Charter of the Company of Masters of Defence of the Kingdom of the West
This Charter through the Grace and Might of our most Noble Souvreign King
of the West, Defender of the People, etc. does herewith create and endow
the most Noble Order of the Masters of Defence in this Kingdom, and withall
empower the said Order and its lawful agents to manage and control all
manner of things which pertain to the management and good ordering of the
teaching and practicing of the Arte of Rapier within the Kingdom aforesaid.
This document herein setting out the powers, rights and privileges of
the said Guilde, and specifying all things that must be specified in regard
to ranks, qualifications, and examination of candidates for all the specified
ranks of the Guild, and furthermore empowering the Masters of the Guild
to do all such things as are necessary to bring this Arte into good repute
throught the Kingdom.
Guild Ranks
There shall be five ranks within the Guild
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Scholar
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Free Scholar
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Journeyman
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Provost
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Master of Defence
Each of these ranks save Master of Defence can be attained through diligent
study and application of the Rules of the Guild which can be found published
here and in the Rules of Rapier Combat in the Kingdom of the West. No member
may make their Prize for advancement without the consent of one or other
Masters, Provosts or Journeymen of the Guild who shall deem them ready
as laid out in the statues of this charter..
Scholar
Any person who professes an interest in the Noble Arte of Defence shall
be immediately admitted to the rank of Scholar, to undertake study with
whosoever Master, Journeyman or Provost who can be found to take him. With
the proviso that no Master, Journeyman or Provost shall charge a fee for
their instruction or prevent them from gaining instruction from any other
Master, Journeyman or Provost of the Guild who may from time to time wish
to impart Knowledge of their Arte and Science to the said Scholar. All
this instruction being made in accordance with the statues set out in the
Rules of Rapier Combat of the West Kingdom and with the intention of preparing
the Scholar to play his Prize. No Scholar shall be permitted to play the
prize until after one month has elapsed since commencing their instruction.
Free Scholar
Upon successfully playing the Free Scholars Prize a Scholar shall be admitted
to the rank of Free Scholar within the Kingdom of the West, entitling them
to all the rights and prerogatives of that rank as set out in the Rules
of Rapier Conduct of the Kingdom. As a sign of this new rank each Free
Scholar shall be entitled to wear the Badge of the Guild in plain silver
metal upon their person. In addition Free Scholars are permitted to participate
in the displays of Combat and to participate in the playing of Prizes of
any other aspiring Scholar wishing to join them in this rank. Each Free
Scholar may further their practice and study of rapier, and upon demonstration
of sufficient competence before a Master or Provost of the Guild may be
allowed to play their Journeymans Prize. No Free Scholar may play their
Journeymans Prize within one month of playing their Prize to become a Free
Scholar.
Journeyman
After successfully playing their Journeymans Prize a Free Scholar shall
be admitted to the company of Journeymen of the Guild, entitling them to
the privileges and prerogatives pertaining to their new rank as set out
in the Rules of Rapier Combat of the West Kingdom. The Journeyman may wear
the Badge of the Guild upon a sash of Red cloth as a sign of their status
within the Guild. Journeymen of the Guild may be called upon to act as
agents of the Guild to Assist in the management of such Prizes and other
displays of Rapier Combat as may occur from time to time. In addition Journeymen
may engage to teach such Scholars and Free Scholars as may wish to learn
under their tutelage, and may, with the permission of other Journeymen,
Provosts and Masters within their area, establish their own Schools of
Defence for the benefit of the Kingdom and the enrichment of their fellow
citizens. Such Journeymen as wish may further study the subtleties of the
Guild with such Masters or Provosts, who will train them to prepare themselves
to play their Provosts Prize. Journeymen of the guild are expected to participate
in the playing of the Journeymens Prizes of other candidates wishing to
be elevated to that rank within the Guild. No Journeyman may play his Provosts
Prize until after a full three months have elapsed since attaining the
Rank of Journeyman.
Provost
Upon successfully playing the Provosts Prize a Journeyman shall immediately
be aclaimed as a Provost of the Guild, and be entitled to all the rights
and responsibilities of that rank as laid down in the statutes of the Guild,
and written in the Rules of Rapier Combat of the Kingdom of the West. As
a sign of their rank Provosts of the Guild are permitted to wear the Badge
of the Guild displayed on a sash of Green cloth so that all may know of
their skill and prowess. In addition to the duties and responsibilites
of a Journeyman, Provosts of the Guild may be called upon to Organise and
Coordinate Rapier activities within the Kingdom, and to participate in
playing the Prize with any Journeymen who might wish to advance by playing
their Provosts Prize. No Provost may play their Masters Prize except upon
invitation from the Masters of the Guild.
