, they should also make sure that their training partners are aware.
• All participants in the event are required to have appropriate HEMA related insurance as well as equipment for use and to behave in a safe and responsible manner.
• The event organisers do not take responsibility for any injury caused during the event.

Cancellation and Refunds

• Once you have registered and paid for the event your place is secured, if you are then unable to attend then a refund cannot be guaranteed.
• The organisers reserve the right to refuse the sale of, or revoke, a ticket to any individual where this is deemed necessary for the safety, conduct, or smooth running of the event. In such an event the individual will receive a full refund.
• Please notify the organisers as soon as you are aware that you cannot attend, if sufficient notice (at least 48 hours) is given and if your spot is able to be filled with an alternative attendee then it may be possible to issue a refund.