Our Instructors:

A quick course in the handling of the halberd based on the ideas of the 16th-century fencing master Joachim Meyer.

This workshop aims to introduce you to such a versatile weapon as the halberd in a short period of time. We will go through a series of dynamic exercises where, without too much fuss, we will get to grips with the basic and characteristic movements and actions of this weapon. On top of that, we will work on some primary tactical components in a spar context.

MATERIAL: For those who have a halberd (plastic or similar) be sure to bring it. Further, I recommend full gear.

I’m Alan Spaenjaers, instructor at Sint-Michielsgilde Gouda. 25 years ago I started fencing primarily on foil, then epee and sabre became my great passion. On epee I achieved good results and several medals thanks to my coaches at the time.

More than a decade ago I started focusing on Historical Fencing. Here my interest goes mainly to early rapier (sidesword) whether or not in combination with parry dagger and the halberd. Furthermore, Im fascinated by sports didactics and like to experiment with different methods.

Preferable full gear, minimum masks / gloves / weapons.

Workshop will teach fundamental tactics for rapier and dagger in competetive (tournament) environment. Its main focus will be on efficency - doing right action in right time. We will analyse common situations and solutions for them.

I train HEMA for more than 10 years. Before i was training karate and ju jitsu, where i fell in love with idea of sword fighting. My initial focus was longsword, but then i switched to rapier and dagger, while also training single rapier and mof epee: i generally love more thrust oriented weapons. I run Mordschlag - one of the best Polish HEMA club.

Outside of HEMA i work in computational design, teaching 3d software and fabrication in Fine Arts Academy and for private companies. I cooperate as designer with Krieger Historical Weapons. In free time i love to paint.

Ever wondered why those pesky Doubles keep popping up in sparring or at tournaments? Ever got surprised by seeing your opponent so surprised that you sighed, after the fact, "Ah, that was an opening... should've attacked..."?

Ever looked at top-level fencers with their bloody "ping, ping, ping!" and thought "How are they parry-riposting so much?!"

Ever wanted to be cool like Liechtenauer, Fiore, Geralt, Obi-Wan Kenobi and other legit Masters who hit their adversaries and don't get hit?!

Look no further. I, TheHemaDude, have got you covered.

Check out my fine selection of Vor, Nach and Indes applications for any and all of your needs.

Snake oil salesman tone aside for a second, the concepts of Vor, Nach and Indes are critical and integral to the Liechtenauer Longsword tradition. And they define all of the GOOD tactical choices you can make as a fencer, as well as the DIALOGUE you should be having with your adversary.

In this workshop I present my interpretation of them, with a clear and precise theoretical framework, as well as practical drills to assimilate these concepts so you can use them in sparring.

Looking forward to working together, to better our Art!

Workshop level: all levels of experience are welcome, but be advised that the workshop progresses from easy, beginner level drills to advanced, expert level ones at the end!

Gear required: full protective gear*, including (blunt) steel Federschwert
*If you need a list of what "full protective gear" means, check this out:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RZ4fyCRPtqrCDmixFcja66JwK8yYmgK_3jKluAqomPQ/edit?usp=sharing

Hi. My name is Andrei Chirlesan, also known as TheHemaDude.

I am a Founding Member and Instructor at Iron Will HEMA Academy Bucharest and was in charge of developing our club's evaluation and skill progression system.

We wanted to have a very clear and precise system of measuring our Students' technical progress in our club, on the Academic branch.

So we created an entire framework for this, with study levels and evaluation exams (both theoretical and practical items) that are based on quantifiable parameters.

On top of this, we also wanted to quantify the contributions that certain club members might make to the club, regardless of their technical skill with a weapon.

So apart from the skill progression, we have a parallel system of Roles within the club, again, with quantifiable parameters.

Both systems (skill and contributions) have their own visual aids and personal symbols, that members can wear on their person, for each category, so that all members can both feel proud of their achievements and contributions, as well as easily be able to spot other members' level and contributions at a glance.

If this piques your interest and you'd like to know more, this lecture is for you!

And what's more, we're totally ok with you taking our system and implementing it in your own club, with our without modifications, as long as you give a polite nod and attribution to us if you do. ;)

Looking forward to sharing ideas with you soon!

