Instructors
- Jake Norwood (Wappenkunst Academie Rijswijk)
- Jonas Bürgi (Reisläufer Bern)
- Mart van den Burg (HVN)
- Martin Fabian (BSS/SIGI)
- Michel Rensen (Zwaard & Steen)
- Petra Westveer (Zwaard en Steen)
- Wout De Munck (Sint-Michiels gilde Antwerpen)
- Yannick De Smet (SwArta)
Jake Norwood: Place the Left Foot – Reimagining Stepping in Liechtenauer’s Longsword
Level: Intermediate Weapon: Longsword
This workshop questions some long-held views on stepping when cutting and when performing some of the chief techniques in the Liechtenauer tradition. Together we’ll explore and experiment with an interpretation of footwork (and striking) meant to capitalize on stability, cutting and binding strength, and tactical versatility.
Participants should bring a longsword and protective equipment to drill with intensity and for some limited sparring. Intermediate and advanced participants will get the most from this workshop.
Jonas Bürgi: Trench Warfare – Two Entries into Krieg
Level: Intermediate Weapon: Longsword
This workshop contrasts two different philosophies for transitioning from long distance into the measure where Krieg and Handarbeit take over. We will explore the core principles that allow us to enter safely while establishing strong structural and mechanical advantages.
Mart van den Burg: Nachreisen / handsnipes and how to get away with them
Level: Intermediate Weapon: Longsword
We will be going over how I set up my nachreisen / handsnipes. Simple and effective.
Full Upper body gear and experience with footwork / decent blade control.
Martin Fabian: Hans Medel’s Fencing
Level: Advanced Weapon: Longsword
We don’t know a lot about him, but one thing is for sure: Hans Medel didn’t like a whole lot of things in Lichtenauer and he wasn’t afraid to say so. More than that, he presents a unique take on Lichtenauer’s Zedel. Some may think it was written under the influence of certain mushrooms, but a closer, sober look at his ideas shows an interesting, closed system of fencing. And who knows, perhaps he was more Lichtenauer than supposed Lichtenauer himself?
In this workshop we’ll go through tactical approaches presented in the mind boggling manuscript Cod. I.6.2º.5. We’ll learn how to become a true crooked person.
Gear requirements: Full gear. Level: Advanced (experience with sparring and JL’s techniques recommended).
Michel Rensen: The best way to parry is not to parry at all
Level: Beginners Weapon: Rapier
According to Salvator Fabris, we should never parry if we can at all avoid doing so. He thinks it’s dangerous. Why is he so against parries? And what would he have you do instead?
Petra Westveer: Fencing from first principles
Level: All levels Weapon: Longsword
Fencing is complex. But what if you could reduce your fencing to just following a few simple rules? What if plays and techniques from the source would appear when you need them, without you even thinking about it? In this workshop we are going to find out if this could be true, and if this approach is something that could work for you.
I intend to make all drills adaptable to your current skill level and personal goals, so it is suitable for anyone who is interested to explore this topic.
I think it could be specifically helpful for
- fencers who get overwhelmed and “just don’t know what to do next”
- fencers who choke under pressure, for example in a tournament
- fencers who want to do techniques from the sources but just can’t get them to work during sparring
The basic concept should work for any system, but this workshop is based on Liechtenauer longsword fencing. That is the system that I have spent enough time on to figure out its first principles.
Wout De Munck: A Stick, the Mightiest Weapon of All
Level: All levels Weapon: Quarterstaff
This workshop is about embracing the ancient and noble art of Respectfully Hitting People from Far Away, as described by fencing master Joachim Meyer. We’ll take the core strikes, guards, and tactical ideas of his quarterstaff system and apply them toward the real goal: effective, controlled sparring. Expect big swings, sneaky angles, and the constant strategic question of, “what if I simply hit them again, but from further away?”
Fencers of all experience levels are welcome, provided they can maintain good control and manage their power appropriately.
Gear Requirements: Full protective equipment suitable for free sparring is required (head, hands, throat, torso, elbows, knees and shins).
Loaner quarterstaffs will be available in limited quantity.
Yannick De Smet: Beyond the Zwerchcopter – Applying Dobringer’s teachings to the Zwerchhau
Level: All levels Weapon: Longsword
“Here notice and remember that out of the whole art of the sword, no cut is as good, trustworthy, ready, and fierce as the crosswise cut.”
Whoever wrote the gloss to Liechtenauer’s fencing in MS3227a certainly was convinced the Zwerchhau was an important strike. In this workshop we will go beyond the overused Zwerchcopter to find other applications of this Hidden Strike in contemporary sparring. For this we will be applying several passages of MS3227a to answer the question “why did that Zwerchhau hit me while I saw it coming?”