Frequently Asked Questions:
Most of these answers can be found in the
Society/Calontir Marshals handbooks. The Earl Marshal strongly encourages anyone
involved in SCA Combat Related Activities to read the entire handbook.
For convenience, here are some Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I become an Authorized Fighter?
First, contact your local Marshal to begin basic fighter
training at your local fighter practice. Read and become
familiar with the Rules of the List in the Marshals Handbook.
Since ability varies from person to person, there is no set
amount of time required in training before you may attempt your
authorization. However, it is a good idea to get a fair amount
of practice in first and be familiar with the safety rules and
fighting conventions before making the attempt. It is usually a
good idea to ask your local Marshal and/or local fighters if
you are ready yet. They will be a good gauge of your
skill/safety level. All fighters are required to Authorize with
Weapon and Shield as their first Authorization.
When you are ready you will need to go through the
authorization process at an event with a minimum of three
Warranted Marshals (or Reserve Marshals). Two of these marshals
need to be from outside your local group so that an unbiased
assessment may be made. Ask your local marshal and/or read the
handbook for more information.
Where do I send my Authorization form?
First, be sure to keep a copy for your records and also give a copy to your local group's Knights Marshal. Copies of the form should be sent to the Deputy for Cards:
Taiji Bataciqan-nu Ko'un Ashir
c/o Heath Clifton
5614 S walnut Hill ave
Springfield, MO 65810
[email protected]
How do I transfer my Authorizations from another kingdom?
If you have recently relocated to Calontir and wish to get a Calontir fighter's authorization card, please read the Transfer Authorization Procedure
What is an Authorized Marshal?
For mundane legal reasons, anyone who is within the
boundaries of the list ropes or on the battlefield while combat
is occurring must be authorized to do whatever they are doing
on the field, whether that be fighting, scouting or
marshalling. For that reason all marshals must go through an
authorization process during which they demonstrate an ability
and willingness to enforce the rules of SCA combat. Any one who is an authorized fighter may
become an Authorized Marshal. You do not need to be a member of
the Society, (Warranted Marshals must be SCA members)
Currently, this requires that the authorization be overseen by the Earl Marshal
or one of the Deputy Earl Marshals of the kingdom. Read about the
Marshal-In-Training (MIT)
Authorization Procedure here.
MITs and Authorized Marshals are NOT required to send Quarterly Reports to the Earl
Marshal.
*It is important to note that an Authorized Marshal can do inspections and help
marshal fighting, but they cannot run Authorizations or be the Marshal in Charge of
an event until they become warranted. Please refer to the Calontir
Marshals Handbook for more information.
The knowledge and experience of the members of the Order of
Chivalry are a valuable resource to the fighters and
marshallate of the kingdom, and as such, the Earl Marshal
hereby warrants all members of the Order of Chivalry as Reserve
Marshals.
Reserve Marshals are for all intents and purposes the same as
Authorized Marshals (See above) but they may also help run
Authorizations. However, the Marshal in Charge of the event
will still need to sign off on all Authorization forms.
Reserve Marshals are not required to send Quarterly Reports to
the Earl Marshal.
A Member of the Order of Chivalry may also wish to become a
Warranted Group Marshal or Warranted Marshal of the Field if
they desire to be the Marshal in Charge of an event.
What is a Group Knights Marshal?
The Group Knights Marshals, usually referred to as Knights
Marshals, are the real workhorses of the Marshallate. They are
the individuals with whom most people come in contact. Every
group with martial activities must have a warranted Knights
Marshal or a Knights Marshal-in-Training (Marshallate
representative) who is responsible for all such activities
within that group. The Knights Marshal is responsible for
conducting local fighting practice, demonstrations of fighting,
etc. The Knights Marshal should help in the finding of a site,
training of fighters, enforcing armor and weapon standards and
instructing the fighters in the fighting conventions of
Calontir. The Knights Marshal must make every effort to ensure
the safety of everyone participating or watching. The Knights
Marshal is also responsible for keeping of records on all
fighters of the local group.
The Knights Marshal must report Quarterly to the Earl Marshal.
Please refer to the Calontir Marshals Handbook for more information.
What is a Marshal of the Field?
Though not a requirement, Marshals of the Field are usually
individuals who have previously served as Warranted Group
Knights Marshals and are interested in continuing their work in
the Marshallate after leaving local office. Most Marshals of
the Field have considerable experience and are active in
fighting throughout the kingdom.
Marshals of the Field report directly to the Earl Marshal on a
Quarterly basis to become Warranted.
Please refer to the Calontir Marshals Handbook for more information.
How do I become a Warranted Marshal?
As with the warranting of any officer, warranted marshals must have the approval of their kingdom superior, the Earl Marshal. The process by which one becomes warranted is not short. This allows the Earl Marshal time to decide whether the individual should be warranted. The steps are as follows:
*It is important to note that only a Warranted Marshal can be Marshal in Charge of an event and sign off on Authorizations. Please refer to the Calontir Marshals Handbook for more information.
What are the Reporting Requirements for a Marshal?
All Group Marshals and Marshals of the Field are required to submit Quarterly reports to the Kingdom Earl Marshal. Failure to do so will result is loss of Marshalling privileges. Group Marshals also need to submit a copy of their reports to their local Seneschal. If your group does not have a Marshal, the Seneschal must send Quarterly Reports to the Earl Marshal. All Group Marshals and Marshals of the Field also need to complete a Group Marshal or Marshal of the Field Agreement to Serve Form (available on this site).
All reports must be legible. Submission by email is fine and
will get the quickest response.
Send a copy of the Calontir
Group Marshals Status Report Form (available on this site) to the
Deputy in Charge of Cards. Send a letter style report to the Earl
Marshal.
Marshal Reports can be entered online here Group marshals should still send the group list to the Deputy in Charge of Cards.
Reports are Due:
1st Quarter - April 15th
2nd Quarter - July 15th
3rd Quarter - October 15th
4th Quarter - January 15th
Is there an online form for reporting?
Yes, Marshal Reports can be entered online here. Group marshals should still send the group list to the Deputy in Charge of Cards.
Can I send in Reports, etc., by email?
Yes! In fact, you will get a quicker reply that way.
Do we need to sign waivers at Fighter Practice?
Yes! Any fighters who do not have a waiver on file (SCA paid
Member) will need to fill out a waiver at each fighter practice
they attend. Please see the
Society Waiver Treatise for more info.
Can a Minor participate in SCA combat?
Yes. Please read the information regarding Minors and SCA Combat Related activities here..