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Although the names of heroes throughout history have been recorded in both the written traditions of literate cultures, and oral tales of illiterate cultures, there is one hero whose name remains lost to us. His brief mention in the primary sources of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles and the Saga of Harald Hardrada speak of his courage and of his incredible martial skill, but his name is unknown to us. What we do know is that according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, this warrior was a Viking of Norwegian origin who fought at the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September 1066.1 He fought in the Viking army of King Harald Hardrada against the Saxon army of King Harold Godwinson. After the death of Hardrada of Norway, the Viking army was in flight in what was described as a disorganized, perhaps even panicked retreat. In the midst of the Vikings’ retreat, one Viking warrior held his position on a small bridge that has been called Stamford Bridge in what has been speculated to have been a move to buy time for the other Vikings to regroup and reform a new battle line to face the advancing Saxon assault. Another explanation for his actions could be one of religious belief and a desire to die courageously rather than die on the run in retreat of an enemy. Whichever the case may be, the warrior commonly referred to as “The Viking of Stamford Bridge” made the incredibly brave decision to fight the Saxons alone as the Saxons moved to cross the small “bottle-neck” the bridge created in the movement of the Saxon army.

The lone Viking warrior is recorded to have been of great size and strength, and skillfully wielded an axe as his weapon of choice. For some time the Saxon warriors attempted to make their way across the small bridge, but the Viking was able to hold them up, killing as many as perhaps forty Saxon warriors in his efforts before the Saxons finally attacked him from a different angle.2 It is recorded that a Saxon warrior took a spear and crawled into a half-barrel. He them floated/paddled himself to a position on the water where he was able to deliver a mortal thrust of his spear into the Viking from below. The Saxons realized that they apparently had no single warrior that was able to defeat the Viking head-on. It stands to reason that more than likely the final Saxon warrior to face the Viking was there to occupy the attention of the Viking rather than kill him, while his fellow warrior was able to maneuver under the Viking to make the kill.

Whether the Viking of Stamford Bridge made his stand in support of him fellow warriors, or whether he knew that the army he was a member of was defeated and decided to make a personal stand to die well and meet Odin in Valhalla, it took incredible courage and martial skill to accomplish what he did on the bridge. He fought with such ferocity that some have even believed him to be a berserker worked up into a frenzy. Whatever the case may be for his reasoning for making his stand on the bridge, it is a terrible shame that his name is not known to us. Perhaps it is not known to us because all those that knew him personally, or knew of him enough to have known his name had been killed prior to his death. The Vikings suffered horrendous casualties in the battle with the Saxons and it is very likely that those remaining alive, though witness to his actions, may simply not have known his name. If this were the case it explains why his actions were recorded, but his name was not.

Whomever this Viking was, he is worthy of the mention that he was given by both the Saxons and the Scandinavians. This man exemplifies battlefield courage and shows what can be accomplished by a single, skilled warrior in battle. This unknown hero is worthy of great acclaim and earned honor on the field of battle on 25 September 1066.

1. Anonymous. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles: A History of England. Trans. Rev James Ingram, Trans. G.A. Giles. CreateSpace, 2012

2. Snori Sturluson. King Harald’s Saga: Harald Hardradi of Norway: From Snorri Sturluson’s Heimskringla. Trans. Magnus Magnusson, Trans. Hermann Palsson.  Penguin Classics, 1976

Picture:

http://tabernadoviking2.blogspot.com/2012/01/historia-viking-13.html  Accessed 05-01-2013

We are deeply saddened by the losses suffered in human lives by the town, and by the many citizens whom have been displaced due to the loss of their homes. If you are interested in assisting this devastated community, please contact your local Red Cross to find out more about what you might be able to do. But above all, keep them in your prayers.

Thank you.

Br. Jeff Webb

Although there is a segment of the HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) community that does not approve of nor are they interested in modern HEMA/Medieval Martial Arts tournaments, utilizing martial skill in tournament fighting (sport-fighting) is in no way a new concept. What reasons do some of the modern HEMA practitioners give for not engaging in competitions and what did fighting for sport mean to the medieval knights as seen through the eyes of one of chivalry’s most celebrated Medieval knights?

