Safety First!

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Battle practice, which I have decided to regard as weight training (since sports center membership is super expensive), started out with safety today. We were first tested by Sir Bodric on the no-hit zones. Then we armed up and warmed up in pairs with some sparing. I managed to get a few hits in today which is an improvement on last week. I was also given a little more instruction on how to fight and defend myself with a spear, which was good. Then we had safety testing with weapons. Against someone with a sword and shield, we had to get three legal, safe hits in. Having a sword coming at you is slightly terrifying, especially when the guy is yelling at the same time. That will take some getting used to. It took me a bit and I kept apologizing for hitting knees or forearms, but I finally got my three hits in. I think that a spear is rather hard to maneuver because it is so long and the angle that it has to be held at a strange angle, which is why this is my weight training. We also played the spear game. This involves a spear stuck in the ground. The two teams are both armed. I had a knife - we were short of spears. The goal is for your team to grab the spear and touch the other team's shield with it. Each team has a shield that is lying at the opposite end of practice ground. You start with a foot touching your shield and then it is basically a fight to get the spear. Being armed with a knife is pretty much useless. Spear men kept coming at me and, well, a knife just doesn't have the same reach as a spear. One time I managed to grab the spear shaft and then get in close enough for a good blow, but the rest of the times I was killed. It was interesting. Then to end, we had dying practice. Sir Bodric told us that we need to die noisily so that the person fighting next to us does not expect us to keep defending their side. So, we were hit (nicely) with a sword and got to die a very noisy death. It was great fun.
After battle practice, we headed over to Portland Building for kit making - where we make our clothing. I have finished my tunic, but we are out of linen right now so I cannot start my under tunic or hose I will be working on my cap that goes under my helmet. We do not really have shows until April so I have a while to make my kit.

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Comments

[Kell]

Whoo hoo battle!
Erin Marie, thank you! Lol... this made me laugh so much... you are my hero, and I am way jealous! Hehe, will you protect me if anybody ever tries to spear me or I become a gladiator?