Ed. note:  This directive was rescinded later, and will not go into effect 10/1/2016. Per Syr Duncan:

After being told two weeks ago that we had to start inspecting helms off of the head the SEM has decided that we need to wait until he has a better idea of what we are looking for and how. To that end he is suspending his earlier edict to inspect helms in any manner differently than what we are already doing. Sorry for the inconvenience. I am at work and have no way to access Facebook, can someone please forward this the Kingdom Facebook page and the calon list?

YIS,
Duncan

From Syr Duncan of Skeene, Earl Marshal of Calontir
I received the following from Sir Padraig, the Deputy SEM for Rattan combat. We are to begin this process now. I am not worried about if we inspect the same helm at several different events. We are supposed to make this part of our normal inspection process until further notice.

I think it is because of a rash of concussions, goose eggs and pressure gashes in the recent past. I know this will be a bit of a pain in tracking how many inspections we do and how many fail because of not enough padding but I have no choice in the matter. We need to begin this process OCTOBER 1.

Quoted message follows:
” I am asking one and all to begin a round of helm inspections that would
include a check of the interior padding. We should be looking for
proper coverage, thickness and resilience. I would Appreciate if
your Marshals would get a count of how many helms were inspected,
how many failed and why. It would be nice f we could have this info
by kingdom included in your end of year reports. I would also like
you to instruct your Marshals that if any head injuries occur,
bleeding lumps, tko’s or Mo’s even, that they inspect the injured
fighters helm and include any finding good or bad in the report to
you. I think in short time we can find out if our inspection has
been sloppy in the past, or if there really is a problem that we can
put a finger on.
In service
Padraig”

Thank you,
Syr Duncan of Skeene

Illustration of the Battle of Barnet (14 April 1471) on the Ghent manuscript. Public domain in the US