Earlier this month, the East Kingdom’s royals submitted a request for a variance that would allow the Spring 2024 crown tournament to be determined via a rapier contest rather than rattan armored combat as has been the practice for the last five decades.
This seems like a small step in the direction of inclusion, opening the Society’s practices to a slightly wider pool of dedicated participants. I’ve written a letter to the Board of Directors asking them to approve this proposal, and I encourage others to do so as well. (If you do email sca-comments@sca.org, remember to include your modern name and if you are a paid member, also include your member number.)
The proposal itself is available online (archived PDF), as well as a FAQ providing some additional context (archived PDF).
[Update, February 2024:] The royals report that the Board refused the variance request (archived PDF).
From: Mathghamhain Ua Ruadháin
To: SCA Board Comments
Cc: Their Royal Majesties of the East, Their Royal Highnesses of the East
Date: 25 January 2024
To the Board of the SCA, greetings from the East!
I am writing to voice my support for the East Kingdom’s request for a variance to determine the Spring 2024 Crown Tournament via rapier rather than armored combat.
This topic has been the subject of endless debate for decades, and the continued lack of any forward progress has sapped people’s confidence in the Society’s leadership.
A limited experiment such as this is a sensible step forward. If it backfires, the damage will be very limited — but if it is successful, the Society will gain some useful experience on which to base future discussions about possible broader changes.
The East Kingdom’s rapier community is large, dedicated, and deserving of this opportunity to participate in the Society’s ceremony and governance.
Please take rapid action to approve this variance.
— Mathghamhain Ua Ruadháin, East Kingdom