Fechtschule Sankt Peter
Rankings
For convenience of understanding of the rough level of competence of members of the school, we use the same ranks as are conventional elsewhere in Stoccata and in other schools of historical western swordplay around the world. The way they are achieved will be a little different from the other Stoccata schools, partly because we are using Liechtenauer rather than Silver as our core discipline.
Novice (Neuling)
Novice is not a historical rank, but it is convenient to distinguish between those who are just starting out on their journey of learning and have yet to demonstrate any achievment, and those who are able to demonstrate that they have learned from the experience (see Scholar, below)
All students must be financial members of Stoccata. Anybody persisting after the first term will be expected to buy a club T-shirt and fencing mask, and wear them as a minimum uniform for training.
Scholar (Schüler)
This rank indicates a basic competence with the weapon of choice. A scholar must be able to handle steel weapons with confidence, control, and safety, and must be able to engage in full-speed assaults in such a way as to be clearly making use of the teachings of a given school of fence.
1. Required Equipment: Must possess miminal historical equipment (as described in Equipment)
2. Prize fight: Must perform to adequate standard of safety and style 6 public assaults against qualified answerers. Equipment used will be RSW (“Realistic Sparring Weapon”, from Hong Kong) padded longswords and reinforced fencing mask (suitability of both of these pieces of equipment must be assessed as we go along)
Free Scholar (Freifechter)
The free scholar must demonstrate a high level of competence with the chosen weapon. Free scholars will typically be involved in research and preparation of material for the school, and may assist in teaching classes
1. Required Equipment: must possess Protective equipment (as described in Equipment)
2. Prize Fight: Must perform to high standard of safety and style 8 public fights against qualified answerers – 4 with long sword, 4 with another weapon taught by the school (this may be messer, arming sword, with or without buckler, or sabre). Equipment used will be steel swords and appropriate protective equipment – for longsword, Sallet and Bevor must be worn, for other weapons a steel helmet of suitable style.
Provost (Fechtlehrer)
Provosts are entrusted by the school with the task of teaching. Their skill at arms may be no higher than that of a Free Scholar, but they must have a thorough understanding of the art, and the ability to convey that understanding to classes and individual students.
1. Required Equipment: must possess Protective Historical equipment (as described in Equipment)
2. Teaching: Judged by a panel of three existing provosts. Guest examiners external to Stoccata may be invited to join the panel in addition.
Individual and group lessons on subjects set by the chairman of the judging panel, lessons prepared by the candidate and judged by the panel.
3. Written exam or essay, to judge candidate's knowledge of chosen field – subject set by the panel.
4. Prize fight: 12 fights in total, as below:
a. vs scholars, three with longsword, three with another weapon (of the candidate’s choice). Equipment as for the scholar’s prize. Candidate is expected, as well as being safe, to perform to an exceptional standard of style, and in such a way as to encourage good style in the answerer.
b. vs free scholars or higher, three with longsword, three with another weapon. Equipment as for the free scholar’s prize. Candidate is expected to display a high standard of style in the chosen fight.