The 'Association for Renaissance Martial Arts' (ARMA), is an
international educational non-profit organization dedicated to the study and practice of
Historical European martial arts of the
14th to
17th centuries. The ARMA's stated aims are to advance the quality of skill demonstrated with Medieval and Renaissance weaponry, offer authoritative information (through
historical manuals and study), and improve the relationship between practitioners and academics in order to improve understanding of Medieval and Renaissance martial skills.
[1] It also focuses on promotion of information about the European "martial heritage" and fighting arts,
arms and
armor.
As of 2006, the ARMA had nearly 500 paying members
[2]. The ARMA is also advised by several academic consultants.
[3]
Name
The word '' in
Latin as well as
Italian,
Spanish, and
Portuguese means "weapon". The ARMA website further asserts that "for knights in 13th century France, it also referred to 'the valor of a fighter'".
The "Renaissance" in the name is described as "doubly appropriate", referring both to the
European Renaissance as the period of most of the surviving historical fencing manuals, and to a current "rebirth" of of historical European martial arts.
[4]
History
The Historical Armed Combat Association
The ARMA concept grew from an original conception (then called the "Historical Armed Combat Association") as a loose organization that would allow various Medieval and Renaissance sword practitioners and students of European arms & armor to train and practice together.
The Historical Armed Combat Association (HACA) was originally conceived around 1991 by
Hank Reinhardt, then
President of
Museum Replicas Limited, and a few associates. Reinhardt's idea was to provide an
umbrella organization for individuals seeking some sort of group affiliation to share their common interest in Western
swords and
historical weaponry. Reinhardt advertised his newly formed group around a few of his long-time friends and associates.
In
1993, long-time sword enthusiast and practitioner John Clements (now ARMA Director) obtained from Reinhardt permission to take over the failing HACA effort and try to make something out of the concept. Clements had begun a
mentoring process through correspondence with Reinhardt starting in 1991.
In 1994 Clements reformed the HACA and developed its first small Study Group and in 1996 established thehaca.com as one of the first historical fencing websites.
The emphasis grew to focus on the study of the historical
source literature of Renaissance Martial Arts, much of which was presented on the website along with example training methods.
Transition to ARMA
In
2001, the decision was made for the HACA to expand and evolve into what was believed would be a more effective educational organization for the study and practice of Medieval and Renaissance fencing. An efficient study curriculum for practice had also been developed at this time using the source literature.
[5]
As one of the changes, the organization was renamed "the ARMA." 2001 also saw the introduction of a "national training program" (a series of seminars and workshops), ranking and certifications in the curricula, and the implementation of the basic philosophy and methodology used by the ARMA today.
The ARMA's conceptualization was also influenced by the work of
Sydney Anglo, as presented in his work, ''The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe'' (
Yale University Press
2000), hailed as the first academic treatment of Western martial arts in English
[6]
Methodology
The ARMA greatly emphasizes both historical accuracy and martial efficiency, aiming at a true reconstruction of historical techniques, "borrowings" from living traditions of martial arts or classical fencing are consciously avoided.
Their
"ARMA Study Approach" includes "researching period fighting manuals, literature and iconography combined with comparative analysis from hands-on experience using accurate replica arms and armor."
[7]
Interpretations of combat techniques are not accepted as valid until they have been tested under as realistic conditions as possible, or in other words, in practice at speed and power against a resisting opponent.
The ARMA confines itself to historical sources and weapons, and tries to avoid techniques that are not historical or are drawn from other
martial systems (such as Asian fighting arts).
[8]
Wooden
wasters are used for basic drilling and technique work, up to and including
free-play. Padded contact-weapons, along with helmets and appropriate padding, are used for more intense free-play, including sparring at full speed and power. Blunted replica swords are used for drilling and light free-play. Sharp replica swords are used only for
test-cutting, and to teach students proper edge control and cutting technique.
[9] Test-cutting experience and frequent intense free-play are heavily emphasized.
Curriculum
Instead of focusing on any individual historical master, the ARMA's curriculum emphasizes fundamental
principles, drawing on many masters for its understanding of any given technique. The foundational weapon of the ARMA training program is the
longsword. This is due both to its nature as arguably the most popular and most versatile weapon of the time period, and because there is more source material available for the longsword than for any other weapon. All ARMA scholars begin training with the longsword, and with it learn universal principles of fighting that they then apply to other weapons as they continue their studies.
