There have been some strange duels fought throughout the course of history. Some of them seem outright ridiculous, others downright hilarious. From dueling dogs, billiard balls, and boys in the buff, here are some of the most bizarre fights found in history. Man vs Man's Best Friend In France, a very interesting judicial…
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We are delighted to have a special guest instructor coming to Duello on February 21st to 23rd. Join the Dean and Founder of the Chicago Swordplay Guild and co-owner of Forteza Fitness, Greg Mele, as he takes you through the rich system of Fiore's Armizare, the medieval Italian Martial art that Academie Duello's curriculum is…
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The growth of HEMA/WMA here and in the ‘old country’ has well documented with both items in the past press, and with salles reporting the increasing numbers of students coming to their door. And though we are all united as a community in having some common interest in the concept of historical fencing; each individual…
When culling the many sword-related press items that one finds when searching for those rare columns featuring things-HEMA/WEMA; one has to wade through a lot of lines about sports teams ‘putting the loser to the sword’; and politicians ‘jousting’ for advantage. Even when you discover a title that gives you three, potential medieval-themed words in…
Safety. Simulation. Storytelling. These are the three pillars of stage combat. The first two cover all the individual skills we learn, from punches and hair-pulls to sword thrusts and zombie-slaying, every move must combine two factors: It must be safe for everyone involved: operator, victim, close-by actors and technicians, and audience. It must believably resemble…
We have just realized that due to our dotage, We’ve been alternating Our title between ‘Sword News’ and ‘Sword Press’ … it supposed to be ‘Press’. That is all. And you kids … get off my lawn! Dang nabbit! New Year, New Skills. CHICAGOIST (Illinois) 08 Janury 14 The 5 Most Unusual Workouts In…
The Academie Duello ‘Sword News’ has been a personal labour of love (maybe love of labour at times) since June 2009. After a variety of issues, We decided that for the most part, the Sword News would now concentrate on posting items originating within the ‘traditional’ commercial press that cover HEMA/WMA events; activities related to…
In many, if not most, scenarios in which violence may be an outcome, de-escalation of the encounter is the easiest and most effective way of eliminating the threat. Every situation is different, but there are many commonalities in what to look for, what to be ready for, and what to do. What to Look For…
2013 was a fabulous year in the Cavaliere Program, full of new endeavours such as Mounted Archery, Carosella, and the first ever Green Spur Tournament. We're looking forward to a newyear with even more combat, more archery, and more fabulous events. Enjoy yourselves tonight as we bid farewell to 2013!
Christmas-time traditions differ across the world. In Russia, December appears to be the time when you get together with good friends and exchange carefully selected and personally delivered blows across their armoured body! There is a lot of Russian press and blog activity which leads Us to believe that the winter season is when Our…
I can't say enough good things about my alma mater: Rapier Wit studio in downtown Toronto. FDC Fight Master Daniel Levinson runs the longest-running independent stage combat school in Canada. After taking a one-semester stage combat course in university, I was looking for more opportunities to learn stage combat, and I was so fortunate to…
In this season of kindness and giving, please remember: don't roast your chestnuts ... ... give them carrots and a good grooming instead. Happy Yule to you and yours!
We’re going to deviate from our usual introduction of the subsequent HEMA/WMA press by going straight to ‘swords as symbols’ … symbols of Christmas actually. Christmas? Fidelity, yes. Strength, absolutely. Honour, generally. But a Christmas related virtue? Specifically, those of compassion, generosity and humility? One version of the Christmas Sword is attributed to the story…
If one approaches Bartitsu as a series of tricks or techniques, one merely has to choose the correct response for the situation. This begs the question: How does one correctly assess the situation? For effective self-defence, a person must not only repeat effective movement patterns, but use them when the time is right. Tactics and…
This year I have been asked to dive into the treasures that the Academie Duello store has and to pick some some of the awesome and unique things that we have available for the young sword fighter (or swordfighter to-be) and history enthusiast on your holiday list. As a youth instructor, I like to think…
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Riding Level 2: The Vaulting Dismount There are many ways to get off a horse, but only a few that are deliberate and don't involve pain or embarrassment. When you first learn to ride that ground seems awfully far away, and it takes a while to learn to dismount with confidence and grace. That's why…
From time to time; our community manages to get ‘good press’ by journalists that drop by a salle and participate in a HEMA/WMA program; or they are able to interview an enthusiastic public after a hard fought and dramatic, historical swordplay demonstration. That said, one of the frustrating elements about being interested and active in…
PlayFighting is not play-fighting. Yes, we play fighting: pretend combat. But play fighting is not play-fighting: combat amusement. Well, it is for entertainment, but not for the performers; for the audience. Although staging combat is fun... stage combat is an essential skill for any actor, stage or screen. Because every play is fighting. Drama is…