Andy Goddard (a.goddard@strath.ac.uk)
Wed, 13 Oct 1999 10:28:11 +0100
Stephen Hand wrote:
>...personal experience of real combat with a very
>efficient means of culling out flawed technique. To compare this to
>personal experience of re-enactors with blunt weapons fighting with no
>fear, no consequences and no martial intent is bizarre.
Stephen, I read your email, and this sort of phrase appeared on a number of
occasions. I think it's a serious point that needs addressing, as your
outright dismissal of *any* "non-manual fighting techniques" would appear
to be heavily based on these thoughts.
"No fear, no consequences, no martial intent"?
I have accidently cut myself on scalpels and Stanley knives in the past. I
know the damage that larger edged weapons can do. I've read (translated to
English) texts of Medieval fighting. I've seen (glorified? certainly
"gorified") images of fighting in Manuscripts, and the damage that can
result from this.
I have a well-developed sense of imagination, and can and do apply this to
fighting in period.
We fight with blunt weapons made of steel. We try to pull blows. We wear
armour. But we still land hits on each other. *Fear* naturally arises in
such a situation, the fear that we might cause or receive damage. That
fear, I'd argue, helps us all concentrate on what we're doing, and makes us
better for it, in terms of our accuracy of blows and parrying.
Is that fear similar to that in a real life or death fight? Naturally, I
expect it's magnitudes away, but it's still *fear of the consequences*, and
therefore the best you or I can get in the circumstances: whether I'm
facing a mate wondering what to do (drawing on experience and training), or
you're in a similar situation (relying on a manual, experience and training).
These consequences are, of course, real enough. While we might not lose a
limb or our lives in what we do - and I suspect your fighting is also bound
by rules to prevent this - I must say I'm particularly keen on keeping my
teeth, my eyes and a few other bits and pieces that I've grown fond of over
the years.
As to "no martial intent": I'm beginning to believe that you think we all
knock each other about like some Monty Python fish slapping sketch. Our
fighting *is* fighting (what else can it be called?), anything goes, albeit
without the dirty moves, headlocks, gouging and so on.
Sure that limits us. It limits you, too. But "no fear, no consequences, no
martial intent"?
Get real.
Andy
Circa 1265
Glasgow, Scotland.
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