Marshal

A specially trained person who oversees, reports on, and encourages combat and competition activities. (The SCA's version of a referee.) Marshals must be members of the SCA.

Official Links

For the most up to date info, please see the following:

• An Tir Library - Kingdom Law - for current laws on marshallate offices
• An Tir Library - Combat Shelf - for current rules of combat, including marshallate rules and requirements

Types of Marshals

Overview as of June 2014

There are a variety of types of Marshals to cover the variety of types of activity with safety needs. A person can be warranted in more than one type of activity. This includes:

• Armored Combat Marshals (Covers heavy and combat archery, which were separate prior to Jan 2010).
• Target Archery / Thrown Weapon Marshals
• Siege Marshals
• Rapier / Cut and Thrust Marshals
• Equestrian Marshals
• Youth Armored Combat Marshals

Reporting Structure and Offices

Overview as of June 2014

In An Tir, the head Marshal is the Earl Marshal, who reports to the Society Earl Marshal. Marshals reporting to the Earl Marshal are:

• The Armored Combat Marshal (heavy)
• The Royal Archer (archery)
• The Kindom Rapier Marshal (rapier) a.k.a The Provost Marshal
• The Kingdom Equestrian Officer (equestrian)
• The Kingdom Deputy of Youth Combat (youth), a.k.a. The Youth Armored Combat Deputy

Additionally, The Warlord, The Minister of the Lists, and The Martial Authorization Officer also report to the Earl Marshal. However, none of these offices require their holders to be authorized marshals.

All Principalities and Baronies must maintain a branch Marshal by Kingdom Law. Smaller branches ( Shires, Cantons, Colleges, Ports, Strongholds) may replace the branch marshal with a herald or A&S officer, only if they have no combat activities tanking place in their branch. These marshals must send in regular reports on authorizations and fighting activity to their appropriate reporting deputy. In the Principalities those reports go the Principality officers. In the rest of An Tir there are designated Regional Marshals to handle these reports. Those individuals also help educate marshals in their area, can approve new senior marshals, and can authorize teens to participate in armored and rapier combat.

An Tir actively encourages non-fighters to become marshals. However this is not the case in all Kingdoms.

Marshals are designated as either being Junior or Senior level. Juniors must have a working knowledge of the rules for the activity they are authorizing in, and be able and willing to enforce these on the field. Senior marshals must demonstrate an extensive knowledge of the rules, and the ability to effectively manage other marshals and fighters. Only a senior marshal can authorize a fighter or another marshal. As with authorizations for fighters, a marshal’s card lasts for 4 years, except for youth armored combat which only lasts for 2 years because of the requirement for US individuals to have a background clearance. If a marshal in any discipline allows their authorization to lapse for more than 1 year then they must repeat the promotion process to prove they are still current on the rules.

Marshal in Charge (MIC) is the term used to indicate the individual in charge of fighting or other martial activities at an event. All events must have an MIC if these activities are occurring. The MIC must be a currently authorized senior marshal, except for target archery and thrown weapons where the activities can be run by a Junior marshal from that branch. After the event the MIC must send a written report to their reporting deputy. Some large events choose to appoint a Martial Activities Officer as an intermediary between the Event Steward and the MIC’s for the specific martial activities, in order to more effectively coordinate everything.

History of the Marshallate in An Tir

An Tir used to authorize individuals as Apprentice Marshals, but this was eliminated in about 2007. Other Kingdoms have different structures for authorizing marshals, giving each type different rights and responsibilities.

Combat Archery marshals used to be called Light Marshals, back when combat archers were Lights and had different armor requirements.

Specific Awards and Recognition for the Marshallate

Honored Marshal of An Tir - a yearly award given by members of the Marshallate to one of their membership.