Lantern shield - First sparring test! Part 2 Academy of Historical Fencing 2026-09-20 | Lantern shield - First sparring test! Part 2
Pugil stick Bayonet Combat Bouts at Fightcamp 2023 Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-08-08 | Filmed during the class we taught at Fightcamp 2023. The class was about bayonet and sword use in small melee combat. We delved into various sources from the early 19th century up until ww2 to consider the bayonet in different contexts and uses as well as to test various theories and arguments which existed regarding the superiority of the sword v bayonet. We ended this class with a segment where the participants could use pugil sticks in sparring exchanges to understand their use as a close in brawling tool and not merely the ranged thrust attacks and formation fighting more common in 18th and 19th century bayonet fencing.These pugil sticks are based upon those created for the US military in the 1940s and still used today, however the design has been modified to better represent a late 19th century rifle and bayonet. This means they are significantly larger and more unwieldy than a typical military pugil stick. See the video below for more info - youtube.com/watch?v=eoXWb4ByOkgAs this was an open class at an event it features fencers with a wide variety of experience and training from relative beginners to very experienced fencers. However, for most it was their first time with the pugil sticks. Contact levels were at the descretion of both participants.
Using Pugil Sticks for HEMA based Bayonet fighting? Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-07-25 | Here we look at Pugil sticks and how they might be useful to the practice of 18th and 19th century bayonet fencing practice as is done in HEMA or historical Fencing.
Review of the Superior Fencing SupFen SF HEMA Mercenary Jacket 350N Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-06-18 | Today Michael is taking a first look at the rather fancy Mercenary jacket from Superior Fencing. This is a new product, with custom sizing and colours. More information here:SF HEMA Mercenary Jacket 350NArt No#: HFG5244Price: $150.00supfen.com/product/hema-jackets/hfg5244.html
Review of the Aureus Alexander historical fencing training longsword Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-06-17 | Review of the Aureus Alexander historical fencing training longsword. This particular sword was bought by Michael a number of years ago, and see regular use in his sparring. The sword is of a good length, solid, and is both a little lighter and more flexible than many competitors.aureusswords.com/feders-c-1.html
An excellent 5 finger HEMA glove for $150? The Superior Fencing SupFen Impact resistant glove review Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-06-11 | The best five finger HEMA glove for $150? The Superior Fencing SupFen Impact resistant glove. A detailed review of the latest five-finger glove from Superior Fencing (SupFen). The impact resistant gloves are heavily protected gloves designed for use with a variety of different sword types, including both synthetic and steel. Michael and Nick have both tested them extensively with sabres, longswords, greatswords, polearms, and other weapons so you didn't have to.Find out more here:supfen.com/product/hema-gloves/hfg0706.htmlSF HEMA Impact Resistant Gloves-HFG0706Art No#: HFG0706Price: $150.00
Are these the ultimate HEMA gloves? A Long-term review of the Thokk WeaponMaster® Gauntlets PRO Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-06-07 | Long-term review of the Thokk WeaponMaster® Gauntlets "PRO" by Michael Thomas and Nick Thomas of the Academy of Historical Fencing. With a combined total of around 700 bouts we've extensively tested these gloves, and with every possible type of sword both synthetic and steel. From the website:thokk-research.com/product-page/weaponmaster-gauntlets-pro-This product is intended for HEMA fencing with both steel an synthetic weapon simulators.-For the use at high intesity with Longsword simulators, it is recommended to use it with the "Longsword Badass Design" add-on, which on top of increasing protection from impacts also protects the sides of the fingers, the areas between the fingers, and the thumb.-For rapier fencing and other similar complex-hilted, light weapon simulators that do not require much impact protection, it is possible to replace the standard "heavy" lining with the optional "light" lining.
Zweihander - Montante (Greatsword) Sparring - Nick (AHF) vs Jordan (AOS) Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-05-03 | These swords go by many names, Zweihander, Schlachtschwert, Spadone, Montante etc, but in English are today commonly called Greatswords. All terms for the family of massive two handed swords, the largest ever used in Europe, and typically ranging between 5' to 7' long. Jordan is using a Black Fencer v4 Montante synthetic, and Nick a custom version of the Black Fencer Flamberge model made to the same length as the V4 Montante. Therefore these training swords are near identical in spec, at 162cm long, 2.2kg total weight, and within a completely realistic specs for this size of montante or greatsword. Hence they are used with care and control as they can generate a lot of force. Nick Thomas of the Academy of Historical Fencing is in the red jacket, and Jordan Mock of the Academy of Steel in black.This was filmed at the Gathering of Wolves event, 2023, organised by the Academy of Steel. Also worth noting that this was the very last sparring bout of a very busy two day event when fatigue is really setting in for all.
