The rules governing how to fight
The purpose
We fence for our honour and through our art; we do not fence for victory. We display skill and uphold chivalrous conduct. The Pas d’Armes is a dignified display of our fencing proficiency, which we have acquired through training based on fight books.
A successful Pas d’Armes is characterised by dexterity, elegance and mastery of the techniques, by poise, self-control and control of the weapon – in a word: by sprezzatura.
The participants
Tenans
The Tenans (the holder) is the party issuing the challenge. The Tenans signals his readiness for the Pas d’Armes by wearing a token on his left upper arm. This token may, for example, be a coloured ribbon or cloth, or some other distinguishing mark.
Venans
The Venans (the comer) is the party who accepts the challenge. The Venans touches the Tenans’ token with their right hand. This makes the Pas d’Armes binding and it must be carried out immediately once all necessary details have been clarified.
As coloured sashes are sometimes worn at HEMA tournaments, the Tenans should be addressed accordingly in case of doubt: ‘Is the emblem you are wearing a sign that you are challenging to a Pas d’Armes?’
The Tenans should reply: ‘I am; I am ready for the Pas d’Armes’, whereupon the Venans should touch the emblem with his right hand.
Grieswart
The Grieswart is the referee. He carries a long staff with which he signals the start and end of a bout. He also interrupts a bout if a situation appears dangerous, if parts of the armour require attention, or if any other circumstance necessitates an interruption.
The Grieswart accompanies his actions with loud announcements so that both the audience, if present, and the fencers in their helmets can understand him as clearly as possible.
Warner
The Warners act as seconds to the fencers and stand by their side.
They lead the fencers onto the fencing ground.
Before and after each bout, they hold the weapons ready to hand them over and receive them.
They ensure the fencers’ safety and, for example, hand them water.
They assist on request or if they themselves notice that a suit of armour is damaged or needs adjusting. This requires a break in the bout, which they must request from the Grieswart.
If they recognise a dangerous situation – regardless of which side is involved – they may immediately interrupt the bout on their own authority.
The weapons
The weapons used by both fencers are always symmetrical; a steel weapon is never used against a wooden one, nor is a much longer weapon ever used against a much shorter one. The greatest possible similarity between the weapons is desirable, but not mandatory.
Concessions are permitted with regard to armour, as it cannot be assumed that all suits of armour are of exactly the same type or of a similar standard of quality.
Any differences should be discussed by the fencers: communication helps.
Axe
Pollaxes or battle axes approximately two metres in length are used. The shaft is made of wood, whilst the hammer head and the rear end are made of rubber or plastic. It is at the discretion of the fencers as to whether, for example, a halberd may be used against an axe.
The axe is never held in a long grip – with both hands on the rear end – for a strike or tour de bras (a steel axe should be imagined); however, sliding the shaft through the hand or shooting the point in is permitted.
Sword
The fencers agree whether to fence with swords made of steel, aluminium, wood, plastic or another material. Thin, narrow or pointed tips must be fitted with a protective cap.
Dagger
The fencers shall agree whether to fence with daggers made of steel, aluminium, wood, plastic or any other material. Thin, narrow or pointed tips must be fitted with a protective cap.
Armour
The more you have, the more you can wear. The Pas d’Armes can and should also be a visual delight.
It cannot be assumed that two harnesses are of the same standard, or that their level of protection or range of movement are even remotely similar. For example, a full suit of plate armour with mail components may be pitted against a HEMA fencing jacket and mask. In extreme cases, a fully armoured person may be fencing against someone who is completely unarmoured. Safety is – and not just here! – the top priority. This must be taken into account by agreeing in advance on the intensity at which the session will be conducted.
The fencing area
The area in which the Pas d’Armes is performed can be arranged flexibly. An area marked out by barriers is just as possible as a completely open space. The fencers agree on this between themselves.
The fencers may have a chair or other seating at the edge of the fencing area for rest periods.
The procedure for the Pas d’Armes
Once the Venans has touched the Tenans’ token, they each choose their own Warner and agree on an impartial referee to act as the Grieswart.
The standard procedure consists of three bouts, each involving one weapon and three round:
• three rounds with the axe,
• three rounds with the sword,
• three rounds with the dagger.
