How does Ancient Re-enactment work?

[Historylover]

Ive read on a couple of reenactment websites that they say they actual 'fight' I was curious how this works? Obviously one cant stab another person or throw their Pilum at them so I was curious how you guys do it? I know with WWII WWI areas they fire blanks and have an honor system as far as who gets killed and who doesnt etc. TIA and all the best, Jon

[Hibernicus]

Legio IX Hispana (USA): many members also belong to the SCA.. we use our re-enactment segmentatas, manica, occrea, clothes...
- some have also dabbled in needlefelt.

[Neuraleanus]

does not involve fighting. We march, setup camp, and toss pila at imaginary germans. However, there is the relatively recent development of needlefelt combat. This is the use of weapons made from stiff felt on a fiberglass core. It has its pluses and minuses, it is relatively safe, but unfortunately does not feel anything like real steel. The rules for needlefelt combat are still being formulated.

[A_Volpe]

but unfortunately does not feel anything like real steel

Neuraleanus - I pretty sure what you mean is that the needlefelt gladius while being held in one's hand doesn't have the same 'feel' as a metal & wood gladius, and not by how it feels referring to it being poked into you? 8)

[Neuraleanus]

Neuraleanus - I pretty sure what you mean is that the needlefelt gladius while being held in one's hand doesn't have the same 'feel' as a metal & wood gladius, and not by how it feels referring to it being poked into you?

Well now that you mention it, right on both counts. :wink:

[Salvianus]

In Regia Anglorum we use a system of restricted targets, 'pulled' blows and blunt steel. It teaches you why mail is pants without padding.

It's a very large group, so one has to prove safety competence with officers before wielding a weapon on the field. Some duels and skirmishes are part-choreographed, others have a loose structure but some specific pre-determined outcomes (e.g. a particular historic figure must die, preferably in spectacular fashion) and others are truly competitive, subject to varied personal standards of honour and machismo.

The rules are quite sophisticated: http://members.regia.org/warrior.htm

In Comitatus, the average level of experience, familiarity with training partners and degree of supervision is high and we portray training rather than battle, so we have less rigid rules (and padded spears, though still steel spathae) and just acknowledge hits as per fencing, which is less demanding than acting out the loss of a limb.

Hope that helps.