SCHOLAR

It takes approximately 3-4.5 total training years to become a Scholar.

a) Must pass seven preparatory tests covering the secondary weapons and vocabulary. Scores of at least 80% required.

i) Six technical exams cover principal guards and plays of the basic AoA secondary weapons (halfsword, spear, pollaxe, dagger, grappling) as well as the six breakfalls in the curriculum. Techniques are demonstrated at full speed and require moderate precision.

ii) In the vocabulary test, students give the spelling, pronunciation and meaning of all words from the AoA Audio Dictionary.

b) Must pass the Scholar test with 80% accuracy. This is a large test that takes several hours.

i) Oral portion of the test covers detailed questions about the history and theory of the combat system.

ii) The technical portion of the test covers plays taken from the Apprentice curriculum. All of the longsword plays are covered, and well as one play from each of the secondary weapons. Techniques are demonstrated at full speed and must be executed with high precision.

iii) The Scholar test can only be taken by a student once per training cycle (about once every 8 months). If a student fails, they must re-take the whole test during the next cycle. A student is only allowed to take this test a total of three times.

c) To qualify for the Scholar rank, a student must journey to another school or event outside the region, and return to teach a full or partial class, imparting that new knowledge to AoA students. This material must be relevant to a German medieval weapon system.

d) Must have taught five full-length Novice-level classes.

e) Must have adminstered at least one Apprentice test.

f) Must have a current certificate of free play.

g) Must have participated in a test cutting with a sharp weapon.

h) Must own a steel training longsword with period handling characteristics and must have safety gear adequate for fencing with steel.

i) Must have given 16 hours of volunteer work to charity.

j) Must have attended the yearly Virtues Camp (an overnight camping trip to discuss chivalric values).

k) Must have scored an 80% or higher on challenge questions from all three of the yearly round table discussions: Life in Medieval Times; Medieval Armies; and Medieval Science and Technology.

l) The prospective Scholar will engage in a Passage of Arms (a series of formal bouts) with existing Scholars and Instructors from within the school, as well as one or more combatants from outside of the school. The matches will use the longsword and will be witnessed by the student body. The prospective Scholar will also demonstrate a series of flow drills. 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 meeting all requirements, the Apprentice will be declared a Scholar. A Scholar may engage in unsupervised longsword sparring, but free play with secondary weapons must remain supervised. An appropriate certification will be issued.

n) A new Scholar will choose an Apprentice to mentor and must successfully help that student progress from the Apprentice to Scholar rank.

o) Scholars are expected to teach Apprentice and Novice classes.

p) A new Scholar is expected to contribute to the school’s online forum.

q) A new Scholar will choose a personal secondary weapon such as halfsword, dagger, spear, pollaxe, grappling, messer, or sword and buckler.

r) A new Scholar will begin a detailed interpretive study of 14th-16th century fechtbücher techniques relating to their chosen personal weapon.

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