What a tournament! Heritage Shield 2025, one of my favourite tournaments to fight in as well as watch. Heritage, held in Ledbury, is the end of the season for UK Buhurt, the last hurra before we scurry back to our clubhouses to hibernate for the winter.

This was a big tournament for ISCA, for the first time ISCA fielded two full teams, evening loaning fighters out, the field was a sea of green and red. Bristol Armoured Combat (BAC) fighters feartured in both ISCA 1 & ISCA 2. There were 13 teams in total, with White Company 2 dropping out. ISCA 1 & 2 were in separate groups and you can see the fight order below.

The day began with an absolutely outstanding performance by ISCA 1. ISCA 1 stormed through their group, winning most of their fights, working together as a team and coming top of their group. Fighting their way into the semi finals. There were some absolutely cracking moments during all this fighting. But this was my favourite.

Everyone loves a blindside!

ISCA 2 fought through their group but sadly did not make it through to the semis, with some excellent teams including White Company, Invicta and the french DIEX AIE. The later two featured some fantastic halberdiers who are clearly masters of their craft, as my poor bruised ribs and shoulders will attest to!

The difference it makes to a team having a full complement of fighters, able to sub out as needed makes the hell of a difference to team morale, performance and the quality of fighting. Allowing your fighters to give it all, take a round out and be replaced by someone fresh as a daisy really helps.

The best fight of the day though, at least the one I enjoyed the most was the first semi final ISCA 1 V White Company (watch here). If you need any context, White Company (WC) are the top dogs, winners of tournament after tournament. ISCA haven’t won a medal on UK soil since 2019 (Bronze in the 5v5s at Heritage), and yet…

ISCA put in the work, they fought like devils, the first round went down to the wire, as Greg, the Captain of ISCA finally took the last WC fighter down his gaunlet went with him, forcing a draw.

Some fresh fighters were swapped in and round two began, two WC fighters were taken down before a lovely bit of axework from two fighters on one WC fighter. This left ISCA 5:2 up, before one from either side went down together for a 4:1 win for ISCA.

The crowd were loving it, everyone loves an underdog, the chants of ISCA as the boys in green fought those in white were loud and excited.

Then came round three White Company hammered ISCA hard, despite an early 5:4 advantage, White Company stormed through for a 3:1 win.

Then came the big one(s), a ferocious start from ISCA saw a quick 5:4 advantage, followed up to 5:3, once ISCA had the numbers it was their game. A both teams had one go down together leaving ISCA 4:2 up, ISCA fighters doubled up on each WC fighter, and down one went and that was it. ISCA were through to the finals. The adrenaline and joy on the fighters and crowd as electric. This was it! Off to the final.

WC fought Invicta 2 in the third place run off, with WC fighting hard, smashing through and taking the bronze medal.

The final was ISCA V Invicta. ISCA gave their everything, they had had a long days fighting and this was what it was all for.

Unfortunately, despite all their best efforts it was not to be. ISCA fought Invicta hard, but in the end it didn’t work out. But despite not getting the gold, ISCA had put in the best performance they have for several years, coming home with the silver medal!

The final standings were;

Gold - Invicta

Silver - ISCA

Bronze - White Company

Following the 5s we all got stuck in again for a couple of 30v30 rounds. If you haven’t had the chance to do one yet, they are amazing, the sheer quantity of fighters in the list makes this kind of fight something rare and amazing to be a part of.

That is the end of the season here in the UK. BAC still have one more event this year, that is ISCA Rebellion, the ISCA Chapter tournament in November. Look out for the blog to find out all about it in the near future!

If you want to watch the days fights, they have all been uploaded right here - Heritage Shield 2025.

Don’t forget to check out Knight Illuminations for all the photos of the day Part One & Part Two.

Heritage Shield 2025

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