I am a Historical European Martial Arts Fencer, Instructor and a Founding Member of Iron Will HEMA Academy. And the man behind The Hema Dude alter ego (or it might be the other way around...).

I started studying HEMA, self-taught, in 2011. Then joined the first HEMA club in Romania in 2013. Then founded my own club, Iron Will HEMA Academy (IWHA), in 2017.

My focus is on Longsword, in the German tradition established by Johannes Liechtenauer. And the main sources I study for this are the treatises which feature the Longsword sections by Sigmung ain Ringeck, (pseudo) Peter von Danzig and (pseudo) Hans Dobringer.

But I also practice and am fond of other weapons within the HEMA domain, like Sidesword, Sword and Buckler, Polish Saber, Arming Sword, Messer and Rapier (and Dagger!).

I tend to talk fast and think slow, the perfect combination for an honest farmboy like myself. And I'm sure you'll appreciate my approach to teaching and interpersonal relationships ("subtle as a blunt axe", they say :) ). Jokes aside, I will adapt to the teaching context required, ranging from an in-depth abstract and analytical approach, to a more instinctive "hands-on" and mimetical approach, depending on what is needed or desired.

I'm "quite" passionate about HEMA and our beautiful Art, as I am about making new friends by bashing each other with blunt steel rods.

I'm also a musician (guitarist, drummer and wannabe vocalist). And my other interests include reading sci-fi and fantasy, football, hiking, gaming, D&D and some other stuff I don't really have time for in this life, but try to do anyway.

In this workshop lecture we will look at the most common H.E.M.A. related injuries and what to do when they happen. We will furthermore focus on what to do when everything goes wrong that could go wrong and your partner might be in real life threating danger.

Bring all the gear you have.

Deandra is a rapier instructor at Historische Krijgskunst Alphen (HKA). She is has also been an often seen sight at H.E.M.A. events providing first aid for the last six years.

The best defence is a good offence, the best offence is a good defence? Something like that! This class will take a look at how to make your opponent play the game you want them to play, attack on your terms, and fall into your traps and counters!

Level: if you can spar, you’ll be fine. Longsword knowledge will help, but the concepts should apply to most weapons.

Recommended equipment: minimum will be feder/mask/back of head/gorget/gloves, full kit recommended for maximum fun!

My name is Duncan McLaren, and I started training HEMA in 2018 at the Vanguard Centre in Glasgow. I primarily study and teach German longsword, but I also train with sabre, rapier, messer, polearms, and too many other weapon systems. I like to train, spar, and compete wherever and whenever I can, so come fight me!

Een korte introductie in het bekkensnijden/A brief introduction into maulcutting. Dutch knife dueling of the lower classes.

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The workshop will be focused on how to deal in defense against an aggressive opponent, and also the various types of defenses. Full gear and longsword required.

I began my journey in historical fencing in Scotland in 2013, at the "Dawn Duellists Society" salle d'armes in Edinburgh, specifically studying the manuals of the medieval and Renaissance German tradition. After a year of practice, I started attending a salle d'armes in Glasgow, where I saw a more sportive approach to the art.

After returning to Italy following two years abroad, I joined the "Sala d'Arme dell'Appeso" in Asola, where I began practicing and learning with my close friends Francesco Viola and Davide Morleo, establishing group study focused on the medieval longsword as the principle of the salle. Concurrently, I joined the salle d'armes of "Le Due Maestà" in Reggio Emilia, where I started teaching German fencing but, more importantly, began learning Italian medieval fencing of Fiore de' Liberi and partially Vadi.

After some time, I began traveling to various Italian and European salles to discover new training methods and fencing styles, specifically spending several weeks in Poland and the Netherlands, where I delved into the competitive and sportive aspects of fencing.

As a natural progression, I embarked on the tournament circuit both in Italy and abroad, which over the years has led me to compete and win in several European and global countries, including Northern and Eastern Europe, the USA, Mexico, Asia, Russia, etc. Concurrently, I also began my journey as an instructor, sharing my experience and vision of fencing on three continents, learning in turn and expanding my vision of the art through the numerous styles and methodologies applied in each area of the world.

