International Medieval Seminar - Portugal - 2000

On Saturday 5th March 2000, a delegation of members from the Medieval Combat Society (MCS), also representing the Early Medieval Alliance (EMA) and a representative from Escafeld Medieval Society (EMS), sponsored by Lancaster's Armourie Limited (L/A)... set sail for Le'Harve, destined for a Medieval re-enactors seminar in Portugal. This is their report of the events in Portugal...

The Medieval seminar was hosted by the "Order of Sacred Knights of Portugal" (OCSP) at the Medieval Castle "Terena" in Portugal, and ran from the 8th March 2k to the 12th March 2k.

The following organisation representatives attended the seminar: -

Ordem da Cavalaria do Sagrado Portugal (Chivalric Order of Sacred Portugal--OCSP)

Jorge Rafael Aroujo , Master of OCSP. Also the members of the OCSP, Portugal.

The only re-enactment group in Portugal, Jorge and his fellows aim to reawaken an interest in the rich chivalric heritage of the Portugese people and to work towards medievalism in tournaments and in trade on an international scale.The OCSP is modeled on the Knights of Christ a chivalric order of Knights founded in Portugal immediately after the dissolution of the Templars in 1314.The leader of the order is Master Jorge Arujo, under him five other knights also serve the order with a number of squires and ladies also in attendance.Performing shows of medieval fighting throughout Portugal for the past eight years on both horseback and on foot the knights of the OCSP aim for authenticity while at the same time educating and stimulating interest in those watching them.

The knights of the order use steel weapons with open hit locations, the strength of the blow varying in accordance to the armour at the impact point

Company of St George (One of the many SCA units in the USA)

Brian & Ann Price, Company of St George, SCA. USA.

The Company itself, split into two groups, has approximately 50 members and 35 combatants guided by there charter, which was created to guide the conduct of companions in their quests for improvement in a chivalric sense. There are more than 23 similar companies in the US, Canada and Australia, representing something close to 400 members.The company sees the IMA as a bridge for the gulf between European and American re-enactors.The Company presented represented an introduction to "behourd" style fighting with batons which is relativley rare in Europe where steel weapons are generaly preferred. This style of fighting is practiced both within the SCA and within the tournament companies enabling harder blows to be given with hopefully less risk of injury to a wider number of target zones.(knees being the main out of bounds area, most other areas being considered valid targets)

The Company use wooden batons with very open hit locations, the fighting is fast and intense as befiits the safer nature of the weapons.

Regia Anglorum (South Wales Branch)

Mark, Igg, Squishy +1 and Mike, Members of Regia Anglorum; South Wales, GB.

Regia aim for a high level of historical accuracy based in Anglo-Saxon Britain performing aggressively all over England for the English Heritage and private sites.Regia emphasises group engagements, using steel weapons with touch-rules for strikes.The head is considered an Illegal blow but all other zones are considered valid hits. Regia members may use any weapon that has passed their safety standards which are slightly looser than some other societies due to the need to only touch hit as opposed to full or semi contact.Gloves or gauntlets are always worn for safety despite there lack of historical accuracy for the period Regia Simulates.

Regia use steel weapons with open hit locations, the head being the main exception, and are representative of mass battle and living history groups common in England.

Compagnia degli Arceri del Fiore d'Argento (Archery Company of the Silver Flower)

Fabrizio Fiori & Andrea Armieri, of gli arcieri del fiore d'argento, Bolognia, Italy.

A historical re-enacting Company is born in 1998 by initiative of a group of friends who give years to cultivate the common passion for the historical archery, fencing and traditions of Italy (and more in general European) tied to these activities. An international group perforrming in Italy, France and even England this year Who's love of archery and traditions is readily apparent.The association tries to promote the study and conservation of the historical traditions in the world of the bowyery, through contests and exhibitions, in which it stirs the respect and the love for the tradition, with the emotion and the happiness of the child kidnapped from a tale.

Primarily an archery company but using steel weapons for the fencing displays.

The Medieval Combat Society (One of the oldest societies in england est. 1970)

Roger Lankford, MCS; EMA; L/A. GB. Clive Lankford, MCS; L/A. GB.Kim Sheraton, MCS; L/A. GB.

The MCS perform full-contact demonstrations in the format of a Tournament during the reign of Edward III and encourage children to make contact with the knights and take as active a role as possible, they are also participants in many of the mass battles which occour in England. An International group they have also participated in events in the rest of Europe. The Medieval Combat Society itself has approximately 50 members and 20 combatants they are active members of the Early Medieval Alliance and the National Association of Re-Enactment Societies which between them constitute a cross section of English Re-Enactment. Combat within the MCS reflects the standards being forged in England through the NARES and the Early Medieval Alliance. Fighting is done 'full contact' to limited target zones but is unrehersed and Freeform despite the occasional predetermined victories.

The Medieval Combat Society use steel weapons with limited hit locations and are one of the few 'full contact' societies in England and the world today.

Escafeld Medieval Society (Another of Englands well established societies est. 1973)

Mark Bosson, EMS; L/A. GB.

Escafeld was originally formed in 1973. The society is based in Sheffield, England. The object of the society is to entertain the public and generate an interest in history by providing an authentic tournament set in the 13th Century. Another of Englands 'full contact' societies the combatants rely on their skill to defeat their opponents. The tournaments are staged out of doors during the summer months. A family society so all are welcome.The period chosen(1250-1300) is not well documented but over the 25 years they have been going we have done extensive research in to costume, armour and heraldry. They have advisors on all these aspects to help new members to get on their feet.

The Escaeld Medieval Society use steel weapons with limited hit locations and are one of Englands 'full contact' societies.

The Meeting

Jorge Rafael Aroujo convened and chaired the meeting in the Town Hall of the nearest Town. After the formal introductions, each Representative was asked to explain and define their particular organisations/Societies views, rules and customs relating to :-

*Health & Safety in re-enactment.

*Combat techniques, training and engagement rules.

*Armour and protection.

*Weapons definitions/classification & safety guidelines.

These subjects were discussed in depth throughout the day (the meeting over ran its allotted time). The meeting concluding - the format formulated by the EMA & NAReS "edged weapons committees" appeared to meet every members needs and was commonly agreed by the nations present (with the individual rules relating to "head strikes" being observed).

It was agreed to meet in a year to review them (EMA safety Guidelines available from Roger A Lankford, e-mail; Roger Lankford or phone (01246) 270090).

The meeting was re-convened at Castle Terena where Jorge Rafael Aroujo proposed we form a council to administer the IMA. The following council was appointed: -

Chief administrator:- Jorge Rafael Aroujo

council members:- Brian Price and Roger Lankford

Archery Master:- Fabrizio Fiori

Living History advisor:- Mike of Regia Anglorum (South Wales)

Each member present vowed to do their best to promote international medievalism in their respective countries.

Jorge Rafael Aroujo then proposed we test the safety guidelines with displays by the groups present, culminating in a joint Melee. The results were very successful... (Even with a variety of differing styles, and combatants who had never fought each other previously), the exercise gave strong indications the safety guidelines work effectively.... As they seem to do in UK.

The Seminar Closed on Sunday,...as members dispersed to their homelands, I got the distinct feeling each group sincerely felt a great deal had been achieved during the three active days, and genuinely believed in the concept of an international Medieval Alliance for trade, information, development and simple old fashion "brotherhood of fun".

We wish to offer special thanks to the members of the OCSP. They were stunning hosts who always seemed to anticipate our needs without smothering us…

22nd March 2k Roger Lankford (MCS), EMA weapons safety committee.