Spear & Shield (rotella) Fight Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-04-28 | Sparring with spear and shield. Here we are trying out two different spear shafts lengths/widths to see what we want to use in future. They are 7' and 8' long, we swap them mid fight. In this particular video we are using small double strap round shields. Spears were of course used with all sorts of different size of shields, but these are a good match to the renaissance rotella as well as earlier light infantry/skirmisher shields.No two handed use of the spear is allowed with these as they are not suited to taking heavy edge impacts. And no we do not have backup weapons either, because this is a test of the spear shafts to see if they are useable long term. You will see we use a mix of overhand and underhand grips, of which both were used in the bolognese tradition.
JAVELIN (thrown) vs DAGGER (and shield) Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-04-25 | A fun little experiment to see how a javelin or thrown spear/partizan could work in a close in fight. Typically in this scenario there would be backup weapons and the javelin user could choose to also use the spear/javelin as a close combat weapon and not throw it, but for the sake of this exercise we assume the user intends to throw. We did not include backup weapons to allow rapid resets of javelin throws.In future videos we will delve deeper and consider different shields, swords, backup weapons and multiple spear/javelins.🎵 Song: 'Miguel Johnson - Good Day To Die' is under a creative commons license license.youtube.com/channel/UCenTwNA8ioN37RD7bfNSUpA🎶 Music promoted by BreakingCopyright:youtu.be/M_k-RQA7lBE
Initial review of the Black Fencer Montante/Zweihander Flamberge V4 synthetic great sword Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-04-24 | Initial review of the Black Fencer Montante/Zweihander Flamberge V4 synthetic great sword. This sword was ordered as the standard flamberge model, but lengthened to match the standard zweihander model. It weighed only 10g more than the standard model. Colour finish is aged copper.Current price is €118.08blackfencer.com/en/great-swords-synthetic/107-like-steel-waster-montante-v2.html
DANE AXE vs MONTANTE (Greatsword) Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-04-20 | A fun matchup we did on a whim merely because we had these two training weapons to hand and we thought it would be fun. The synthetic montante is by Black Fencer (flamberge model) and is of exact typical weight (2,2kg) and handling for a small greatsword of it's type. The Dane Axe is a rubber head by Arcem (sold through Black Armoury) on an ash shaft. It weighs just over 1kg, putting it right at the bottom end of the 1-2kg typical weight range for this type of weapon, and clearly a little lighter in the head for safety reasons, giving the Axe a little bit of an advantage in agility over what it likely would have had, but not by a huge margin.Note that the term "Dane axe" can me misleading in some regards, but it is also now in common usage and is even what the product used is named. This was filmed at the AHF run Spring Open Sparring day, 2023, featuring a mix of different HEMA clubs from across England and Wales. 🎵 Song: 'Miguel Johnson - Good Day To Die' is under a creative commons license license.youtube.com/channel/UCenTwNA8ioN37RD7bfNSUpA🎶 Music promoted by BreakingCopyright:youtu.be/M_k-RQA7lBE
Melee Game - Protect the Noble Last Stand Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-04-18 | This is a melee game scenario. A last stand scenario where the defenders protect their noble against an unending horde. As a result they are not allowed to move from the centre of the room. The attackers have respawn at designated points at the edges of the hall, and all defenders who are killed respawn as attackers. To win, the attacking force must kill the noble within the time limit (it varied between 1.5 and 3 mins). As it is assumed a rescue force will arrive after this time and the attackers would lose their opportunity to kill the noble. For the defenders, all that matters is the noble, if the noble survives the time limit they win. However, the noble is selfish and can try and escape amid the chaos. At any time they can make a dash for one of the four doorways in the hall, and if they make it through unscathed they win instantly.Any hit (all target zones) and you are considered dead, including doubles. No striking the back of head.This was filmed at the AHF run Spring Open Sparring day, 2023, featuring a mix of different HEMA clubs from across England and Wales. 🎵 Song: 'Miguel Johnson - Good Day To Die' is under a creative commons license license.youtube.com/channel/UCenTwNA8ioN37RD7bfNSUpA🎶 Music promoted by BreakingCopyright:youtu.be/M_k-RQA7lBE
Talhoffer Buckler & Sword Sparring Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-04-16 | This family of bucklers are commonly called Talhoffer bucklers today due to their iconic usage in the Talhoffer fencing treatise. Please note that we do not practice from the Talhoffer manual. For sword and buckler we work from Bolognese sources, and so that is the sort of style we are using. Both Arming swords are Poker Miles models.
