The Academy claims to trace its roots to the reign of Henry VII and the Company of Masters of the Science of Defence, and was established in 1949.
[1] The Academy provides a comprehensive programme of support and teaching for coaches, and maintains a structured set of qualifications in the tuition of the three weapons used in competitive fencing, including basic, intermediate, advanced and diploma awards.
As qualifications are attained, members are entitled to use a range of titles such as Provost, Maître d’Escrime, and Master.
In addition, full masters of all three weapons adopt the title Professor.
The Academy has relationships with a number of international fencing organisations, including: