Beginner’s Longsword Starting June 10th
We’re opening up our class in Beginner’s Longsword starting June 10th. Forget Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and Vikings, this is the genuine art of the sword… …
HEMA
Posts about Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)
WikiHow NOT to Win a Swordfight
Today’s dose of unintended hilarity (make that horror) comes from WikiHow, ‘How to do anything.’ In this case how NOT to do anything, especially How NOT to Win a Swordfight. WikiHow’s signature style ‘tutorial’ glosses over safety and will get somebody killed or injured. …
HEMA returns to Okehampton
It was good to be back together this evening for the first time in six whole months. Carefully managed, as C-19-safe as we could contrive, regulars and visitors kept to the protocol and got back to what we like to do best. …
Guidance on the Practice of Fencing and HEMA In the COVID-19 Environment
As sessions resume in Okehampton, some changes are required in the conduct and running of classes and freeplay. …
Guidance on the Practice of Fencing and HEMA In the COVID-19 EnvironmentRead More »
BFHS Guidance for restarting classes
The BFHS Guidance for restarting classes recommends caution in resuming classes in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Wider social distancing restrictions make the resumption of certain practices untenable. The full text of the Federation recommendations follows.
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The Light of Life – Video Showcase
I have no idea how to pronounce Akademia Szermierzy, but what matters is the showcase video the Polish crew have put out on their YouTube channel – The Light of Life: fencing with epee, sabre, rapier and longsword. …
Beginners’ Sword and Buckler (from I.33)
‘The devil of hell does not dare attempt that which the wanton monk dares, and the old woman full of wiles.’
The manuscript I.33 (the Royal Armouries catalogue number) is the oldest known manuscript depicting European fighting arts. It is dated to approximately 1295. It shows a Priest teaching a student or Scholar how to fight with sword and buckler (a small shield). In places we are given statements that a ‘common man’ will do one type of action, but the Priest teaches the use of a different action. …
Free play – Keep Calm and Carry On
“Two popes and a pandemic – how it feels to be living in the Medieval era.” So what better than a bout of sword and buckler? Keep calm and carry on.
Happy International Womens’ Day
As International Womens’ Day draws to a close, can we remind you of all the very capable instructors, students and competitors who happen to be not men! To learn more about the amazing women in HEMA, go to esfinges.net. …