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Forget fairytales where the princess waits to be rescued. Christa Martin is the woman who's swapping tiaras for helmets, castles for combat arenas, and proving that in 2026, being the knight is far more fun than waiting for one.
For those Game of Thrones fans, think Brienne of Tarth: fearless and fiercely skilled at taking on anyone throwing down the gauntlet. And, since 2011, in the year of our Lord, Christa has been doing exactly that.
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The sword chooses its champion
“I was helping out with organising Pagan Freedom Day in 2010,” recalls the administrator (when not fighting with steel). “We were asked to find people to do interesting displays, so I asked my friend to bring his sword group to the event. When I saw what they were doing, I was totally in, but it took me a year and another sword display to get to training. It was like I had come home.”
Once she found her feet, she founded the SA Rogue Squadron - South Africa's leading full-contact medieval combat team.
“I started with two female recruits, with the intention of forming a women's buhurt team, and over the years, Rogues has grown (pre-plague), shrunk (plague, floods, and riots), and grown again (modern times).”
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Meet the modern-day knight
Christa trains in Full Contact Medieval Combat (FCMC) - a full-contact sport (as the name suggests) fought in authentic steel armour using historical medieval tournament rules adapted for modern safety. Unlike Olympic fencing or Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), FCMC recreates the armoured tournaments of medieval Europe.
Competitors battle with swords, axes, polearms, and shields while wearing heavy steel armour. And yes - it really is as physically demanding as it looks. Then there are the spectacular buhurts - full team battles where multiple armoured fighters clash simultaneously in organised medieval mayhem.
"It's one of the few sword sports that includes large-scale team combat," says Christa. "That's what makes it so exciting."
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Throwing down the gauntlet
Today, Rogue Squadron competes against clubs around the country, including Johannesburg's Juggerknights, with Cape Town's growing sword community also entering the lists.
Her husband Josh - himself a former multiple-time South African champion - now focuses on crafting armour and weapons after retiring from competition following a motorcycle accident. In fact, many of the team's armour and weapons have been handmade by him.
Honours fit for a knight
Christa has been instrumental in the ongoing trajectory of one of the country's most unusual and adrenaline-fuelled sports, while also becoming one of its most decorated competitors.
She’s represented South Africa internationally and remains the country's only World Championship medallist, earning bronze in Women's Polearm at the IMCF World Championships in 2015. She's also currently undefeated in South Africa's women's division.
Last year brought perhaps her proudest honour – she was knighted by Sir Stephen Kane in recognition of her contribution to medieval combat, through vox populi.
“This is one historical way in which knights were made; through popular vote,” notes Christa. “While I will not be recognised as a knight outside of our greater sword community, I feel that the people who do recognise and use the title are the ones that matter.”
Come hither, to the Highland Gathering
This Women's Month, she'll once again don her armour as part of the Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering on Saturday, 1 August. Visitors won't just be watching choreographed stage combat. These are genuine competitive bouts using steel weapons and full armour.
But it’s more than just swordfights!
The Fort Nottingham Highland Gathering combines Scottish heritage with Midlands charm through:
- Highland athletics including caber toss and hammer throw
- Pipe bands from Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- Highland dancing
- Address to the Haggis ceremony
- Whisky tastings
- Artisan markets
- Food stalls
- Family entertainment
- Historical exhibitions
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What you need to know
- Date: Saturday, 1 August 2026
- Venue: Fort Nottingham Museum, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
- Time: 8am – 5pm
- Tickets: Available through Quicket
- Parking: R20 per vehicle
- Children: Under 12 enter free
- Dogs: Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
- Bring: Picnic blankets, fold-up chairs, warm clothing and sunscreen
The final trumpet call
Forget waiting in the tower. Sometimes the best stories belong to the knight riding through the gates instead. And if you happen to hear the clash of swords echoing through the Midlands in the upcoming weeks…pray, continue!
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