Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild

Be it known to all who profess the Art of arms –
That on Saturday, 13th December, two thousand twenty-five, four Companions of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild -

Garion Evans
David Hencmann
Joseph Smits
Matthew Tripam

presented themselves in public display to face chosen challengers and fellow students in the Art of Armizare and science of defense, to claim the right to style themselves Scholars of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild.

There, enduring a gauntlet of the dagger for five minutes, and fighting three bouts of five minutes each with the sword in two hands, the four candidates demonstrated their skill and comported themselves with honor.

At the same playing of the prize, Rocky Mountain Swordplay Scholar -

Jordan Sedlacek

presented herself in public display to face chosen challengers in the Art of Bolognese Swordsmanship to claim the right to style herself a Scholar in that aspect of the Art, fighting three bouts of five minutes each with the sidesword, demonstrating skill and comporting herself with honor.

It is therefore my honor to congratulate Garion, David, Joseph, and Matthew - awarding them the rank of Scholar of Armizare, and welcoming them into that honorable company. It is also my honor to congratulate Jordan on achieving the rank of Scholar of Bolognese Swordsmanship, the first to play her prize at the RMSG’s sala of arms.

Finally, I extend my sincere thanks to the challengers who tested the candidates throughout the event -

Robine Asmar – Chicago Swordplay Guild
Sean Glover – Black Falcon School of Arms
Jason Oviatt – Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild
Alexis Renk – Chicago Swordplay Guild

You represented the Art and your schools skillfully and honorably, and I am grateful for your fellowship within the Western Martial Arts community.

My congratulations again to all who took part in the event!

Douglas Wagner

Dean Emeritus and Senior Instructor
Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild

Be it known to all who profess the Art of arms –

That on Saturday, 13th December, two thousand twenty-five, four Companions of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild, claiming the right to style themselves Scholars of the Guild, will face chosen challengers in the Art of Armizare and science of defense.

Each has passed a written and skills examination toward the promotion of Scholar. Having successfully undertaken these required examinations, I hereby give leave and license to the following Companions to publicly play their prizes, doing their utmost to display their skill as judged by their instructors and peers:

Garion Evans
David Hencmann
Joseph Smits
Matthew Tripam

At the designated time, each candidate will endure a gauntlet of the dagger for five minutes and fight three bouts of five minutes each with the sword in two hands.

Know it also that at the same appointed time a Scholar of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild will claim the right to be styled a Scholar in the Art of Bolognese swordplay.

Having successfully completed written and skills examinations in that branch of the Art, the following Scholar has been granted leave and license by Jack Brinkman of the RMSG and Gregory Mele, of the Chicago Swordplay Guild to publicly play their prize, enduring three bouts of five minutes each with the sidesword against chosen challengers, doing their utmost to display their skill as judged by their instructors and peers:

Jordan Sedlacek

The playing of these prizes will take place at the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild’s Sala d’Armi, 2875 S. Tejon St., Englewood, CO 80110, beginning at 10 o’clock in the morning. Guests and the public are welcome.

Attested this 17th day of November, two thousand twenty-five,

Douglas Wagner
Dean Emeritus and Senior Instructor
Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild

To members of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild,

Many of you will know that the past year has been one of significant change for me. Much of this has been long in the making, with an eye to laying solid groundwork for what will come next. Leaving my role at the Denver Art Museum after many years to begin a new venture was both the result and cause of some of these plans, and it is now time to announce another move involving long preparation that will affect another major aspect of what has gone before -

Today I am retiring as the Dean of Curriculum of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild.

In my place, to oversee matters of Guild curriculum, are Jason Oviatt and Jordan Sedlacek, two Guild officers and Scholars who will collaborate in their roles as Prefects to steer the future direction of class material and liaise with the Chicago Swordplay Guild about curricular interpretation. The past year and more has involved efforts toward instructor preparation, and I am confident I am leaving the Guild in good hands for the continuation of regular classes and for long-term development.

I will remain affiliated with the Guild as Dean Emeritus and senior instructor, continuing to offer classes when possible, and offering my perspectives in martial and organizational matters in an advisory capacity. My final duties as full Dean of the Guild will be to prepare for and oversee the testing of Scholar candidates planned for this coming December.

Over the last decade and a half it has been my honor and privilege to lead the RMSG from a period of uncertainty through to years of major growth, teaching students and instructors to perform the Art and carry it forward. The road has been challenging, but I am proud of what we as a Guild have accomplished in becoming an important locus of martial interpretation and practice in the Western Martial Arts community. Those who are now taking the reins of Guild leadership also take up the burden of service to that community and the Art we share. I ask you to support them and join them.

I look forward to seeing the next chapter for the RMSG.

I remain, yours in arms,

Douglas Wagner
Dean Emeritus, Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild

Be it known to all who profess the study of arms that on the ninth day of August, two thousand and twenty-five, through long study, demonstration of skill, and display of commitment, six members of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild:

Erin Cork
Brooke Neupert
Derek Plemons
Otto Schwarm
Michael Somers
Sam Wilson

successfully completed the test to become Companions of Armizare within the Guild, as judged by Guild Scholars and instructors Jason Oviatt, Ryan Riebau, and Jordan Sedlacek. We congratulate their achievement and look forward to their continued growth in the Art and Science of Defense.

