Historical Swordsmanship
What is historical swordsmanship?
Historical swordsmanship is the study and practice of martial arts from the past, recreated based on preserved manuscripts, documents and weapons of the period. Today it’s practiced as a modern combat sport.
I teach based on the European fencing tradition from the XV-th century. You will be studying the knightly arts of the medieval and renaissance and will learn how to handle one handed sword, longsword and sword and buckler.
Historical swordsmanship is also know as historical fencing and HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts). While there is slight difference between what those terms mean exactly they are often used interchangeably.
Training sessions
Training sessions are conducted with sport clothing and shoes.
They are suitable for men and women over 16 years old and complete novices in the area of martial arts and combat sports.
In the first months the only necessity is for a sword and light gloves, and training swords are provided on site. Fencing masks are to be acquired as soon as possible and you can either buy one or rent them from me.
Practicing historical swordsmanship
In the process of studying, the equipment, intensity and complexity of the exercises increases. In time we also add different sword types and training weapons.
After reaching a certain stage in ones education, the participants begin free play against an uncooperative partner.
In this video you can see some exercises while training historical swordsmanship.
Additionally there are International competitions and training sessions on rugged terrain.
“I am the sword and I am lethal against any weapon; lances, axes and dagger are worthless against me. I can become extended or withdrawn; when I get near the opponent I can enter into close play, perform disarms and abrazare. My art is to turn and to bind; I am expert in defense and offense, and always strive to finish in those. Come against me and feel the pain. I am Royal, enforce justice, propagate goodness and destroy evil. Look at me as a cross, and I will give you fame and a name in the art of arms.”
– Il Fior di Battaglia, folio 25r, Fiore dei Liberi, 1410 (tr. Tom Leoni)