Rules and Regulations: Safeguarding and Responsible Conduct for Reenactors on the Battlefield

1. Purpose

These rules exist to ensure that all participants engage in historical reenactment battles safely, responsibly, and respectfully. Every member of a reenactment group has a duty of care to themselves, their group, and other participants. Non-compliance may result in individual or group removal from the battlefield and, in serious cases, exclusion from future events.

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2. General Code of Conduct

All participants must act in a responsible, respectful, and professional manner at all times.

No aggressive, abusive, discriminatory, or reckless behaviour will be tolerated.

Alcohol or drug use before or during battlefield activity is strictly prohibited.

Participants must comply immediately with all instructions given by battlefield commanders, event organisers, or safety marshals.

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3. Safety Briefings & Accountability

Every group leader is responsible for ensuring all their members are fully briefed before the event.

All reenactor captains must attend mandatory safety briefings (9am on the Saturday and Sunday morning) and communicate back to their group.

Anyone unfamiliar with the rules or equipment being used must not participate in battlefield activity until they have been properly trained and cleared by their group leader.

Group leaders must report any known injuries, health conditions, or concerns that may affect participation.

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4. Weapons and Armour

4.1 Maintenance and Inspection

All weapons (bladed or blunt) must be battlefield-safe and regularly maintained.

Weapons must be inspected before each battle for damage, loose fittings, or sharp edges.

Armour and protective gear must be secure, appropriately fitted, and in good condition.

Any weapon or piece of equipment deemed unsafe by safety marshals must be immediately removed from use.

4.2 Usage

Only historically appropriate, event-approved weapons may be used on the battlefield.

Blows must be pulled and controlled to avoid injury – this is a display, not a real fight.

Strikes to the head, neck, groin, joints, or spine are strictly prohibited unless clearly and safely choreographed.

No thrusting with swords and no shield strikes unless flat (shield face on shield face or presented clearly as a target for shield walls).

Thrusts are only permitted with weapons intended for this purpose (spears). All thrusts must be aimed at the stomach with hands down (both hands on top of the pole to prevent the tip riding up). Firm grip of the pole must be maintained and the use of snookering (sliding the pole through the hands to extend reach) isn't permitted. No thrusts to the face, groin, legs or feet.

Use of Maces and Flails

Under no circumstances must a mace or a flail be brought onto the battlefield. These weapons are not permitted to be used in combat under any circumstances. Possession of these weapons found during muster the owner/ user will be asked to surrender the item to a martial or return it to their camp. Anyone found in possession of these items on the battlefield, even for decorative purposes will be removed from the battle for the duration.

Exception Apply if a mace head is used as a butt stop or counterweight at the end of a pole weapon, under no circumstances must this be used in combat as a bludgeoning weapon and anyone doing so will be removed from the battlefield for the duration.

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5. Safe Practice on the Battlefield

Maintain constant awareness of your surroundings and other participants.

Engage only those who are clearly ready and aware.

Do not strike individuals who are down, retreating, or clearly out of play.

If you lose control of your weapon, become unarmed, or have an equipment failure, remove yourself from combat immediately and signal for assistance if needed.

If you witness a person who has lost control of a weapon, become unarmed, or have an equipment failure, cease engagement immediately and signal for assistance if needed.

Children or vulnerable individuals must not be placed in unsafe proximity to active combat zones.

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6. Group Captain Responsibilities and Martial Authority

It is the responsibility of each Group Captain to monitor the conduct and safety of their members on the battlefield at all times.

Group Captains have the authority to remove any member of their group from the battlefield if they believe that person is acting in an unsafe or inappropriate manner.

Battlefield Marshals have the power to remove any participant from the battlefield at any time without giving an immediate reason or explanation.

Removal by a Marshal may be for reasons of personal safety, group safety, or public safety.

After the incident, the Marshal will inform the individual whether:

A) They may return to the battlefield once the safety concern is resolved; or

B) They are removed for the duration of the battle.

All safety-related removals or incidents will be discussed post-battle with the event team before the individual or their Group Captain is formally briefed.

Any disrespectful behaviour toward a Marshal or attempts to undermine their authority may result in further disciplinary action.

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7. Emergencies and Incidents

In the event of an injury or serious incident, immediately call out “HOLD” and raise your weapon to signal a cease of combat.

All participants must stop fighting immediately and await instructions.

First aiders will be deployed as needed; no one is to move the injured party unless instructed.

All incidents, even minor ones, must be reported to event staff or martials as soon as possible.

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8. Reporting Unsafe Behaviour

If you witness unsafe conduct, report it immediately to your Group Captain or an event Marshal.

Do not attempt to deal with dangerous situations alone unless someone is in immediate danger.

All concerns will be taken seriously and investigated confidentially and impartially.

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9. Disciplinary Action

Failure to adhere to these rules will result in the following actions:

1. First Offence or Minor Breach

Verbal warning and removal from the battlefield for the day.

2. Serious or Repeated Offence

Immediate removal from the battlefield and possibly the event and future events.

3. Group Responsibility

If a group fails to enforce these rules or repeatedly produces unsafe conduct, the entire group may be barred from future participation in battles or events.

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10. Declaration and Agreement

All participants must confirm that they have read, understood, and agreed to these rules before being allowed onto the battlefield. Group Captains are responsible for ensuring compliance within their ranks.