Proposed Siege Engineer Authorization Procedure
I have done armored combat for 14 years, been a armored combat marshal for 8 years, been a siege engineer for 4 years, and a siege marshal for 3 years. I am currently the Midrealm KDEM for siege. What follows is the siege authorization process I have been using. It was developed mainly by Doc Mo.
Authorization Rules
The SCA rules for siege engineer authorizations are:
Chapter I, section B, Siege Engineer Authorizations
Each kingdom will have a separate authorizations procedure for any person wishing to operate or crew a siege engine. This authorization at a minimum shall include:
a. Demonstration of knowledge of the rules for melee combat.
b. Demonstration of understanding the rules for siege.
c. Demonstration of ability to safely operate an engine.
d. Demonstration of ability to inspect an engine for safety.
e. Demonstration of ability to render an engine safe should the need arise.
f. Understanding of how engines and engineers are killed by opponents.
g. It is RECOMMENDED that engineers be observed for at least 1 battle before authorizations are made final.
To which the Midrealm has added:
At least two marshals must be present for an authorization. One must be a siege marshal. The second can be another siege marshal or an armored combat marshal.
What follows is my initial description of the siege engineer authorization from last year. A new, more detailed, description can be found here: Siege_Engineer_Authorization.htm
Battles and Battle Simulations
The second item that the Midrealm added, requiring engineers to be battle tested, can be interpreted in different ways. At many events, there may not be any suitable battles for the siege engineers to shoot in. There may be too few fighters, not enough space, or the timing of the siege engineer authorizations may be different from the battle times. In these cases, we have found it more convenient to simulate combat conditions.
Battle simulation is done by sending some fighters down range. The authorizing engineer then gets 5 shots as the fighters slowly advance. At the 5th shot, we want one fighter running forward at about 10 yard distance to force the engineer to decide whether they can shoot. Another fighter runs around the edge and then forces the engineer to surrender.
Doc Mo and I actually prefer the battle simulation to real battles because we can control the scenario and make sure the engineers are tested on certain rules. This can be more difficult in actual combat. For instance, in a real battle the engineers may never need to decide whether someone is too close to shoot.
In some of our battle simulations, the engineers don't even have armor on. This is done for convenience largely. It may be too hot or there may not be enough time to suit up. If the fighter who is authorizing has already done armored combat for several years, then I'm not worried about whether they can operate with armor on. On the other hand, I did an initial authorization once and insisted that armor be worn for it. I wanted to make sure that the armor could pass inspection and that the fighter could move and operate the siege engine properly while in armor. Of course, if the live fire exercise is done in a real battle, then armor is required for everyone.
If a real battle is used to test the engineers who are authorizing, then I try to make sure that they get killed at least once. Sometimes, I go to the fighters and ask them to let the enemy through to kill the engineers. The fighters on both sides are usually happy to comply.
If a battle is used for the live fire exercise, then make sure that the siege engineers don't shoot the marshals. I don't consider safety glasses to be adequate protection from ballista bolts. Tell the siege engineers not to shoot anywhere near the marshals.
Procedure for conducting a siege engineer authorization
Discussion: The SCA rules for siege authorization requirements a. and b. is that the engineer demonstrate knowledge of siege rules and armored combat rules. We like to do this using a question and answer format. The answers are not scored or graded. The question and answer format is used to make the engineers think about the rules and how they apply to different situations. This format is more interesting than a lecture and keeps people involved in the discussion. Doc Mo came up with the original list of questions. It is available here:
Doc Mo list of siege questions for authorizations
The discussion session can take an hour or two and we usually run people through it in groups. This discussion does not need to be on the firing range.
Live Fire Exercise: The live fire exercise begins by having the engineers inspect the siege engine. This fulfills SCA requirement d. Each engineer then cocks and uncocks the engine. We like to make sure they know how to make the engine safe without shooting it. For an arbalest, the engineer should also remove the trigger and put it back on. Then comes the battle or battle simulation. We like to make sure that each engineer shoots the engine at least 5 times. I keep an eye on them while shooting to make sure they operate the engine properly. This fulfills SCA requirement c. At some point, I like to see the engineers get killed by opponents. This fulfills SCA requirement e.
Initial Authorizations
In the Midrealm, initial authorizations are required to be with sword and shield, but there are exceptions. Combat archery has been an exception for many years. In the January 2007 issue of the Pale, Earl Marshal Duke Brannos wrote: "Through the Chivalry mentoring program you may do your primary authorization in combat archery, spear, or any other weapon style if you have good reason." The knight sponsor is supposed to make sure that the person doing the initial authorization understands the culture of the list field. The person authorizing is responsible for learning the rules and everything else.
I require that someone doing an initial authorization as a siege engineer wear armor. I inspect the armor and make sure that they can operate the siege engine and function properly in it.
Paperwork
The authorization form needs to be filled out and signed by two marshals. One must be a siege marshal, but the other can be an armored combat marshal. It is up to the authorizing engineer to mail in the form if he wants the authorization to show up in the Arts Martial Database.
The siege marshal must also initial the authorization card of the new engineer. There is no field for siege engineer authorization on the card yet, so a plus(+) should be written above the Combat Archery (CA) line and the initials put next to the plus.
If you want to authorize as a siege engineer:
If you are doing your siege engineer authorization as a secondary authorization:
Read the siege rules. The Midrealm siege rules are at: http://www.midrealm.org/marshal/handbook/Siege/
Get half gauntlets if you don't already have them. In SCA combat, siege engines are usually operated with half gauntlets on.
If possible, find someone with a siege engine and shoot it, although many people who authorized never shot a siege engine before. Remember that siege engines are big dangerous machines. Learn how to operate them properly before shooting them.
If you want to do your initial authorization as a siege engineer, then in addition to the above:
Find a knight to sponsor you. He should explain to you the culture of the list field.
Read the Midrealm rules for armored combat at http://www.midrealm.org/marshal/handbook/armoredcombat/
Get armor. You need to wear armor for an initial authorization. Make sure you have half gauntlets, not full gauntlets.
Feedback
This siege engineer authorization process is not official midrealm policy, but it may be some day. If you would like to provide feedback on anything in this page, email me at roderick@siegetheday.info
Petra with one of my ballistae, the Osis. I'm on the right loading up for combat archery. This was in the fort battle at Pennsic XXXV. As soon as I got near the gate, I was hit by a ballista bolt. I swear there was only one ballista on the other side. Picture by Milica from sca.4th.com.