One thing that the author of this posting has noticed in researching other blogs, message and review boards, articles and other martial arts sites online is that there is a certain level of hesitation or lack of desire on the part of some (not all) HEMA schools, clubs, and organizations to engage in freestyle combat tournaments. And, when some of them do engage in such events, they are closed events within their own organizations. Naturally there are a number of HEMA schools that do indeed compete in open tournaments, but what is the mindset or philosophy behind others not doing so? There appears to be two main reasons that continue to recur the most as to why some HEMA groups will not engage in the tournament.

Of these two most common reasons that I have found, the first I believe is related to HEMA attempting to “find its identity” so to speak and be taken seriously in a world where Asian martial arts have flooded the West for decades now, and because chivalric martial arts have been submerged in a pool choreographed entertainment with renaissance fairs and associated with things for children. HEMA is trying to break away from “dress-up” as I have seen it said on many boards. The fact is that many of the HEMA tournaments have been held in places where garb was mandatory or at least highly encouraged, thus once again taking away from the serious, very real nature of Historical European Martial Arts as an effective and deadly set of martial arts in the minds of some HEMA students and instructors. My school, New Ulster Steel Fighting School of Medieval Martial Arts (NUSF SMCA), wears a standard uniform of black pants or tights, and a charcoal colored t-shirt with organizational patch on right sleeve and rank chevrons on left sleeve. It looks nice, is not very costly, and is contemporary in nature. It is not “garb” so to speak. That said, members who achieve the rank of Armsman I and are certified for freestyle combat earn the privilege of wearing our official tabard or surcoat, which is our one uniform item that can be considered traditional European dress for the arts that is not armour.

When we engage in free style sparring, we wear padded clothing and a fencing hood, or we wear armor in the form of chain and plate with a medieval- style helmet. Why do we wear this type of “period” gear? Three main reasons: Safety is the main reasons. Next, the physical fitness aspect of sparring in armor. I personally add on average an extra 60 pounds of weight to my person once I have my armor on. This adds to my protection as we train, but if I am able to train in such conditions and perform well in armor, then my physical fitness level and endurance increases, my speed increases and my general performance and fighting ability as a martial artist increases and becomes more efficient. I perform even better when out of armor because I train under strenuous conditions when sparring. Wearing armor in freestyle sparring has it’s benefits for sure and in our belief at New Ulster Steel Fighting it is an important part of our martial arts training. And, while we do not “dress up” for renaissance fairs and such, we do recognize the importance that “living history” activities as educational aids for young people and adults. It too can have its good purposes, and true, it is just fun for some.

The next reason for wearing armor is from the historian’s perspective. This aids me in better understanding the conditions under which our forefathers fought when armored up, and it better aids me in understanding why certain forms and techniques of fighting/martial skills were developed and employed. I believe training in armor for the serious HEMA martial artists is key in fully understanding why we do what we do today in some styles of fighting.

The other of the two most prevalent reasons I have seen is one that took me a bit by surprise when I read it. I have read several times that some believe that freestyle sparring and or engaging in the tournament will bring the onset of some “bad habits” in real fighting, and in training in the various styles with their forms and techniques. Naturally there are rules and regulations in tournament/sport fighting that do not exist in a real fight, or even in your club’s freestyle at training sessions. If a student and practitioner of Historical European Martial Arts engages in tournament combat with its rules and regulations, neglects his or her school’s training regime thus focusing only on what it takes to win a marshaled match in tournament, then yes it could theoretically cause the student do develop some limitations. But, if the student continues to train in accordance with his/her school’s training regiment as well as engaging in the tournament, the student will find some great experience and will develop greatly as a martial artist. Engaging in freestyle tournaments will expose the martial artist to people he or she has not fought against before and can expose them to some forms and techniques that perhaps they have not experienced previously. The tournament will also give the martial artist the chance to make new connections and engage in some very meaningful, insightful conversations with other martial artists that they are not normally around. The tournament has much to offer, and our chivalric forefathers new this to be true.

