More than thirteen armor-clad, shield-toting warriors met on Tuesday night by Corbett Center to fight in medieval style, proving that chivalry is not dead.
The warriors belong to “Nahrun Kabirun,” a local chapter, or “shire,” of the Society for Creative Anachronism, an international, non-profit, educational organization devoted to the study and re-creation of the fun parts of the Middle Ages.
“We’re not a re-creation group, we’re a martial arts group,” Scott Whittet, a member of Nahrun Kabirun, said. “Where else can you suit up and hit someone legally?”
The group practices two different fighting styles: heavy and rapier.
Heavy combat involves wearing reinforced armor and exchanging blows using swords made out of rattan, while the rapier style is more akin to fencing and involves the use of heavy cloth armor, a mask and a special blade, Whittet said.
The group also participates in wars with chapters from other parts of the world, such as the annual “Estrella War” in Florence, Arizona, Whittet said.
“There’s nothing like it,” Whittet said. “You are in an army of 1,000 guys fighting 1,000 others.”
During the weeklong event, chapters fight for points and capture “castles” to earn victory over other chapters and their respective kingdoms, member Russell Corvell said.
“It’s like a miniature city,” Corvell said.
Medieval combat comes along with its own unique set of rules, and heavy combat requires participants to wear at least a minimum of protective clothing, including a steel helmet, facemask, neck, elbow, kidney and hand protection, Whittet said.
Roy Conrad, a knight visiting from El Paso, said he made many parts of his uniform, including his breastplate and shield.
The society also has a ranking system. Members can be knighted after proving they are honorable, chivalrous and a good fighter, Whittet said.
“Knights choose other knights,” Whittet said. “But the crown has the ultimate decision.”
Conrad said he was knighted after five years, a feat that is almost unheard of nowadays.
“I love to fight and serve the crown,” Conrad said. “It’s something you earn every day.”
Whittet said anyone may join the group.
“It’s like paintball, only Medieval,” Corvell said. “Where else can you play ‘hero?”
Whittet, clad as a lowland Scot from the 1350s, with red boots and a green surcoat, said the organization has 50,000 members worldwide, and the Las Cruces branch has been around since the 1960s.
“It’s a full-contact sport and you shouldn’t get more than a bruise,” Whittet said. “And if you can’t take that, then you shouldn’t join.”
Tom Sandford is a news reporter and can be reached at trunews@nmsu.edu
Breakout Box
For more information:
SCA website, www.sca.org/
Chapter Web site, nahrun.outlands.org/
“Estrella War” YouTube clip, www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-Qcfrkpxyk
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