Re-enactment Safety Rules
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH PARTICIPANT TO ENSURE SO FAR AS IS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THEMSELVES, FELLOW PARTICIPANTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGHOUT THE EVENT.
ALL PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BE AWARE THERE IS A RISK OF BODILY INJURY INVOLVED IN RE-ENACTMENT AND BY ENTERING THE BATTLEFIELD THEY ACCEPT THIS RISK
Participation
All re-enactors taking part must be part of a group invited by the Organisers of the event and have completed a registration form and provided details of their Public Liability Insurance for £5million.
Each group will nominate a captain who will take overall responsibility for their group on the field and must attend the commanders’ meeting on each day.
Captains are expected to attend the commanders’ meeting each morning and to disseminate any notices or instructions issued there.
Captains are responsible for making sure that the members of their group are equipped with the standard safety equipment for the Combat Field.
Captains are responsible for making sure that all members entering the Combat Field adhere to all the necessary Safety Rules and are well practised, safe and adequately competent to be on the battlefield.
Captains should ensure that all their combatants and non-combatants read and understand these safety rules.
Individuals must not participate in the event whilst under the influence of alcohol or any other substance that will affect their safe judgement.
Persons with relevant medical conditions shall notify the organisers prior to taking part.
All participants must ensure that they comply fully with all verbal or written instruction given by the event organisers or their representatives.
Age Restrictions
No person under 17 will be allowed on the Battlefield.
Protection
All participants on the field, including non-combatants, shall wear a metal helmet as head protection at all times.
All participants who take part in armed mock combat shall wear leather or steel gauntlets and a padded jack. They are advised to wear adequate protective clothing and are fully responsible for their own safety. Protective clothing should be worn sufficient to minimise the effect of deflections or accidental blows.
All armour must be well maintained and free from burrs or sharp edges. It should be constructed and maintained to offer minimum risk to the user and other parties.
Non-combatants on the field may wear a sash available from the event organisers. On no account should such non-combatants be engaged in mock combat. Any person new to Tewkesbury or mock combat should wear a white sash so that other combatants are aware of their lack of experience.
Weapons
Individual participants are responsible for the condition of any weapons used in mock combat or for display during the event. The weapons must be in good condition, fit for purpose and free from burrs or cracks.
Weapons for use in mock combat shall conform to the following dimension:
No edged or pointed weapon shall be used or carried in mock combat.
No mallet whose length exceeds 24inches, or any flail weapon shall be used in the battle unless with the express permission of the organisers.
The organisers reserve the right to carry out random weapons checks and to ban any weapon or equipment which they consider represents a hazard.
For any thrusts, regardless of the weapon used or armour of your opponent, the target area is between the knees and the bottom of the sternum (breastbone). Only hit armour or padding.
Swordsmen may hit use slashing blows above the ankle to below the neck only against opponents who are armoured or padded, and must be aware at all times of other participants around them to avoid hitting others on the backswing. If room is limited (i.e. within a bill press) they should limit their blows within the knee to sternum area.
All blows shall be applied with the minimum force with the safety of the adversary foremost,
Do not stab or cut at fallen opponents.
No weapon shall be thrown unless pre-arranged.
On no account shall untrained or unauthorised persons touch any gun or siege engine.
No blows to the head.
Pole Arms (This includes Bills, Spears and Pollaxes)
Hold the haft of the weapon firmly with both hands.
Do not slide the haft of the weapon through the leading hand.
Hooking the opponents’ limbs and clothing is forbidden as it can easily pull people onto other equipment.
Archery
Instructions given by captains of archers appointed by the organisers must be followed at all times
It is the responsibility of all participating archers and crossbowmen to ensure that only blunt arrows and bolts are used. All projectiles should be checked for safety before use.
Arrows and bolts will be loosed on the commands of the captains of archers and crossbowmen.
No arrow or bolt shall be loosed below an angle of forty five degrees to the horizontal.
The position of the archers in relation to the target area shall be such as to ensure that arrows do not fall outside the designated target area. Should the angle of flight become critical to the safety of any participant or member of the public then the archers taking part in that particular loose must alter the direction or angle of flight such that there is no longer a hazard.
Gunnery
Instructions given by the Master Gunner appointed by the organisers must be followed at all times
No person using powder/explosives or artillery pieces may do so without the express permission of the Master Gunner.
It is the responsibility of participants using powder/explosives or artillery pieces to ensure that they hold a valid licence for the use of these substances and/or equipment and shall produce such licence on request.
All artillery pieces must be positioned so as to minimise any risk to participants or members of the public. The person responsible for each piece will ensure that those participants using that piece are instructed in its correct use, and are aware of all safety procedures.
Marshals
Battle marshals on the field are identifiable by their staff and red sash. They carry no weapons. They are there to ensure safety, and their instructions must be followed immediately and without question.
Rope marshals patrol the pace between the two ropes. They are there to ensure that the participants and public remain separate. Their warnings about safety must be heeded and acted upon immediately.
Water carriers will be on the battlefield primarily to provide water to those who need it. They will attend to fallen troops, to provide water and to check for injuries.
First Aid
The organisers will ensure that first aid facilities are available appropriate to the needs of the numbers participating.
In the event of first aid being required by a participant, they should be assisted to the boundary rope and from there to the first aid point. Should it be felt that they should not be moved then a marshal must be informed immediately and appropriate action taken.
Fire
Participants must ensure that they do not do anything that which may create the possibility of the outbreak of fire. In the event of fire:
A Raise the alarm
B Clear the immediate area
C Arrange for the Fire Brigade to be called
D If appropriate tackle the fire. If not await the arrival of the Fire Brigade. Do not put yourself at risk.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ORGANISERS OF TEWKESBURY MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL AND THEIR APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE ANY FINAL DECISIONS ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF ALL MATTERS COVERED BY THIS DOCUMENT AND OTHER MATTERS AT THEIR DISCRETION.
Contact: Email
Address
TMF
PO BOX 147
TEWKESBURY
GL20 9AP