Hello Everyone, This has got to be one of my favourite weeks in our Mastery program curriculum but I'm a complete subtleties geek and I love the rapier -- a weapon that is all about subtleties. In Green Cord (level 1) we're using the cut to stringere the opponent's weapon (perhaps the least subtle…
Multi-discipline. In HEMA/WMA that could be the swordfighter that can properly use rapier ‘and’ side sword, wrestles well, and knows what end of a pole arm to use where. Add the ability to ride a horse, to dance well and to hit what your bow is aiming at … and you might have a multi-discipline…
Is etiquette just silly pretension taken to an extreme in the Victorian era? Is there universal etiquette? What about the etiquette in a martial arts school? Where Are Your Manners? Etiquette is a manner of social interaction, that's why it's sometimes called "manners". Modes of address, gestures including eye contact, eating rituals and clothing (such…
Welcome to the first full week of August. Our Blue Cord and Red Cord curriculum works on a 9 month rotation and we're back to month 1. In both our calendars this is a month on fundamental rapier. For Reds (level 3) we're working on plays in various tempos and how to counter them. For…
Riding Level 2: Adjusting the Reins When you were a beginner rider, your instructor may have marked a spot on the reins, and said "keep your hands here." We do that because most riders tend to ride with reins far too loose when they start out, and the mantra "shorten your reins" gets old to…
We lead with two Canadian items this time around, a first We think for this blog. HEMA/WMA ‘is’ alive and well in the ‘True North, strong and … well trained’. Given the late start that Canada had with discovering a European martial arts heritage (no medieval nor renaissance-period sword fighting actually took place here in…
We've just finished our fifth week of Knight Camp this summer. If you're unfamiliar with Knight Camp it is this super-awesome kids summer day-camp that we run weekly during July and August. In the camp kids learn swordplay, pole weapons, and grappling as well as non-martial knightly skills such as medieval games, heraldry (the science…
We've heard Fight Directors say some version of the following: You must act during the fight The choreography should be an expression of your character Don't worry about the speed, it's the intention that matters What does any of that mean? Imagine a Real Sword Fight The mentality and strategy of sword fighting largely remains…
Revisiting the Independent Seat The third item on the Riding 2 checklist is the same as for Riding 1: 3. Exercises at halt & walk The only difference is we want you to be able to do them at the walk as well as the halt. So go back to this post and review those…
It’s quiet out there (again) … too quiet (still). But, there are whispers of sword-sounds in the far off distance – though We had to dig hard this week to find them. Playing the Prize in Poland GAZETA (Warsaw, Poland) 26 July 13 Znów powalczą o miecz króla Kazimierza. Turniej rycerski w Szydłowie (Paweł…
On Monday night Academie Duello was part of a momentous event, the launch of CC Humphreys newest book Shakespeare's Rebel in a coproduction between ourselves and Bard on the Beach -- one of Canada's most celebrated Shakespeare festivals. I have to say that this was one of the most exciting and fantastic events of which…
Within Bartitsu, we emphasize low kicks for self-defense. The coup de pied bas is a shin kick that is very hard to guard, partly because it is difficult to see coming. Here's the kung-fu version of this kick, which is almost identical to our savate method: The low kick that has gained popularity in the…
Swordplay in books, swordplay in movies, swordplay in the public venue. There are plenty of examples out there (and We do mean ‘out there’) on how swordplay (and by inference ourselves) is viewed by those that have not yet joined us. For better or for worse; movies, television, demonstrations and yes, even books; will influence…