Uniforms?

Ah uniforms…our goal of taking some new promotional photos has me thinking about them again. I’m on the record as being opposed to requiring them in the IDC and I’m not likely to change that stance at the moment. However, I’ve been thinking about them a fair bit recently. For the most part this is just a theoretical exercise…and I thought I’d share.

From where I stand, there are only two types of uniform that are appropriate for HEMA and HEMA practitioners: the first is modern fencing style, and the second is a traditional or historical style. Both are distinctly European in appearance and both are perfectly adapted for the activity in question.

Personally, I rather like both styles, however I feel that it is important to distinguish students of Historical European Martial Arts from reenactors, and other related groups in the eyes of the public. I am intensely aware of the origins of our arts, and wish to pay homage to that. That said however, I’d rather we in the IDC didn’t look like the ARMA folks.

If we were to utilize a uniform, we would need something that is truly uniform, allows for good motion and doesn’t impede martial intent, it must be serviceable and durable, it must be cost effective, it will let others take us seriously, and yet still pays tribute to the culture that generated these arts. Striking this balance can be difficult, but potentially it could be worth the effort.

As I’ve said before in other articles, while the intentions may be good when one uses historical or historically derivative uniforms, the fact remains that everyone will see you as anything other than a serious martial artist. What's often being used now (sweats, a T-shirt, sports clothes, etc.) are inadequate if only in a promotional sense.

Sports clothes have served those who use them quite adequately, but they clearly do not look like a uniform and neither do they demonstrate a link to the period we are training in to members of the public. If I watch eastern martial artists training in their uniforms I have visual clues to aid my understanding of what I’m seeing, unlike a MOP viewing myself training in my current kit.

My personal preference is for something just a bit more historical, with perhaps some concession to comfort and modern technology. To expand my earlier key points on uniforms, they should be:

1. Functional/durable

2. Athletic appearance

3. Features an homage to historical dress

4. Low cost

5. Suitability for public use (i.e. would you wear it to the pub?)

For everyday training in class, a "practice uniform" could consist of the following:

Shoes should be comfortable athletic shoes-- trainers, fencing shoes, or equivalent.

Trousers should be basic black--any sort of athletic or workout pants (i.e., combat trousers, jogging pants, etc...)

A club T-shirt should be worn at practice.

However, this "practice uniform" doesn’t meet all of my criteria. It lacks any martial connection (east or west), and would require additional elements to be added for some levels of sparring.

The simplest solution to this is, I believe, the use of a traditional fencing uniform. The uniform itself would aid the casual onlooker in, at least, recognizing what they are seeing as a martial activity. The uniform with its unique jacket and breeches is in itself a nod to the past and the proud history of fencing in European culture.

A related point to this topic is protective gear for sparring, and to that end I think that again the fencing uniform fills that area more than adequately. In addition to their intended protection against cuts and punctures, master’s jackets are frequently padded and most jackets could have padding added.

Ultimately if we were to utilize a uniform, this would fulfil our need for something that is truly uniform, it allows for good motion, it doesn’t impede martial intent, it has been shown to be serviceable and durable, cost effective, it is a taken seriously by other parties, and is a clear nod to a rich martial tradition.

Further thoughts on Prizing and Ranks

If you play for a prize, as we have already discussed, what happens if you win? Well, to be fair not much in the IDC...what will happen is that the group will know that you are capable of challenging the crew and holding the field against all comers. For that you will be awarded a length of ribbon that you can attach to your gear to mark your success.

Number of prizes played:
single prizes = white
multiples of five = black
multiples of ten = green

On this theme, winning an IDC tourney:
single wins = purple

Finally, if you fight a Martial Challenge you can add a red ribbon.

Thoughts on Prizing, Ranks, and Tournaments:

After following several threads on various HEMA forums (http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14518
http://www.wmacoalition.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=319), I’ve been thinking that I ought to clarify my position on some of these topics and share them with the rest of you.

First off ranks, well I’ve never liked them. Secondly, there is scant historical documentation for their use in fencing guilds and schools. Third, who am I to be giving out ranks anyway? Finally, we are as our name suggests a collective and as such a rigid ranking system is, I feel, inconsistent with the ethos of our group. However, it is worth noting that an unofficial system already exists and I think ought to continue. In this group your skill and knowledge speak volumes, the more of these you have or develop…the more responsible your position within the group becomes.

Next, prizing. For those who are unaware of the practice, it is essentially a challenge by a student to face the schools other students and/or any others willing to fight them. The “prize” in this is varied, either it is the acclaim of the school, or it is an increase in rank, or something else. Ultimately the reason for prizing within a group such as ours is to demonstrate the skill of the group and the individual. Therefore, I intend to encourage you all to issue a challenge to the group to “play for the Prize”. That however leads us to a dilemma, what to use as the “prize”? After a discussion with others last night I think I have hit upon a solution. First though I must say this: we have no formal ranking system…some of you will want one and others will not. Prizing then will function as a ranking system that anyone may opt into, or out of, as they see fit. It will not be required, merely encouraged. That then said we can move onto the form the “prize” will take. I’m thinking that I will borrow an idea from a historic fencing group that I am acquainted with and an idea of Dr Hart’s. A simple ribbon is the answer, one colour for individual “prizes” and others for different multiples. I’ll leave it to the individual to decide how they will wear and display their prize; it is after all more a symbol for them then for us.

Finally, this brings us to tournaments…it is my intention that the IDC should hold several seasonal tourneys. Christmas, Spring, Summer, and Autumn…My intention is to make each a different format if possible (and if there is a format that you would like to see please let me know). The Spring tourney will be a random weapons tourney (in honor of my favorite tourney ever: http://www.pbase.com/darter02/p34_013) and the date for that will be announced soon. In the Autumn I think a Pas de Arms would be good fun. The format of the Summer tourney is up for debate and I am open to suggestions on that. As with the Christmas tourney the prize will likely remain cash, although the addition of formal prize such as a cup (that would be the winners until the next tourney) is a likely to happen.