Initial review of the Black Fencer Steel Generation Type 1 Schiavona Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-04-14 | Initial review of the Black Fencer Steel Generation Type 1 Schiavona. This sword features the same blade as the basket hilt broadsword. This is a custom order and you will need to contact Black Fencer direct if you want a similar sword.Current price is estimated to between €500-700 plus tax and shipping.blackfencer.com/en/12-steel-generation-line
Messer and Arming Sword fight - Michael vs Matej Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-04-13 | Messer and Arming Sword fight - Michael vs Matej. A fun bout using steel messers and arming swords. Both train in various German tradition and like to get stuck in with longswords, dussacks, and messers. Lots of good cutting, feints, thrusts, and off-hand techniques.
Initial Review of the 1561 Meyer Rapier with Schilt - Steel Generation Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-04-11 | Initial Review of the 1561 Meyer Rapier with Schilt - Steel Generation. This sword can be ordered via the website. Order the standard model and then specify a 1561 hilt in the notes of your order. This sword weighs around 1.1kg, and currently costs €225 plus shipping and taxes.blackfencer.com/en/steel-generation-line/235-meyer-rapier.html
Double Birthday Bear Pit - Jordan & Abi Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-04-06 | Anyone in the club can request this, the rules are simple though can be adjusted if desired - 10 minutes of continous fighting where for one's birthday, you fight to two hits against continous opponents. We open this up to every skill and experience level and so members are welcome to use steel, synthetic and padded weapons as per their choice, but we do encourage a variety so that everyone can get involved. There is no focus on any particular style, technique or attempt to recreate or represent anything, merely a chaotic bit of fun with a broad mix of fencers.
Poker Armory Miles Arming Sword - 1 Year on Review Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-04-03 | Product available direct from the maker in the link below -pokerarmory.com/product-page/standard-arming-sword
Windlass 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre - Sword Review Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-03-31 | A look at the new Windlass 1796 Light cavalry sabre, or saber, and why it is potentially a game changer for sword buyers and users. Links to where you can buy one belowwindlass.com/products/windlass-british-1796-pattern-light-cavalry-saber-w-steel-scabbardmuseumreplicas.com/windlass-british-1796-pattern-light-cavalry-saber-w-steel-scabbardtheknightshop.com/british-1796-pattern-light-cavalry-sabre-7805
Greatswords Defending the Flag - Melee Games (Montante/Zweihander/Schlachtschwert) Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-03-28 | Recorded during a melee game as part of our workshop on the greatsword (montante/zweihander), at Gathering of Wolves 2023 in Cardiff. In this scenario six greatsword users have to protect their colours (flag), aided by a Captain and two Sergeants equipped with single handers. They are opposed by a significantly larger mob all equipped with aingle handed swords. As this game featured montantes which are of realistic weight we expected light contact only due to the potential striking power. Experience levels were varied, with many doing montante for the first time. This game was intended to give attendees a flavour for a common scenario that these swords were used in after 30 mins of solo practice drills.The conditions of victory for the mob is to take the flag back to their starting zone. The flag group must defeat all attackers to be able to win. There were three attempts at this scenario recorded, in the first two the attacking mob won and had 8 and 9 survivors, whereas in the third run the flag group won. This is clearly done with light contact and restraint, but even then it showed the massive strength of the montante in group fighting.Thanks to Thomas Sylvester for filming these games and supplying the footage. It's a little shaky due to tired hands, but great to have.
Lesson on Seconde Thrust with Broadsword, Smallsword, Sabre & Spadroon. Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-03-23 | This lesson was filmed at the request of a fencer who could not make the session so they could catch up on what they missed. However, we felt it might as well go live for the rest of you to enjoy. As a result it was filmed on the spur of the moment without audio equipment or planning for the camera.We are currently workng on a joint sabre/smallsword block where fencers can use any of the weapons in the title, the focus is on recognising the similarities between the smallsword and the cut and thrust weapons, and also encouraging people to use more pointwork and disarms from smallsword with their cut and thrust swords.Please use fencing masks when practicing these drills (as all of the students did during these exercises), we are only demonstrating without masks as instructors so that we can easily be heard and understood.
