On Monday in Reading we had a very special evening full of lots of fights as Stewart and James took their Spadaccino and Laureando exams.
Laureando is the second exam students at the School can take after the initial safety test (to make sure they are safe to spar). This is typically after 200 hours of study and some experience of teaching others. James took part in five 3-minute bouts, ending in an exchange against a weapon he hadn’t encountered before, in this case it was a katana! James chose sidesword and put in an impressive performance. He will also submit a written piece of research.
Spadaccino is the most senior rank in the school and Stewart racked up an impressive ten bouts of three minutes at a time in sword & buckler, rapier & dagger, spadone and dussack. As our treasurer and with 0ver 400 hours of study and many sessions of teaching under his belt, it was time he showed us what he was made of – and on a very hot August evening he cut a swathe through all opposition and emerged victorious! His final match was using parrying gauntlet and rapier, and he has submitted a longer written piece. Well done to both and all who helped take part in the bouts.
