Novice Day, The concept behind the event.

Everyone who comes to a group is the new kid in town once. In sword fighting and fencing, we host tourneys for those new people In the Shire of Rusted Woodlands, we host the East Kingdom's tournament to celebrate those people. In terms of the Marshallate of the Kingdom of the East, we consider someone a "Novice" for 2 years from the date of their authorization. So armored combat fighters may compete in a double elimination tourney to win the honor to carry the Novitus Gladi, The New Sword, and have their name engraved on the blade next to the other winners. Historically, the winner also gets a prize helm and a scroll.

Not to be out down the Novice fencers will also compete in a tourney for similar prizes. So it's sword fighting and fencing during the day. There will be many different weapon forms being wielded; sword and shield, greatsword, polearms, two swords on the armored combat side. The Period Fencers can wield, single rapier, case of Rapiers (dual wielded), Rapier and dagger, rapier and rigid parry device, Rapier and flexible parry device, and two-handed sword.

The concept as extended to include an Arts and Sciences tourney, an Archery Tourney, and a Thrown weapons tourney. Pomp and circumstance are encouraged, this is a showcase for the Society also. If you're in the Tappan NY area on July 20th you're welcome to come out and see what we're all about.

Period Fencing in The Shire of Rusted Woodlands Thursday Fight Practice

In the Society for Creative Anachronisms one of the martial activities is Period Fencing. Weapons are steel and the armor is layers of cloth or chainmail. Three Weapon Masks are the norm with bag of head covering. Blows are either cuts or thrusts. There are several different weapon authorizations: Single Rapier, Case of Rapier (dual wielding), Rapier and dagger, Rapier and rigid parry, Rapier and flexible parry, and two handed sword. Typically the action is fast and highly competitive. There are no gender, age, nor weight classes for combat. At the Shire of Rusted Woodlands Period fencing classes a premium is placed on drilling footwork, bladework and combining the two attributes to make you a better fencer. You don't have to be a member to take classes or participate, loaner armor is available. If you're looking to try something different, go to the Shire of Rusted Woodlands Thursday Fight Practice. Practice starts at 8:00pm and runs to 11:00pm it's located at 452 Lafayette Ave, Hawthorne, NJ 07506, make sure you go to the downstairs door in the front of the building. See you out there

The Shire of Rusted Woodlands Thursday Night Practice

What up with The Shire of Rusted Woodlands Thursday Night Practice? Well there's the name change from "The shire of Rusted Woodlands Thursday Night Heavy Weapons Practice" to its current iteration. Why? The Shire saw the need for and acted upon hosting a Fencing practice at the Hawthorne Site. Sir Arne Ulrickson has taken the helm as the Armored Combat MIC (Marshal in Charge), while Sir Tanaka Raiko leads the Period Fencing activities, having recently attained his Fencing Marshallate at this most recent Birka. Happening on Thursday Nights starting at 8PM til 11:00 PM it's a great practice for new and seasoned fighter alike. https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Shire+of+Rusted+Woodlands+Fight+Practice/@40.9541255,-74.1577535,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c2fdebeb516f7d:0xe5facda73805884f!8m2!3d40.9535968!4d-74.1556066?hl=en If you have questions or would like more details please reach out to 845-545-5274

Sterling Delarosa is knighted.

Sterling Delarosa was one of the most beloved unbelted fighters in the kingdom of the East. A consistent fixture on the unbelted teams at the Pennsic War, a fencing champion for his local group. Sterling is known for his Chivalry, Prowess, Generous nature, and sense of humor. He has been a favorite of the martial set of Rusted Woodlands even though he had to travel 2 hours one way to get to our practices. He was elevated to the Order of the Chivalry on March 30th at the event Muddthaw.