Medieval knights do battle in the Midlands

Illa Thompson

“I never wanted to be the princess in the castle ‒ I wanted to be the one with the sword,” said medieval combat sportswoman Christa Martin.

A chivalry of knights in shining armour will descend on the Midlands next weekend to demonstrate medieval combat techniques to visitors to the Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering next Saturday, August 24.

There will be calls to parry, slash, dodge, strike, stab, lunge, sweep, block, pommel, pivot and retreat.

Collectively known as the SA Rogue Squadron, the knights are an amateur sports team competing in medieval combat tournaments regionally, nationally and internationally. Based in Camperdown and Drummond, the fighters comprise the bulk of the South African national team and represent the country at World Championships and other tournaments abroad, as individuals and jointly as a team.

“At one point, we were a real force to be reckoned with – we won pretty much everything,” said team captain Martin. “Then Covid happened. However, we have gained some new fighters who are showing great promise, which is very exciting.”

Martin is a hugely respected, experienced and award-winning full contact medieval combat sportswoman. For more than a decade, she has fought in dozens of competitions, nationally and internationally. She knows her way around an array of swords, maces, axes, rapiers and bucklers (a small round metal shield) and remains nimble despite being clad head to toe in metal armour and a sturdy helmet his year’s annual Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering takes place in and around Fort Nottingham next Saturday 24 August 24, and looks set to be a bumper event – with a full field of athletes and a great line-up of Scottish performers. most of which she makes herself.

The Olympics have embraced an array of fringe sports and shown how engaging and spectator-friendly they are.

Medieval fighting is massive globally, even in countries with no medieval combat history. Tournaments and demo opportunities are important to create awareness about the sport to elevate it from the ranks of fringe to centre stage. It is not impossible for medieval combat sports to become more mainstream if it could attract increased support from media and sponsors.

The SA Rogue Squadron train in Drummond – fittingly with 1000 Hills as a backdrop – and have their monthly tournaments at The Club House in Camperdown. Their core team comprises six fighters and eight recruits: the oldest is a national fencing champ in his 50s and the youngest is 21. No one under 18 may be part of the adult squad, although youngsters are welcome to join the KZN Combat Academy for junior athletes.

With a motto of “Courage, compassion and courtesy”, the children use soft protection in their bouts and are trained in modern sword fighting. It is great for instilling “knightly virtues” such as respect, sportsmanship and self-control.

The team plans to visit one of the world’s largest medieval festivals taking place in Poland where they have lots of fighting friends and supporters. The festival has tournaments in various combat disciplines, as well as re-enactments, a medieval campsite and a themed market – where one can buy armour, weaponry, helmets and accessories.

But before Poland is Notties. The Squadron will be out in full force during the day at the Fort Nottingham Highland Games with elite and novice fighters competing in triathlon bouts using various types of swords and shields.