Melee Weapon Combat Rules

VikeFest 2027

The Vikings are once again aiming to stage the largest Viking-age re-enactment battles ever held in the UK, following the success of 2021. Across the public weekend—from Friday to Sunday—there will be at least five major battles.

Friday is designated as a safety day. Anyone who wishes to take part in the battles must attend this Friday safety session. Battle armies will also be finalised on this day.

If you’ve taken part in Western?style Viking combat before, where blows are pulled, you’ll only need to make small adjustments to these rules. The focus is on safety and enjoyment. Viking combat isn’t just about martial skill—it’s also about creating an exciting and dramatic spectacle for both fellow warriors and the paying audience.Bold text A quick, clever strike that only you notice may make you feel good, but it isn’t considered the best kind of hit. The best shot is the one that wins the kill and can be clearly seen by others, prompting the audience to cheer at your impressive display.

General Points

The Vikings ensure Bold textsafety and authenticity at events through designated officers: Recognised Training Thegns (RTTs) for combat, and Authenticity Officers and Armourers for weapon standards and authenticity. At VikeFest, these officers will be identifiable by red armbands. Italic textTheir role is to help all participants enjoy a safe, authentic, and enjoyable event. If any issues arise, participants should first try to resolve them between themselves—but never on the battlefield. If the issue cannot be resolved, report it to your group leader and then to the Viking officers. In the event of a serious incident, officers will blow whistles. If you hear a whistle, immediately fall back to your starting line and wait for further instructions. Combat may only take place in clearly marked, approved areas during the event. The Vikings reserve the right to remove anyone from combat training or displays if they are considered unsafe.

Missile Weapons

Bows, javelins and slings stones will be used by suitably qualified warriors. The page on Missile Weapon Combat Rules gives the specifications for these.

Rules

The target zone for all weapons is the body and upper legs above the knee. The head and arms are not a target. No thrusts are allowed to the legs by any melee weapon. Anyone delivering a strike to the head or neck will immediate remove themselves from the fight usually by dropping to the floor as if dead. They may allow their opponent to deliver a finishing blow, but this is not required.

Hits and Kills

At all times, warriors must be in full control of any weapon they are wielding. All blows are expected to land on target and under control.

Valid Hits

A Valid Hit is one which is delivered to a Target Area with Lethal Character. Any attack that does not have Lethal Character will not score a Valid Hit and may be ignored as a “flesh wound”. Appropriate reaction to all hits at all times should be displayed.

Lethal Character

Lethal character is defined as a blow delivered with the cutting edge or point of a weapon in such a way as to give the impression of force without inflicting actual damage or injury.

• Blows should be delivered with the cutting edge or point of the weapon, unless it is to the back, in which case the flat of the blade should be used.

Kills – the Two Hit Rule

In order to score a Kill on an opponent, two Valid Hits with Lethal Character must be landed within a ten second window. After receiving the first Valid Hit the struck warrior;

• will display appropriate hit reaction
• will lower their shield and weapon, and must not defend against further attack.
• start a silent, slow count to 10 whilst acting wounded.
• may step backwards three or four steps but no more.
• may be pushed around by their comrades to move them further.
• must not lie down, kneel or take any other action that might be misinterpreted as ‘dying’. If the warrior’s knee touches the ground after the first valid hit they are considered to be ‘dead’ and may not take part in any further combat.

The second hit;

• must be a separate Valid Hit to any Target Area.
• need not be from the same opponent.

If, at the end of the slow count of ten, no second Valid Hit has been received, the warrior may re-join the melee, fully healed.

Mutual Hits

In the event that two opponents score a Valid Hit simultaneously, this is known as a ‘Mutual Hit’. Both warriors must take the hit and react in accordance with the rules above, unless one of the warriors is armoured, in which case see below.

The Effect of Armour

Whilst warriors are encouraged to wear armour appropriate to their character portrayal, the only benefit this provides in combat is that the armoured warrior will ‘win’ in the event of a Mutual Kill if their opponent is unarmoured. For the purposes of these rules, armour is classed as metal armour such as maille and does not include simple padded or leather armour. We wear armour primarily to look the part, rather than give us an advantage in a battle. No lamellar armour will be allowed on grounds of authenticity.

Knives and passive weapons may be carried in sheaths or scabbards but blows to passive weapons that would have hit the target area still count as a hit. A shield carried on a warrior’s back does not protect him from a hit.

Strictly Not Allowed

• Sharp weapons of any kind must not be taken onto the battle field.
• Deliberate hits to off-target areas.
• Hooking parts of a warrior’s body with axes.
• “Pool queuing” with spears. That is the sliding of spears through the hands. Spears already have a long range, pool-queuing just increases that benefit further to the detriment of the rest of the combatants - we do not wish to have combat driven by long spears.
• Knives and saexes for combat under 18cm blade-length.
• “Eastern style” Cavalry hammers.
• “Eastern style” sabres.
• Maces.
• Kite shields.

Safety Equipment

Helmets and padded safety gloves must be worn by all. Helmets must be authentic types if visible, but can be of modern materials in hidden under an authentic hat. Armguards are recommended but these should not be visible. Other types of modern armour are optional, including knee and elbow pads, fencing cups for women and boxes for men, but must be hidden under authentic clothing.

Weapon Specs

Weapon specs are covered on this page Viking_Festival_2027_Wepon Specs

Contact for questions

• Jon Finch (freki.finch[at]gmail.com) The Vikings Combat Training Officer
• Maiken Bagley (mlbagley[at]btinternet.com The Vikings Missile Officer
• Jonathon Wolsey, better known as Shagy (battle.captain[at]vikingsonline.org.uk), The Vikings Battle Captain

All of these can be contacted via Facebook Group - Vikefest 2027

Return to Viking Festival 2027 homepage