Membership at True Guard
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Our members are the life-blood of our club.
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We take membership at our club very seriously in order to ensure a positive,
dedicated, supportive, and safe environment is maintained within the club.
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Our club has a strong focus on hard work, diligence, and striving to be the best in our martial pursuits.
To this end, we seek to be a friendly and inviting place for people with all levels of skill.
We endeavor to maintain a safe environment where people from all walks of life can
work together to become a better fencer.
So long as you are willing to learn, try, fail, grow, and work hard to succeed -
you will find a place of fellowship and camaraderie among our number.
Our Motto
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Honor.
"Honor" embodies the principles and values that guide our actions and interactions both within and outside of our martial arts community.
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It signifies a commitment to integrity, fairness, and respect, both on and off the training floor that becomes in integral part of ourselves and presents a standard for others.
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Honor is a recognition of the code of conduct that binds our members together, fostering a sense of chivalry, sportsmanship, and moral uprightness.
Discipline.
"Discipline" represents the unwavering dedication and self-control that we cultivate in our pursuit of the Martial Arts.
It embodies the commitment to rigorous training, continuous improvement, and the development of mental and physical resilience.
In our HEMA club, discipline is the driving force that enables us to refine our techniques, focus our efforts, and overcome challenges, ultimately helping us become better martial artists and individuals.
Victory.
"Victory" symbolizes the culmination of our hours of dedication, effort, and training to hone our minds and bodies.
It doesn't solely refer to winning in a competitive sense but, more importantly, to achieving personal growth and mastery.
Victory signifies a culmination of our commitment to setting and achieving goals, conquering obstacles, and celebrating the progress and achievements, both big and small, along our martial arts journey. It is a testament to the triumph of dedication and skill over adversity.
Club Ranks
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Like many martial arts clubs, True Guard Historical Fencing Club maintains a system of ranking as a means to judge our progress as practitioners, recognize the accomplishments of others, and help newer members to identify those with more experience who can
help guide them.
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Our ranking system does not contain a plethora of levels to advance, nor is there a monetary fee for access or progression through the ranks as in some
Eastern martial arts.
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Members of the club pay only with sweat and steel to climb the ranks. Each rank must be earned through time spent honing their skills and "Playing the Prize"
for their next rank.
Novice
The rank of Novice is not a true rank, but rather symbolizes a new member of whom there is no expectation other than having the desire to learn.
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​The Novice may not spar without the direct supervision of a Provost or Rector.
Playing the Prize
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In order for members of the club to progress through the ranks, they must Play the Prize of the next rank for which they are seeking to obtain in order that the Rectorate can properly assess the skills and knowledge of the member.
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Playing the Prize has it's origins in the history of martial arts in England with the Corporation of Masters of the Noble Science of Defence in the 16th Century as a means of advancement within the guild. We have adopted and adapted this historical practice for our own uses within our club.
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Each rank has it's Prize Play which increase in difficulty as the ranks increase. These Prize Plays must be successfully completed in order for members to be awarded the next rank. Members are eligible to issue a challenge for a Prize Play once per quarter.
Issuing a Challenge
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A Member issues a Challenge to the Rectors. Rectors will deliberate and set a date for the Prize Play to take place which will be determined within no longer than one week.
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At the declared time and place, the Challenger shall engage in their Prize Play against whatever Answerers have been selected to answer the challenge.
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Should the Challenger successfully complete their Prize Play, they will be awarded their new rank and issued the ornaments of their new station. Should the Challenger fail in their attempt, they will be eligible to play their prize again the following quarter.
Awards and Accolades
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Members of True Guard Historical Fencing Club will, during the course of their training and participation at the club and at competitions, earn awards and honors which are displayed in the form of patches and ribbons on their kit.
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Generally, such awards are to be worn on their primary fencing jacket.
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Each award is hard-earned by it's recipient and an award ceremony is undertaken when such awards are bestowed. Below is a list of current awards and their details.
The Heraldic Shield
The Heraldic Shield is the first patch all members receive, given upon winning their Adept's Prize. It signifies admission of a new member into the ranks of the club as well as the unity and camaraderie within our ranks.
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The Shield heraldry features the English flag along with the Tudor Rose at it's center to pay homage to the history of our study.