naissance spirit of the times, the English Masters of Defence rigorously stud-
ied their craft and openly plied their trade. Concentrated around London,
the English guilds essentially followed in the centuries-old practices of the
traditional medieval master-at-arms, but adapted these to the changed times.
Each public school or “Company” had special rules, regulations, and
codes that were strictly upheld. No student could fight with another stu-
dent or harm a master. No master could challenge another. No master
could open a school within seven miles of another or without prior per-
mission from an “Ancient Maister” (senior faculty). No student was to
raise his weapon in anger or be a drunkard, a criminal, or a traitor. As well,
no one could reveal the secret teachings of the school. Most of the rules
were designed to preserve the school’s status, prestige, and economic mo-
nopoly on the trade. Similar conditions existed in later eighteenth-century
small-sword salons and among contemporary sport fencing halls.
The English fighting guilds, following the precedent of academic col-
leges of the age, developed a four-tiered hierarchy: scholar, free-scholar,
provost, and master. Only four Ancient Maisters were allowed at any one
school. New students were recruited, paid a tuition, and apprenticed. Fines
and penalties were levied for violations of regulations and custom. Unlike
his continental peers of the age, the essentially “blue-collar” English mas-
ter-at-arms had to earn his title through rigorous public trial of his skill.
The schools of defence held public tests of their students called Playing the
Prize. When the time came to test their skill and advance to the next grade,
students fought a series of test bouts with blunt weapons (usually with
long-sword, backsword, staff, and sword and buckler) against a number of
senior students.
Generally, the profession of private instructor of arms was denigrated
in England, and early fencing schools acquired unsavory reputations as
hangouts for ruffians and rogues. Nonetheless, prize playing was popular
with the common folk. Although Henry VIII granted a charter to an En-
glish school of fencing in 1540, the guild’s monopoly was not entirely offi-
cial. By the end of the 1600s, Prize Playing declined, and the guilds faded
or became mere sporting salons.
However, indigenous English fighting systems are described in various
English manuals, such as the Pallas Armata(Latin; Pallas Athena Armed) of
1639, and those by gentleman masters such as Joseph Swetnam. Swetnam
taught the use of the new rapier and dagger, along with the traditional En-
glish staff, backsword, long-sword, and short-sword. His teachings were
presented in a fashion that allowed either military man or civilian gentleman
to heed his advice. There is also the well-known grand master of the English
tradition, George Silver (Paradoxes of Defence,1598, and Brief Instruc-
tions,1599). Silver and his brother, Toby, like many Masters of Defence of324 Masters of Defence