Tonight saw the launch of our Swindon chapter as our beginners worked on the foundations of swordplay. After going through the origins of HEMA and the School of the Sword, along with safety briefing, we focused on just the sword this week. They learned the Pretzel and figure of eight, along with the associated cuts and guards. The group then proved to have excellent measure by aceing the Viennese Waltz.
Oxford played host to a special freeplay day today where students as well as members from other clubs were invited up to spar with one another. Many thanks to all our members and friends from other clubs – some who’d come a long way- who made this sold out event so much fun!
Our Oxford students met up again today for their regular weekend sparring. These sessions give students the chance to get in extra practice, as well as work to incorporate new techniques they’ve learned in class.
Godalming students started new teaching blocks this week with Luke beginning his lessons on sidesword, looking at the work of Henry de Sainct Didier. Meanwhile Apollon started his block on single rapier by looking at some Capo Ferro. Lynette and April took beginners through their first steps in the foundation of swordplay.
Students from our Oxford chapter met up today for their regular weekend sparring. There were a mixture of weapons available, giving all attending students valuable practise and experience.
At the end of each training block we have a night of freeplay. Tonight, it was Godalming’s turn. We also held gradings where three beginners graduated to full membership. Congratulations to Jonathan, Jeremy and Michael who rise from the rank of candidati to Studenti
Our Oxford students held their regular outdoor sparring event again today, where students gathered to practise skills they have learnt in class, get in some much needed practise, and have some fun along the way.
In tonight’s smallsword group we again practiced Angelo’s salute, then revised the Volte and Demi-Volte which we covered last week. We then held a King of the Hill tournament where each fencer started with 5 ’lives’. If you were hit you lost a life, if you hit your opponent you stayed on, if both fencers were hit in the same tempo both lost a life and a new pair took to the piste. When you lost all your lives you were out of the game.
Feedback from the fencers indicated that this idea of loosing lives made them more defensive in their approach. We also learned that judging smallsword is very difficult! Apollon came out the winner with one life remaining, beating Phil in the final head to head. Leigh came an honourable third. We ended the session with a period of Freeplay.
Our Oxford students met up again today for their regular Sunday sparring session. These sessions give students the chance to play with a range of weapons including those they might not currently be training, as well as practise techniques learned in class under sparring conditions.
The School of the Sword will be heading to Warsaw, Poland this June, when Oxford head Instructor, Emilia Skirmuntt, will be instructing at the International Rapier Seminar 2023. her workshop is entitled “Rapiers in the dark” learning techniques pairing a sword and lantern as well as complimenting them techniques from sword and cape.
The International Rapier Seminar is a three day event dedicated to the art of the rapier, with great instructors from all over the HEMA world.
