This webpage is intended to support the steel combat class being taught by Pete James at Kelsey Short Youth Camp at Smithville Lake located North of Kansas City, Missouri on 14th & 15th June 2003.
The details below are an explanation of the rules and common practice as applied at events organised by The Vikings.
Similar rules applied to the Hastings 2000 event and will be in place for the next major Hastings re-enactment whenever it is.
By Jim Gilbanks. Vikings Armourer and Master At Arms
1. General
a. All helmets must be of solid construction and closely resemble those in use in the British Isles and Northern Europe in the 8th-11th Century.
b. No helmet may have burred, jagged, splintered or square edges or be in an otherwise dangerous conditions
c. All helmets must comply with the safety rules outlined below and with authenticity requirements. The Lanskab Armourer, Authenticity Thegn, or Combat Training Thegn may prohibit a helmet from being used at any event. It may then be modified and re-inspected before being used again. If an RTT is not present a Drengr may be empowered to do the pre-battle weapon checks.
d. Safety gloves need to be a minimum of 6 mm thick and are essential for all warriors. A high percentage of all accident and injuries occur on the hands and fingers and wrists.