Highland Basket Hilt Broadsword vs Heavy Cavalry Pallasch Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-03-20 | In British English both of these weapons would be called broadsword in their period, however the sword Nick (left) is using is a typical Scottish Highland type of basket hilt, and Rick (right) is using a British 1796 pattern heavy cavalry officer's sword, which in many languages would be called a pallasch, especially as these British heavy cavalry swords were copies of earlier Austrian pallasch models. Nick's sword is a Black Fencer Steel Generation Broadsword. Rick has a custom guard by Kraken Swords with a Castille broadsword blade. Both of these training swords have the exact weight, size and handling characteristics of original swords and as a result are big heavy swords compared to many other lighter types that were also in use during the same period.
Montante vs Montante - Fran (SOTS) vs Rick (AHF) Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-03-18 | A light and controlled sparring bout using the Black Fencer synthetic flamberge montante/zweihanders. These are full realistic weight montantes and no additional protective equipment has been added and so they are used with restraint and care.
Cutlass Sparring - Rick vs Nick (at Kings of the North 2023) Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-03-10 | Kings of the North is a fantastic HEMA event dedicated to 18th and 19th century military swordsmanship. We of course spent most of our time teaching, training and sparring with fencers from groups acorss other clubs in the UK and Europe, however in this moment of downtime we got some cutlass action in amongst our own members, including some groundwork. The swords used are both full weight and accurate represntations of orignal British figure of eight and 1804 pattern naval cutlasses used throughout the 18th and early 19th century. Hilts by Kraken Swords, blades are Regenyei (rick) and Castille (Nick). As a result these are heavier than most military sabres used today despite their small size, as per the originals.
Smallsword Fencing - Fran (SOTS) vs Rick (AHF) Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-03-08 | Filmed during the HEMA event Kings of the North, 2023. Fran of School of the Sword vs Rick of Academy of Historical Fencing.
HEMA Kit Review - Superior Fencing SF 16th C. HEMA Jacket 800N Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-02-26 | Here's our first look at the Superior Fencing SF 16th C. HEMA Jacket 800N. This jacket was ordered with the ventilation panel at the rear, and is coloured in oxblood red and black. The jacket was supplied by Superior Fencing for free for testing.More information here:supfen.com/products/hema-jackets.html
HEMA Kit Review - Superior Fencing SF HEMA Landsknecht Jacket 800N Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-02-22 | Here's our first look at the Superior Fencing SF HEMA Landsknecht Jacket 800N. This jacket was ordered with the ventilation panel at the rear, and is coloured in oxblood red and grey. The jacket was supplied by Superior Fencing for free for testing.More information here:supfen.com/products/hema-jackets.html
Cinquedea - Fighting with the Italian Renaissance Short Sword Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-02-10 | The Cinquedea was a popular sidearm in Northern Italy in the early part of the 16th century. They can vary in size immensely from being a small dagger to a full size sword, however most fit into the category of a very short sword. These training examples made by Black Fencer represent a roughly avarage example with a 50cm blade length.There is no documented style for how they were used (arguably a little of Marozzo perhaps with his large dagger type involving some cutting actions), and so we are mixing the styles of short swords we do practice with (messer/dussack) with some dagger techniques. With its very broad blade and zero flexibility as a result, these training examples are a lot of fun but must be used with the appropriate levels of control.
Montante / Greatsword Melee Games - Outnumbered! Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-02-08 | A mix of melee games with varying numbers of opponents, fighting solo and paired with the montante/zweihander/greatsword. Synthetic flamberge model from Black Fencer and padded montante from Go-now. These videos feature a broad range of fencers in terms of experience both in HEMA generally and in using the montante.Contact levels are kept sensible considering the potential striking power of these large training swords and the chaos of the melee. The aim is to practice a range of sklills for both the attackers and defenders, and above all, have some fun!
Black Fencer 1816 Musket & Bayonet - Full Review and Updates! Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-01-31 | Finding good bayonet trainers is tough. Here we take a look at existing and older solutions and why the Black Fencer model rules supreme if you want to practice bayonet fencing in the 18th and 19th century.Link to product -blackfencer.com/en/exotic-weapons-synthetic/167-rifle-with-bayonet.html
Longsword Sparring - Michael vs Matej Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-01-26 | Longsword Sparring at AHF Bristol between AHF instructor Michael Thomas and Matej of Bratislavsky sermiarsky spolok (Slovakia) who is currently training with us.
