The weapons
If we want to obtain armies that are consistent in terms of weaponry and protection, we need to take the time to gather and study historical and archaeological data. We have drawn some conclusions, which are presented here. We have also had to make certain compromises between historicity and security.
The proportion of certain weapons and protection is limited to reflect the reality of the battlefield. An average is given for groups of five or ten fighters. Limitations on the number of weapons and protections apply to all fighters registered in the same group. It's up to each of us to respect this in order to have coherent armies.
Mandatory
How to hold your weapon
During combat, a weapon must be held or carried in a realistic manner:
- - or in a suitable sleeve
- - or be held by the weapon’s grip/handle/stock
If, at any point during the fight, a fighter fails to follow this rule – for example, by holding their weapon by the blade – they must drop it. They may then pick it up again to continue fighting, provided they hold it correctly.
Visible tape
Apart from the tape on the gun check, any tape that is not there to secure a blunt must not be visible.
Images
Any visible tape must be grey/silver, black or brown, exactly as shown in the photo opposite (and only this shade of brown).
With the exception of the tape applied during the weapons check. However, only the marking for the current year must be visible; previous markings must be removed or completely covered by the current one.
Spear (javeline, one handed,
both hands)
Quick and easy to make, easy to use. Whether thrown, wielded one-handed or two-handed, the spear, often referred to as the poor man's weapon, is nonetheless the queen of the battlefield.
unlimited number
in the same group
Physical aspect
Appearance
The spears should look as realistic as possible, not like cotton buds.
Material
Blunt
RubberAny other material is forbidden
(steel, wood, leather, etc.) !
Shaft
Bois massifDimensions
Total length
de 1m40 minimumà 2m maximum
(hampe et tête
comprises)
Diameter of shaft
2.5cm minimumalong the entire length of the shaft
How do you measure?
Weight
The total weight of the spear depends on its length:
140cm : 600g min.
141cm to 160cm : 700g min.
161cm to 180cm : 800g min.
181cm to 200cm : 900g min.
As soon as you go beyond a certain length, the ratio with the next higher level applies (e.g. 183cm => 900g).
The ballast must be placed as close as possible to the blunt, no additional counterweight is allowed!
Images
Rules
Security
Only a blunted heel may be used to deliver blows and only commercial blunts are authorised.
Rubber blunts must be taped (black, grey or silver tape) to the shaft (see photos) to avoid any risk of being ripped off during fights.
During the fighting
In order to offer a different combat experience, hast weapons are sometimes not allowed on the battlefield.
We therefore recommend that you bring a valid one-handed weapon so that you can take part in these specific battles.
For 2-handed spearmen, during large battles and certain other activities, a shield on the back or side is compulsory.
Warning! A shield carried in front of you is prohibited, as is removing it voluntarily during battle (see shield rules).
Forbidden
From the Herja 2022 edition onwards, spear blunts that are too soft will no longer pass the weapon check! These include the synthetic Cold steel spearheads sold by Black Armoury, for example. The reason is simple: they're really too soft, which greatly disturbs the perception of the hits. It's hard to know whether you've been hit directly or whether it's simply a blunt oscillation.
Our advice
Note that there are a multitude of solutions for achieving the right weight. To start with, we recommend a shaft diameter of between 2.8cm and 3cm.
You can also add ballast to your spear (see Our tutorials), while ensuring that it looks good and is as safe as possible for other fighters.
Don't hesitate to contact us beforehand with your ideas or to pre-check your weights!
We recommend
Over the years we have tried a multitude of rubber tips from different vendors. With weight restrictions now in place, blunts that are thin enough end up having a reduced lifespan. We therefore recommend the Rubber spear point sold by Faits d'Armes which, in our opinion, offers the best quality/lifetime/price ratio.
How to properly fit a blunt
Method for weighting
Heavy spear
The special feature of these heavy spears is that the large size of their blade gives them the ability to strike with great force. So they can be used to carve, slash and hack!
1 for 5 warriors
in the same group
Physical aspect
Appearance
The spears should look as realistic as possible, not like cotton buds.
Material
Blunt
RubberNylon
Plastic
Shaft
Bois massifDimensions
Blunt length
40cm minimum (socket not included, only blade size taken into account)Total length
2m maximum(including shaft and head)
Diameter of shaft
3cm minimumalong the entire length of the shaft
How do you measure?
