Comicpalooza 2017
As part of our pioneering effort to recover, revive, and reclaim, the martial arts of Renaissance Europe, the ARMA presents a public "Playing of a Prize." In 16th-century England, students of the famed London fighting guilds were publicly tested for advancement in a martial arts curriculum through an event called a "Prize Fight." The student would have to go up against all his fellow students from his school of defence, whether of higher or lesser experience, in a continuous series of sparring bouts. To earn his prize and prove his worth he had to emerge with a greater number of wins within a a limited time frame. Such a trial of sweat and fighting spirit was the origin of our modern-day boxing "prizefights." Starting in the late 1990s, the ARMA was the first historical fencing organization in more than 200 years to reestablish this unique practice as our fighting arts training program began to earnestly test senior students in the same manner. Come witness this rare opportunity to see an un-armored nonsporting mock-combat exhibition where the practitioner must demonstrate skill, control, stamina, and true prowess before his fellows and teachers. Our prizer will cross steel blades with some 30 students in some 90 fights in less than 90 minutes. Watch and cheer as he attempts to win his prize of Free-Scholar fighting rank with the long-sword. This is no tournament spectacle, dueling game, or pretend contest but an intense, grueling physical and mental challenge of endurance and authentic weapon skills.
