Links

English Tradition Groups:

The Company of Maisters

Headed by Maister Terry Brown, THE head researcher in English martial marts. Maister Brown--author of English Martial Arts is the only person in the WMA community to rightly hold the title, and is a recognized authority on the interpretation of the works of George Silver.

Finesse Academy of Fence

Located in Australia, the Finesse Academy of Fence's goal is the study and use of 17th and 18th century rapier and smallsword, as well as backsword and quarterstaff. Most of their source material is English, with some Italian exceptions.

The Linacre School of Defence

The Linacre School of Defence is based at Linacre College, Oxford. They concentrate on the practice of historical English and British martial arts of the late 17th to the early 19th centuries, including both armed and unarmed techniques. Their intent is to train, as far as is possible, as if preparing for a serious encounter.

Stoccata School of Defense

The Stoccata School of Defence is based in Australia, with two schools in Sydney and one in Hobart, and is dedicated to the study of European swordsmanship (mostly English). This is the home group of Mr. Paul Wagner, author of Master of Defence and Mr. Steven Hand, author of English Swordsmanship.

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German Tradition Groups:

Boar's Tooth Fight School

Focusing upon the traditions of Liechtenauer, Royal Ms. I33 and late-era English pugilism, this British group is led by Dave Rawlings, and is connected with Schola Gladiatoria.

Gladius et Codex

A school grounded in the German Tradition, but exploring other traditions, located in Zurich, Switzerland. (website in German)

die Schlactschule

"The School of Battle" focuses mainly upon the German tradition of swordsmanship, with the exception of the Burgundian "Le Jeu de la Hache." Also, Hugh Knight, the group's Fechtmeister is a licensed falconer. That's just awesome.

Ochs Historische Kampfkunste

One of the premier WMA groups in Germany, Ochs is the home group of Hans Heim and responsible for the popular German Longsword DVD available from Chivalry Bookshelf.

Selohaar Fechtschule

Christian Tobler, the author of Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship, is the founder of this school. The focus is mostly on 15th century masters in the Liechtenauer tradition, including Ringeck, von Danzig, and Kal.

Hammaborg

A group from Hamburg that focuses on the German School of swordfighting such as the so-called Tower Fechtbuch I.33 and a number of codices in the tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer. Other subjects include the reconstruction Viking Age single combat.

Alliance Martial Arts

Pete Kautz is one of the most respected practicioners and instructors of medieval (mostly German) dagger in the USA. In addition, he is an instructor of modern knife-fighting techniques; there is little question that he knows his stuff.

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Italian Tradition Groups:

The Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts

This group, located in Canada, is focused on 14th and 15th century WMA, with an emphasis on Fiore dei Liberi (and I.33). AEMMA is also one of the best sources for scanned original documents and ongoing research into medieval martial arts. Go to their library for the quickest access to information. They primarily focus on the Italian fighting arts of the late 14th and early 15th centuries.

The Chicago Swordplay Guild

Founded by Greg Melee and Mark Rector, the Chicago Swordplay Guild provides organized instruction in the serious study and practice of Historical European Swordplay focusing on the Italian masters.

The Exiles Company of Medieval Martial Artists

The Exiles are a school of the Italian tradition based in England and headed by Rob Lovett. Of particular interest is their section including their facsimiles of the Morgan-Pierpoint and Getty-Ludwig versions of dei Liberi's work.

Northwestern Academy of Arms

Maestro Sean Hayes teaches a strictly classical curriculum of Italian foil, épée and sabre at Northwest Academy of Arms in Eugene, Oregon, and through the University of Oregon and Lane Community College. He also researches and teaches Italian Rapier of the early and late 17th century and 18th century; the medieval martial arts system of Fiore dei Liberi; German Sword & Buckler from Roayl Armouries Manuscript I.33 (ca 1295 AD, the oldest known fencing manuscript); and the English shortsword of George Silver.

Order of the Seven Hearts

Tom Leoni's group focuses mainly upon the Renaissance rapier work of Salvatore Fabris, although their general scope is wider. Mr. Leoni is the author of The Art of Dueling, an interpretation of Fabris' work.

The Rocky Mountain Swordplay Guild

The RMSG is a western martial arts group based in Denver, with groups in Pueblo and Fort Collins. Their focii range from dei Liberi to I.33 sword & buckler. The Black Falcon School of Arms works with the RMSG.

Schola Gladiatoria

Schola Gladiatoria is a group based in Ealing, West London. They train almost exclusively in the fighting arts taught in the Fior di Battaglia, but also in Filippo Vadi's Arte Gladiatoria.

Schola Saint George

Headed by Mr. Brian Price, the Schola of Saint George is another group focusing mainly on the Italian tradition. With groups in California, Texas and Wisconsin, they are a particularly profound influence upon the WMA community in the USA.

School of European Swordsmanship, Helsinki

St. Martin's Academy of Medieval Arms

St. Martin's Academy of Medieval Arms is the home group of Mr. Bob Charron, one of the head interpreters in medieval Italian martial arts. Their focus is mainly upon the work of Fiore dei Liberi who recorded techniques of combat that ran the gamut from unarmed to fully armored on horseback.

Tattershall School of Defense

The Tattershall School of Defense is dedicated to the study and instruction of Western Martial Arts from the 14th through 19th centuries. Their basis is in the Italian schools.

Aberdeen Swordsmanship

European Historical Combat Guild

Old World Martial Arts

Virginia Academy of Fencing

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Other Groups:

The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts

ARMA - the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts, is an educational non-profit organization dedicated to the study and practice of historical fencing and the exploration and promotion of our Western martial heritage. The ARMA focuses on the interpretation and legitimate reconstruction of Medieval and Renaissance combat systems as a modern discipline. They do not focus on one system.

Higgins Armory Sword Guild

The home guild of Dr. Jeffrey L. Forgeng, the Higgins Armory Sword Guild combines deep academic research with committed physical application of its findings, and studies a wide range of historical combat material, from I.33 sword & buckler to Messer to smallsword.

The Historical European Martial Arts Coalition

The Mercenaries Medieval Combat Guild

The MMCG is the parent organization of the Black Falcon School of Arms. Its purposes are broader than the BFSA in that the MMCG seeks to recreate the European Middle Ages through all aspects of the period, not just swordsmanship.

The Society for Creative Anachronism

The SCA is a medieval recreation group focused more on the recreation of the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and less on acurate historical swordsmanship. However, they are a great resource for those researching the Middle Ages and a lot of fun for members.

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Resources:

Sword Forum International

A web-site devoted to the study of the sword. There are many forums for specialized subjects. The Historical European Swordsmanship forum is especially useful for keeping up with current goings on in the WMA community.

Armour Research Society

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