Scholar:  The grade of Scholar was established as the entry level for members of the Masters of the Noble Science of Defence in England in 1540.  At that time the primary requirement was apprenticeship to a Master of the corporation.  Scholars will have demonstrated skill in a single weapon of the Medieval or Renaissance periods:

[a]    Knowledge and practical application of safety practices

[b]    Knowledge of the terminology of swordsmanship applicable to their period of interest on a written examination.

[c]    Ability to perform solo exercises for the weapon and period according to a standard for typical techniques.

[d]    Ability to develop and perform a solo scenario that demonstrates the use of attack and defense with a representative range of skills of a minimum length of 30 seconds for a single weapon.

Free Scholar:  In the fencing guilds Free Scholar was the first rank that was tested, normally by playing a prize - a public competition in which the Scholar desiring to be promoted was expected to play bouts with his chosen weapon against as many Free Scholars and Scholars as presented themselves.  Free Scholars will have demonstrated skill in three weapons, which may be drawn in any combination from any of the three periods.

[a]    Knowledge and practical application of safety practices

[b]    Knowledge of the terminology of swordsmanship applicable to their period of interest on a written examination.

[c]    Ability to perform solo exercises for each weapon according to a standard for typical techniques.

[d]    Ability to develop and perform a solo scenario that demonstrates the use of attack and defense with a representative range of skills of a minimum length of 30 seconds for one weapon.

[e]    Ability to develop and play duo scenarios that demonstrate the use of attack and defense with a representative range of skills of a minimum length of 30 seconds each for two weapons.  

Provost of Combat:  Historically Provosts served as assistants to their Master.  They were tested in a prize with multiple weapons (typically 2 or 3) against other Provosts.  Provosts of Combat will have demonstrated skill in 4 weapons, one of which must be a polearm, and should demonstrate skills in scenario design and teaching in group lessons.

[a]    Knowledge and practical application of safety practices

[b]    Knowledge of the terminology of swordsmanship applicable to their period of interest on a written examination.

[c]    Ability to perform solo exercises for each weapon according to a standard for typical techniques.

[d]    Ability to develop and perform solo or duo scenarios that demonstrate the use of attack and defense with a representative range of skills of a minimum length of 30 seconds each for four weapons, one of which must be a polearm.

[e]    Ability to assist Scholars and Free Scholars in the design of solo and duo scenarios for their prizes.

[f]    Ability to serve at a high standard as a partner for a successful demonstration scenario.

[g]    Ability to teach a group lesson in one weapon.

Master of Combat:  Masters were typically tested in multiple weapons (typically 4 or 5) in prizes played with other Masters.  Masters of Combat will have demonstrated skill in 5 weapons drawn from at least two periods, and will have demonstrated skill as teachers of swordplay.

[a]    Knowledge and practical application of safety practices

[b]    Knowledge of the terminology of swordsmanship applicable to their period of interest on a written examination.

[c]    Ability to perform solo exercises for each weapon according to a standard for typical techniques.

[d]    Ability to develop and perform solo, duo, troop, or synchronized scenarios that demonstrate the use of attack and defense with a representative range of skills of a minimum length of 30 seconds each for five weapons, one of which must be a polearm, in two or three periods.

[e]    Ability to teach a group lesson in one weapon and an individual lesson in a second weapon.

[f]     Ability to organize and serve as Stickler for a prize playing.

NOTE:  Awards of the grade of Provost and Master of Combat are not equivalent, and are not represented to be so, to the grades of Prevost and Maitre d'Armes awarded by the United States Fencing Coaches Association or the Academie d'Armes Internationale or to the skill programs of other historical groups.  The grades in this skill progression program are intended only to distinguish the grades of skill of those who complete them in our program.