Shield check/bash and grappling

[Valas Hune]

Does a shield bash/check constitute iniating grappling on an opponent? When I fight with a spear/polearm I carry a dagger as a side arm and I am in armor. Generally as people come inside of my range I may grab their shield and shank'em for their shoes. SO I guess an inverse question, did I illegally iniate grappling against an unarmored opponent or is a shield grab grappling at all? Thanks.

Well since I cannot reply I will edit. I kind of thought it a grey area since you can 'control' a person's movements by hucking their shield around (strap of course)

[Soo Ma Tai]

Gabbing someones equipment is not considered grappling. You must be grabbing their person, (garb, armor, etc.) not their equipment (weapons, shields).

[Brutus]

Actually this is a gray area in the book of war. Soo Ma Tai's interpretation is generally accepted, but a literal interpretation of the BoW might classify your actions as grappling.

I guess to be safe you should ask whoever is the highest authority in your local realm, or the head herald at any event you intend to do this at.