The body of training techniques and methods used by the ARMA is referred to as ''
Armatura'' (a term borrowed from
Roman military writers), and includes distance and timing drills, footwork and cutting drills, striking and counter-strike exercises,
grappling elements, and
flourish drills.
The ARMA curriculum encompasses a variety of weapons and weapon combinations, armored and unarmored, including
longsword,
greatsword,
single sword (cut & thrust), sword &
buckler, sword &
dagger,
Messer,
rapier, rapier & dagger, single dagger,
polearm, and
short staff.
Kampfringen, a historical system of unarmed combat, is also taught, both as it relates to fighting with weapons and as a separate discipline.
Organization
Associate Members and Study Groups
Upon joining the ARMA, new members receive learning material. Lone members are Associates and three or four members who work together locally may apply to form official Study Groups. Non-members are allowed limited practice with members and Study Groups, but are encouraged to join the organization.
In addition, regional Study Days, member Workshop events, and National Training Program
Seminars are frequently held, and members in a given area will probably have the opportunity to attend at least one annually. Larger international gatherings are held less frequently. In both cases, senior students and expert instructors are invited to present classes, lectures, and National Training Program seminars to attendees. ARMA members are given priority in these events, and non-members may be prohibited from participating in certain Workshops. However, one and two day "open workshops" are offered in which non-member may attend.
[10]
Outside the USA, there are Study Groups in Poland, Sweden and Greece.
[11]
ARMA's forum is also an important means of community discussion within the organization, and currently contains over one thousand registered users
[12].
National Training Program
The ARMA 'National Training Program' (NTP) is constructed as a series of ongoing cumulative courses for members around the world wishing to begin serious study under the ARMA system of historical fencing training. The program content is a composite approach derived from the teachings of a variety of historical masters, and specifically designed for students and practitioners over extended distances who are without the benefit of competent instruction or practice partners. All of the knowledge required for rank advancement within the ARMA is covered in the NTP.
The National Training Program currently focuses on three main areas: Medieval Longsword, Renaissance Single-Sword (cut & thrust), and Rapier.
Uniform and Rankings
The uniform worn by members of the ARMA consists of a red T-shirt and black sweatpants.
Non-members who practice with ARMA study groups are encouraged to wear a white T-shirt and black sweatpants.
ARMA members of
Provost rank wear instead a black T-shirt with red pants. (Senior students may also assume this uniform when offering instruction at official seminars.) There is also a recognized but optional ARMA formal "dress uniform," which consists of period-style clothing in the same color scheme.
ARMA ranking is somewhat informal, and is based on the four-tiered system employed by the
London Company of Masters, "Scholar", "Free Scholar", "Provost" and "Master".
All ARMA members are considered to possess the rank of "Scholar". Scholars who achieve sufficient command of the ''Armatura'' and basic principles of the ARMA program, and a matching knowledge of the fighting manuals and historical masters, are advanced to the rank of general "Free Scholar". Free Scholars who demonstrate considerable expertise in all areas of the ARMA training program and an advanced knowledge of the source material are considered for "Senior Free Scholar" rank. Testing for either rank involves an extensive oral examination and the physical demonstration of technique, as determined by the instructors conducting the test. Qualifying for Senior Free Scholar rank also requires a
Prize Playing. Free Scholar testing may be administered by any Senior Free Scholar. Senior Free Scholar certification requires the oversight of two or more Senior Free Scholars or the Director; by custom, as many Senior Free Scholars as can be gathered are present to oversee such a test.
Unlike rankings in most martial arts organizations, Free Scholar rankings must be renewed; if a scholar has not advanced to a higher rank within four years of playing his prize, he must be retested in order to retain his current status. Free Scholar rankings are earned in a specific weapon, and a candidate must achieve a rank with the longsword before testing for any other weapon. At the present time, there are eight Senior Free Scholars in the longsword, and no rank has been awarded in any other weapon (though such rank likely will be once the curricula for other weapons is fully established).
Above Senior Free Scholar are the ranks of Provost, Senior Provost, and Master. At present there are no requirements for or current holders of these ranks. The ARMA considers it highly inappropriate at this juncture to consider naming any ARMA practitioner a "Master" of these extinct arts, as the ARMA believes that the restoration of Medieval and Renaissance martial arts is still in its infancy and no modern practitioner has contributed to the art enough to claim the title of "Master".