In 2019, upon moving to Paris, I started a new chapter, learning and expanding my knowledge of fencing under the tutelage of M° Jean Francois Gilles at "La salle d'armes Escrime Ancienne", who perfected and refined both my way of fighting and my understanding of fencing like never before, also integrating the practice and methodology of modern fencing from Olympic fencing.

My fencing journey continues, constantly learning from my Master Gilles in Paris, practicing, fighting, and teaching in different countries around the world.

To date, I have amassed years of experience, over 50 medals and titles won in various types of weapons such as longsword, rapier, sword and buckler, spear, sabre, sidesword, and many others, in addition to seminars conducted in various parts of the world across Europe, Mexico, USA, China, and Russia.

This workshop will be an introduction about the use of single handed swords in the German school 14 to 15th century. This course will focus on the basics and several key Langesmesser plays as taught by Hans Lecküchner, but any student of the arming sword or sword and buckler will feel right at home. We will focus on several guards, intention in the zufechten phase and a few of Lecküchners meisterhauen.

The workshop will be for beginner and intermediate skilled fencers alike.

Please bring the minimum gear: a mask, throat guard, light gloves. And a Messer or armingsword if you have. A side-sword or simple early eastern sabre might be very possible but more complex hilted or cupped tools will work against you. There are some extra swords for lending but they will be limited, so join early if you need them.

Ivo Bleijenberg is the founder and first tutor of Fechtschule Midden-Nederland. And he has spend the last six years of his sword loving life om studying and teaching sword and buckler and langesmesser.

Ivo is a father of two and is a long time teacher, teacher-coach, public speaker, HR-guy and middle manager at a Waldorf School in Zeist.

If you want to hear him go on about something forever, ask him about tabletop games or roleplay game-philosopy. Although you have been warned.

During this workshop we will see some striking defenses and how to integrate them with entries into throwing understanding how to chain different zwerch pieces together.

The purpose will be 3 fold:
- introduce you to the zwerch concept within ringen from 'langen armen' and in 'durchlaufen'
- introduce you to train ringen in a dynamic but safe concept
- how to translate ringen into your weapon disciplines

gear needed:
- mouth piece
- rashguard (longsleeves)
- short or spats
- foam replica of the weapon you use for sparring/ competition

“The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.” (Marcus Aurelius)

Joris Jacobs is the founder and head instructor of Arte Mortiferum.

Joris has been practicing different martial arts from an early age and graduating as an instructor in many (Muy Thai, Kyokushin Karate, MMA, Ju-jitsu, ...) . He has his own company Ludus Corvus where he teaches combat courses to individuals and goverment organizations.

Within HEMA, Joris is a competitor holding medals in various disciplines .

As a researcher he is currently studying German longsword, Rapier & Dagger, Saber, Savate, and Ringen.

Using only one hand when doing onehanded weapons? Ridiculous! Double up your AP and use both hands. Maybe even stab them with their own sword or dagger. If you don’t know what to do with you off hand or need some entries for those close quarter hallway fights then this class is for you

Bring:
Mask and gloves a minimum, preferably full kit. Onehanded weapons preferred, bring a dagger or buckler as well if you have them. Longswords will work for most things. Prepare for light grappling (more like hugs)

More than 800 registered HEMA tournament matches makes Stanson one of the most experienced tournament fencers in the community. That being possible by having a large focus on one handed weapons and sparring (mostly outdoors in most weathers) since 2003 and while not actively competing at events you can usually find Stanson being a referee or judge or away sparring.

As per definition, counter-time is the action taken by the initially attacking person to prevent the counter-attack of the opponent.
We can easily understand it is an action performed with a second intention, however we still need to take the initiative and provoke the opponent in the first place. A really good choice for that might be a shallow target like the hand or the leg.

To be able to execute the full technique, we will first go through a series of practical exercises that will help us explore the tactical cycle.

 

Required equipment: Rapier and dagger, full protective gear (mask, SOLID GLOVES, jacket, leg protectors)

Experience: Having an intermediate level in rapier whould be recommended, as we will discuss advanced tactical senarios (and the participants will need the abilities to execute those technically)

Fencing instructor, linguist, cultural animator and musician (mainly folk violinist). Fencing passionate since an early age, she started sport fencing as a child, practicing foil for a few years. Although born in Poland, she finished most of her education in France, including studies at the Sorbonne University in Paris.
It was only later that she began her adventure with Polish HEMA , visiting almost every fencing club in Wrocław, gathering knowledge from different instructors since 2016.