Weight
The total weight of the lance must be minimum 1.3kg.
How to weigh?
Balance point
In addition to the minimum total weight, the balance point must be after half the spear and before 1/3 (tip side).
Images
Rules
Hit rules
One-handed spears: same rules as for one-handed spears.
2-handed spears: same rules as two-handed spears as well as swords.
Check armes
To enhance the realism of these simulators, the weapons have a high weight, which increases the risk of injury on impact.
This is why anyone wishing to use them in combat must pass an individual handling test to determine whether they are safe enough for everyone.
During the fighting
In order to offer a different combat experience, hast weapons are sometimes not allowed on the battlefield.
We therefore recommend that you bring a valid one-handed weapon so that you can take part in these specific battles.
For 2-handed spearmen, during large battles and certain other activities, a shield on the back or side is compulsory.
Warning! A shield carried in front of you is prohibited, as is removing it voluntarily during battle (see shield rules).
Forbidden
Heavy spear blunts with "horns" (not fins) are not authorised because they are not historically compatible. Our advice
Note that there are a multitude of solutions for achieving the right weight. To start with, we recommend a shaft diameter of 3cm or more.
You can also add ballast to your spear (see Our tutorials), while ensuring that it looks good and is as safe as possible for other fighters.
Don't hesitate to contact us beforehand with your ideas or to pre-check your weights!
We recommend
At present, we know of very few blunts suitable for HKEMA to materialise a heavy spear. We recommend this blunt, which you can modify using our tutorial opposite: SPETUM MK1 from Black Armory
Don't hesitate to contact us if you know of any other manufacturers who make blunts for this type of weapon!
Make a
Sword, scramaseax and others
The scramaseax, the evolved form of the saex, although simple, is nonetheless a formidable weapon. As for the sword, an emblem of wealth, it is designed for a single purpose: combat.
1 for 5 warriors
in the same group
Physical aspect
Appearance
Only historical weapons that correspond to those authorised for our period are accepted.
Material
Blade
SteelNylon
Plastic
Dimensions
Total length greater than 50cm (handle + blade), below which it is considered a knife.
How do you measure?
Scabbard
Each sword must have its own scabbard. This type of weapon will no longer be validated without its scabbard during checks.During any fight, a sword-wielder must have the scabbard corresponding to his weapon on his belt.
Images
Rules
During the fighting
In order to offer a different combat experience, hast weapons are sometimes not allowed on the battlefield.
During these specific battles, the restriction of one warrior for five for swords/langseax no longer applies, to give you easier access to one-handed weapons.
Security
Your weapons must be in good condition and safe: no rust, no burrs, no splinters, no sharp edges or points, blunt greater than or equal to a €2 coin.
Our advice
If you're just starting out and don't intend to do any re-enactment work, particularly Eastern/Western style combat, we'd advise you to opt for a weapon with a nylon blade rather than a steel one.
There are several reasons for this. Firstly, plastic/nylon blades are much cheaper and more readily available on the internet, for example.
Secondly, these blades are adapted to the practice of HEMA, which is logical given that they were designed for, where protection can be lighter than in certain other practices. In particular, they have a much thicker edge than steel swords, which widens the area of impact and is less likely to cause serious injury to your opponent.
We recommend
Of the various swords we've tested, we recommend the Viking sword in nylon sold by Black Fencer. Its steel guard and pommel make it look very similar to a historical weapon, but it's also very light, and the thick nylon blade means you'll be safe in battle.
Of the various swords tested, we recommend the Norman sword in nylon sold by Black Fencer. Its steel guard and pommel make it look very similar to a historical weapon, but it's also very light, and the thick nylon blade means you'll be safe in battle.
Of the various swords we've tested, we recommend the Scramasax Large in nylon sold by Black Fencer. It looks very similar to a historical weapon and the thick nylon blade gives you safety in battle.
Our Tutorials
Seax and other knives
The seax, symbol of the free man, is both an excellent tool and a formidable weapon.
unlimited number
in the same group
Physical aspect
Appearance
Only historical weapons that correspond to those authorised for our period are accepted.
