College of Chivalry Rules and Regulations

The College of Chivalry 

Constitution and Group Rules (2022-2023)

Group email- Collageofchivalry.com

Address- Roves Farm & Visitor Centre, Sevenhampton, Swindon SN6 7QG, UK

1.1 Committee

President - Chris Fox 

Secretary / Treasurer / Master at Arms Captain  - John Mackney

Archery Captain - Chris Berry 

Additional Committee Members - Victoria Benson, 

Living History, Events and Encampment - A committee will be formed for each event

2.1 Introduction

The aims of the group are:

A - To provide family friendly history shows through the demonstration of Archery, Skill at Arms, Living History and Have a Go activities. 

B - To foster a good relationship with family/ friends with mutual support and respect.

C - To be professional, courteous, educational but also fun in our interactions with the public, acting as role model/ ambassadors for Reenactment as a whole.

D - To enjoy our hobby

The College of Chivalry will be known as both the College of Chivalry and House Of Hungerford depending on event type. 

An AGM will be carried in December/ January (Dependant on availability) with an agenda sent to all members 2 weeks in advance, if you would like anything added to the agenda please request in advance. All other matters will be taken up as Any Other Business. 

Group roles are permanent until such time someone retires or is removed through disciplinary action.

3.1 General Safety

3.1.1 All members will ensure they do not intentionally cause a health and safety hazard for others, by, but not limited to.

A - careless behaviour.

B - not following directions given by Captains, Committee members, or event/training organisers.

C - improper use of equipment

3.1.2 You should understand the risks involved in taking part in shows with College of Chivalry and other associated groups. If in doubt, please speak to either the Club President or your training captain. People have been seriously injured in re-enactments and re-enacting training. If you choose to take part in a re-enactment event, including any training, there is a possibility you may receive injuries requiring medical attention

3.1.3- The College of Chivalry Captain/members, or those over-seeing training, tourneys or battles at events are not

wholly or individually liable for any accident or injury sustained by any members or participants, while taking part in re-enactment or training activity

3.1.4 All members will always take responsibility for their own health and safety, if need be informing the organiser, group Captain or other members, or re-enactors if they feel unsafe

3.1.5 If a breach of Health or Safety is serious enough the President, Captain or Martial (applies to battlefield only) may ask members to leave the battlefield, camp, or an event with immediate effect, and/or to cease being a member of the Club

3.2 Medical care and first aid

3.2.1 In the event that medical attention is required you consent to that medical attention being given by a First Aid trained member of the group, if no/until official First Aid organisation/the emergency services are

in attendance, or until professional medical attention is found.

3.2.2 If the participant is under age 18, then consent by the parent/guardian, must be given for First Aid to be administered by a First Aider from the College of Chivalry. 

3.2.3 The group provides a first aid kit with standard contents (bandages, wipes, platers etc). However, it is recommended that members have a small supply of first aid/ sundry items themselves depending on their personal needs. 

3.2.4 Please note first aiders cannot provide medication unless instructed to in an emergency (such as epipen)

3.3 Sun, heat and hydration

3.3.1 it is the responsibility of individual members to ensure they protect against heat and sun. The provision of shade will not always be possible and members must make sure they are safe in extreme temperatures. 

3.3.2 It is the responsibility of members to ensure of their own hydration levels at all times. This includes ensuring their own supply of fresh water. At some events communal water will be provided but this is not guaranteed.

3.3.3 Water carriers are required for all summer battle events. If a non-combatant is unavailable someone may need to step out of battle and act as a water bearer*. This role will be cycled for fairness.

*Unless agreement made with another group to share their water carriers.

3.4 Insurance

3.4.1 All group members require insurance to participate in training, battlefield, crafting

or camp skills (with the exception of minors who are the responsibility of the parent or guardian). This includes fire management, wood cutting and armouring. It is acceptable for an uninsured person to stay in camp but they carry out any activities AT THEIR OWN RISK

3.4.2 Insurance is generally provide as a personal policy through C3 or other suitable provider that covers the activities and liability cover required for the activity / event. 

