Swearing of the Fighters After the marshal has inspected the armor and weapons, there will be a short ceremony where the fighters must swear to follow the rules of the tourney and observe the orders of the judges.  There are two sets of rules outlined here in. Swearing: Chalice Harold: "Oyez! Oyez! Now gather thee, noble lords, and hear the rules of the day, to which you will bind yourselves for the duration of this Pas.  Do you have a marshal chosen. We have, gentle herald. It pleases us to name _______________ as our Marshal. In the tradition extending to our ancestors, we charge him to watch these combats in our name and to advance the causes of chivalry and fairness above other virtues." Marshal: The Rules of the List (usually in the declaration) are announced here. "This being read, are these rules understood by all?" Fighters: Answer Yes Marshal: "Noble gentlemen, having heard these conditions, do you swear to uphold the rules and to all in your power to set aside the personal avarice of hollow victory and instead to advance the noble spirit of Chivalry?" Fighters: Answer Yes Marshal: "The Marshal also request that you ladies and gentles in the gallery, would watch over the deeds done this day, recounting the same as the feast to follow, that the glory and honor of the tournament might live on in our memory. The Company of the Grail thanks you for this and for your presence here today. We pledge for our part to bear witness to all knightly deeds and to recount them to all who would listen.”                                                            Melee Rules 1. All combatants shall bear themselves with good grace, to advance the cause of chivalry rather than the base spirit of victory. 2. There shall be no thrusts to the face, as this was not generally practiced in tournaments. 3. Each combatant shall comport themselves bearing mutual responsibility for themselves and for their opponent. The safety of your opponent is your responsibility 4. There will be no striking from behind and only single-handed swords are allowed. "Killing" from behind is expressly forbidden, as this is a cowardly act hardly appropriate for knights such as yourselves. 5. Apart from the rules above, ordinary SCA group combat rules apply. 6. When a fighter has received a good blow (to any legal target area) the fighter should acknowledge the blow by saying 'Well struck milord' or something similar. A blow to the arm or leg does not incure the loss of that limb.  After the required amount of blows have been struck the fighter must exit the list. 7. There will be a person in the list holding a piece of cloth on a stick. This person is the knight (or squire) of Honor and his job is similar to that of a marshal. If he should lower the cloth over a fighter, that fighter is under the protection of the ladies and may not be struck until the cloth is again removed (local hold). 8. The knight (or squire) of Honor may not be struck. 9. The tourney will continue until the judges signal the end of the tourney.