Material
Blade
SteelNylon
Plastic
Dimensions
Total length less than or equal to 50cm (handle + blade), above which it is considered a sword.
How do you measure?
Scabbard
Each knife must have its own scabbard. This type of weapon will no longer be validated without its scabbardduring checks.During any fight, a knife-wielder must have the scabbard corresponding to his weapon on his belt.
Images
Rules
Security
Your weapons must be in good condition and safe: no rust, no burrs, no splinters, no sharp edges or points, blunt greater than or equal to a €2 coin.
Axe (one hand)
One of the essential tools at the time. It was used for work as well as for fighting, before the advent of axes designed solely for warfare.
unlimited number
in the same group
Physical aspect
Appearance
Only historical weapons that correspond to those authorised for our period are accepted.
Material
Blunt
Nylon
Plastic
Dimensions
Total length less than or equal to 80cm, from top corner of the axe-head to bottom of handle
Images
Rules
Hit rules
Security
Your weapons must be in good condition and secure: no rust, no burrs, no splinters, no sharp edges or points.
Our advice
Axes, especially handles, can be put to the test during fights. That's why we advise you to bring one or more extra handles in case of breakage.
We recommend
Axe blunts need to be strong because they are subjected to powerful and repeated impacts, but they also need to be able to withstand the high stresses experienced when hooking, for example. We therefore recommend the Axe (1 hand) synthetic ARCEM sold by Black Armoury which to date offers the best resistance and durability, while having a historic look and easy assembly.
Our Tutorials
Repairing a brokenplastic axe.
Axe (two-handed)
A formidable weapon, forged for combat, designed for elite warriors and feared above all else on the battlefield. These axes have colossal destructive potential, whether used against a shield, helmet or chain mail.
1 for 5 warriors
in the same group
Physical aspect
Appearance
Only historical weapons that correspond to those authorised for our period are accepted.
Material
Blunt
RubberAny other material is forbidden (steel, wood, leather, nylon, plastic, etc.)!
Shaft
Bois massifDimensions
Total length
1m20 maximumfrom top corner of the axe-head to bottom of handle
Handle diameter
3cm minimumalong the entire length of the handle
How do you measure?
Weight
The total weight of the lance must be minimum 1.4kg.
The ballast can be placed on the shaft, as close as possible to the head. It is not necessary (or even inadvisable) to place it on the blunt.
How to weigh?
Images
Rules
Hit rules
Check armes
To enhance the realism of these simulators, the weapons have a high weight, which increases the risk of injury on impact.
This is why anyone wishing to use them in combat must pass an individual handling test to determine whether they are safe enough for everyone.
During the fighting
In order to offer a different combat experience, hast weapons are sometimes not allowed on the battlefield.
We therefore recommend that you bring a valid one-handed weapon so that you can take part in these specific battles.
For 2-handed axe-wielders, during major battles and certain other activities, a shield on the back or side is compulsory.
Warning! A shield carried in front of you is prohibited, as is removing it voluntarily during battle (see shield rules).
Our advice
Note that there are a multitude of solutions for achieving the right weight while ensuring a correct overall appearance and optimum safety for the other competitors.
We have a number of tutorials to help you do just that.
Don't hesitate to contact us beforehand with your ideas or to pre-check your weights!
Axes, especially handles, can be put to the test during fights. That's why we advise you to bring one or more extra handles in case of breakage.
We recommend
So far we've only found one type of blunt to simulate a large 2-handed axe, and that's a rubber head, available in black or silver. You can find one at a good price at Faits d'Armes.
Methods to ballast
2nd methods to
Shield
The undisputed symbol of the Viking warrior. A weapon that is as offensive as it is defensive guarantees the life of its bearer, despite its thinness and apparent fragility.
1 per person
mandatory
Physical aspect
Appearance
It must be strapped and in good condition : leather or rawhide.
Les cerclages en tissu ne sont désormais plus autorisés !
The shield must be in good condition (not broken, no holes, no splinters, etc.).
The outside-face must be covered in fabric (linen look) or leather.
Material
The shield must be at least 0.8cm thick.
Authorised types
Round shield
The shield must be round and flat, with an umbo in the centre and a central handle.