For many years as an unaffiliated fencer, she has been competing in Polish HEMA tournaments in all available weapons (Longsword, Saber, Rapier and Dagger, Sword and Buckler, Smallsword), although not without international successes at big tournaments like Swordfish or Tyrnhaw.

In rapier mainly self-taught, however with a competitive level, winning also prizes in Open categories, she compiles the knowledge coming from her experience in HEMA with modern fencing methodology.

In 2022 she joined the club Akademia Szermierzy (Warsaw), as a student, and shortly after as a rapier instructor. Currently studying to become a sport fencing coach.

The lecture wil be a discourse about te weapons of hema, the popular ones, the ones the public expects and the ones that the manuals actually describe/ depict. And cultural / regional. differences.

Practitioner of hema since 1999, Co-founder of de zwaardkring and instructor since 2001,

Merlyn Loves HEMA in all its various aspects; from the competition and sparring to the history, research, manuals, the re- enactment and demonstration and in this the different weapons and aspects of combat.

"Hema is a wonderful multi headed beast,
Gaze not to long in its many eyes"

The aim of the workshop is to help adapt key principles of the organization of the Polish judges' corps in the HEMA clubs outside of Poland.

I've been part of the Polish HEMA community for over 8 years. Mostly dealing in organizing events - integration, workshops, tournaments - I've been primarily interested in refereeing. In everyday life I am an English teacher who likes to create his own learning materials. I am also a husband and a father of two beautiful daughters :)

It is a lecture, and therefore will not need the supplies of a workshop.

Mikkel embarked on his HEMA journey training in Victoria, Canada, well before beginning his academic journey, where he earned his ‘BA Honours Medieval Studies (Minor Greek and Roman Studies)’ in Canada and MA ‘Viking and Medieval Norse Studies’ in Iceland and Norway, where he engaged with Classical Latin, Middle English, Old Norse, and began learning Norwegian (Bokmål).

His HEMA career and expertise in martial culture, the Viking Age, and berserkir (berserkers), has brought Mikkel invitations for numerous roles such as instructor of the cutting seminar at Vinter 2023 HEMA/historical re-enactment training event held in Tistedal, Norway.

A light-hearted quide to organising a Hema tournament.

This talk will cover everything you need to know about organising your first HEMA tournament, From early planning, rulesets and kit and "On the day" management

Patrick joined the first the Albion then Wessex teams in 2022. He has been fencing with London Historical Fencing Club since 2018, and is currently the co-chair, as well as one of the organisers of London HEMA Open. He has completed across a range of events across Europe, He fences primarily Fiore’s Longsword, and with experience across a variety of disciplines.

Sometimes simplicity is best (if done well).

This workshop explores some ways that you can make your sword and buckler fighting more efficient and effective. We will explore the common mistakes that people often do which makes their strikes less decisive and some different approaches to wielding the buckler.

We will also explore how using the right body mechanics can help us to fight efficiently whilst wielding both the sword and buckler in tandem.

Gear requirements - A sidesword (or any single hand sword) and buckler as well as a mask and gloves. Full protective gear is not needed unless you want to train at full intensity.

Patrick has been doing HEMA in the UK since 2018 and done modern fencing for many years before that. He is a member of Smart HEMA clubs and specialises in Sword & Buckler and Rapier & Dagger.

Scottish basket hilt sword, the first few basic strokes are explained here with defense. After this, slipping legs and body are examined. The slipping means taking away target for the opponent and hitting them at the same time.

 

This will start with low intensity therefor minimal gear that is needed:

One handed sword, saber or complex hilt swords (Rapiers and side swords are not suitable for this workshop). Gloves with enough protection if the sword has no finger protection heave gloves like lobsters is needed. Other then that mask, throat guard, Chest plate or jacket.

There will be hitting to legs and arms with low intensity protection there is not needed but is recommended. More gear the higher the integrity can be.

