Medieval Youth Combat

Pennsic XLVII

It was another great year of youth combat at Pennsic, with even more kids participating than last year. For more than a week straight, nearly every day had three sessions of youth combat in the morning, the afternoon, and the evening.

The Known World Baronial Youth Champions tourney was a particular highlight, with dozens of champions of youth combat representing baronies from numerous kingdoms.

And as always, the week culminated in the massive castle battle with all three age divisions fighting scenarios at the gate, sally port, and tower.

Blood And Axes

We had a pleasant meet at the recent Blood & Axes event in Northpass. Two returning fighters helped to train five newcomers who put on armor and took to the field for the first time.

Youth Throwing Hammer

Thrown weapons are not a core element of SCA youth combat, but they do have some novelty/amusement value.

Here in the East, there are basically two styles: javelins made from 3/4″ PEX with a thrusting-tip point and either fins or a pommel on the other end, or else hammers/axes made of all foam. Continue reading “Youth Throwing Hammer”

Tournament of the Daffodils

We travelled north to the Shire of Midland Vale for the Tournament of the Daffodils this weekend.

A small group of fighters warmed up with one-on-ones before an extended all-ages grand melee.

Balfar’s Challenge

Dragonship Haven hosts a wide variety of martial activities at this annual event, including youth combat. We had a mix of experienced fighters and relative newcomers in both Div II and Div III.

Photo courtesy of Sitt al-Gharb ha-niqret Khazariyya.

Mudthaw

The turnout for Mudthaw was a bit lower than last year, but we had eight kids take the field, and the smaller numbers meant it was easier for the marshals to chat with kids about technique and take occasional breaks.

Galen, a new fighter from Østgarđr’s canton of Whyt Whey, was the division II champion, and Alax was recognized for his good spirits and sense of humor.

Season Schedule

Winter is finally drawing to a close, and the outdoor fighting season is starting to come into focus.

Here are some upcoming youth combat events on our calendar:

March 24: Mudthaw (Settmour Swamp – Rosaland, NJ) First regional event of the year.

April 21: Balfar’s Challenge (Dragonship Haven – Meriden, CT)

April 28: Tournament of the Daffodils (Midland Vale – Goshen, NY)

April 29: Picnic in the Ruins (Østgarđr – Brooklyn, NY)

May 12: An Dubh–Østgarđr Challenge (An Dubhaigheainn – Middle Island, NY)

May 19: Viking Fest (Brokenbridge – Owl’s Head Park, Brooklyn, NY)

June 2: Farmingdale Demo (Lions End – Farmingdale, NY)

June 29–July 1: East Kingdom 50th (Schaghticoke, NY)

July 7: Blood and Axes (Northpass – Carmel, NY)

August 2–10: Pennsic (Slippery Rock, PA)

September 7–8: The Feast of John Barleycorn (Northpass – North Salem, NY)

September 22–23: Queens Farm Demo (Queens County Farm)

September 30: Cloisters Demo (Whyt Whey – Fort Tryon Park, Inwood)

October 20: Goat’s Tavern (Northpass – Peekskill, NY)