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:
- Avacal Earl Marshal page for current marshallate officers and current rules of combat, including marshallate rules and requirements.
Reporting Structure and Offices
Overview as of June 2014
In Avacal, 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)
- 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 Arts & Sciences 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.
Avacal 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.
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.