This week, we take a short look at successful people and activities within the HEMA/WMA community.
But what is “success” for a HEMA/WMA ‘guild’ or swordplay salle?
Is it represented by numbers …. the number of students that show up consistently for class? The number that are ‘on the books’? The number of students that have stayed in the salle for years? Is it the number of students put through classes in the run of a year?
Or how about success being measured by the ‘seriousness’ and ‘authenticity’ of the swordplay taught by the Master any hall.
Or, is there more ‘success’ as a community to be gained by having established swordplay practitioners constantly researching and exploring new approaches to, and exploitation of, the ‘clues’ given within any fechtbuch?
There are a variety of approaches to successful swordplay; be it by a recognised school with long-established premises … or by a mutually-supporting group of four that meet someplace quiet under a bridge with fight book or tablet in hand and try to coach each other through the depicted moves … just to see if it really feels ‘natural’.
But the bottom line We guess, that if you are happy and educated with in your group – big or small –structured or free play – your ‘salle’ is successful where it counts the most.
Blood lust or Sex? … Choices, choices …
ABC (New York, New York) 08 August 14 In Medieval Combat, Knights Battle for Glory (Alex Perez, Ben Newman and Lauren Effron)
Another item on the recent International Medieval Combat competition at the castle of Belmonte in Spain – but from the point of view of The USA Knights, the American national team.
Over 70 people tried out for the USA Knights team during the run-up competitions in Illinois, where 47-year old Amy Graham, 47 was one of six women that joined 65+ other competitors for a go at getting a position on the team.
It’s a big ball of adrenaline and blood lust that most women never get to experience,” Graham said. “Better than chocolate, sex and candy.”
The video might be better here …
Breaking a Glass Ceiling with Steel
HESSISCHE NIEDERSÄCHSISCHE ALLGEMEINE (Kassel, Germany) 06 August 14 Die oberste Fechterin (Christine Decker)
After six years of study, 28-year-old Sonja Heer was elected President of the recently formed, 800-member Deutschen Dachverbandes Historischer Fechter.
Longsword, fit, attitude, training … yup, she’s a fit.
England versus France … Round … 36?
HORSE & COUNTRY (London, UK) 11 August 14 Arundel Castle hosts England's largest joust (Charlotte Ricca-Smith)
Armoured horsemen (and women?) from across Europe to take part in the 6th Arundel Castle International Jousting Tournament … and the Burgundians left with most of the honours.
On track for Arundel Castle
RICHMOND NEWS (British Columbia) 01 August 14 A call to arms on horseback (Philip Raphael)
A short item covering one of Academie Duello’s 10th Anniversary events out at Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op.
On track for Arundel Castle .. but taking the Long Way Around!
NORTH SHORE TIMES (Sydney, Australia) 07 August 14 Andrew McKinnon’s crazy scheme for a jousting tournament in St Ives is about to pay off (Lisa Herbertson)
International Jouster, Andrew McKinnon. Photo: Braden Fastier
I’m sure it looks better up close, but from the photos, I’m not sure that Mr McKinnon is clear on the jousting concept. (Kidding. Kidding … Sir!)
Successful and Enjoyable.
NATIONAL POST (Toronto, Ontario) 31 July 14 C.C. Humphreys: Mightier with a sword (Mark Medley)
“The same motivation that made me an actor — to leap around with bladed weaponry — was also the motivation that guides at least some of my writing,” he says. “I wanted to write swashbucklers. And so there was always going to be swordplay, and duels, and all sorts of stuff.
We so cannot top that!
Snippets
- The ‘success’ of your salle does not always have to be achieved ‘on the field’.
- Swordplay ‘Rookie Card’?
On a personal note; both readers of this column may have noticed that Our postings have become erratic of late. Due to the requirements of service and the world situation in Ukraine, Syria, Libya et al, We’re unable to give this portion of the AD Blog the care, commitment and consistency that it deserves. We regret to report to you that We’ll be going on ‘sabbatical’ for an indefinite time.
If a reader wants to take on the challenge in the meantime; please contact the Academie Duello and they’ll make the arrangements for getting you ‘briefed up’ on the ‘how to’ of Sword Press.
Respects
Wes