French knight, Sir Geoffroi De Charny (c. 1306-1356)1, felt the tournament was a very important aspect of chivalric conduct and martial activitiy1. De Charny wrote in his Book of Chivalry that Deeds of Arms in tournaments, “Earned men praise and esteem for they require a great deal of wealth, equipment and expenditure, physical hardship, crushing and wounding, and sometimes danger of death… Indeed they (men-at-arms/knights) are worthy of praise; nevertheless, he who does more is worth more.”2 To Sir Geffroi De Charny and many other knights and squires, the tournament was one means by which to earn honor by exercising prowess, a key component of living within the Code of Chivalry. Clearly De Charny had no problem with the tournament and in fact was a great proponent of it.3 The tournament was a valuable activity for the Medieval knight, and today the tournament is still a very valuable activity for the modern practitioner of HEMA. It was greatly valued by the Medieval knight and it should be valued by us today as a vital part of our martial arts experience. When I look at HEMA as a practitioner and instructor I cannot help but hear De Charny’s words written several times throughout his Book of Chivalry when he said, “He who does more is of greater worth.”4 It is not enough to train and go through the forms, techniques, and motions of the original texts and our interpretations of them without freestyle sparring. It is not enough to engage in these things without the experience of fighting different people from different schools in the modern tournaments. Seek out tournaments throughout your state, you country, and throughout the globe. He or she who does more is in fact of greater worth . Do all of these things and neglect none of them. If you do this then your experience will greatly increase, and bad habits (which anyone can form at anytime no matter what) can still be less likely.

While both of the main reasons why some HEMA schools/clubs do not engage in modern open tournament fighting may have some level of credence to them, it may be good for a little more open mind to be taken when looking at these reasons/stances and think about what taking part in more open tournaments can do for you and your school/club.

Notes:

1 De Charny, Geffroi. A Knight’s Own Book of Chivalry. Trans. Elspeth Kennedy, Intro. Richard Kaeuper. Philadelphia: Univeristy of Pennsylvania Press 2005. 1

2 De Charny, Geoffroi. A Knight’s Own Book of Chivalry. 48

3 De Charny. 34

4. De Charny. 48

Bibliography:

Geffroi De Charny. A Knight’s Own Book of Chivalry. Trans. Elspeth Kennedy, Intro. Richard Kaeuper. Philadelphia: University of Philadelphia Press. 2005

Steve Muhlberger. Jousts and Tournaments: Charny and the Rules for Chivalric Sport in Fourteenth Century France. Union City, California: Chivalry Bookshelf. 2002

Pictures:

Medieval Tournament. Medievalist.net.  http://www.medievalists.net/2011/01/08/prizes-in-medieval-tournaments/ Accessed March 30, 2013.

Archer. New Ulster Steel Fighting. Steelfighting.com. and New Ulster Steel Fighting School of Medieval Combat Arts. Waco, TX 2013.

Battle of the Nations. Combatmedieval.com. http://www.combatmedieval.com/battle-of-the-nations-12-pays-jouent-a-la-guerre-medievale/   Accessed March 30, 2013.

Man-at-Arms. elgrancapitan.org. http://www.elgrancapitan.org/foro/viewtopic.php?t=16834&start=240

Venue: Hillcrest Scout Hall, Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal

Date: 09-11 August 2013

Events, Day one (Friday, 09 August):

Morning – Rapier (any combination of rapier and dagger, cloak, or case is permitted)

Afternoon – unarmoured longsword (weapon type to be decided upon)

Events, Day two (Saturday, 10 August):

Morning – Fully-armoured combat (sword and shield, longsword, greatsword and spear permitted) these will be steel, rebated weapons, & will be inspected for safety.