Will go about how a sword is made. In this hour there will be explained how different types of swords are made in different cultures. As well as how it comes to some material properties of the swords. Also with this in mind will look how to maintain the swords and signs when sword is reaching its end of life.

Hello all. In 2018 I started with HEMA at the sword circle. Here I mainly did long sword. But I have also come to like several other weapons that are sparing safe. I also done a tournaments every now and then, but also sparing with different weapons (not necessary that during sparring we have the same weapon). I also discovered that there is a lot of overlap between different weapons and I started using this. I also picked up the Scottish Basket Hilt and learned various bindings with it.

In addition, I have also been interested in techniques and old crafts all my life. As a result, I came across several fun facts about swords, both during my schooling for Mechanical Engineering and during blacksmith workshops. Even when working in a high-tech company, I still come across techniques from back then and it is still very useful knowledge.

Glíma is a traditional wrestling form from Iceland, where it has been practiced for many centuries. It is a traditional form of wrestling that focuses on balance, not on strength. Practitioners are supposed to keep moving around eachother in a clockwise "dance" while gripping eachother by a belt around the waste. They then try to trip eachother. Because of this you are not able to use your strength to force a person to the ground. It becomes a game of skill and dexterity.

Glíma techniques greatly resemble legtrips seen in codexes like Talhoffer and Wallerstein. And is a great way to practice good ballance in H.E.M.A.

It is advised to bring baggy, loosefitting jeans or other tough pants to the workshop.

Merlyn Janssen and Sander Spijkers are two of the longest practicing instructors of H.E.M.A. in the Netherlands. Together they have almost 50 years of experience. They where introduced to Glima during a seminar of the European Hystorical Combat Guild in Leeds. They both traveled to Reykjavik to compete in the Glima World Championship where they both won several medals and Merlyn Janssen was awarded "Most talented foreigner" by the Icelandic Glima association.

My goal for this workshop is to make sure you walk away with 2 new techniques in your repertoire. I'll show and tell and after that we will drill, drill and drill.

We will work with 2 variations of a thumb grip duplieren, one landing with a cut and one with a thrust. Hopefully you'll come back to me after the event, telling me you've tried it in sparring and it works.

Weapon: Longsword
Gear: Full upper body

Ties Kool started HEMA back in 2003. In 2015 he started the HVN, now one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands, where he is the head coach. Ties has been teaching and competing all over the world, ranking high in various weapons and teaching workshops in longsword, sabre and several other disciplines. He is mostly known for his tournament success, both as a fighter and as a coach. He has a background in kickboxing, powerlifting and a number of other sports. At the moment he is a personal trainer and nutrition coach in a gym in Helsinki.

“My favourite drills” is a workshop centered around a few, very simple drills intended to explore the concept of flow and to provide you with a wide arrange of riposts, no matter the parry. Everyone is welcome, beginners through accomplished tournament fencers, and there are no gear requirements. However, for the optimal experience, it is recommended that you bring full sparring gear. The drills will become gradually less scripted, meaning that if you’re wearing gear you can move seamlessly into sparring with all the drills still fresh in your system. Sparring will take place immediately after the workshop.

Victor picked up historical fencing at the age of 17, originally fascinated by the longsword and the rapier. However, a few years in he found his true HEMA-passion in the military sabre, which has served as his main weapon for the last 10 years. Frustrated that most of the techniques he was taught never really seemed to work that well for a left-handed fencer such as himself, Victor set about compiling an eclectic sabre system for himself, comprising whatever techniques and methods he could make work under pressure, putting an emphasis on flow and on always having a variety of options no matter the scenario.

In this workshop we are going to look at how to parry with effective structure, how to create openings with a parry and what circumstances allow us to parry. We will apply geometry, biomechanics, distance, timing and other factors to put our sword between us and our opponent’s attack, while allowing us to keep fencing effectively. You will get some (hopefully) useful tips on parrying and some ideas on how to not get hit.

You will need a (long)sword, mask, gloves and a throat protector for the drills and full gear for the games.

Ville has done HEMA since 2019, starting with longsword and including other disciplines little by little. In addition to training German longsword, he’s now teaching saber and messer, and occasionally dabbles in rapier and ringen.