Students & Ratings within the ARMA

Ranking within ARMA exists within the context of the club as a personal mark of advancement between the student and the curricula as defined by their peers and seniors.

In theARMA we are all merely students –even the instructors. We will always be continuing students of the sword. But, in the effort to bring better quality and professionalism to the subject of our pursuit, we follow the close combat guidance of the historical Schooles of Defence.

In doing such we adopt the tradition of the 16th century German Fechtschulen and the Company of London Masters of Defence in using the four-level Rating system they employed (a system which they themselves had borrowed form colleges of the day). Thus, ARMA students consist of four primary ranks: Scholar, Free scholar, Provost, and Master. Each of these also has a Senior rating. 

However, it may come as a surprise that within ARMA the granting of the Rate of "Master" is currently reserved and excluded. Thus, we do not (yet) use the "Master" Rate for even the most skilled senior students and expert instructors.  As ARMA feels no one today has yet demonstrated the right or has earned the privilege of claiming "mastery" in teaching the use of historical medieval & renaissance fighting arts or weaponry we do not now make claim to the authority to issue new Ratings at this level. Certainly someday we expect to. For some it is a goal, but for most it is years off and not a concern. The more immediate, more important objective is improving personal skill and knowledge while developing these Arts within the ARMA standard. This is in keeping with our demand for commitment to the highest learning and martial ability in this subject. Members teaching within ARMA (rated no higher than a senior Provost) are therefore referred to informally as "Instructors".

Instructors have high skill as well as knowledge and teaching ability. They know the history and sociology (the scholarship) and can credibly teach techniques as well as expertly demonstrate concepts and principles. In the future, ARMA plans national seminars will work toward qualifying senior students as officially rated (licensed) ARMA instructors.

Within ARMA the purpose of the Rates is simply a means of distinguishing among levels of skill for purposes of continued learning and practice. It designates those with greater experience from those with lesser. This Rating system should not be looked upon as equivalent to the colored "belt" ranking or "Dan" system within some Asian martial arts nor to sport fencing divisions developed in 18th century fencing salons and salles. It instead stands up on its own separate historical cultural and social context.

Among each of the three utilized Ratings, of Scholar, Free Scholar, and Provost there are designated senior students. All students train and practice together, but senior students assist in teaching juniors and in research. Senior students from each Rate are those designated as such by their instructor by virtue of their demonstrable martial ability as technical knowledge. Senior students are those on the path of progressing to greater skill. Advancing from junior to senior level is never automatic. It is a matter of the student’s instructor discerning the proper interest, attitude, character, maturity, and knowledge with in the student.

A Scholar (student practitioner) is any serious ARMA member, regardless of capability or training. In official ARMA classes however, admittance to the first Rate of Scholar is not automatic but an award upon successful completion of an introductory course of study or official membership.

A Free Scholar is a senior student that has continued and progressed until they show sincere commitment to learning and developing real skill. They have demonstrated significant understanding and ability in at least one weapon and up to three.  They have been tested in Prize Playing for each weapon.  Free Scholars act as assistant instructors within ARMA and can teach up to Scholar rank.

A Provost is a highly skilled and knowledgeable practitioner in from five to ten weapons plus appropriate unarmed techniques. They are dedicated students seeking mastery level who have been tested in Prize Playing for each weapon. Provosts act as the senior Instructors within ARMA and can teach up to Free Scholar rating. Senior Provosts can teach up to Provost rating.

With only these three short levels active and with only junior and senior distinctions, it is clear that ARMA follows its own unique approach. We are not concerned with classification or roles. We’re not obsessed with hierarchy, structure, or etiquette. We believe that real ability is self-evident and that great skill transcends any artificially imposed system of rigid labeling. Titles alone do not confer skill and degrees are not an end in themselves (after all, the late Bruce Lee for example had no "belt ranking" or earned title in any fighting style or traditional martial art whatsoever and neither did many of our own historical masters-at-arms).

Progressing between Rates from Scholar to Free Scholar and Senior Free Scholar, and then on to Provost ratings, is achieved only through Testing. This consists of physical demonstration with particular weapons, an oral quiz, and finally an extensive free-sparring challenge with various weapons against other students (both junior and senior). But, ARMA students are not consumed with advancing in rank. They are not focusing on or aiming at that "next belt level". When a senior student feels ready and has the prowess to be recognized, they then will be progressed to the next Rate. It is then an earned honor and privilege of recognition by ones peers.

Scholars begin typically study with the single sword (long-sword) but students are later rated in individual weapon proficiencies. Free Scholars and senior Free Scholars are trained and tested typically in single sword (cut & thrust) or sword & buckler, and sword & dagger. Rapier and rapier & dagger, single dagger, and pole-arm instruction may also begin. Provosts are further rated in long-sword, dagger, spear, plus the option of additional pole-arms, swords, and axes. Rapier and rapier & dagger are also included as is grappling & disarms.

