HISTORICAL SWORDPLAY
I practice Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), for research, sport, and fun.
Swinging swords in a historically authentic manner…
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) is the practice of recreating the techniques of medieval and early modern swordplay, through the interpretation of contemporary written sources (often referred to as Fechtbüche - fight books - which, very loosely, can be considered manuals on the art of fencing), using modern analogies of historical weapons.
Historical research, experiential learning, and sport combined…
HEMA is a unique combination of historical research - trying to interpret the source material - experiential learning - trying out your hypothesis physically - and sport - fencing against an opponent with the aim of scoring a hit.
Playing with swords…
I am an instructor, accredited by the British Federation for Historical Swordplay (BFHS), and use my pedagogical and public speaking skills to run taster sessions and beginners’ classes in medieval longsword, sword and buckler, and sixteenth-century rapier and dagger.