HMB / ANML Activities and Insurance Cover
ARA Introduction to HMB
Historical Medieval Battles (HMB), as described by HMB International, is full contact sporting combat in which historical protective and offensive arms of the Middle Ages – made especially and adjusted to suit this kind of competition – are used. HMBs are held in lists of standardized dimensions, with different types of authentic weapons, depending on the kind of a battle. The concept of HMB includes all kinds of full contact combat with the use of items of Historical Reenactment of the Middle Ages (HRMA), namely historical fencing, buhurts, melee, duels, small group battles, mass field battles, professional fights, etc.
HMBs are always held in full contact, but are represented by different categories with various authorized and prohibited techniques. In addition, victory conditions, battle regulations, tournament schemes and other parameters are different.
Please Note:
- Other than offering affordable Broadform Cover for HMB / ANML activities and supporting the ANML promote and enjoy their hobby, the ARA has no other affiliation with HMB International and has no other interest or agenda concerning HMB in Australia nor internationally.
- No HMB Practitioner is obliged to take up the ARA's Broadform Cover, nor are they obliged to participate in activities with the ANML.
- If you don't think that that the ARA's Broadform Cover and/or the ANML is of any benefit to you then please don't sign up for it.
What is the ARA’s HMB / ANML?
The ARA’s HMB / ANML activities are defined and executed as per HMB International’s definitions and rules with the following clarifications to ensure compliance with the ARA’s PL Policy.
‘HMB’ refers to combat activities as per the HMB International Rules and Regulations
‘ANML’ stands for the 'Australian National Medieval League’ which is a group of HMB enthusiasts within the ARA, who promote HMB activities, organise HMB Tourneys and support one another to enjoy their hobby of HMB.
To ensure compliance with HMB International Rules and Regulations as well as the ARA's Broadform Cover, the ARA's HMB / ANML Combat activity is defined and described in compliance with HMB international Rules and Regulations as:
a Full Contact sporting combat activity using Stout / Clear blows which, to be counted, must be deliberate, clear and were not blocked by the opponent’s defensive action with a shield or sword.
A Stout / Clear blow should be delivered with minimum force necessary for an opponent to acknowledge a blow in the armour they are wearing subject to:
o the type of battle (historical fencing, buhurts, melee, duels, small group battles, mass field battles etc)
o the method of scoring being employed
Full force blows are not permitted under any circumstances
- This is due to restrictions by the ARA’s PL policy for HMB/ANML Activities
- Please also take note that 'Full force Blows' are not mentioned in the BOTN Rules and Regulations, nor promoted by BOTN nor HMBIA. (Please check for yourself here)
- We are aware that some international HMB Practitioners use the term 'full force' to describe and promote their activities, and we don't want to spoil their fun, but the ARA's HMB /ANML maintains strict compliance with HMB International Rules and Regulations that do not use the term 'full force'.
Restrictions / Limitations on HMB / ANML:
The restrictions on the ARA’s HMB / ANML activities are not intended to drive HMB activities outside of the ARA but are only intended to apply to the ARA’s HMB/ANML Activities to ensure that they remain compliant with the requirements of the ARA’s PL Policy
- The Term 'Full Contact Sporting Combat' and 'full contact combat' does NOT define the force of the strikes employed.
- The Term 'Full Contact Sporting Combat' and 'full contact combat' refers to the nature of the combat overall which includes a wide variety of appropriately protected target areas using suitably restricted techniques as described in the HMB Rules such as non-injuring binds and takes downs (eg pushing, holds, wrestling techniques, throws, back heels, etc.)
- Full force blows are not permitted under any circumstances.
Applicable Rules governing HMB /ANML Activities:
The following rules and restrictions apply to the ARA’s HMB/ANML activities.
- ARA Guidelines for Standard Interclub Hand Weapon Combat
- ARA Hand Weapons Safety Competency Guidelines for Standard Interclub Hand Weapon Combat
- HMB-Rules-for-BUHURT-CATEGORIES
- HMB-Rules-for-TOURNAMENT-CATEGORIES
- Regulations-for-BUHURT-CATEGORY
- Regulations-for-TOURNAMENT-CATEGORY
Safety
To mitigate risk to both combatants and the viewing public the following additional safety factors are used in HMB style combat:
- All HMBs are held under control and observation of a marshal’s (referee’s) group, including one knight marshal (main referee), field referees, linesmen and referees monitoring the video coverage. (General Regulation 1.2, HMB-Rules-for-BUHURT-CATEGORIES)
- Stringent restrictions on weapons and armour construction and weight (General Regulation 2 HMB-Rules-for-BUHURT-CATEGORIES)
- Stringent permissible combat techniques (General Regulation 3 HMB-Rules-for-BUHURT-CATEGORIES)
- Stringent prohibited Techniques (General Regulation 4, HMB-Rules-for-BUHURT-CATEGORIES)
- Stringent management and control of of Battles (General Regulation 5, HMB-Rules-for-BUHURT-CATEGORIES)
- Stringent combat area boundaries using:
- hard barriers as per General Regulation 1.3, HMB-Regulation-for-BUHURT-CATEGORIES
- Standard ARA safety boundaries as per ARA Safety Principles Clause 3
Cost
The ARA offers a guest membership with Broadform Cover for HMB / ANML activities for the duration of a calendar year for:
- $50 for current ARA Members and
- $60 for Non-ARA Members and you are not obliged to take up anything else.
This price has been set at the lowest and most affordable that we can while aiming to cover the substantial premium cost of the insurance cover for HMB Activities.
We have aimed to make all the ARA's Cover for Reenactment available for $100 for those who wish to take it up:
- $20 ARA Annual Membership with broadform cover for generic reenactment activities
- $30 Personal Injury Cover which DOES NOT include cover for HMB / ANML Activities (Sorry)
- $50 Guest Membership for HMB / ANML Activities only.
What you get:
When you sign up for the Guest Membership for HMB / ANML Activities you will be sent all the documents that demonstrate that you are covered for HMB Activities as an ARA HMB/ANML Guest Member representing the ARA or one of its Affiliate Groups (ARAGs).
Applications
Online Application for Current ARA Members
Online Application for Non-ARA Members
PAYING YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND INSURANCE FEES:
Details on how to pay your Membership and Insurance fees are on the Payments Page.