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Societies of the sword
The intention of this page is to offer a reasonably up to date list of UK societies interested in the study of swordsmanship. Alongside each name is a hyperlinked date, which is the date on which the link was last checked. Click on the date to show a brief description of the society its interests and contact details.
If you know of a society that might like to be listed, then please send me the details.
See also the New Societies page, for a list of individuals and small groups who are attempting to find or form a new society.
Swordsmanship: Aberdeen :01/12/2003
Swordsmanship is a new group which is in the process of getting established in Aberdeen. The meetings revolve around a study group approach, with current interests including multiple weapon forms, grappling and closing techniques, body mechanics and developing the right mentality. Practice includes both contact and non contact sparring, drilling with wooden wasters and practice with replica weapons.
Swordsmanship has a fast and informative website, including contacts and even some timetable information for forthcoming meetings.
Swordsmanship
Youngblood: Aintree, London :02/07/2003
Youngblood is a well established collective of New School Fight Directors and Stage Combat Instructors with a strong emphasis on Historic Combat. They provide training and host workshops on all aspects of fight direction, and have regular training sessions at which historic and classical fencers are always welcome.
Youngblood
The Boar's Tooth: Folkestone, Kent :04/03/2002
The Boar't Tooth is a fight group focusing on the translation, study and practice of mediaevil fighting techniques. At the moment the techniques primarily studied are Longsword, sword and buckler and wrestling as described in Ringeck, 1.33 and Silver.
Very nice growing site, some useful info including a theory/interpretation page. Definitely one to watch.
The Boar's Tooth
Schola Gladiatoria: Ealing, West London :10/06/2003
The main focus of this small group is 15thC Italian martial arts, primarily based on Fiore dei Liberi, but also Filippo Vadi. They translated the original of Fior di Battaglia (Getty version http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/gallery/Getty and have presented research at scholarly and martial arts events all over Europe.
Schola Gladiatoria currently trains on Tuesday nights in Ealing, West London and informally at the weekends in Central London. Schola Gladiatoria West trains in Barnstaple in Devon at the weekends.
For more info' e-mail: Matt Easton or call 07730 785 794
Schola Gladiatoria
The Free Fighters Guild: Northampton/Leicestershire :26/10/2001
A group based in both Northampton and Leicestershire. Regular seminars offered in a wide variety of weapons for both martial arts usage and stage combat.
e-mail
The Free Fighters Guild
Taranis Fighting Arts: Leicester/Nottingham :20/03/2002
Taranis is the martial art division of Swordplay and as such focuses exclusively on real combat techniques. The techniques are developed as a result of rigorous practice, trial and error, with historic texts being used as a supplementary rather than primary source.
Weapons and styles taught include Hand and a half, single sword, sword and buckler, Great sword, paired short swords, rapier, case of rapiers, rapier and dagger, single dagger, smallsword, poleaxe, quarterstaff.
This group is strictly focused on the practice of European martial arts.
Classes are currently held 3 times a week in both Leicester and Nottinghamshire. Workshops are held nationwide.
Taranis Fighting Arts
A group focusing on mediaevil and early renaissance combat. The website is becoming possibly the single most useful resource for UK based western martial arts. Includes discussion forums, CD manuals, articles, events and much more.
Mr. Rob Lovett. 67 Ibscott Close, Dagenham, Essex. RM10 9YT.
The Exiles
The European Historical Combat Guild: Leeds & London :01/12/2003
Very exciting society formed by Jon Waller head interpreter at the Royal Armouries. Focuses on the study of and practice of european martial arts. The website is a little bit out of date down, but is currently undergoing a major rework (Dec 03), so watch this space.
Contact: Jonathan Waller(Guild Secretary), 475 Hornsey Road, Room 1, London. N19 3QL.
Enquiries at EHCG
European Historical Combat Guild
The Dawn Duellists: Edinburgh :01/12/2003
The famous Edinburgh based society that has been up and running now since 1994, many weapons studied, a large group of regulars with a considerable amount of experience, expertise and knowledge. Oh and a friendly bunch too (if a bit Scottish). Displays frequently given by Paul Macdonald of Macdonald Armouries fame, and Gareth Hunt.
