Ground. Those interested in WMA/HEMA use and history are always trying to manoeuvre on it, dig around in it, or landing on it … usually with somebody’s assistance! With somebody’s enthusiastic assistance. Ground Zero. OTTAWA CITIZEN (Ontario) July 13 Medieval Festival in Osgoode a smashing good time (Gemma Karstens-Smith) Zach Lovering was one of Knights…
Category: Sword News
Rainy Day Sword Press
As We sit here trying to sort through the wealth of links that have appeared this week, We take a moment to look up at the omnipresent rain clouds that have dogged Ottawa so far this year and think: “I wonder where the roof went to?” And like the rain, We’re all over the place…
Canada Day Sword Press
While the rest of Our peers are fighting their way through the streets of Vancouver … with the full support of its citizens (who are probably throwing money, and maybe elements of intimate apparel at the sword players) … some of us have a paper route to finish. And on a national holiday at that!…
Mediterranean Sword Press
When one thinks of gladiators; the medieval chivalric inspirations of hope, faith and charity; and renaissance Italian swordplay; one just knows that you’re contemplating combat of some style as practiced in … Malta! Discuss, Demonstrate, Drill. GOZO NEWS (Malta) 12 June 13 Public Lecture on the use of swords from 14th-19th century Last week, Prevosto…
City Sword Press
Swords in cities – in modern times and in those historical. We find swords in established salles, rented recreation centres, city halls and the neighbourhood watering hole. Cities used to be where one went to purchase the very latest-version of trendy weapons and accessories, and to take advantage of one of the many urban masters-of-arms…
It’s All Greek to Me Sword Press
We love Our Job! Wander through the worlds’ press, looking for articles about HEMA/WMA. And to find such an item in the historical home of the sarissa, is especially satisfying. HEMA/WMA is on the rise in North America and western Europe, but We also have a foothold in China, Japan … and … Greece! This…
First the Lance, then the Sword Press
When you’re involved in HEMA/WMA disciplines, your ethics have to be irreproachable. You’re using a potentially deadly weapon against another person with their full compliance. You need to be ‘honourable’ and faultless in your application of safety measures taken to protect your opponent, yourself and bystanders. Our mounted peers have another consideration when it comes…
Article on Academie Duello at the Maelstrom Core Blog
Our friends at Maelstrom Core Martial Arts have written up a very nice article about Academie Duello on their blog. Maelstrom is a school that focuses on Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) and some related arts from surrounding regions and disciplines. I have been consistently impressed with their attitude, teaching approach, and the calibre of their…
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Demonstrative Sword Press
For better or for worse, most of our students and membership come from those that first saw a demonstration of swordplay in a movie theatre, living room in front of the television or while out being cultural at the local playhouse. The ‘flash, action, and perception the of bravery and the romance’ of swordplay hook…
Digging Around with Sword Press
As our archery peers have been learning, concurrent with ourselves, ‘good’ culture such as movies and books can result in a renaissance of arts or interests too long ignored by our laptop culture. The trick is to exploit (in the nicest possible way) and reinforce public participation in and adoption of our art forms and…
Bartitsu/Baritsu Antagonism
What's in a name? There's a discussion in the Bartitsu Society about the naming of Bartitsu, a point of contention and a topic I mention at the start of my workshops. Sherlock Holmes Said Baritsu Our rediscovery of this martial art started with a reference in a story called The Adventure of the Empty House…
Technological ‘and’ Accessible Sword Press
Within the WMA/HEMA community, we pride ourselves on the ‘authenticity’ of our studies. We use translations of a variety of medieval/renaissance fight books, using the words and pictures of yore to guide our learning. Our peers with metal working and leather skills work diligently to recreate the look and feel of arms and armour of…
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Contested Sword Press
So here’s the situation. Your intense match of ‘pokey chest’ with your salles’ alpha Red Cord did not go quite as planned; and your favourite side sword is now part of your estate being sorted by your executor. If you have any sort of social standing in your city or country, and your sword was…
International Interests Sword Press
Our HEMA/WMA community, along with our Japanese and Chinese peers, are not alone in studying and appreciating the art and techniques necessary to create beautiful and functional swords – and the techniques to use them. And though they don’t get as much press nor commercial interest as the ‘big three’; there are vibrant pockets of…
Real & Re-Created Historical Sword Press
One might think after watching Our peers file, buff, wax and polish their blades after an evening of training, that our swords were delicate and gossamer twigs capable of dissolving into mist if not cared for and fussed over daily. But history consistently proves that swords survive battle, weather, submersion, burial and the passage of…
More of the Same Sword Press
Separated as we are by provincial (or state) and international borders, oceans and sometimes … continents; it’s heartening to know that wherever you travel, you should be able to find other WMA/HEMA enthusiasts. If you plan to visit someplace new, get onto the net and do a bit of research beforehand to see if there’s…
Déjà vu Sword Press
Tis spring, and a young man's fancy turns to … tournament! Yes, the Battle of the Nations approaches … and hordes of heavily armed fighters will move west to cross the eastern border of France to … wait … doesn’t this road look a bit familiar? Are We Here to Fight, or to Talk? THE…
Catch-up Sword Press
OK, I fibbed, We’re going to catch-up now. During the last VISS, there was some discussion amongst attendees about the number and variety of medieval/renaissance WMA/HEMA ‘salles’ that were being established of late. It is a reality of a business that it exists to fill a niche … and that there is a market out…