Among each rate individual weapon proficiencies must be earned separately. Thus, a Scholar might be rated as proficient in long-sword or sword & buckler as a Scholar, but would have to be rated again in each as a Free Scholar in each. Another Scholar might be proficient in sword & buckler and sword & dagger but not in long-sword, but would have to be rated again as a Free Scholar in each if they achieved that far. A Free Scholar might be rated proficient in long-sword and with dagger, but not rapier or vice versa. Another might be proficient in sword & buckler and sword & dagger but not spear or sword & shield. In the future, ARMA national seminars will allow for the rating of students proficient in individual weapons.

From the comprehensive list of weapon proficiencies above, it is clear that we do not pursue a simple or light-hearted study. Historically, within the London Masters each student had a set minimum number of years required between advancement and was publicly tested in each weapon by playing their "Prize". Within ARMA, fewer weapons are included and the time span is not predetermined or set. It is a factor of each individual student’s aptitude, dedication, and martial improvement. It is not a quick process. Expect it to take years.

The longer you attend and study and practice, the farther you’ll go. If you stick around long enough you get rated in different weapons. It’s that simple. But, unique to ARMA is that unlike other martial arts, rates and proficiencies can be lost if at a later date the student fails to maintain the perquisite level of skill.

In a very real way, there can be no designation more personal than for each individual, no matter who they are, to accept for themselves the simple title "student of the sword". To be also a "scholar of the sword", in the true sense of research and scholarly learning, is something else that each student must pursue on their own. Serious ARMA students are those who realize this is a martial art. As such it is an activity that demands discipline and eventually can affect both your figure and character for the better. Training is a path not a destination.

ARMA’s short-term objectives are to teach and develop medieval & renaissance swordsmanship and historical weapon skills. ARMA rates individual students in individual weapon proficiencies. ARMA’s long-term objective is to offer credible national standards by which to openly qualify martial skill in medieval & renaissance fighting arts.

ARMA Skills Proficiency Certification

To be ARMA certified for any individual Weapon Proficiency consists of demonstrating skill in four areas: scholarship, history, techniques, and principles.  These are confirmed through oral exam, physical drills, technical displays, and free-sparring.  Weapon/weapon combination certification is not earned for life. To be retained, Proficiencies must re-certified every 3 years.

Qualified individuals can currently become ARMA certified in five primary weapons areas: Medieval long-sword, Medieval sword & shield (short sword), Renaissance cut & thrust (arming) sword (including sub-certification with sword & buckler and sword & dagger), rapier/rapier & dagger, and pole-arm (quarterstaff/langenstang, spear, or glaive). Requirements consist of approval from both the student's chief ARMA instructor for the tested weapon/weapon combination and the instructor of the student's resident ARMA Study Group. The ARMA National Training Program (NTP) enables students nationwide to undertake courses for eventual rating certification.

Certification examination occurs in the presence of at least one senior ARMA instructor and at least one ARMA student senior to the tested student. Certification is not concerned with knowledge of ARMA sparring guidelines, training methods, or Affirmations, but with the individual's martial ability and knowledge. The Proficiency test follows the English Prize Playing system and the 16th century German Fechtschulen.  Although formalized with quantifiable criterion, the testing is not rigid or inflexible. Rather than the importance of Ratings or the event itself, quality results are the real objective. A test may challenge but a cannot be truly be "hard" if the student is thoroughly competent and prepared.

Under ARMA program, a student would first seek ranking as a general Free-Scholar then as a Senior Free-Scholar, which consist of long-sword training, with further specializations following in secondary weapons such as short sword, rapier, shields, dagger, and pole arms as part of instructor or Provost rating.  See the Free-Scholar Certification Study Sheets in the Member's Area.

Rating in Longsword consists of 4 tests whose objectives must be successfully met in order to be awarded rating: 1. Oral Examination - covering general knowledge of terms, concepts, & principles. 2. Floryshe Display - practice routine sequence of proper movements (primary stances, cuts, thrusts, steps, counters, and parries). 3. Basic Techniques - demonstrate proficiency and precision in primary techniques & counter actions. 4. Free-Play Bouts in Prize Playing - demonstrate more than adequate fighting skill with the tested weapon/weapon combination in contact-sparring against fellow students and instructors to reveal physical conditioning and proper execution of techniques and actions in tactical context.

To become certified, all four test parts must be passed one session or weekend. Upon attaining one rating, the student maynext prgress to senior level in another weapon or skill.

National Training Program          ARMA Seminars & Workshops

ARMA's 3-Tier Curricula