Douglas Wagner
Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild

Photo courtesy of Randi Craig

Be it known to all who profess the study of arms that on the 12th day of June, two thousand and twenty-five, through long study, demonstration of skill, and display of commitment, four members of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild:

Eris Ledbetter
Brooke Neupert
Jordan Sedlacek
Ryan Yen

successfully completed the test to become Companions of Bolognese Swordsmanship within the Guild - a newly established rank within the Chicago Swordplay Guild's family of schools. We congratulate their achievement and look forward to their continued growth in the Art of Bolognese Swordsmanship.

I would also like to thank Bolognese instructor Jack Brinkman, and assistant instructors Max Faass and Tyler Craig, for promoting this program within the Guild and preparing the new Companions for this step in its development.

Douglas Wagner
Dean of Curriculum, RMSG

The RMSG contingent at the Scholar prize play hosted by the Chicago Swordplay Guild on Oct. 20th, 2024, including new Bolognese Scholars Max Faass and Tyler Craig, Bolognese instructor Jack Brinkman, and Armizare challenger Zach Hainline.

After many months of dedicated study, two Scholars of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild - Max Faass and Tyler Craig - were invited to play their prizes for the rank of Bolognese Scholar in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, October 20th, 2024.

Both candidates demonstrated skill with the sidesword in three matches against chosen challengers, and were awarded their ranks under the watchful eyes of Rob Rutherford, Free Scholar, and Jesse Kulla, Provost, of the Chicago Swordplay Guild, as well as attending Guild officers and the public.

This is a significant achievement for the RMSG, as Max and Tyler are the first to be granted this rank having trained in this aspect of the Art in Colorado under the instruction of Jack Brinkman. Succeeding in this endeavor would have been difficult enough without also being tested by instructors in Chicago who vetted the practice and instruction within the RMSG. For Max, Tyler, and for Jack, this was therefore a two-fold test.

I am proud to offer my congratulations to the new Scholars, and to Jack. Your dedication has shown through, and promises good things for the RMSG's Bolognese track.

I also offer my thanks to those who tested, challenged and supported them. It is a testament to the closeness of the community in which we train. We are as responsible for fostering this community as it is for supporting us. With this in mind, I want to thank Zach Hainline, Armizare Scholar of the RMSG, who demonstrated skill acting as challenger for a CSG Armizare Scholar candidate this past weekend. Congratulations on your induction into the Order of the Worn Garter.

Douglas Wagner
Dean of Curriculum, Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild

As some of you may have heard, the RMSG will be making a change to the weeknight schedule at the Guild's sala d'armi.

Sprezzatura practice sessions previously held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-9:00pm will be moving to Friday evenings at the same time, beginning on June 7th. The last Wednesday Sprezzatura session will be held on May 29th.

Going forward, Friday Sprezzatura sessions will alternate with Friday night Fight Nights as they regularly occur. Other activities scheduled at the sala for Friday evenings (e.g. sewing) will take place concurrently with either Sprezzatura or Fight Night.

We recognize that this change may not fit everyone's schedule or preferences, but is necessary to accommodate other Guild programs. We look forward to seeing you on the newly-established day.

Sincerely,
Douglas Wagner
Dean of Curriculum, RMSG

Be it known to all who profess the Art of arms –

That on Saturday, 24th February, two thousand twenty-four, four Companions of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild -

Michael Coffey
Vinnie Enos
Zachariah Hainline
Chelsea Kramer

presented themselves in public display to face chosen challengers and fellow students in the Art of Armizare and science of defense, to claim the right to style themselves Scholars of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild.

There enduring a gauntlet of the dagger for five minutes, and fighting three bouts of five minutes each with the sword in two hands, the four candidates demonstrated their skill and comported themselves with honor.

It is therefore my honor to congratulate Michael, Vinnie, Zachariah, and Chelsea - awarding them the rank of Scholar, and welcoming them into that honorable company.

Douglas Wagner
Dean and Head Instructor
Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild

Be it known to all who profess the Art of arms –

That on Saturday, 24th February, two thousand twenty four, four Companions of the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild, claiming the right to style themselves Scholars of the Guild, will face chosen challengers in the Art of Armizare and science of defense.

Each has passed a written and skills examination toward the promotion of Scholar. Having successfully undertaken these required examinations, I hereby give leave and license to the following Companions to publicly play their prizes, doing their utmost to display their skill, as judged by their instructors and peers:

Michael Coffey
Vinnie Enos
Zachariah Hainline
Chelsea Kramer

At the designated time, each candidate will endure a gauntlet of the dagger for five minutes and fight three bouts of five minutes each with the sword in two hands.

The playing of these prizes will take place at the Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild’s Sala d’Armi, 2875 S. Tejon St., Englewood, CO 80110, beginning at noon. Guests and the public are welcome.

Attested this 4th day of February, two thousand twenty four,

Douglas Wagner
Dean and Head Instructor
Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild

Congratulations to the RMSG's new Companions!