3.4.3 The insurance must cover members for group events as well as personal events.

3.4.4 All members must provide evidence of insurance to the club for compliance. A laps in insurance or failure to provide insurance may result in a member being asked either 

• Not to attend training or an event until insurance is proved 

• To attend training or an event but to not take part in certain activities or demonstrations.

3.4.5 Please note if you are attending an event separately under the College of Chivalry or House of Hungerford name that you are acting as an ambassador for the group.

3.5.6 Insurance covers you for Public Liability Insurance incase you accidentally damage a member of the public or property. Your insurance does not cover you for member to member damage (when fighting) or member to other re-enactor (when on a battlefield). In UK common law, there is a principle that basically states that when it comes to engaging in activities that hold risk and the potential for injury, then a person takes on that risk and cannot then sue for damages if they are subsequently injured. This, in Latin,  is the principle of "Volenti Non Fit Injuria"  and means that where two people are engaging in a risky activity, where the potential for injury is accepted, then should an injury occur the injured party cannot sue the other player.

3.5 Children

3.5.1 Children are very welcome in the group and around camp.

3.5.2 Children are to be kept under the supervision of their parents or guardian, unless otherwise placed within the care of a responsible adult.

3.5.3 Children can be dressed either in authentic dress, or in modern, as a member of

the public (MOP), with accompanying adult (if appropriate) in matching period of dress (authentic/MOP)

PLEASE NOTE- only authentic wear will be allowed in camp during open event hours.

3.5.4 Photos of children are only to be taken and shared with express permission of their parents.

3.6 Pets

3.6.1 Pets are very welcome in the camp providing they are well behaved and under control. If you are planning to bring a pet please inform all members attending. If any member has an objection to a pet attended an event for any reason the pet must not attend. 

3.6.2 Dogs are to be always kept on leads and under supervision of the owner or responsible adult. 

3.6.3 It is the owners responsibility to ensure sufficient drinking water and shade is provided for their pets. With plenty of notice the group will endeavour to provide space for pets to be kept in shade.

3.6.4 Captains may ask pet owners not to bring pets to future events if behaviour is not deemed appropriate.

3.6.5 Under no circumstance should a member of the public or member or the group or other attending groups be made nervous by a members pet. This would damage our reputation significantly. Any animal that brings disrepute to the group will not be allowed to

attend camp and could lead to expulsion of owners from group.

3.7 Fire

3.7.1 Fire pits should comply with the event rules and be stable.

3.7.2 The group will provide a fire extinguisher also a fire bucket must be kept full close to the fire.

3.7.3 Wood is usually supplied at events; however, this usually runs out quickly, it is recommended to bring

firewood to events yourself as a backup.

3.7.4 When setting up camp the fire should be roped off to prevent MOP reaching through and burning themselves.

3.7.5 The group policy is to watch a fire down to safe embers before retiring to bed.

3.8 Alcohol, Smoking and drugs

3.8.1 It is a club rule that members will NEVER be allowed to participate in battle, archery or weapons training if they have partaken in alcohol, strong medication (with drowsiness etc) or drugs. Members who disobey this rule will be suspended immediately from the group and sent home.

3.8.2 After events it is acceptable to partake in alcohol. Please be mindful of your behaviour and the impact this has on the club's reputation. Please remember that there are families present at most events with children. Please ensure your behaviour is appropriate.

3.8.3 If you plan to take part in an event the following day after drinking please ensure that you are fit for the activity and sober. This may require you to limit your alcohol intake the night before.

3.8.4 At events drinking alcohol is not permitted until after public closing hours.

3.8.5 Smoking is not period authentic so must not be undertaken in camp during public hours, all butts must be collected and binned not left on the floor.

3.8.6 Illegal drug use is not accepted under any circumstances at events or training. 

Any members using illegal drugs at an event or training will be suspended immediately from the group and sent home.

3.8.7 If intoxication is suspected by any captain or member of the group the individual will be asked to remove themselves from the public view and barred from any weapon, public facing or dangerous activity (fire etc). If the cause is due to intoxication resulted from drinking alcohol the night before the member will be asked to wait until they are deemed sober before partaking in activity or sent home when safe to do so. If the intoxication is a result of failure to abide by rule 3.8.4 the member may be suspended immediately from the group and sent home when it is safe to do so.

