Tournaments are a major feature of Historical European Martial Arts, offering competitors one way in which chance to try their skills out against opponents in an adrenalin-filled, if controlled environment. Tournaments follow various formats and in this article I will sketch out the broad format used in competitions as I have experienced at Swordfish, the Nordic League, ILHG and other …
Advice for Judges
A few thoughts for anyone who wants to try their hand at being a judge in a sword fighting competition… Read the Rules Yes, a stupidly obvious point, so there is no need to be obviously stupid by turning up at the briefing the night before and getting confused over the latest grappling rules. If You Don’t Know, Ask Preferably …
Single Rapier Sparring
Sparring with my student, Ben. At the time of filming, Ben had not been sparring for very long, so I was trying to give him something to work with, while possibly teasing him a little!
Training Equipment
This article is a guide to the equipment used for training in the Renaissance Sword Club. Before I begin this, I need to highlight that this is an opinion, etc. and not a list of what brand 0f equipment that must be bought. My students should be aware that if I feel something is not up to scratch, they will …
Single Sword Class
Last night’s rapier lesson started a twelve week examination of Gérard Thibault’s method for the single sword. While working on this style, students were presented with a comparison with other styles: though Thibault changes emphasis in the mechanics by 90° to the horizontal plane. I feel there is considerable misunderstanding about Thibault; that he has an esoteric or obscure method. Instead, I …
Sword fighting? You do what?
So what do we do at the Renaissance Sword Club? Well we’re a sword fighting club based in the UK that studies the rapier and sidesword with their attendant companion weapons, such as dagger, cloak, buckler and rotella. We teach a lot, four times a week, in London, East Berkshire and North Surrey. We’re very active on the international scene, …
Sword and Dagger Sources
The following is a brief outline of a few of the sources I have used when examining sword and dagger. However, I want to establish some context. I work according to understanding what mechanics are used in a source, rather than only trying to invest in a single source and replicate or reproduce as closely as possible what the author …
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Single Rapier Fight
Single rapier fight between Rob Runacres and Jason Bonner. We’re old rivals and know each other perhaps a little too well!
Ile D’Adam, near Paris; September 2014
A shot of my workshop on the sword and dagger in Renaissance France, at Ile D’Adam near Paris.