Review: Black Fencer Swept Hilt Sidesword - Steel Generation Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-01-15 | After three years of heavy use of this model we have a complete review, and we also take a look at the latest upgrades to this model! Notice in the video I refer to it as the BF cpmplex hilt sidesword, but that is their naming convention for the synthetic model, whereas this is the steel generation swept hilt sidesword. Link to the product below.blackfencer.com/en/steel-generation-line/197-swept-hilt-sidesword-steel-generation.html
Using SPORT SABRES for SPADROON Fencing (Sparring) Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-01-12 | At the AHF we have a range of realistically weighted synthetic and steel training swords for the practice of spadroon, however, many people have asked whether you can use sport sabres for the practice of spadroon. They are cheap, readily available and do not require high levels of protective equipment. Sporft sabres are also light and straight cut and thrust blades and so in theory can fill in for the spadroon.We are using size 5 Leon Paul sabres. Follow up videos with discussion of this topic will follow based on our findings. In short, they are not a perfect tool, but are absolutely useable and in spite of some disadvantages, they do have to interesting and useful benefits during certain training practices.
Mixed Weapon Melee - 9 Fighters - All Against All Academy of Historical Fencing 2023-01-11 | This was one of our end of year games for the last session of 2022. We had just finished a lucky dip group section of melee games, whereas here it was all against all and everyone grabbed whatever they wanted or could get from the pile of leftover weapons. As a result there are all sorts from hook swords to sabre, spadroon, sickle, sidesword, buckler, shield, axe etc.
LANTERN SHIELD vs HALBERD - the wildest shield design! Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-12-24 | Lantern shields were called as such because they were a way of combining a shield and a lantern for use at night, but some examples took it much further, adding blades and gauntlets. This example was modelled after the outrageous example on display in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria. This training version is the same side and weight as the original.Note that halberds are an incredibly powerful and dominant weapon in unarmorued combat and here we are working with the lantern shield to see if it can overcome the very powerful pole weapon. The sword is the Black Fencer Steel Generation Complex Hilt Sidesword. The Halberd has an ash shaft of historically accurate weight, with a rubber training head at the lower end of the historical weight range.
Mixed Weapon Lucky Dip Exhibition Melee Group Sparring Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-12-22 | 2 v 2 abd 2 x 3 small group combat, but with randomly aloctaed weapons. There are all sorts of types and combos, but only one of each type. Fighters volunteer and then draw a token from a bag which tells them the weapon they will use.Halfway through the video this changes to 2 v 3, where the 2 have halberd and sword and shield, and the other three continue to draw random weapons as was done previously.All target zones allowed, one hit and you are out, in the event of a double both are out unless one strike would have stopped the other (afterblow). It's chaotic and fun and there is a very broad variety of skill and experience here, from many with just weeks of months of training, to those woth years and even decades.This was one of our end of year games, not to be taken too seriously, but it is a lot of fun and is also an eye opener for many.The weapons used were dagger, sickle, sword and buckler, sword and shield, sidesword, halberd, hook swords, axe and shield, sabre and spadroon
Swords bust balls! #shorts Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-12-21 | Groin protection is important, don't forget it! This is HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) sparring with full weight steel training swords. See our channel for lots of sword related content, swordfight.uk for more info, and come and train with us in Caerwent, South Wales, and Bristol, England.#shortsclip #shortscraft #youtube #youtuber #subscribe #HEMA #fail #failvideo #sabre #cutlass #saber #ahf #funny #entertainment
1796 Light Cavalry SABRE vs KATANA Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-12-13 | Battle of the big cutters! Two of the most famous monstrous cutting swords face off against one another. Both of these swords are exact reproductions oft he swords they represent in terms of size, weight, handling and balance. Both are made by Black Fencer (Spain). Rick is using the sabre & Nick with Katana.
2-3 Swordfighters vs 1 Halberd - Melee game exercises Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-29 | This was a training exercise done at moderate levels, a halfway exercise between a drill and sparring. The focus was on opposing polearms with a sword, and working together to take down a polearm user. The halberds and staff trainers used are all our lightest/safest types that allow everyone to get involved regardless of equipment levels, as opposed to some of the heavier and stiffer polearm trainers used during higher contact training.
The best HEMA sabre trainer? - Black Fencer 1796 infantry synthetic Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-27 | When all things are considered, the Black Fencer 1796 synthetic infantry sabre truly is the best. Hear more about this Jack of all trades and why you need one!