Dimensions
Diameter between 70cm and 1m
Images
Drop shield
The shield can be curved or flat, with no umbo and leather straps to hold it in the hand.
Width
entre 40cm minimum
et 60cm maximum
Height
between 90cm minimum
and 160cm maximum
Images
Drop shield
This type of shield is not available to this people.
Bouclier ovale
The shield must be oval and curved, without an umbo, and have straps for fastening.
Width
between 70cm minimum
and 90cm maximum
Height
between 90cm minimum
and 1m maximum
Images
Bouclier ovale
This type of shield is not available to this people.
Round carolingian shield
The shield must be round and flat, without an umbo, and have straps for fastening.
Width
between 50cm minimum
and 80cm maximum
Images
Round carolingian shield
This type of shield is not available to this people.
Round lenticular shield
The shield must be round and lenticular, with an umbo in the centre and a central handle.
Width
Diameter between 70cm and 1m
Images
Round lenticular shield
This type of shield is not available to this people.
Rules
Hit rules
Shield blows are allowed but are only valid as a hit if they are made to the head.
However, it's still a dangerous move, so be careful not to use excessive force.
For safety reasons, shield blows to the head must be vertical or at a maximum angle of 45°. Horizontal blows are now prohibited!
During the fighting
For 2-handed weapon carriers, during major battles and certain other activities, a shield on the back or side is compulsory.
We therefore recommend that you have a reliable and solid attachment system that allows you to carry it on your back.
Warning! A shield carried in front of you is forbidden as is voluntarily removing it during battle.
Security
La main qui tient le bouclier doit OBLIGATOIREMENT avoir un gant qui doit respecter nos règles sur les gants !
Our advice
For HEMA, we've realised as we've been practising that a lightweight shield is important so that it can be moved and handled correctly. This also means that it can be worn for longer, thereby reducing the fatigue caused.
That's why we recommend using plywood for the top, with a thickness of 0.8cm or even 1cm, which is a good compromise between weight and strength/durability. Anything thicker and the shield is often too heavy.
In terms of dimensions, we recommend a medium to small size, for greater responsiveness and manoeuvrability. 80cm, for example, is perfectly adequate.
Of course, these are just tips drawn from our own experiences. Everyone is different, with their own preferences and constraints. So you need to adapt your equipment to your requirements.
We recommend
Unlike in real combat, for our practice the shield must resist impact only. So it has to be solid, especially the slices that tend to break and crumble quickly, which is dangerous for you and your opponents.
That's why we recommend using rawhide (untanned hide) for the strapping on your shield. The special thing about rawhide is that when it is wet, it becomes very malleable, which makes it easier to apply to the edges. But once it's dry again, rawhide becomes very hard and shock-resistant, increasing its longevity.
You can also double the layer of rawhide on the areas that take the most impact, but beware of the added weight.
Our Tutorials
Make aviking shield
Forbidden
Spearlbunt too soft
From the Herja 2022 edition onwards, spear blunts that are too soft will no longer pass the weapon check! These include the synthetic Cold steel spearheads sold by Black Armoury, for example.The reason is simple: they're really too soft, which greatly disturbs the perception of the hits. It's hard to know whether you've been hit directly or whether it's simply a blunt oscillation.
Images
Heavy spear with horns
Heavy spear blunts with "horns" (not fins) are not authorised because they are not historically compatible.Images
Steel axe head
During the first editions of Herja they were authorised, but following a number of injuries and a safety reassessment we decided to ban them.Whether it's a one-handed axe or a two-handed axe, no steel head will get past the checks.
Images
Unweighted two-handed axe
Since the 2021 edition, the rules on danaxes have changed drastically (see Danaxe).From now on, this type of axe will require a minimum weight in order to be as close as possible to a historical weapon and to avoid the long sword aspect seen in the first editions.
Images
Sabre
In order to give our event a clear identity, we've decided to restrict the peoples who can be represented.That's why sabers, which are mainly Rus and Slavic weapons, will no longer be allowed at our event.
Images
Shield without strapping
In accordance with our rules, a shield must have a strapping which must be in good condition to pass our checks.It can be made of leather or rawhide.
Images
The organisers reserve the right not to validate a weapon if they consider it to be non-compliant, even if it complies with the above rules.