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.

Holy moly this thing still works!!!

The Elevation of Erich Hundeman to the Order of the Chivalry...

In the Society for Creative Anachronisms (SCA) we have Society wide Orders; Laurel for Arts, Pelican for Service, Master of Defense for Fencing, and Chivalry for Knighthood/Master of Arms. In a elevation ceremony here in the East, The candidate will hear affadavits from selected representatives of the Orders as well as the Ladies of the Rose (former Queens of the Society). Erich Hundeman recieved his elevation to the order of the Chivalry yesterday. I had the honor and priveledge to represent the Chivalry at his Ceremony. The following were the words I used to express myself in regards to Erich. His Majesty East Kenric, "Who claims the right to speak for this candidate Erich Hundeman from the Order of the Chivalry" "I, Tanaka Raiko The 859th Knight of the Society and the 110 Member of the Chivalry of East claim that right. Erich, I have know you for many years and through those years I was always reminded of the Seven Virtues of Bushido when thinking about you. 1. Rectitude - Conforming to the regulations and principals by adhering to what is righteous and morally right 2. Courage - is the eminence of psyche and strength of mind that make a human face obscurity and peril 3. Benevolence - is a desire to do well to others that is confounded by and act of kindness by being charitable 4. Respect is considered and a manifestation of a personal quality or ability that is wielded by honor, admiration and a high regard 5. Honesty - is the quality or fact of being truthful through an act or condition 6. Honor - a senes of loyaltyand honesty or having integrity in ones beliefs and actions 7. Loyalty - the adherence to a sovereign You Erich possess one more trait, you are the embodiment of Perserverence. You tried, and fought and tried, and fought and tried...Continually over the years to get you to this point. You are my friend. Now I get to call you my Brother. Your Excellences, Your Majesties, You Citizens of the East I cannot recommended this man any higher. He is a member of the Chivalry. " Words by yours truly, at the knighting of Erich Hundeman, at the Southern Region War Camp

Aesa's Quest - One Woman Warrior's way

Aesa is a dimiutive, yet spirited and tough young woman. She exudes energy and confidence with her ready smile and intelligent dark eyes. She asked me for a squire's belt signifying that she would be my student and my responsibility. I told her that I would put her to quest for that belt. Her quest is to fight 25 Squires and 25 Knights and ask them all what does it mean to them to be a member of the chivalry in the SCA. Simple. Straightforward. Yet, there is a profundity intrinsic to the simplicity of the quest. She and I get to learn about her and the education will also be both physical and existential concerning the Society for Creative Anachronisms. SCA's armored combat is not just for hulking muscle bound men brooding through their dark eyes and sullen brows. There are no weight classes. No gender classes. No limits. You fight to the best of your ability. The real opponent in this journey isn't Conan across the list field from you. The real opponent in this is almost always yourself. Yes, Aesa is diminutive but she approaches this quest with a sense of wonderment, grimness, audactiy and dispatch. There's more courage in her than I've seen in men 3 times her size. Female fighters are real and celebrated in these current Middle Ages. Follow her here, or at the Shire of Rusted Woodlands in the SCA