Fencing Armor

I write this article in hopes of saving those of you contemplating making your first set of armour (or whoever's going to do it for you) a few headaches.

The purpose of this class is to teach students, whether they are novices on a budget or experienced fighters, how to get garbed in a fashionable manner while complying with the Society's Rapier Armor Standards.

Concentrat es on the period in which the rapier was having what has been called its "Golde n Age" -- the 16th century -- and only such clothing that is adaptable for SCA rapier fighting. Looks at what was being worn then by men and women, and at ways in which SCA safety requiremen ts can be easily, practicall y and accurately implemente d.

Some of us just need something legal and functional to fight in, and some of us won't step on the field unless we look as if we stepped from a 16th century portrait; but we all need armor. Hopefully the informatio n presented here will help you with the process of creating your own armor. This paper presumes that you have had some sewing and/or costuming experience , but have never tackled rapier armor.

Many people have asked me about the fencing doublets I wear. They are good looking (always a considerat ion for fencers), adaptable to almost any body type, and easy to make.