stickin' it to the man

A 17-year-old US student who enjoys re-enacting medieval battles has been banned from wielding his favourite sword in his graduation yearbook.

Portsmouth High School in the US state of Rhode Island has asked Patrick Agin to submit a new photo after he first posed in full chainmail and armour.

The school rejected the photo, saying it contravened a strict zero-tolerance policy on weapons.

In response, the Agin family is suing the school for restricting free speech.

Patrick Agin picked up the medieval battle habit from his mother, Heidi Farrington, who makes and sells period clothing.

Civil liberties

The student's interest in the battles of a bygone era has grown along with his knowledge of the textile techniques of the middle ages.

As well as regular bouts of sword-fighting and medieval feasting, Patrick and thousands of others across the US stage learn oft-forgotten arts and crafts and stage large-scale re-enactments of major historical events.

Tamara Griggs, of the 35,000-member Society for Creative Anachronism, said the student's decision to pose in full costume was perfectly understandable.

"It's no different from wanting to appear in a Boy Scout uniform," she said.

But the principal of Portsmouth High School, Robert Littlefield, said the flagrant wielding of a potentially lethal weapon was a clear violation of school regulations.

"I don't see our action as discouraging anyone's hobby," he said.

But he added: "I don't see our yearbook as a vehicle where we guarantee everyone an opportunity to broadcast their hobby to our audience."

Legal organisation the American Civil Liberties Union has taken up Patrick's case, filing a lawsuit in a federal court in December, the Associated Press reports.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6260235.stm