SCHOLAR

It takes approximately 4-5 total training years to become a Scholar.

a) Must pass seven vocabulary and secondary weapon technical tests with 80% accuracy.

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.

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 46-hour 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 moderate precision.

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 a current certificate of free play.

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

g) Must own a steel training longsword.

h) Must have given 16 volunteer hours to the official AoA charity (Children of the Night).

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

j) 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.

k) The prospective Scholar will engage in a Pas d’Armes (a series of formal, regulated combats) with an existing Scholar and Instructor from within the school. The combats will use the primary weapon (longsword), and will be witnessed by the student body. The Pas d’Armes 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 the Instructor.

l) Upon meeting all requirements, the Apprentice will be declared a Scholar. A Scholar may engage in unsupervised, regulated primary weapon combats, but free play with secondary weapons must remain supervised. An appropriate certification will be issued.

m) A new Scholar will choose a student to mentor from the Apprentice to Scholar ranks.

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

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

p) 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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