Grading Requirments

Participants in AAF combat are divided into six grades, representing the participant's level of achievement in both fighting skills and quality of kit:

• Thrall
• Fyrdsman
• Levy
• Man at Arms
• Sergeant at Arms
• Warrior

To be graded above Thrall you must be a paid member of the AAF and you must have started training. Each grade after Thrall has both gear and training requirements to be met.

Thrall

Thralls are new recruits who have started training, but have not yet made any gear.

Members at the level of Thrall may engage in:

• introductory training, conducted by a Sergeant or Warrior
• basic supervised training with batons and shields

Thralls may not free-fight at all.

Fyrdsman

Members who have started getting some kit together.

To be graded as Fyrdsman, you must own padded gauntlets and a baton, and be judged as safe performing introductory training drills.

Award: leather belt tag to mount later awards on.

Fyrdsmen may engage in:

• basic training in single combat with batons and shields
• supervised free fighting with batons
• supervised group drills, but not wood skirmishing
• basic training with metal weapons, but not free fighting
• beginning display training

Levy

Members who are training regularly and have basic costume and equipment

To be graded as Levy you must own: armoured gauntlets baton shield simple costume: tunic, trousers and belt lower limb protection for skirmishing (this must be either historically accurate or hidden).

A member must also be judged safe and competent to engage in individual combat and group drills. This includes a suitable attitude at training, displays and events.

Award: pewter "grumpy man" medal to hang from the leather belt tag.

Levys may engage in:

• unsupervised free fighting against other Levys and above, using batons
• skirmishing with batons
• supervised single combat in displays with metal sword or seax
• supervised training with other non-standard weapons

Man At Arms

Members who have all their own gear for training and displays, and who are judged safe and competent fighters with sword, seax and spear.

To be graded as Man At Arms you must own: armoured gauntlets helmet shield metal sword or seax consistent with the period of primary interest historically accurate limb and body armour, or other non-historical protection that can be hidden complete and historically accurate set of good clothing, including accessories consistent to the period of primary interest

Award: rose coloured bronze "grumpy man" medal to hang from the leather belt tag.

Men at Arms may engage in:

• unsupervised single combat, display combat and skirmish with metal weapons
• supervised training and fighting with non-standard weapons

Sergeant

Paid members of the Fellowship with a high standard of gear and ability. Sergeants are expected to contribute to the Fellowship by assisting in training, participating in displays and attending events organised by the Fellowship.

To be graded as Sergeant you must own: armoured gauntlets helmet shield metal sword or seax consistent to the period of primary interest secondary metal weapon (axe, spear, etc) historically accurate body and limb armour - non-period limb armour must be hidden complete, historically accurate clothing consistent with the period of primary interest

All costume and equipment must be constructed to a high standard of historical accuracy, and be of quality appearance and construction.

Award: gold coloured bronze "grumpy man" medal to hang from the leather belt tag.

Sergeants must also be judged as having advanced combat techniques with standard metal weapons and shields. They must be able and willing to train other ranked combatants and lead fighters in battle and display. They must be able to use and train others in the use of non-standard weapons.

Warrior

Paid members of the fellowship with a high standard of gear and ability. Warriors are expected to take a leading role in the Fellowship and participate in group functions and organisation.

To be graded as a Warrior you must own: armoured gauntlets helmet metal sword or seax at least one metal secondary weapon historically accurate body and limb armour - non-period limb armour must be hidden two complete, historically accurate sets of clothing, including period footware, consistent with the period of historical interest

All costume and equipment must be constructed to a high standard of historical accuracy, and be of high quality appearance and construction.

Award: Silver "grumpy man" medal to hang from the leather belt tag.

Warriors are the pinnacle of fighting achievement in the Fellowship. A Warrior must be judged to have an advanced and varied fighting ability, be proficient in the use of all standard weapons and effective in the use of non-standard weapons. A Warrior must be capable of training other ranked combatants, and leading fighters in battle and display environments.

A Warrior must be able to run training in the Chief Marshall's absence, and must have a sufficient knowledge of historical events, people, weapons and armour and be capable of effectively presenting these topics in a public display.