Kirksey_Dave wrote:I was reading through the qualifications for prize playing and could not get a handle on what is required to obtain the rank of general free scholar. My question is simply if it has to be longsword first or if I could get that through rapier or cut-and-thrust.
I know it is probably an obvious answer and it's early for me this morning, but I want to get started and do so properly. Thanks for any help you may give me.
The GFS is now the Scholar Adept just as SFS is now Free scholar. It requires a solid knowledge of the historical source-texts for the art of the longsword as well as a demonstration of solid hands-on practical skills. A structured sparring regimen may be part of a test for this, but that is not required...but I like to do it when I'm in on the test. I consider it a gut check for the person testing. I also like to rattle the person testing a bit to seee if they can still be articulate and explain who ARMA is and what we do under mild stress.
As a Scholar Adept, you have to be able to explain and demonstrate the core priciples to a beginner on demand. Teaching is sometimes harder than doing. Uniquely, ARMA requires us to be both at need...a warrior AND a scholar.
Free Scholars tend to have their own pet-peeves when testing for Scholar Adept proficiency as does our Provost, so no one shoe fits all exactly. You can expect all to hold you to the same high ARMA standard of martial skill, theoretical knowledge and personal achievement.
) is with the longsword. Typically the first Free Scholar Prize play is with the longsword as well, but other prize plays can be made with other weapons afterwards. Hope that helps.