Schola Minervae: remaking and relaunching

Salutations,

Over the last year I have received constant similar feedback from the rapier community: many desire more clear goals, direct instruction, and quality feedback.

Sometimes fencers are frustrated, do not see a path forward, and struggle to get useful feedback to grow their skills. They are looking for something better organized and truly academic so they too can learn, train, and share. Becoming a great fencer and learning how to teach fencing well are both worthy goals, but are also high mountains to climb.

If becoming a quality fencer or learning how to teach fencing are your goals, I want to help you! With regular community feedback, I have created a concept and built something that I think will better serve the community’s needs. To that end, I am excited to announce the creation of a new historical fencing guild that focuses on quality: the Schola Minervae, named in honor of the Roman goddess of wisdom and defensive warfare.

The Schola Minervae offers guidance and direction along two paths:

·       The fencing skills necessary to progress from novice to expert

·       The knowledge necessary to aide others in that journey

Progress is not connected to any award system or other factors beyond what is explicitly enumerated within the Schola’s charter. It provides lists of skills for fencers to work on at each level of progress so they can truly master historic fencing and become exceptional teachers themselves.

To better aid the Schola Minervae, I have created and revised a teaching test for each level of skill within the guild. This was also completed with the help of the greater rapier community. It reflects the goals and attitudes of the Schola at its core. To help facilitate continued learning not just at dedicated practice, the Schola Minervae will also have an online platform devoted exclusively to discussing and teaching fencing as well as other directly related topics.

If this idea of clear goals, direct instruction, and constructive feedback in a learning community dedicated to mutual growth appeals to you, contact me, Master Dante di Pietro, privately and we will discuss your fencing journey and how the Schola Minervae can help you become the future of executing and teaching high quality historic fencing.

Learn. Train. Share.

Master Dante di Pietro 

Order of the Laurel
Order of Defense