For many of the youth and their parents, you represent the first link they have with the East Kingdom and the Society. Be prepared to answer questions as a chatelaine and fix and build armor and weapons. Avoid sending a fighter away from the list with failed weapons or armor. Instead, try to help them fix their gear. Get them moving. Be a bridge between the modern middle ages and the world outside!
Rules
Marshals should understand the rules of youth combat, as laid out in the EK Youth Combat Rules (revised January 2019) and the Society Youth Combat Marshal’s Handbook (revised July 2024).
Background Checks & The Two-Deep Rule
Make sure you read Section XI: Dealing with Minor/Youth-Related Policies in the Society Seneschal Handbook. It makes clear that at every SCA youth activity, there must be at least two adults present who are not related to one another, and at least one of them must have passed an SCA-provided background check.
For more information, see Understanding Background Checks and the Two-Deep Rule.
Waivers and Medical Forms
At larger events, the event steward or gate staff will be responsible for checking waivers, but if you organize your own activities, such as a local youth combat practice, you will need to enforce the waiver and medical form policies.
For more information, see Understanding Waivers and Medical Forms.
Marshals’ Documents
Example Sign-In Form for use at events and practices.
We also have a handy checklist to help marshals stay organized. It includes items to prepare the list field, things to remember when checking equipment, and other necessaries for Youth Combat Marshals.
Marshal’s Checklist for Events
Marshal’s Checklist for Practices
Parents/guardians MUST be present in order for a youth fighter to authorize for tourney and melee combat.
For the time when a fighter/parent has constructed a helmet, here are the Helmet Construction Guidelines.
Other Resources
To learn about medieval armoring techniques, fighting, and fighter culture: The Armor Archive
For a foundation in a combat training regimen, try Bellatrix Fighting School
For another, more structured approach to combat instruction, try Novicious Training
Calendar
View the Youth Combat Calendar.
If you have a Google Mail account (gmail), you can add the EK Youth Combat calendar to your own calendar, so any changes made online will show in your calendar. It’s a very handy tool.
Become A Marshal!
We are always looking for more Youth Marshals. If you are interested, please read this information.
Join the Group
Warranted marshals are added to a kingdom-wide mailing list. If you are a warranted marshal and have not automatically been added to this list, send a message to marshals+subscribe@youthfighters.eastkingdom.org to be subscribed.
Send a message to marshals@youthfighters.eastkingdom.org to reach all of the marshals. You can see an archive of previous messages via Google Groups.
Youth Marshals who are on Facebook should join the EK Youth Combat Marshal Discussion Group.
Report Schedule
Marshals and MiTs should file their quarterly report via the online report form on or before the following dates: February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15. Each quarter’s report should cover all activity in the prior three months, or since your last report.
The East Kingdom Deputy Earl Marshal for Youth Combat reports to the East Kingdom Earl Marshal two weeks later on March 1, July 1, September 1, and December 1.