Protections

We spent a lot of time working on the weapons rules.
We have two main goals: historicity and security.

A fencing mask, a pair of gloves (historically compatible: visible part in linen, wool or leather) and a shell will be obligatory.

All non-historical protections for the relevant period should be invisible. Only the fencing mask and the gloves will be an exception.

We strongly recommend that you wear a fencing mask cover as well as all other protections that can guarantee your safety (shin guards, knee pads, elbow pads, etc.).

All weapons & protections will be subjected to a rigorous check before the beginning of the fights. All decisions taken by the referees will not be discussed, as to guarantee the safety of participants.

The proportions of certain weapons will be restricted to respect the reality of a battlefield. An average number allowed will be given to you, for groups of 5 or 10 warriors. The limits of the amounts of weapons and protections apply to every warriors registered in a same group. It’s everyone responsibility to respect those proportions in order to have coherently equipped armies.

If you’re having any question on a rule, a weapon you own or any other interrogation, feel free to ask us away via our contact formular!

Compulsory

Hightly recommended

Thick tunic

Whether it is a civil clothing or a superposition of many layers of cloth, the tunic is the first used body armor in combat, which its efficiency is very underrated.

Here you have a wide choice because it can be a tunic made of several layers of thick wool, which is historic, or a more recent garment, like a gambeson, or downright modern, like a HEMA jacket.
The only restriction is that the visible part or parts must be, or be covered with, wool or linen.

Number allowed for 10 warriors: Illimited

Authorized material: it doesn't matter as long as the visible part is in Wool or Linen
Linen, in accordance with the rules of touches, does not entitle you to any protection!

Patterns, colors and shapes: We ask you to respect the patterns and colors of fabric historically compatible with your period but also with your geographical area. In addition, respect a minimum of the consistency of the clothes, Slavic pants should not be associated with a Norwegian tunic for example.

Thick wool tunic for combat Thick wool tunic for combat Thick wool tunic for combat Thick wool tunic for combat Thick wool tunic for combat Leather gambeson, allowed but must be concealed HEMA jacket, allowed but must be concealed Modern gambeson, allowed but must be concealed
Our advices

A more or less thick tunic, depending on preference, is excellent protection for the upper body. It can allow, for those less sensitive to the idea of hurting themselves, to avoid wearing other protections underneath, such as arm protectors for example.

However, we strongly recommend wearing a back protector, motorcycle back type, under the tunic, because no one is safe, in the chaos of a fight or a misfortune of fire, from taking a bad blow to the spine...

We recommend

In order to avoid having to wear multiple layers of clothing, we recommend thick woolen tunics. In addition to being histo, they are made of several layers of wool and can be reinforced, with other layers of wool or even with leather, in strategic places.

Its multiple layers of wool allow the garment to absorb a good part of the shocks, making it very useful in our practice of Huscarl/HEMA.

Worn a little loose, this tunic does not hinder movement very much and protects against bad weather.

Our Tutorials

Chainmail

The best scandinavian protection of the viking era. However, it is very rare, because of its very expensive value, and still shows a few weaknesses.

Number allowed for 10 warriors: 1 single chainmail or lamellar

During fights: During the Bridge tournament, protections of this type are no longer counted for valid hits. The wearing or not of chain mail during these fights is therefore purely aesthetic.

Authorized material: Steel

Mesh: alternate and flat

Patterns, colors and shapes: We ask you to respect the patterns, colors and origin (people) historically compatible with your period but also with your geographical area.

Chain mail allowed Chain mail allowed Chain mail allowed Chain mail allowed Chain mail allowed Chain mail allowed Unique manufacturing pattern authorized Strictly prohibited modern stitches

Lamellar armor

A very good protection piece coming from the East, as rare and expensive as chainmail.

Number allowed for 10 warriors: 1 single coat of mail or lamellar

During fights: During the Bridge tournament, protections of this type are no longer counted for valid hits. The wearing or not of the lamellar during these fights is therefore purely aesthetic.

Authorized material: Steel

Patterns, colors and shapes: We ask you to respect the patterns, colors and origin (people) historically compatible with your period but also with your geographical area.

Type of lamellar authorized Type of lamellar authorized Type of lamellar authorized Type of lamellar authorized Type of lamellar authorized Type of lamellar authorized

Helmets

Helmets are part of the rarest and the most expensive pieces of equipments, although it is essential to protect what is way too often the most targeted part of the body : the head.

A historical helmet reproduction, coming with a facial wire netting (like fencing mask) will be allowed.


Number allowed for 10 warriors: only 1 helmet

During fights: During the Bridge tournament, protections of this type are no longer counted for valid hits. Wearing or not wearing a helmet during these fights is therefore purely aesthetic.

Authorized material: Steel

Patterns, colors and shapes: We ask you to respect the patterns, colors and origin (people) historically compatible with your period but also with your geographical area.


This equipment will be the subject of a very rigorous examination to guarantee the safety of the wearer. It is obligatory to bring a fencing helmets then.

Do not hesitate to ask us your questions and/or do a pre-check by sending us photos of your helmet by FB or by Email via our contact form!

Helmet made and validated for Herja - example n°1 Helmet made and validated for Herja - example n°1 Helmet made and validated for Herja - example n°2 Helmet made and validated for Herja - example n°2