Counted Blows

There are many period references to combats of x number of courses, where the combat might have entailed a number of blows received, or perhaps of a number thrown.
In the modern tournament companies, both traditions have prospered. In the 'Saint George ' method, the number of blows thrown is regulated. The fighting tends to be more poised and precise, but some say less intense. It gives an advantage to combatants who are precise in their blows. In the 'Saint Michael ' method, the number of blows received is counted, yielding a different kind of fight-one with more blows thrown, generally with less precision, but with more action. It tends to favor those who throw many blows. See Chronique: The Journal of Chivalry #4 .