FREE SCHOLAR

It takes approximately 5-7 total training years to become a Free Scholar.

a) Must compose a book of at least 30 personal interpretations of 14th-16th century German fechtbücher techniques related to their personal weapon.

i) The defense of this book will involve a Q&A session with an instructor lasting several hours. The prospective Free Scholar must be able to explain and defend their intepretation of each play.

b) Must have scored an 80% or higher on challenge questions from the three round table discussions: The Book of Knighthood and Chivalry, The Book of Chivalry and Codex Guide to the Medieval Baltic.

c) Must have taught a minumum of five Apprentice-level classes and ten Novice-level classes.

d) Must have an established presence in the WMA community. Note: this requires almost daily interaction on the internet.

e) Must own a steel trainer (or equivalent) for the chosen personal weapon. Must own any armor or other equipment needed to fight with the personal weapon.

f) Must own a high-end steel longsword trainer and a sharp longsword.

g) Must have successfully demonstrated a cooperative, scripted longsword drill with live blades (paired with an instructor).

h) Must have successfully mentored a student from Apprentice to Scholar rank.

i) Must have moderated or co-moderated at least 1 Virtues Camp, and moderated at least 1 Apprentice-level Round Table. To moderate or co-moderate a Virtues Camp, a student must have attended two previous Virtues Camps.

j) Must have taught at least one of the AoA Fencing Retreats.

k) Must demonstrate the 57 plays in the Novice curriculum and the 87 plays in the Scholar curriculum with at least 90% accuracy.

l) The prospective Free Scholar will engage in a Passage of Arms with existing Scholars, Free Scholars and Instructors from within the school and at least one combatant from outside the school. The matches will involve the longsword and personal weapon, and will be witnessed by the student body. The Passage of Arms is meant as a learning experience and no winner or loser will be declared. The event will be videotaped and the student will receive a copy of the tape, along with feedback from Instructors.

m) Upon completion of all requirements, the Scholar will be declared a Free Scholar. A Free Scholar may engage in unsupervised free play with the longsword or personal weapon. An appropriate certification will be issued.

n) Upon successful completion of all requirements, a new Free Scholar must choose a student to mentor from the Scholar to Free Scholar ranks.

o) New Free Scholars are encouraged to teach outside the school as either a guest instructor at another school or as a presenter at a regional, national or international event.

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