Sword & Buckler VS Longsword - Esther v Sam Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-25 | Esther (red jacket) is using a Poker Armoury Miles Arming sword, vs Sam (white) with a Szymon Chlebowski longsword. Filmed at AHF Bristol.
HEMA Birthday Bear Pit - Shaun Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-24 | Anyone in the club can request this, the rules are simple though can be adjusted if desired - 10 minutes of continous fighting where for one's birthday, you fight to two hits against continous opponents. We open this up to every skill and experience level and so members are welcome to use steel, synthetic and padded weapons as per their choice, but we do encourage a variety so that everyone can get involved. There is no focus on any particular style, technique or attempt to recreate or represent anything, merely a chaotic bit of fun.
Dual Wield Sidesword vs Single Sidesword - Jordan v Nick Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-20 | A matched (approx) pair of sideswords used together, also known as two swords, paired swords or a case of rapiers. Nick (in red) is using one Black Fencer sidesword and one by Maleus Martialis. Jordan's sword is by Maleus Martialis.
HEMA Birthday Bear Pit - Richard Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-16 | Anyone in the club can request this, the rules are simple though can be adjusted if desired - 10 minutes of continous fighting where for one's birthday, you fight to two hits against continous opponents. We open this up to every skill and experience level and so members are welcome to use steel, synthetic and padded weapons as per their choice, but we do encourage a variety so that everyone can get involved. There is no focus on any particular style, technique or attempt to recreate or represent anything, merely a chaotic bit of fun.
HEMA Birthday Bear Pit - Stuart Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-14 | Anyone in the club can request this, the rules are simple though can be adjusted if desired - 10 minutes of continous fighting where for one's birthday, you fight to two hits against continous opponents. We open this up to every skill and experience level and so members are welcome to use steel, synthetic and padded weapons as per their choice, but we do encourage a variety so that everyone can get involved. There is no focus on any particular style, technique or attempt to recreate or represent anything, merely a chaotic bit of fun.
Fighting with the Roman Spatha (Similar to Gladius) Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-10 | The Spatha was a longer sword than the gladius and initially favoured by cavalry, it was later adopted as a common infantry sword. Roman swords are of course famous for being used with shields, but that doesn't mean they always were.We are using custom made Spatha trainers by Black Fencer which are of realistic weight, size and handling. Sadly nothing remains of the Roman tradition of swordsmanship, and so we are using our extensive knowledge of short sword fighting in the 15th-19th century to put them into effective use. Nick is in red, and Sam in white. Note that this was at the end of a two hour training session and so we are hardly fresh, but then you can't always fight on top form!
Cape & Sword vs Single Sword - Sam v Jordan Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-08 | The swords used here would commonly be called sideswords today, but also rapier at times historically, being of the shorter and more cut focused heavier bladed types. Same (White) has a Complex hilt Sidesword by Black Fencer, and Jordan a heavy bladed sidesword by Malleus Martilis.Recently we have been working on Meyer's rapier and cloak, hence the use of sideswords here as Meyer's rapier is of that type. However, the fighters are not restricted to using only Meyer methods and are using a mix of techniques from the Meyer training and other later rapier instruction.
Nightfighting with Swords - Lantern vs Cloak (Smallsword) Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-05 | Angelo's Smallsword work was published throughout the 18th century and included this curious situation, where one fighter has a smallsword and lantern, and the other has a smallsword and cloak. This was a fun game/experiment where we used plastic swords to allow us to go mask only, though they are of realistic smallsword weight. These types of lanterns had the shape of a tankard with an opening at the front activated by a thumb lever to act as a torch, and so we used a modern torch/mantern to do approximately the same job.
Cloak & Rapier vs Solo Rapier - Mike v Nick Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-04 | This was filmed during the end of a Meyer rapier block when we worked on his rapier and cloak, note Meyer's rapier is what would more commonly be called a sidesword today. Nick is using a mix of Meyer cloak technique as well as others, being a practitioner of Italian rapier also. For example, the cloak throws to the face are from Italian rapier and not Meyer.
Spadroon Sparring - Left vs Right-Handed (Sam v Nick) Academy of Historical Fencing 2022-11-01 | Both of us here are using spadroon by Kraken Swords, which use 32" Castille economy feder blades. Sam (White) has a double shell guard and Nick (red) has a slot hilt. Both of these accurately represent late 18th and early 19th century spadroons in weight, size and handling characteristics.
