Our main focus is the Longsword, taught in the method of both the 15th and 16th century. This is the classic sword from the medieval and early renaissance era, and peaked in popularity in the late 15th century as both a weapon of war and a combat sport.

Our 15th Century syllabus is drawn from writings in the tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer, a system which was explained to us by several authors in the time period. Notably we lean on Sigmund ain Ringeck and Pseudo Peter von Danzig, with supporting material from The Nuremberg Hausbuch.

Our 16th century fencing syllabus, which is presented in parallel to the 15th, is drawn primarily from the works of Joachim Meÿer,  a fencing master from Germany, and arguably the last major figure in the tradition of the German Swordsmanship attributed to Jonannes Liechtenauer.

His works represents an important transition in writing style from early German texts to a more elaborate renaissance style of writing, with influences from across Europe.

In addition to the longsword (the classical weapon of the Liechtenauer tradition) Meÿer’s syllabus also covers fencing with the Sidesword – an elegant single handed sword similar to the rapier of the later 16th and 17th centuries, though with a blade more adapted for both cutting and thrusting.

Sidesword is taught on an alternating schedule with 19th century sabre as part of our single-handed sword class, and we also run periodic classes on Dusack (a type of short sabre used in the 16th century).

Finally, our fencing syllabus is rounded out with fencing systems from the 19th century, focusing on Sabre, but including some elements of foil and smallsword.

Sabre fencing is fun and effective way to quickly learn a the principles of fencing which can then be applied to any other weapon. It has fewer protective equipment requirements than fencing with a Longsword, and yet still allows fencers to achieve high levels of technical excellence and compete in high level events (as you can see in the video below).

Our sabre and foil syllabus is broadly Anglo-French, with sabre drawing on the texts of Louis Rondelle and John Musgrave Waite, as well as selected supporting material from the writings of Alfred Hutton, particularly his book “The Swordsman” from the late 19th Century, as well as contrasting systems from the French and British traditions.

Our 19th century fencing classes run on an alternating schedule with our Sidesword syllabus, changing on either a Term or Semester basis.