Guild Master of Fence
This Charter, doth for the good of the Kingdom and the proper management
of the Noble Arte of Rapier, also known as the Noble Science of Defence
establish within this Kingdom these Ancient Masters of Defence, namely
??????? and entrust to them the management of Rapier within this our Kingdom.
To these noble and Ancient Masters of Fence we also entrust the proper
training of all citizens who wish to study these several noble Artes, following
the Regulations laid out in the Rules of Rapier Combat in the Kingdom of
the West.
We charge these Ancient Guild Masters of Fence and all other Guild Masters
of Fence who may join them to properly bring to our notice all other persons
worthy of the title Guild Master of Fence that We may consider them for
elevation to the rank of Guild Master of Fence within the Kingdom of the
West. Upon which decision such Provosts as have been so invited may play
their Prize before the Crown or its duly authorised representative and
be elevated to the Rank of Master of Defence within the Guild. This position
being confirmed by our letters and a Grant of Arms within the Kingdom of
the West. So too do we confirm the rights and titles of these Ancient Masters
of Defence and confirm unto them a Grant of Arms within the Kingdom of
the West.
Each Master of the Guild shall have all the rights and prerogatives
laid out in the Rules of Rapier Combat in the Kingdom of the West. A Master
of the Guild may wear a sash of Black cloth bearing the Badge of the Guild
in Gold as a symbol of this rank. A Master may also choose to wear a black
Glove bearing the Badge of the Guild in Gold as a symbol of this Rank within
the Guild. It is the solemn duty of all Masters of the Guild to teach any
who come to them for instruction, and to support the endeavours of all
members of the Guild whatever their Rank, and to provide to all citizens
with the means for advancement within the Guild, that being the provision
of Knowledge through teaching.
It is the duty of the Guild Masters of Fence to bring to the attention
of the Body of Guild Masters any Journeyman who by his exceptional efforts
within the Guild, grace of character, skill at arms and contribution to
the Noble Arte of Rapier may be worthy of Playing his Masters Prize.
After due deliberation such candidates as are deemed worthy shall be
brought to the attention of the Crown by the elected delegate of the Body
of Guild Masters. If the Crown concurs that the person has the necessary
attributes the Body of Guild Masters shall ask the Crown to nominate a
date within a six month upon which the applicant may play his Prize. This
prize shall be duly publicised, and it is the duty of as many Guild Masters
of Fence as are able to endeavour to be present to play with the candidate.
The examination shall take the form of bouts to the first touch with as
many Guild Masters of Fence as wish to try the skills of the applicant.
However, no Prize may take more than one hour to play in its entirety.
Each applicant must be tested in each of the categories of combat specified
in the Rules of Rapier Combat in the Kingdom of the West. Upon the conclusion
of the Prize the candidate will be created a Master of Defence using the
Ceremony specified in this Charter.
Ceremony for Creation of a Master of Defence
HERALD:
His Noble Majesty King Jade, Rex Occidentalis, and Her Majesty Queen
Siobhan, Regina did in the year Anno Societatis 887 for the benefit
of this Noble Kingdom recognise by Royal Charter the Most Illustrious Guild
of Masters of Fence and granted to the Ancient Guild Masters YYY QQQ GGG
Etc the responsibility for the proper direction of Rapier within this Kingdom.
We <King> and <Queen> By Right King and Queen of the West do
call upon such of the Aforesaid Ancient Masters as are yet living, and
the Body of the Guild of Masters of Fence to bring themselves before Our
Presence.
<Leave time for Guild Masters to Assemble>
Within this court it is the intention of their most Noble and Illustrious
Majesties to hear a petition from the aforesaid Body of Masters.
<High Guild Master presents Scroll to Crown>
It is the petition of the Body of Guild Masters of Fence of the Kingdom
of the West that <candidate> be named Guild Master of Fence by the Crown,
and granted by Royal Letters the right to teach the said Arte within this
Kingdom. In recognition of which,
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If Royalty was present for the Prize.
having Ourselves observed the notable skill of <candidate> and
having found them to be worthy as an example for others in this Noble Arte
we do accept this petition.
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If Royalty sent a delgate to observe the Prize.
having had the notable skill of <candidate> attested by
<Royal Representative> and having found them to be worthy as an example
for others in this Noble Arte we do accept this petition.
Thus do we <King> and <Queen> being by the Undisputed Sovereigns
of the Kingdom of the West, grant to <candidate> the title Guild Master
of Fence within the Kingdom. Herewith confirmed unto them by our Royal
Grant of Arms and Royal Letters within the Kingdom of the West, and charge
them with the duties and responsibilities of a Guild Master of Fence as
set out in the Charter of that Guild.
Three Cheers for the newest Guild Master of Fence....
Etc.