Too complicated Decision Graphs in HEMA

Decision trees are sometimes derided by practitioners of historical fencing; after all the chaos of a fencing match rarely allows the luxury of time for complex decision making, and even a relatively simple decision tree can have multiple recursive branches and layers.  As a result even a relatively sedate exchange gives precious little opportunity the…

Ask the Sword Guy 5: left handers, and one-handed thrusts

Today’s episode has me talking about left-handers, and the one-handed long thrust with a longsword. Enjoy! Shownotes: Fiore Facsimile (the closest you can get to owning the manuscript): https://amzn.to/2MOowWH The Flower of Battle (Leoni translation) http://www.freelanceacademypress.com/flowersofbattlethecompletemartialworksoffioredeiliberi.aspx The Rapier, part Four: Sword and Dagger and Sword and Cape Workbook: https://guywindsor.net/blog/rbc400

Saber Fencing at Joinville-le-Pont, 1900-1914

The military fencing academy of Joinville-le-Pont was the most influential institution shaping French fencing in the late 19th- and early 20th century. On the streets, grounds, and in the fencing hall, officer candidates trained in personal combatives such as la boxe française, savage, lutte (wrestling), as well as imports such as English boxing and Jiu…

Terrain v. Planche: A brief history of late 19th-century fencing spaces

The original French word for fencing strip, planche (lit., plank or board), encapsulates the nature of the original strip and points at its inherent limitations, which required adaptation of the footwork by the fencers. The planche was initially conceived as an outdoors device: It could easily be placed on sand, gravel, or grass, and provide instant even ground……