This past Saturday I taught a workshop on the grittier, all-in, side of Sword and Buckler combat. We explored shield strikes, wrestling entries, arm binds, disarms, throws, and counter-wrestles. The workshop had 12 participants and went superbly. I've included a few photos taken by Greg Reimer during the workshop showing a few techniques in action. …
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We have an embarrassment of riches this week, albeit most are stale-dated by about a month. We get a look at some of the teams that participated in the recently concluded Battle of the Nations (BOTN), we find two new ‘old’ swords and we get a look at what it is like to approach WMA/HEMA…
"Violence and smut are of course everywhere on the airwaves. You cannot turn on your television without seeing them, although sometimes you have to hunt around." - Dave Barry Intro to Stage Combat Sunday, May 13, 2012 In this intensive 4-hour workshop, we’ll cover the basics of stage combat, including: ▪Slaps ▪Punches ▪Chokes ▪Push and…
Planning for the 2013 edition of the Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium has begun! We had our first board meeting just this last weekend and began setting out our vision for next year's conference to be held February 16 - 18, 2013. This will be the second time we have run this conference in Vancouver and…
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It’s been one year today since Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op took over the operation of the stables on No 2 Road in Richmond. Over the year we have taken in three new horses and welcomed back one other, held a dozen work parties to build on, repair, and improve the property, adopted a handful…
An eclectic mix this week, including a couple of hits from long-absent France.Wes Not Your Daddy’s Fencing Match EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE (Mesa, Arizona) 27 April 12 EV men test their mettle -- and their metal -- at 'Battle of Nations' (Mike Sakal) A last look by one newspaper at some of the American competitors going…
Sword & Shield: Grapples, Shield Strikes and Other Dirty Plays Saturday, May 5, 2012 3pm-7pm Close engagements, throws, disarms, pommel strikes, shield strikes, and many more rough and tumble plays are the heart of this workshop on sword and shield grappling. This workshop will offer practitioners of any experience level a set of useful tools…
Taste of the Renaissance Mondays & Wednesdays from 7:00pm-8:30pm for 8 classes beginning Monday, May 7, 2012 Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5:00pm-6:30pm OR from 7:00pm-8:30pm for 8 classes beginning Tuesday, May 8, 2012 The eight class introductory course for Academie Duello's Mastery Program.Students focus on the rapier, the dueling weapon of the Italian nobility, as…
A few weeks ago, Jamie MacDonald from Ravenbeak Natureworks contacted Academie Duello to find out if we'd be interested in offering a very unique workshop at our school. The workshop offered the opportunity to make your own bow right from a yew stave (a split piece of yew wood from a fallen tree). We invited…
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‘Hunger Games’-related archery press continues to dominate, at least on this side of the big pond. However overseas; sword melees, sword research and sword-related ‘culture’ continue. Wes A Royal Sword? BOURNEMOUTH ECHO (Wareham, UK) 19 April 12 Saxon sword found in River Frome may been owned by royalty (Jim Durkin) A 10th century, old-English…
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The Chicago Tribune has posted an article about our friends Forteza Fitnessthat includes some quotes from an interview with me as well as Tony Wolf, and Keith Jennings. Check it out on their website:http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-sun-0422-vintage-fitness-techniques-20120421,0,918731.story?page=1
If you're in Vancouver and not taking a class at Academie Duello tonight, come and check out the second screening of the documentary Arte, Ardore, Onore as part of a Celluloid Social Club event. Doors at 7:30pm, shows start at 8pm at the Anza Club (#3 West 8th Ave. at Ontario St., Vancouver, BC). You can…
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Hello all swordfighters and swordfighting spectators! Cascadia North is proud to announce the first annual Dogwood Tournament, taking place this coming Friday, April 20th, from 7pm 'til midnight at Academie Duello. This event involves tournaments for the rapier, the longsword, and archery. We will also hold a voting contest for the winner of our potluck…
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Armizare Academy is an invitational event hosted by the Chicago Swordplay Guild for schools which practice within the Italian Swordplay tradition from throughout the world. This year Academie Duello has the honour of being invited to join in and be a part of this great meeting of teachers and students. The event takes place at the beautiful and historic…
The Internet has been a great boon to us as historical swordplay practitioners. 15 years ago access to resources regarding historical fencing were much harder to come by and generally required actuallyvisiting repositories of historical manuals. Now through the power of the Internet you can have high quality copies of nearly any manuscript and the ability to connect and…
Toronto and jousting items dominate this Easter offering. Toronto – swords ‘and’ jousting … who knew? Of more important note though, our community recently suffered an accident that deserves a moment’s consideration to ensure that we’re doing everything possible to take care of weapon safety during training, displays or competitions. Wes A Centre for…
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Examinations this Friday Rank Examinations are coming up this Friday at 7pm. As of writing we have 4 people ready to test for the rank of Blue Cord (our second level). If you've never been to a rank examination it is a great opportunity to see the Academie in action, and if you're a member,…
It's always a very cool thing to see several varieties of swordplay in action at one time.
Read More... from [Photo] German Messer and Italian Rapier on Tuesday Night