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The Broadsword Academy
At the Cateran Society Broadsword Academy in Portland, ME, we study the art of the Highland Broadsword, a historical Scottish style of swordsmanship. Fencers of the Broadsword Academy compete in the Broadsword League, an international competitive league of broadsword fencers. Dedicated students of the Academy have the opportunity to study a rich and multi-faceted martial art, including the broadsword method of the famous Highland regiments such as the Black Watch, the older methods of the Highland clansmen from the era of the Jacobite rebellions, the use of the small shield known as the targe, and the art of quick draw with the Highland broadsword. To inquire about studying with us in Portland, ME, contact Christopher Scott Thompson at: gilbride100@hotmail.com.
The Apprenticeship Program
Announcing the official opening of the Cateran Society Broadsword Academy's new Apprenticeship Program, under the direction of Cateran Society president Christopher Scott Thompson and his ushers (or assistant instructors) Matt Park, Melian Young, Justin Kirck and James Black.
In the spring of 2006, Cateran Society president Christopher Thompson spent six weeks traveling around the United States by Greyhound bus, teaching seminars on the art of the Highland Broadsword in Virginia, Utah, Colorado, Pennsylvania and New York state, with the goal of establishing local study groups of the Cateran Society in multiple regions. As an expansion of this initial effort, we've decided to open this Apprenticeship Program, for the benefit of everyone who has an interest in the Highland Broadsword, but no consistent access to personal instruction. The Cateran Society has nearly 350 members around the world, most of whom have never had the chance to study this art in person. Our goal is to change that, both for the current members of the Cateran Society and for any interested and dedicated martial artists who would like to participate.
Members of the Apprenticeship Program will have the opportunity to study any or all of the arts we teach, working with a combination of hands-on personal instruction via seminars and workshops, as well as the extensive written materials we have available, and our complete online curriculum. The exact mix of seminar time and distance learning will depend on the life circumstances of the individual student, but personal instruction will be emphasized to the greatest extent possible in every case.
The purpose of the Apprenticeship Program is to promote the art of the Highland Broadsword and train a new generation of instructors capable of preserving and passing on this reconstructed historical fencing art. Therefore participation in the program is free of charge, with the exception of any travel costs required for seminars. However, we are interested in offering this program exclusively to serious and dedicated potential students, with every intention of becoming superb historical fencers and eventually instructors. Members of the Apprenticeship Program will be expected to remain in frequent contact with their instructors at the Cateran Society Broadsword Academy, and to participate fully in the program on an ongoing basis. Members of the program will eventually become certified instructors in their own right after a thorough apprenticeship, and will have the opportunity to "play the prize" or test for the traditional ranks of Scholar, Free Scholar and Provost.
If this is something that you would like to be involved in, please contact Christopher Thompson at gilbride100@hotmail.com for details of enrollment. Once your application is accepted, you will be assigned a mentor who will guide you in your study of the Regimental Highland Broadsword, Old-Style Highland Broadsword, or Sword and Targe. (Advanced students will also have the opportunity to study quick draw skills.)
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