I just figured I would start a new thread about the Battle of the Nations. There has been much discussion about it on the "SCA Combat" thread, dragging that thread somewhat off-topic and bordering on necromancy. I figure here we can pose our questions, post videos, duscuss, argue, and debate all the Bullshido-woirthy topics relevant to the "world championships of "historical medieval battles" and "full-contact medieval armored combat."

I'm going to throw this grenade into the mix to start: is BotN fighting a martial art? I'm not so sure. In the melees, anyway, it is all about knocking the guy down while holding a weapon. The rules allow just about everything butdouble-leg takredowns and weapon thrusts, making it look more like a demolition derby than a swordfight.