A fun night where both beginners and seniors got to work together. Tonight at Godalming everyone got to start on a couple of week’s worth of training focusing on using two swords. Not only is dual-wielding fun and historically accurate, it’s also very difficult for novice and experienced sword fighters alike.
A busy night despite it being only a day after the end of Fightcamp. Whilst the beginner’s group continued to work on cutting, Fran gave a mix of intermediates and seniors the class she gave at Fightcamp on rapier basics. This lead to some very impressive voiding during the low speed drills. Finally, a group of seniors studied a section from Alfieri on wounding and disarming seeing if they could put it to practical use.
Last weekend, School of the Sword turned out in force at the annual Fightcamp event near Coventry. Instructors, Pim and Fran, gave a beginner’s rapier class to attendees as part of the programme of events.
School of the Sword was also well represented in the various tournaments making it to the semi-finals in a number of disciplines. We also made the medals, with Piermarco Terminello taking Silver in the rapier competition.
The week before fightcamp and the seniors were putting in some last minute practise with rapier. The beginners group continued to work toward their safety test
School of the Sword turned out in force to the Godalming Staycation this past weekend. The weather was great and there was a huge turnout for the live music and events put on. We had our own stand and arena.
Not only did we talk to people about the school (Yes, the swords are real. No, it’s not choreographed. Yes, we do two-handed stuff) but we gave taster lessons and used our arena to not only showcase what we do but to also get in some last minute practise ahead of Fightcamp.
Godalming group was graced by a visit from school lead instructor, Phil Marshall, who came along to give the seniors some advice on tournament fighting ahead of Fightcamp. The night saw a lot of exchanges.
The beginner’s group also had a busy night, practising cutting to a target as well as working on their timing and measure.
The Reading group had a large turnout last night. The beginners group worked on cutting mechanics whilst the seniors ran a tournament in preparation for Fightcamp.
This weekend we were pleased to have a large turnout at short notice for an all day intensive class at the Rivermead Leisure Complex in Reading. Fencers at every level of ability were able to work on their skills, and learn new ones, in this fantastic session led by senior instructor Phil Marshall and founder Caroline Stewart.
We plan to hold more of these seminars every quarter, in different locations. Get along if you really want to improve your fencing.
School of the Sword was pleased to be be invited to take part in the Jane Austen Regency Week held in Alton, Hants yesterday.
Offering ‘have a go’ sessions, as well a chance to see and handle the weapons we use, members participated in displays of historical fencing. Starting with the smallsword of the Regency period, we proceeded to the rapier and sidesword of the Renaissance, as well as their companion arms.
It was a fun, relaxed day, in a beautiful historic town. We look forward to the next summer event where we will be at Godalming Staycation. See you there!
Instructor and researcher Piermarco Terminiello has written an article for the HROARR blog on the subject of rapier fencing against multiple attackers.
