A Midsummer Fight's Dream 2026

A Midsummer Fight's Dream is back for the sixth time! This year we'll be celebrating the longsword. As a brief overview the day will encompass:

• A Bar Brawl, this time scheduled in the morning so we actually run the damn thing!

• A women's, non-binary and trans longsword tournament (Swiss-pools style). May be shortened to WURG (Women and under-represented genders).

• A Beginner's open longsword tournament (Swiss-pools style).

• The Meyer Tetrathlon - A four round variety event for more experienced or rounded fencers. Will consist of one bout of longsword, one of sidesword/rappier, one of dusack and one of dagger.

• Prize giving by some benches or in a car park, as is "tradition".

The ticket options are

• Entry to the beginner's open tournament

• Entry to the WURG tournament

• Meyer Tetrathlon (free, but participants are expected to volunteer for the other tournaments). Entry to this cannot be combined with entering the Beginner's or WURG tournements on account of the volunteering requirement.

• Volunteering (free and filled with eternal gratitude)

• All tickets allow participation in the brawl

What do we mean by beginner?

• You have not won a medal at a Open HEMA scorecard registered event using any weapon, OR

• You have a weighted rating less than 950 in longsword on HEMA Ratings.

If you do your entry fee will be refunded and you won't be able to enter the tournament. N.B. The WURG tournaments are NOT beginner only - we think it's important that people that want to enter these tournaments have every opportunity to do so.

All fencers participate at their own risk. Furthermore it is a condition of competing that you have insurance to cover third-party personal liability (if you're a member of a HEMA club you likely have this but please check). If you're insured by the BMABA we are a recognised event under them so your insurance is valid.

Data Policy: Your data will only be shared with HEMA Scorecard and HEMA Ratings for the purpose of scoring and ranking individual fighters. You also have the option to have your tournament ratings profile and data anonymised, if you wish to have this done please contact oxfordswordandstaff@gmail.com with the request and your name. Note this only anonymises the data, it does not remove the record of the result of bouts. By purchasing a ticket you are acknowledging that you are aware that your participation, your tournament results and your categorisation will be publicly viewable and will be used by HEMA Scorecard and HEMA Ratings for the purposes of scoring and ranking individual fighters, unless specifically requested to be anonymised.

Photography Policy: A Midsummer Fight's Dream will likely have people taking photographs and recording video. As such, you and any guests may appear in photographs or videos used and distributed on our social media channels and that of other attendees. If you or any guests with you do not wish to be present in any media, it is your responsibility as an attendee to ensure you are not in any such media items by actions that do not interfere with running of the event or media documentation.

The rules are available here: RULES . In general they are close to the Wessex League rules with one addition - this is a moderate-intensity tournament, and thus suitable control and intensity is expected in all bouts. We're adhering to Wessex League's Gender Policy (in full http://wessexleague.org/rules/tournament-rules/) - in short the Underrepresented Genders tournament it is intended to be inclusive of women, non-binary and trans folks. If you feel this tournament gives you the best place to practice HEMA in a competitive setting you're encouraged to enter.

Equipment: For all tournaments you will need to provide your own protective gear and weapons. Feel free to bring synthetic and/or rubber weapons you might wish to use for the brawl.

For all tournaments the minimum gear is:

• CEN1 mask and overlay (with rigid protection on the back of the head)

• a gorget with a rigid throat covering

• 350N rated jacket

• Heavy-duty gloves are required (SPES heavies, Sparring Gloves etc. Red Dragon's are not sufficient)

• rigid protection on forearms, elbows, knees and shins

• A groin protector for those with something to protect

• A rigid chest protector for those with something to protect

• There must be no exposed skin

Feders and Longswords must meet the following criteria:

• From a reputable manufacturer (e.g. Regenyei, Sigi, HaftArms. If in doubt ask)

• minimum 2mm edge thickness

• Free of burrs, cracks or serious defects/set

• Rolled, spatulated or other enlarged tip (i.e. plastic tip, bullet casing). Rubber tips are not permitted

• Maximum weight 1700g

• Minimum weight 1200g

• Max blade length 105cm

• Of reasonable flex. As a guide, 20kg flex using the Wessex system would be the upper limit.

• Crossguard and schilt must be rounded/free of pointed surfaces

• Note longswords are acceptable, but must meet the above criteria. Sigi Kings will be fine, others should be checked with organisers.

Any questions please contact oxfordswordandstaff@gmail.com