Masters At Arms ... Requirements & Criteria ...

A master is charged with keeping and maintaining his tradition and lineage in accordance and conformity with all the masters that have preceded him.  

A master must not only be an expert in the use of many weapons and a strong combatant, but most of all he must be completely immersed and knowledgeable in the science, theory , art and application of techniques of arms.

This title and rank has been traditionally earned through countless years of training, practice and application of all that the individual has learned from his own master.

Furthermore, the title and rank of master is not given, it is earned by an extremely rigorous process. After the individual has become expert in the usage of weapons he must undergo an additional period of training, so that he may acquire the methodology that will enable him to transmit this knowledge to others. 

This may be a process of apprenticeship with one master for many years or an individual may enter an Academy which trains individuals to become professional teachers.

This includes constant testing in order to pass from one rank to another. This culminates in the final test where he stands before his master and or other masters to be severely questioned and where he must demonstrate his skill and knowledge weapon in hand in a variety of situations and circumstances.

Prior to this, the individual must prepare and write a thesis. 

The International Masters at Arms Federation at this time recognizes only two programs for the acceptance of a candidate to test for Master at Arms.

1) FISAS (Italy)

2) Martinez Academy of Arms (USA)

Criteria for FISAS members or Martinez Academy of Arms members are dictated solely by these individual entities. Any members of these programs must be presented to the examination Board by their fencing master(s).

Candidates that have access to an IMAF Master must train with him/her and be presented to the examination board by that Master. Candidates that do not have access to an IMAF Master locally may test for masters certification by presenting an independent study and paper. This study must encompass all of the requirements and criteria of IMAF.

A formal letter of intention to test with the International Masters at Arms Federation must be submitted first.

Then a formal presentation must be made of his/her study which must be representative of the work and research that the candidate has done to that point. All work must be historically accurate and verifiable/documented within the period treatises.

If accepted a candidate must then fulfill the requirements of IMAF in order to be eligible to test for Master at Arms.

Note: Hybrid systems that incorporate elements of non-European martial culture will not be accepted.

Requirements

1) Demonstrate skill in four of the following weapons. In addition the candidates must be prepared to display skill in any combination with auxiliary weapons:

Single-handed Sword - Early & Middle fencing period;

Longsword  - Early period;

Side Sword (Spada da Lato) - Middle period;

Rapier (Italian or Spanish) - Late period;

Small-sword (French or Italian) - Late period:

Dueling Sabre - Classical period;

Dueling Sword (Epée) - Classical period.

One weapon per historical period must be chosen: a candidate must know at least four weapons.

2) Demonstrate a complete understanding of the different characteristics, principles and theoretical approaches of and to the different weapons.

3) Show a working knowledge of at least three treatises or manuals per weapon. A required reading list will be provided to those accepted by the examination board.

4) Demonstrate an understanding of the different historical schools and or systems of those weapons.

Criteria

The minimum age required to test for master at arms is 25 years. Candidates are required to communicate in Italian, Spanish or English.

All Master at Arms candidates must demonstrate a high level of understanding, proficiency and execution of the following:

1. Teaching skill in both individual and group lessons.

2. Analytical interpretation of historical fencing treatises.

3. Knowledge of fencing theory.

4. Knowledge and execution of technique.

5. Superior fencing skill and ability.

6. Superior knowledge and application of strategy in facing and dealing with multiple adversaries.

Procedure for the testing of Master at Arms candidates

A) A written study on one weapon of choice must submitted, and a proposal to the examining board must precede the submission. The proposal must be roughly 2,500 words with a bibliography. The Board will use this to determine if the topic chosen is appropriate and within the scope of the candidate. It is the candidates job to demonstrate that the sources are adequate to answer the questions proposed by the study.

With the growing body of resources now available it is always possible that a new theoretical approach or discovery of new sources can make previously unanswerable questions answerable. The candidate must demonstrate the relevance of the study. If the topic of the study has been previous explored, what new sources will be used, how is the approach to the topic different, and is this sufficient to warrant a full-scale study? How the sources are handled in establishing feasibility and importance demonstrate that the candidate is capable of doing the study as proposed.

Once the topic is accepted the written study must present the research, methodology, and interpretation complete with footnotes and a bibliography. The study must pertain to one of the following: discussion or explication of technique, pedagogy or history as it relates to that weapon, and must demonstrates knowledge and expertise of fencing on a level that is appropriate to a Maestro D'Arme.

B) Notification of intention to test must be given at least SIX MONTHS in advance, at which time the candidate must present a letter of recommendation from an IMAF master or must have had prior approval by the Board. The written study must also be presented at this time and will be used as the criteria to determine if the candidate is ready to test.

The examination will consist of five parts:

1) Demonstrate knowledge of fencing theory by answering questions posed by the Board.

2) Demonstrate teaching skill by giving an individual lesson(s) and group lesson(s) to the other candidates or students provide by the Board.

3) Demonstrate fencing proficiency in a practical test against one opponent, then two, using a weapon of choice.

4) Demonstrate knowledge of hopology by analysis of a weapon chosen randomly by the Committee.

5) Analyze an unfamiliar treatise plate, chosen by the Committee, and describe the possible techniques and methods therein.

The candidate must display confidence in his approach to teaching and knowledge of fencing theory during questioning by the examination board. All candidates must demonstrate the level of maturity and professionalism that is required of a Maestro D'Arme.

Note: Examinations can be taken every time the Committee is gathered. Three years must pass between reassessments of candidates who fail.

There is no limit to the number of retests a candidate may take.

The examining Board is made up of a five members committee. This committee is comprised of three founding members, the sponsoring Master and one other IMAF  Master. A candidate must pass with a majority vote of four out of five.

The International Masters at Arms Federation is pleased to announce that we are open to applicants for candidacy of the title of

"Master at Arms"