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Words from the Warlord

August A.S. XVII

In the April GULL, former Warlord Eric Foxworthy .mentioned two rules of Warfare, i.e. (1) Stay alive, and (2) Keep your friends alive, as well as a corollary: Stay on the Hill. I would like at this time to expand on this theme if I might.

History, as well as romantic movie lore, is replete with stories of gallant charges, berserker attacks, and assorted swashbuckling" Errol-Flynn "style. Everyone knows about the Charge of the Light Brigade, taking the cannons of Balaclava, etc.

While all this sort of thing makes for exciting movie-making and imparts to the individual who indulges in this type of fighting a great adrenalin rush (also known as feeling heroic), it has little to do with effective warfare. On the whole, the lone fighter who launches himself on the enemy army without plan or backup, accomplishes only one thing: He reduces his forces by one.

This is not to say that great things cannot be accomplished by a bold charge. Quite often this has carried the day. But the most effective charges were planned, and most importantly, were backed up by a second wave that exploited the confusion created by the charge. This was demonstrated most effectively in the first battle at the Burro Creek War last February.

The type of Warfare of which I speak is best typified in the Battle of Senlac Hill (Hastings) in 1066. Having been repulsed by the Saxon shield wall, the Norman knights were withdrawing down the hill to reform their ranks. The Saxon "Fyrd", or shire levy, thought that they were fleeing in defeat. Sensing victory (incorrectly), they charged (on foot) down the hill after the heavily armed knights on horseback. King Harold's front-line troops, or "housecarls", knew better and stayed put at the top of the hill.

Unfortunately, the Fyrd lacked the opportunity that we have in the SCA, of learning from one's mistakes. When the Normans got hold of the Fyrd (in disarray, on level ground), they turned and cut them down, destroying a large part of Harold's army. The Fyrd missed out on the rest of a great battle, while the housecarls didn't (although ultimately they probably wished they had). A knight on horseback can be a very unforgiving teacher. :

The point of all the above is that you as a fighter, regardless of skill, are more valuable alive than dead.. This may come as a surprise to some, but it is true.

Team to work with a team. It will keep you alive longer. If you see a pike coming at the guy next to you, and you can reach it safely, go ahead, live a little, be a pal, and block it. He will be grateful if you do and may return the favor. This will also keep you alive.

In a good war team, everyone works this way: I keep you alive, you keep me alive, and we both live longer. Heroes die young, old soldiers live to tell about it. Find an old soldier and ask him how he got that way! For now, live long and prosper!

Thomas Buttesthorn

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