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 15th to 17th centuries. The ARMA focuses on increasing proficiency with Medieval and Renaissance weaponry, offering authoritative information via a catalog of historical manuals and articles, improving the relationship between practitioners and academics, and ultimately deepening the understanding of Medieval and Renaissance martial arts. It also focuses on promotion of information about the European martial heritage and fighting arts, arms and armor.
As of 2006, the ARMA claimed a number of less than 500 paying members. They also list a number of "Academic Consultants".
Name
The word arma in Latin as well as Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese means "weapon". The ARMA asserts that for 13th century French knights, arma 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 historical European martial arts.
History
The Historical Armed Combat Association
The ARMA began in 1992 as the Historical Armed Combat Association (HACA), a group lead principally by Hank Reinhardt, an avid sword enthusiast. Reinhardt's idea was to provide an umbrella organization for individuals interested in Western swords and historical weaponry. In 1993, John Clements took over the HACA 1993 saw the beginning of reforms within the organization and the foundation of its first Study Group. HACA began focusing more intently on the study and interpretation 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.
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
ARMA Credo
- Respect for History and Heritage
- Sincerity of Effort
- Integrity of Scholarship
- Appreciation of Martial Spirit
- Cultivation of Self-Discipline
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." 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).
Wooden wasters and Steel feather swords (fedderswcherts) are used for basic drilling and technique work, up to and including free-play. Padded contact-weapons, along with helmets and appropriate padding, were previously used for more intense free-play, including sparring at full speed and power, though these have fallen out of favor. Sharp replica swords are used only for test-cutting, and to teach students proper edge control and cutting technique. 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.
Outside the USA, there are Study Groups in Poland, Sweden and Greece.
ARMA's forum is also an important means of community discussion within the organization, and currently contains over one thousand registered users.
National Training Program
The National Training Program acts as the core instructive curriculum of ARMA, offering basic fundamental knowledge to participants so that they may study and progress on their own. 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 provides training in six main areas, each featuring some subsets. These are the Longsword (NTP 1.x), the Sword and Dagger (NTP 2.x), the Rapier (NTP 3.x), unarmed fighting (NTP 4.x), dagger fighting (NTP 5.x), and armoured fighting (NTP 6.x). However, the ARMA currently focuses on the Longsword, Sword and Dagger, and the Rapier as foundational instructional principles.
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 Sen
Independent Senior Living - Mesa, AZ - Renaissance Luxury Senior ...
If you're looking for independent senior living near Mesa, AZ, consider Renaissance Luxury Senior Apartments in Sun Lakes! Check out our availabilities!
Mesa, Arizona Retirement Communities - Renaissance Senior Apartments ...
Beautiful Renaissance Senior Living. Renaissance Luxury Senior Apartments | 9508 E. Riggs Rd. | Sun Lakes, AZ ...
Renaissance Gardens at Sedgebrook - Senior Living Option in the ...
Renaissance Gardens at Sedgebrook Senior Living Option in the Chicago, Illinois area. Renaissance Gardens is the extended care neighborhood at Sedgebrook, offering Assisted Living ...
Senior Living at Renaissance Place
McCormack Baron Salazar is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of: Senior Living at Renaissance Place 3217 Martin Luther King Drive Saint Louis, MO 63106 Development Team ...
Renaissance Premier Senior Living in Mission Viejo, CA 92691 - (949 ...
Information on Renaissance Premier Senior Living in Irvine, CA. (949) 458-2311. Address, phone number, map, driving directions, hours of operation, services, reviews and more for ...
Renaissance Premier Senior Living in Huntington Beach, CA 92648 ...
Information on Renaissance Premier Senior Living in Irvine, CA. (714) 848-8811. Address, phone number, map, driving directions, hours of operation, services, reviews and more for ...
Senior Communities Referral Guide
Renaissance Senior Care Concierge provides a free service for individuals and families looking to make a move to assisted living, independent living or skilled nursing care ...
(Renaissance Center of Chicago - Home) Pathway Senior Living provides ...
Affordable and Comfortable Senior Living Body copy: Welcome home to affordable supportive living for seniors . . . and welcome home to Renaissance Center!
Renaissance Gardens at Oak Crest - Senior Living Option in the ...
Renaissance Gardens at Oak Crest Senior Living Option in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Renaissance Gardens is Oak Crest's extended care neighborhood, offering Assisted Living, Long ...
Renaissance Senior Living Comm Austin Assisted Living | A Place for ...
The Renaissance Senior Living Comm Assisted Living provides a comfortable lifestyle and superb elder care.