User Guide

Marshals' Manual Page 11 of 35
June 2002
4. ANNOUNCEMENT
A herald or marshal should announce how long is left until combat begins. Make this announcement
twice:
• Once at least twenty (20) minutes before the first combat is to begin, and
• Again five (5) minutes before the first combat is to begin
5. MARSHALS' MEETING
The Marshal of the Field calls together all people wishing to marshal that day, informing them of
special rules they need to be aware of or things they need to watch for. If there are multiple list fields,
the Marshal of the Field assigns marshals to the field they will run for the day.
6. STAFF
When on the field, all marshals shall have a staff that is at least six (6) feet long.
Unsheathed swords may NOT be used as marshaling staves.
7. ON-SITE INSPECTION
When the combatants arrive for the first round of combat, ask them if they have been inspected. If
not, inspect them. If the inspection fails, depending on time issues, either wait for the combatant to fix
the problem or postpone the combat until the next one is over. If the combatant cannot fix the problem
by the end of the next combat, the combatant forfeits this round. When the combatants arrive for
subsequent rounds, ask them if everything is back in place, and check for a gorget (the most
commonly forgotten item between rounds).
8. MARSHAL ASSIGNMENT
Prior to the start of combat, decide which marshal will watch blows to which combatant. Generally,
the marshal on the sword-side of a combatant will watch blows thrown to that combatants opponent.
9. TAKE POSITION
Have the combatants take opposite ends of the field and face each other.
10. ANNOUNCE ROUND
Loudly announce the round number and combatants' names. For example: "In the first round combat
on this field, Sir Trotts <point to him> will do honorable combat with Pug Dungfist" <point>.
11. SALUTES
Loudly call out the salutes. For example: "My lords, please salute the Crown, salute the lord/lady
whose favor you bear, salute your honorable opponent." (In subsequent rounds, salutes need only
be made to their opponents.)
12. BEGIN
To begin the combat, two (2) marshals shall:
• Cross staves between the fighters
• Confirm that both combatants are ready to begin
• Ask each combatant if they are ready
• Announce something like "For honor and glory, lay on!"
The marshals may move to observe the combat, but if there are four (4) corner judges, this should not
be necessary. The words "lay on" are the signal that combat is to begin. This is universal for all
manners of combat.