The Historic Martial Arts Guild is established to promote and provide a platform for historical martial arts research and education in Meridies, primarily in the form of written articles and video content. The guild shall maintain a curated blog to showcase peer-reviewed research submitted by residents of Meridies and shall be a resource for any Meridians interested in learning about historic martial arts. The guild shall establish an online discussion group to help members coordinate research and provide feedback on works in progress. The guild may also assist in coordinating class instruction at universities, collegia, and other events to spread knowledge of Historic Combat, or sponsor A&S competitions and displays focusing on historic martial arts.
Membership levels and duties
Associate
New guild members are admitted as associates. They are encouraged to participate by asking questions and learning about historical martial-arts. Associate members may participate in general online discussion, but may be restricted from certain feedback processes until they have submitted their own work and become fellows.
Fellow
A fellow has submitted a paper (1000 words or more) or video (2 minutes or longer) on a historical martial arts-related topic for review by the guild. This submission is not required to be made public. The submission will be reviewed by existing guild fellows who will provide feedback. A fellow’s duties include continuing to produce resource and providing feedback and help on other’s work.
Senior Fellow
Senior Fellows have submitted content that has been peer reviewed, and published by the guild. Duties include doing research and providing formal peer review or others.
Leadership positions elected annually
Steward
Manages and schedules meetings, agenda, promotions, send bi-annual report to the Kingdom Guild Deputy, attend one meeting per year with the Guild Deputy or Kingdom Minister of the Arts and Sciences as requested, etc…
Editorial Board
Two to three members responsible for soliciting papers, reviewing or finding reviewers and helping with feedback and editing. Members on the board could serve in other offices as well. Editorial Board members are chosen from among the guild’s published members by a vote all members and published members and serve staggered one year terms.
Managing Editor
Responsible for ushering articles and videos through the review process. Chosen from among the Editorial Board. Does not participate in peer review. Serves a minimum three month term (because this person could burn out quickly).
Webmaster
Manage website, assist with content creation and editing.
Submission Process For Publication
Articles
Articles may be on any topic related to combat during the SCA period. Articles should be clearly written and informative, and arguments should be well-supported with evidence.
Drafts of articles/essays will be submitted to the Managing Editor for an editorial spot check and blinding (removal of identifying information – photographs included will be anonymized where feasible ).
The managing editor will then present the blinded paper to the Members for review and input for a period of two weeks. Once that two week period is done, the author will have an opportunity to make any revisions desired, and the paper will be blinded and submitted to the Editorial Board.
The Editorial Board is responsible for finding a minimum of two reviewers, which may be chosen from among the published members or subject matter experts from outside of Meridies or from the broader historical martial arts community.
Each reviewer will recommend that the article be: 1) revised and resubmitted, or 2) accepted without revision. Reviewers will be expected to provide substantial feedback to help a submitter improve their work. A revised article will may be resubmitted for review after the reviewers feedback has been addressed. All major issues must be resolved to the satisfaction of the Managing Editor coordinating the peer review. Articles may be published with minor issues in tact.
Videos
Videos will be reviewed based on presentation and content. Video should have reasonable production values – reasonable lighting, sound, etc… supporting the clear communication of information. People in the video don’t need to be in garb, but they should be presentable. The content may be on any topic related to period combat and should be clear, informative, and reasonably accurate.
Discussion of content prior to filming, including a potential outline/abstract, with the Members is encouraged, but not required.
The presenter will submit their video o the Managing Editor who will forward it to the Editorial Board. The Editorial Board is responsible for finding a minimum of two reviewers, which may be chosen from among the published members or subject matter experts from outside of Meridies or from the broader historical martial arts community. Issues identified with the video will be identified as either minor or major.
Their commentary will be provided back to the presenter, and the presenter will be given the opportunity to edit the video and submit for publication. All major issues must be resolved to the satisfaction of the Published Member coordinating the peer review. Videos may be published with minor issues in tact.