Other arrangements may also be agreed upon.
Chivalrous Conduct
We enter and exit the encounter with dignity. Our armour alone should ensure this. Waving weapons about, loud shouting, defiantly raising one’s fist and other inappropriate gestures are not desirable.
Under no circumstances shall the fencers debate whether a hit was correctly or incorrectly called. It is not about hits; it is about art, elegance and beauty.
Ultimately, we wish to offer an audience – whether real or imagined – the best possible demonstration of our skills in the chivalric arts.
The Rounds
Hits
Tenans and Venans agree on what counts as a hit (striking the target area, a Morschlag, a strike with the hammer or blade of the axe, immobilisation, etc.). The vulnerabilities of the respective armour are particularly decisive here. A fully enclosed plate armour provides greater protection than a HEMA jacket; lighter sports equipment causes less fatigue than a lot of steel. Agility and the size of the exposed areas should be weighed up against one another.
Throws
Tenans and Venans agree on whether throws are permitted or not.
Beginning
Tenans and Venans take their places at the respective ends of the fighting arena and may sit on a chair or other seat (if available).
The Grieswart announces the start of the bouts with the chosen weapons by calling out loudly: ‘The bouts with the axe shall begin’, etc.
The Grieswart asks the combatants to rise.
The Grieswart asks the Warners to hand over the weapons.
The Grieswart asks the fencers to exchange greetings. The speed or deliberateness with which the greeting is exchanged determines the pace of the round. Any breaches must be noted by the Grieswart, and the round must be interrupted if necessary. On the third offence, the Grieswart will put a definitive stop to the bout.
The Grieswart announces each round in a loud voice. He carries a long staff. By raising it between the duelists, he signals the start of a round.
Breaks
Between the individual weapon disciplines, there is a breather and a rest period during which the fencers are allowed to rest on their chairs (where available and if they wish). The length of the break is at the discretion of the Grieswart.
Interruptions
The Grieswart may interrupt the bout if
• armour requires maintenance,
• a weapon is damaged (for example, due to a missing guard).
After the interruption, the fencers resume from their starting positions. The bout is not considered to have ended.
The Grieswart may and should admonish the fencers for very rough or unsportsmanlike fencing and ask them to exercise restraint.
End
When the Grieswart lowers his staff between the fencers, the round is over.
A round is over when
• the Grieswart has recognised a hit,
• the Tenans and Venans have agreed that the loss of a weapon signifies the end of a bout, and a weapon has been lost or a disarming manoeuvre has taken place,
• the Grieswart recognises a dangerous situation for one or both parties,
• the Warners recognise a dangerous situation for one or both parties – as they do not have a staff, they signal this by shouting loudly,
• the Grieswart observes unsafe or sloppy fencing,
• the Grieswart notices an unclear or confusing combat situation,
• one of the fencers signals that they have received a hit (not one they have inflicted),
• one party requests the end of the round – this may be done by raising a hand or by another agreed or obvious signal.
After the three rounds with one weapon, the fencers return to their positions and hand over the relevant weapon to their Warners.
Withdrawal
Tenans and Venans may request that the Pas d’Armes be abandoned at any time without giving reasons. Whether this is due to high temperatures, circulatory failure, sudden weakness, an unspecified feeling of unease or other causes is entirely irrelevant. The request must be granted immediately.
Termination
Both the Grieswart and the Warners may terminate the Pas d’Armes if they observe a breach of the above rules. Dishonourable behaviour – even if it is merely an undignified and unfair grip on the axe – will result in the termination of the Pas d’Armes. Should there be any concerns regarding the physical (or emotional) safety of the fencers, the Pas d’Armes shall be terminated immediately. A match that is stopped may be more honourable than one carried through to an embarrassing conclusion.
Conclusion
Both the Grieswart and the Warners may terminate the Pas d’Armes if they observe a breach of the above rules. Dishonourable behaviour – even if it is merely an undignified and unfair grip on the axe – will result in the termination of the Pas d’Armes. Should there be any concerns regarding the physical (or emotional) safety of the fencers, the Pas d’Armes shall be terminated immediately. A match that is stopped may be more honourable than one carried through to an embarrassing conclusion.
We fence for our honour and through our art; we do not fence for victory.