4.1 Training, Battle participation and competence

4.1.1 All battle participants must be fit to fight, have correct kit and have been approved to fight by the relevant Captain prior to the start of an event

4.1.2 All archers must be deemed competent by the Captain prior to being allowed to participate in any battle or event. 

Individuals may be required to pass competency by the event organisers. This must be passed in addition to club policy. If an individual fails to pass event competency the individual will be asked to stand down. This will then be addressed with the event organisers at a later date when and if deemed appropriate by the Captain. 

4.1.3 Safety and competence will be assessed in training by captains, on each weapon type and members

will only be permitted to fight with weapons approved by captains in training. This will be agreed with members and captains before each event.

4.1.4 Archers competency will be completed by archery captain with a display of safe target, clout (if

required) and flat shoot.

4.1.5 All weapons must be in good condition with no burrs or defects. All weapons will be inspected by captains before being allowed onto field. All weapons must conform to Reenactment standards. Weapons not permitted for use on the field or in training include but aren't limited to (final decision up to captain);

• Maces

• Hammers (used for Concussive attacks, pole hammers may be permitted if they are used in the same way as a spear)

• Flails

• Spiked Shields, Spiked Armour and Spiked Gauntlets 

• All sharps (excluding arrows for target shooting and sharp swords used for cutting demonstration)

• Firearms/ Gonnes and any other powder weapons

4.1.7 After attending the Commanders meeting the captain will return to the club authentic camp. At this point all group members wishing to partake in the battle (combatants, archers, flag bearers and water carriers) must be present for the captain to brief members on any necessary information. If members have not attended this briefing the captain may refuse members to go on the battlefield

4.1.7 If you are instructed by a battlefield martial to leave the field, you must do so immediately and must not dispute the reason with the martial. Once the Battle Reenactment has ended the matter will be discussed by the captain with the organisers and/ or the martial. We will endeavour to resolve the matter by putting in place reparations for further battles or events.

If the dismissal from the field is unjust and cannot be rectified the captain will make a decision if the club will continue with the event. 

4.1.8 In the event that injury is accidentally or deliberately caused to someone else you will be asked to leave the field of battle until the situation has been assessed. This is for the following reasons:

A - To ensure that it is safe for you or others to continue

B - To resolve any conflicts immediately after injury or in the future

C - To ensure that you have adequate time to mentally process the situation

4.1.9 Arguing, verbally aggressive attitudes and name calling is not acceptable towards anyone, will not be tolerated and will be addressed by the captain at the first appropriate opportunity. If this behaviour is directed towards a martial rightly or wrongly dismissing a member from the field this will result in dismissal from the event. 

4.1.10 The use of violence will never be tolerated. Any member who uses violence against a club member, another reenactor, MOP or anyone else, this will be treated as gross misconduct and may result in immediate removal from the group. 

5.1 Encampment

5.1.1 Members will be expected to assist with setting up and taking down/putting away tents and equipment (tables, stove etc.), as well as contributing to preparation, cooking, or washing up if eating group meals.

5.1.2 All members will attempt to replicate an historical encampment. During the event opening hours.

• All electronic devices are to be used out of view of the public within tents

• Modern equipment to be stored out of view of the public 

• Clothing should be appropriate for living history and at least fit in with the look and feel of the event (authentic styles and materials should be aimed for but a reasonable attempt will be acceptable) 

5.1.3 All modern kit on view within the authentic camp is to be cleared away by 30 mins before the event opens to the public.

5.1.4 Don't use another member's kit without first getting permission. It is recommended that members mark their kit to avoid confusion on who owns what, especially if we are

displaying armour. This also includes eating kit such as bowls and plates.

If you borrow kit from another member please ensure that you respect it and return it in the same or better condition that you borrowed it.

5.1.6 All kit regardless of ownership must be respected, such as not stabbing swords into the ground, theft will not be tolerated.

6.1 Discipline

6.1.1 Although we are an open and flexible group, we are not an employer. If the committee votes to remove a member from the group for any reason, there is no right to appeal. Sufficient warning of