The curriculum of the Black Falcon School of Arms is modeled on the traditional weapons forms in which medieval or early Renaissance English martial arts were expected to be proficient. Some compromises have been made in order to include medieval sources that are not English, or English sources that are not medieval (where no English sources appropriate to the time period can be found).

Based on notes kept by the Company of Maisters of the Science of Defence near the end of the 16th century, and modified according to the scope of BFSA's study, the weapons forms we study and practice are: two hand sword, bastard sword, sword and buckler, and staff. In addition, wrestling and dagger-fighting are studied under the assumption that even though they were not publicly displayed as part of most fencing schools' accomplishments, any well-rounded martial artists of the time would be at least familiar with the material.

Below is a breakdown of the curriculum by weapon, as well as the sources we reference for our study. Further information about the sources can be found on the period sources page.


Two Hand Sword

Although the term two hand sword is sometimes used to refer to the massive infantry weapons often associated with Landesknecht soldiers, in medieval England it seems to have been analagous with what is now commonly referred to as a longsword by most of the HEMA and WMA community. Developing from the 'grete swerde of war' of earlier centuries, a two hand sword was one that generally required the use of both hands to wield, although effective attacks can be made one-handed. Useful for both cutting and thrusting, the two hand sword is a versatile and effective weapon for both war and civilian use. Coming in a variety of lengths, blade types and weights, the two hand sword is one of the most common types of weapon for which historical fighting texts still survive.

Use of this weapon forms the basis of the Black Falcon School of Arms' novice and student curriculum. The lessons are drawn from information in the Harleian Manuscript 3542, and the Cotton Titus Manuscript A XXV.


Bastard Sword

A bastard sword represents a further evolution of long swords to be used in one or two hands. Generally built with a tapered blade coming to a narrow point and with a belted grip sized just large enough to for a two-hand grip, the bastard sword is quick and nimble. In surviving material, several one-handed attacks appear alongside the more standard two handed techniques when using a bastard sword. Like the two hand sword, it was useful both for military and civilian application.

A refinement of the material learned in the two hand sword curriculum, the bastard sword material is studied by schollers and is drawn primarily from the Additional Manuscript 39,564 (also known as the "Ledall" Manuscript), supplemented by George Silver's Brief Instructions Upon my Paradoxes of Defence.


The staff (or quarterstaff, named for its general method of use) is commonly identified with English martial arts and well-respected by martial artists the world over. Staff material is drawn primarily from George Silver's Brief Instructions Upon my Paradoxes of Defence, supplemented by Joseph Swetnam's Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence and Zachary Wylde's English Master of Defence.

Quarterstaff study is included as supplemental training in the scholler level curriculum.


Sword and Buckler

The most pervasive sword art known to have flourished in Europe during the Middle Ages, the sword and buckler is an important tool in the Black Falcon School of Arms' attempts to rediscover and uphold medieval English martial arts traditions. Sword and buckler material is drawn primarily from the anonymous Tower Fechtbuch, (also known as the I.33 Fechtbuch), supplemented by George Silver's Brief Instructions Upon my Paradoxes of Defence.

Sword and buckler study is included as supplemental training in the scholler level curriculum.


Short Sword

Although the "short" sword is is only short compared to the specialized thrusting swords that George Silver disliked, we have chosen to refer to it by that name as an acknowledgement of the man whose art we study. Short sword material is drawn from George Silver's Paradoxes of Defence and Brief Instructions Upon my Paradoxes of Defence.

Short sword study is currently included in the elective study group "Sundays with Silver."

All information contained within this website is copyright, 2006, the Black Falcon School of Arms and the Mercenaries Medieval Combat Guild. Background image used with permission from Bronwen Hodgkinson.