Paul Macdonald
Or contact: DDS President, Paul Macdonald, Macdonald Academy of Arms, 15 Halmyre Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8QA. Scotland. 0131 538 0745
The Dawn Duellists Society
The Sussex Rapier Society: Brighton :13/06/2001
Well established society focusing on rapier combat between 1525 and 1675, excellent website featuring a PDF newsletter, accounts of historic duels as well as many contacts for all manner of period equipment and clothing.
The SRS site also contains some nice background information on both the rapier and the smallsword, and is soon to include some suggested rules for combat.
Sussex Rapier Society
The Linacre School of Defence: Oxford :29/06/2001
A well established society, moderate number of weapons studied. Very informative and useful website.
Mr. Milo Thurston or Ralph Lovegrove. Linacre College. St. Cross Road, Oxford. OX1 3JA.
The Linacre School
The Company of Maisters of the Science of Defence: London :29/06/2001
A society founded in 1997 upon the principles of an old London based school of defence by Maister Terry Brown. The aim is to try and re-introduce the traditional English fighting systems to modern martial artists. Many weapons studied, in a constructive environment with a structured grading and appraisal system. Also several interesting articles.
The Company of Maisters
The Society for the Study of Swordsmanship: Whitby :29/06/2001
A well established group that has been up and running now for a few years. Many weapons studied, A good sized group of regulars lead by Marc Donnelly.(Also of Costume Con fame)
M.P.Donnelly
The Period Fencers Guild: Birmingham :29/06/2001
Lovely folks, only too willing to accomodate the interests of new members, broad spectrum of knowledge and experience. Equally broad range of weapons studied.
Mr. Mark Vance. 18 Broad Meadow Lane, King's Norton, Birmingham. B30 3NS.
The Albion Academy of Arms: Lancashire :29/06/2001
Mr. Mark Hillyard. 15 Calder Avenue, Freckleton,Lancs. PR4 1DN
For further information e-mail Mark Hillyard.
National Association of Re-enactment Societies (NAReS) UK :29/06/2001
A well established umbrella organisation covering many UK combat and re-enactment groups. A calendar of forthcoming events and links to all the societies. Many links to weapon and equipment suppliers.
NAReS
The School of the Sword: UK :31/01/2002
The School of the Sword is a small group researching and demonstrating historical swordplay from 1540-1740. We primarily focus on rapier, sidesword, backsword and smallsword. Currently we are working on a full
translation and analysis of Francesco Alfieri's "La Scherma" (1640)
The website contains links to historical material, photos of techniques and training, and a pictorial report on a research trip to Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, loking at some of the weapons not on public display.
Mr. Gary Stewart, 26 Columbia Way, Grove, Wantage, Oxon. OX12 0QJ.
E-mail address
School of the Sword
The School of Defence: UK :29/06/2001
More completely called: Cut &Thrust, The School of Defence. Offers a regular training program, calendar of events and online manuals. Sister organisation to The School of the Sword.
Mr. Stuart Huntley. 65 Reedmace Road, Bicester, Oxon. OX26 3WN
Cut&Thrust
The Duelling Association: Leicester :29/06/2001
Mr. Baden Favill. 27 Monsell Drive, Aylestone, Leicester. LE2 8PP.
The Highland Freebooters: Plockton :29/06/2001
Mr. Nic Harrison or Ms. Char Horne, Craggen Cottage, Craig, Plockton. IV52 8UB.
For more information e-mail Nic Harrison
Ipswich Fencing Club: Suffolk :29/06/2001
Mr. W. J. Vinyard. 80 Dover Road, Ipswich, Suffolk. IP3 8JQ.
The Yorkshire Swordplay Society: Sheffield :More
Mr. Andrew Kay. 51 Ochre Dike Walk, Rockingham, Rotherham. S61 4DL.
For more information e-mail:Mr Andrew Kay
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