Talk:Company of Masters

Support for Expansion
This article is on a subject of some interest to me, and I would certainly like to see it expanded. Firstly, the article needs citations for material currently in place, as well as for any future material added. I would also like to see more information on the manner with which the members advanced, the role of Prize Playing, and even information (if available) about the relative ease of advancement (did almost everyone who tried for Provost fail? 70%? 50%?). It would also be nice to see important individuals within the organization, perhaps names for the four "senior Masters". Also, a section on the societal impact of the organization would not be undue, as the role of judicial and non-judicial duelling was (I believe) a relatively important element of this society, with such a school providing an individual the means with which to win his life. Also, I think with the upswing in historical martial arts reconstruction, it may be worth to note that a very similar system of rank has come into use by the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts. --Xiliquiern 14:23, 20 September 2006 (UTC)
 * It's a very common ranking system for historical fencing groups, not just ARMA. There is actually a modern Company of Maisters of the Science of Defence (http://www.maisters.demon.co.uk/ - very outdated homepage), in England, founded by Terry Brown, and named in honour of the original company. They might be worth a mention too. Megalophias 21:53, 24 October 2006 (UTC)
 * Absolutely - I only knew of the ARMA ranking system, but it certainly makes sense for historical fencing organizations to model themselves after the "real deal". --Xiliquiern 22:25, 24 October 2006 (UTC)

When was this?
Can we add some dates please? --Knulclunk 06:12, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

Seven years
I don't remember that it took seven years to become a free scholar, just to become a provost, and then five to be a master. Also some people got special leave to advance faster. 24.67.137.170 (talk) 16:55, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

Italian School?
"...notably the use of the rapier as taught in the Italian school of swordsmanship popular at the time." I don't believe this is the case... the masters of defence were actually quite at odds with Italian fencing instructors in England at the time (Rocco Bonnetti and Vincentio Saviolo, for instance). Furthermore, the only good source we have for a member of the company teaching rapier (Swetnam) does not support the idea that they were teaching it "as taught in the Italian school." If no one offers support for this statement, I will return and delete it. Sebatinsky (talk) 22:26, 10 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Edited as proposed two weeks ago. Sebatinsky (talk) 14:36, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

Terry Brown
Unfortunately there isn't an article, even a stub, for Terry Brown, martial artist, HEMA enthusiast. Ulrich von Lichtenstein (talk) 07:35, 17 January 2013 (UTC)