Afternoon – Dark Ages Holmganga (weapons chosen by chance and to include sword, shield, dagger, and spear)

At the end of Day Two, there will be a feast for all combatants and their guests.

The National Champion will be the fighter who has competed in all four events, &,who has accumulated the most points.(with the overseas competitors taking part, there may well be a tournament champion & a national champion)

There will also be recognition of the winner of each event. Standard armour requirements and rules for each event will be forwarded to interested clubs/groups/individuals. There will be no charge to compete in the event, however costs for camping and catering will also be forwarded once there is a more accurate idea of numbers of attendees.

Events will be marshalled by an official club member of the rank of Master-at-Arms or Marshall.(from any club, depending on availability) or whoever is deemed proficient by ACSMMA. There are camping facilities and a communal log cabin with full ablutions available, and we recommend that fighters plan to arrive on the Thursday afternoon prior to the commencement of competition. We invite all combatants and their guests to bring their relevant heraldry including gonfalons, banners and surcoats for their campsites and for the full plate event. Garb is welcome, although it is not mandatory.

There will be pages and squires on hand to assist with armour and watering, however clubs are invited to bring their own, as well.

Durban Sword and Shield Club ask all interested groups, clubs or individuals to email draconus@polka.co.za  with their club or individual name and number of fighters wishing to attend this event, and we look forward to meeting you.

Here at steelfighting.com and New Ulster Steel Fighting School of Medieval Combat Arts, we like to promote a martial artist being a well-rounded person. We like to focus on the whole person. We strive not only to set a good example in dedicated training within our martial arts school, but also outside of it both in academics and in physical fitness.

This past December 8th, Spartan Race held a Spartan Race Beast in Glenn Rose, Texas. This race in the Spartan Race series was a 13.5 mile, 30 obstacle course on the land of the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort. The Beast is one of the most challenging races Spartan Race conducts and it can push a person to their limits both physically and mentally. I decided to take on the challenge and I have to say it was one of the toughest, yet most rewarding physical challenges that ever I have undertaken. It was incredibly rewarding and leaves one with a great feeling of accomplishment once you have crossed the finish line. One aspect of the Spartan Race that left a very positive impression on me was the teamwork that results among total strangers. When faced with any number of given obstacles, strangers will not hesitate to assist one another to overcome the obstacle. Furthermore, while calf cramps seem to be commonplace after about eight miles into the race, people assisted each other in dealing with them and aided one another so that they can continue pressing on through the course. The camaraderie and great sportsmanship displayed was alone worth the experience. I absolutely loved the experience, and while I can say that the 13.5 mile course may not be for everyone, or for that matter may not be for MOST anyone, I believe I could with great confidence recommend a smaller 3-6 mile course like the Spartan Sprint courses as a solid team building experience for martial arts school or other types of organizations.

My experience in the Texas Spartan Race Beast was one of the most rewarding of my life. After having carried heavy sand bags and gallons of gravel up mountains, swimming across a lake, fording rivers and creeks, crawling through mud and water under barbed wire for well over a hundred yards, climbing ropes, walls, and any number of assorted other obstacles, and oh yes, jumping through fire, and not to mention the distance of the course, I am left with a great feeling of reward. I want to challenge the members and officers of New Ulster Steel Fighting School of Medieval Combat Arts to become Spartan Qualified. Members who take part in and complete a Spartan Race, and bring home the Spartan medal to prove it will be allowed to wear a Spartan Race patch on their uniform and may wear their Spartan Race medal at formal events if they so choose. So, take up the challenge and you will experience one of the best, most rewarding physical and mental challenges you will ever face. And, I may just run along with you.

Have a very merry Christmas and a magnificent New Year!

Sincerely,

Br. Jeff Webb, Grand Master

Sincerely,

Br. Jeff Webb, Grand Master

If you are interested in undertaking the rich martial arts experience that is New Ulster Steel Fighting, please read more on our About page on this site, and please contact us through our contacts page. We hope to see you soon!

Br. Jeff Webb, Grand Master