HEMA
The length of a rapier
A favourite topic amongst beginners and enthusiasts alike: how long is a rapier? How long should it be? Is there an optimal length? Does the length of the rapier matter or is it what you do with it…?
Let’s start with a fundamental question: what is a rapier? …
Fiore’s longsword guards
By: Robin Catling.
From our Historical Swordplay class, our starting point is the twelve guard positions taken from Fiore’s treatise.
The four high, four middle and four low guards are:
High
1) Posta di Donna (guard of the lady)
2) Posti di Donna la soprana (High guard of the lady)
3) Posta di fenestra (Window Guard)
4) Posta di Donna la sinestra (Guard of the Lady on the left)
Middle
5) Posta Breve (Short Guard)
6) Posta Longa (Long Guard)
7) Posta Frontale (Front Guard)
8) Posta di Bicorne (Two-horned Guard)
Low
9) Posta di Dente di cinghiale (Boar’s Tooth Guard)
10) Mezzo Porta di Ferro (Middle Iron Gate)
11) Tutta Porta di Ferro (Whole Iron Gate)
12) Posta di Coda Longa d’esteso (extended Long Tail Guard)
Florio’s Italian to English dictionary of 1611 translates:
Pulsare – to smite
Pulsativa therefore translates as something like ‘great smiting’.
Instabile – ‘fickle, wavering, unstable’
Stabile – ‘stable, firm, permanent, steadfast, fixed, immovable, durable’.
HEMA: Weapon safety
Following on from our post on Safe Conduct of Classes , and both posts on safety and protective equipment, with breakdown, here follows our guide to weapon safety. …
HEMA: Protective items
Following on from our post on Safe Conduct of Classes and our general post on safety and protective equipment, here follows our breakdown of which items to wear for training and sparring. …
HEMA: Protective Gear
You may be familiar with the all-white kit worn by sports fencers. Historical combat, however, demands greater protection against hits from heavier metal or nylon weapons.
HEMA clubs and competitions will each set their own standards for protective gear; the amount of protection worn in classes, and training sessions will also vary according to the intensity and the weapons used. …
HEMA: Safe conduct of classes
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) is the serious study and live application of combat techniques from the early Medieval period, through the Renaissance, to the late Nineteenth century.
HEMA is not a fantasy activity like LARP (Live Action Role-playing), it is not historical re-enactment, nor is it choreographed stage fighting. It should be treated the same as other martial arts such as boxing, karate, ju-jitsu and the like. This means a constant and strict regard for the risk of injury, with appropriate steps (instruction, donning protective gear) to mitigate and minimise such risk. …
HEMA – is it safe?
Studying historical combat techniques with heavy weapons is rewarding and fun, but, like most other martial arts, inherently risky. We all have proper jobs to go back to, families to look after, bills to pay; things that are difficult enough without the added burden of trips to A&E, bandages, splints, crutches and the long-lasting effects of concussion (genuinely no laughing matter). We are not 24/7 Medieval or Renaissance warriors. This is a hobby more than a lifestyle choice. …
NEW! Historical swordplay class, 7 September 2017
Our historical combat class (safe, non-contact) for adults is confirmed starting Thursday September 7th at 8pm in Okehampton. Venue:
Baptist Church Hall,
Fore Street,
Okehampton
EX20 1AN
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