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History of the Academy
The Academy
Academy Diploma
The Master's Oath
A Master's Letter
History of Fencing
History of Fencing
Development of the Foil
Development of the Epee
Development of the Sabre
The Academy thanks Macolm Fare for contributing the articles
on the history of fencing. Malcolm's website may be found at www.fencingmuseum.com
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The British Academy of Fencing is an organisation for fencing
coaches in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Its origins lie in the sixteenth century Company of the Masters of
Defence of London. This was the recognised guild for the teaching
of fencing in and around London. It was made up of Free Scholars, Provosts
and Masters -- all of whom had to achieve their status by "playing
their prizes" and taking the appropriate oaths. This "Playing
of Prizes" consisted of challenging one's betters to combat in a
theatre before an audience . The Company was headed by a group of four
"Ancient Masters" who ran the business of the guild.
Like other guilds, the Company of the Masters of Defence concerned itself
with protecting the interests of its members. It took care of the welfare
of Masters who had fallen on hard times or had left widows and orphans,
and it regulated the profession, for example, by making rules about the
conduct of fencing schools and the setting of fees. It also sought to
protect its members against outside competition, from unqualified fencing
teachers and especially from the Italian fencing masters who were popular
at the time.
The Company was issued its Warrant by Henry VIII in 1540, which granted
it a monopoly over the teaching of fencing in England and gave the Company
the power to commit to gaol anyone who undertook to teach fencing without
being a member of the Company.
This monopoly lapsed on the death of Henry VIII in 1547. It was briefly
recovered under the reign of James I, who granted them a Warrant in 1605
. but was abolished when James was forced to pass the Monopolies Act .
The Company eventually fell into disrepute due to the number of swordsmen
who gave themselves the title of "Master" or "Professor"
without having "Played their Prizes". Such "Masters"
amounted to little more than paid prizefighters and had little respect.
There were some attempts in the early 20th century to reform the guild,
first in 1903, under the title "The London Académie d'Armes",
and again in 1931 as "The British Federation of Fencing Masters".
All this was interrupted by the Second World War. In 1949 an Ancient Guild
of Fencing Masters was again refounded as "The British Academy of
Fencing". The inspiration for this venture came from the late Charles
de Beaumont and it was implemented by Professor Roger Crosnier, Professor
Leon Paul and Mr. J.D. Aylward. The Academy's first President was Professor
Leon Bertrand.
The British Academy of Fencing (B.A.F.) is a founder member of the Academie
d'Armes Internationale - the international federation of fencing academies.
The Academy of today is a progressive organisation and changes are constantly
taking place. By the maintenance of a carefully structured system of courses
and examinations, the Academy provides teachers and/or coaches of fencing
with the opportunities to qualify through Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and
Advanced Awards, with Foil, Epee and Sabre up to Diploma standard. The
B.A.F. Diploma is recognised and respected throughout the world and is
the qualification required for full status in the Academy.
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