The School of European Swordsmanship

SESH ranking system

The system of ranks used at the school is specific to this organisation, and bears no relation to that of any other body.

Free Scholar

a student with "the freedom of the salle"; a Free Scholar has completed the Basic training, and is sufficiently experienced and responsible to take temporary charge of a class and to supervise free-training sessions, ensuring safe practice.

Class leader

Class leaders are Free Scholars with sufficient experience to lead basic level classes effectively and safely.
Requirements:
Free Scholarship
Basic level training completed, and basic level material kept current.
Intermediate level longsword material completed.
Basic level training in one other system completed.
Intermediate level conditioning

Assistant Instructor

An assistant instructor is able to teach useful classes in a range of weapons and styles. Assistant instructors can grade basic training, and up to intermediate level in the styles for which they have completed the advanced training.
Requirements:
Class leadership for at least 2 years (active)
Advanced training completed in at least 1 system
Intermediate training completed in at least 2 other systems
Ability to teach competently a full weekend seminar, including class plans. Also to give individual instruction to freeplay level in at least three systems.

3 papers, in English or Finnish (at least one of which in English), of 2000, 5000, and 8000 words on some aspect of historical swordsmanship, to include at least one comparative study of two or more sources, and at least one technical analysis of a historical system.

Instructor

This qualification is a licence to teach professionally using the School's name. Instructors can grade advanced levels in the styles in which they have completed their advanced training, appoint Free Scholars on their own authority, and form part of an examining board.
Requirements:
Advanced training completed in at least 2 systems
Intermediate training completed in at least 1 other system
At least 5 years of regularly teaching classes (class leader level or above), including at least 10 full weekend workshops
One book-length thesis on historical swordsmanship (approx 30,000+ words)
Board exam, made up of three instructors (at least one of whom must be external).

Free-scholar and Provost ranks are permanent. Rank-holders not active for 6 months or more will be deemed inactive, and on returning will need to train diligently for at least 6 months before being considered active.
Class leadership is in part dependent on skill-level; any class leader not active for 3 months or more will be re-assessed before being licensed to take classes again.
Given the research-based nature of this art, the style and the drills are subject to change; any person leading a class must have the most up-to-date material.
It is possible for a branch to include one or more instructors or assistant instructors in addition to the Provost. In such a case, the Provost remains responsible for organising the branch, and the senior instructor directs the technical development of the students.

All school ranks are valid in all branches; however, when a Provost visits the branch of another Provost, he is an honoured guest, but has no mandate over the branch as a whole. In the early years of a branch it is normal for the branch to be run by an unranked beginner, who will be promoted up the ladder as earned. He nonetheless has authority over his branch as an acting Provost, but no rank outside his branch.

Technical grades

Technical grades are based on the syllabus. Technical grades are valid for 3 months after the last training session; any student returning from a long break from training will be re-assessed, and if necessary re-trained to achieve their former level.
Basic training is divided into two levels; on completion of level 2, the basic level student becomes an intermediate.
Intermediate training is divided by system, each system having basic, intermediate and advanced levels. Advanced students have completed intermediate level training in at least one system.