Outside of this system, there is a purely academic distinction called "Senior Researcher" that is granted to ARMA scholars who contribute significantly to the general body of knowledge on historical fencing. The ARMA also has over a dozen "Expert Consultants" from different fields who have offered their knowledge and expertise to its efforts.
Other Programs
''ARMA-Youth'' is an additional program emphasizing history, physical fitness, and personal responsibility as derived from selected
Chivalric traditions. ARMA-Youth seeks to offer children a healthy approach to learning about Medieval and Renaissance martial culture and Europe's martial heritage.
Membership is open to participants of 12 years upwards with parental permission. For those who have been an ARMA Youth for at least one year upon reaching their 18th birthday, they automatically attain full ARMA membership in the adults program for free.
''ARMA InTheatre'' is a defunct
stage combat program led by Keith Duklin.
Criticism
John Clements, the director of The ARMA, has been a visible figure of historical fencing. While highly respected as a pioneer of the revival of historical martial arts, his publications have at times received harsh reviews for "amateurish" scholarship.
[13] J. C. Amberger in a critical review in ''Fencers Quarterly Magazine'' criticized Clements' 1997 ''Renaissance Swordsmanship'' as well as the content of the HACA website.
[14]
ARMA member-published literature
★ Anglo, Sydney. ''The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe''. Yale University Press, 2000. ISBN 0-300-08352-1
★ Clements, John. ''Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods and Techniques''. Paladin Press, 1998. ISBN 1-58160-004-6
★ Clements, John. ''Renaissance Swordsmanship : The Illustrated Book Of Rapiers And Cut And Thrust Swords And Their Use''. Paladin Press, 1997. ISBN 0-87364-919-2
★ Green, Thomas. ''Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia''. ABC-CLIO, 2001. ISBN 1-57607-150-2
★ Lindholm, David, & Peter Svärd. ''Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Art of the Longsword''. Paladin Press, 2003. ISBN 1-58160-410-6
★ Lindholm, David, & Peter Svärd. ''Knightly Arts of Combat - Sigmund Ringeck's Sword and Buckler Fighting, Wrestling, and Fighting in Armor''. Paladin Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58160-499-8
★ Lindholm, David. ''Fighting with the Quarterstaff''. The Chivalry Bookshelf, 2006. ISBN 1-891448-36-6
★ Vail, Jason. ''Medieval and Renaissance Dagger Combat''. Paladin Press, 2006.
★ Zabinski, Grzegorz, with Bartlomiej Walczak. ''The Codex Wallerstein : A Medieval Fighting Book from the Fifteenth Century on the Longsword, Falchion, Dagger, and Wrestling''. Paladin Press, 2002. ISBN 1-58160-339-8
External links
★ http://www.thearma.org/
References
1. About This page contains information about the goals and aim of the Association.
2. Year in Review 2005 - "Our membership is now rapidly approaching the 500 mark..."
3. Experts This page lists the consultants with which ARMA maintains a relationship.
4. About ARMA
5. The ARMA System for Historical Fencing and Study
6. Review: The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe by Greg Mele.
7. The ARMA System for Historical Fencing and Study -"Thus, our approach is about relying on the historical source manuals as our guides and doing so in a martial manner with accurate arms and armor as possible."
8. Methods - "The real historical sources and weapons are our guide. This is opposed to either making it up on our own or simply “borrowing” from Asian martial arts and modern/sport fencing."
9. Methods -"The ARMA Training Methodology consists of using 4 tools for a well-rounded comprehensive understanding: blunt swords, wooden wasters, padded contact-weapons, and sharp blades."
10. Seminars - "We offer full 1 or 2-day ARMA Seminar events for non-members worldwide. ARMA open Seminars are open to ANYONE to attend, not just members."
11. ARMA Practice Partners List; affiliated groups listed are in Mexico, Hong Kong and Chile.
12. Forum - The automated activity log reads "We have 1074 registered users" as of July 23, 2007.
13. Review and Commentary: Renaissance Swordsmanship The Illustrated Use of Rapiers and Cut-and-Thrust Swords by John Clements by
Maestro Ramón Martínez.
14. J. C. Amberger, ''The Death of History: Historic European fighting arts in the Mis-information Age''
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