Questions tagged [historic-european]
Historical European martial arts (HEMA) refers to martial arts of European origin, particularly using arts formerly practiced, but having since died out or evolved into very different forms. Usually associated with fencing and swordsmanship, but also covers other armed and unarmed combat.
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Alexandre Dumas' Three Musketeers: 17th century French Rapier
In "Les Trois Mousquetaires", we have a lot of sword fights. We have a dozen different people who are described as really good sword fighters. What sword schools were active during the 17th century ...
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Glima and Greco-Roman wrestling cross pollination
Glima is a wresting Scandinavian martial art dating back to Viking times. Greco-Roman wrestling should be well known. Vikings were known to associate with the Roman Empire -- see the Varangians.
Is ...
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Why do federschwerten have a schilt, when longswords don't?
The federschwert, often called a feder is the training weapon for the longsword - in the same way that the foil is the training weapon for the smallsword.
The feder has a small, wide section of blade ...
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How does Long Guard intercept weapon knock off?
Although longsword is also of interest to me, the focus of the question is sword and buckler duel scenario.
To me the long guard with sword and buckler was taught event shorter and lower than in the ...
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Are "stage combat" swords fine for HEMA training/bouting?
I've trained HEMA for a while (mostly Lichtenauer, some Fiore) and am comfortable with synthetic and steel feders. I'm looking to buy my own steel (blunted of course) and I've found that sites like ...
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Does blade flex have any function beyond durability?
It's well understood that you need some carbon to get well tempered steel, and put flex into the blade for durability. (Brittle swords break easily.)
But is there any use of the flexibility inherent ...
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Choice of a sword for HEMA
Recently I joined a HEMA club and I was told that I should get my own equipment. I can take my time; some people spend more than a year getting fully equipped. But there are times when there are not ...
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Defending legs with a sword
When defending your legs while using a two-handed sword (longsword, zweihander, etc), what are the advantages and disadvantages between blocking low vs voiding your legs and counter-attacking?
(...
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Gloves for longsword sparring
In my club, most of the people use Red Dragon gloves for sparring with steel longsword. According to the company's own description, these gloves are not designed for that purpose, even though it looks ...
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Is "Jogo do Pau" (stickfighting) derived from longsword fighting?
"Jogo do Pau" is an ancient Portuguese martial art which uses long staffs and originates from villages in the northern mountains.
An example can be seen in this video. It shows one vs one, one vs two,...
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Buying My First Metal Sword (HEMA)
I am a HEMA practitioner (hema-ist?), who has been training with a plastic hand-and-a-half sword from Cold Steel. While it appears to be the correct weight and roughly the correct size of an actual ...
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Is there a martial arts manuscript/record or technique using a glaive while on horseback?
As the title states, I want to know if there is a martial arts technique with a manuscript record (preferably in English with an image or a video explanation) that uses a glaive type sword while on ...
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Starting my own HEMA club, any advice?
I was looking into practising HEMA(Historical European Martial Arts) for many years, but when I had the money, I didn't have the time or vice versa. Now I have finally found (let's hope) a stable job ...
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Starting off in HEMA without joining a club
I'm looking to learn longsword and sword and buckler, but unfortunately there are no clubs near me. My partner trained sabre when he was younger, but recalls none of the details, so at best I have a ...
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Is there a technique/trick to maintain balance when fighting in close combat on a ship, armed or unarmed?
I mean like a stance or something without grasping an object like a rope or other solid object to not sweep away. When I mean armed I mean something like a sword, spear, or other melee weapon.
The ...
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When to bind in european sword & buckler?
I am just starting out some sword and buckler courses. It has been emphasised, that the bind lets you sense the opponent's attacks and protect against them. Consequently, I have been advised to "bind ...
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Why are outside parries not used in rapier fencing?
In sport fencing, two of the most common parries are parry four, a middle line parry to the inside, and parry six, a middle line parry to the outside. Last night, I went to a rapier class and the only ...
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HEMA Wrestling Guide
I've been learning Italian Longsword, a style of HEMA (Historic European Martial Arts) for several months now, heavily using The Swordsman's Companion as a teacher and guide. It has been superb ...
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HEMA Pells and Self-Training
Since the start of the pandemic, I have had a lack of people to fight. In any case, those that do want to fight don't want to come within 6 feet of me. :D
(Additionally, pole-arms are not as studied ...
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Do you find HEMA unarmed tactics viable self defense?
Do you find HEMA unarmed tactics viable self defense? Stuff like turn of the century pugilism, Grappling, Baritsu.
I find the weapons and unarmed combats to look very very interesting but are they ...
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Minimum Sparring Gear For Sword and Buckler
The Goal
I am trying to resurrect the long tradition of holiday Sword and Buckler sparring with minimal equipment purchases.
These are meant to be friendly sessions: only pride is on the line. The aim ...
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Is it important to train with poorly weighted swords?
Over the years, I've had many swords I've trained on, light and heavy, good quality and poor, well balanced and poorly balanced, steel of different tempers, and wood. I never felt a decently weighted ...
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Sword vs. Mace in armored mounted combat
Interested mainly in medieval era heavy armored combat, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two classes of weapon, both on horseback and on foot. Valid topics include application, quality/...
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Where can I learn about HEMA shields?
I've spent a some time searching for a manuscript that covers things like fighting with large shields like kite, heaters, tower, etc., but I can't find anything. Where can I learn about HEMA shields?
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What European longsword schools use blades sharpened the entire length?
I've been noticing a lot of interest in ricasso work. This makes sense when facing polearms, where you need more leverage — there's even a theory in Asian sword that the two handed sword techniques ...
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Is "Jogo do Pau" the only historic European martial art kept alive until today?
Recently I was at a "Jogo do Pau" demonstration, and during the introduction it was said to be the only historic European martial art that kept being practiced until the present day.
It was at risk ...
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Have hammer fists been used in Boxing?
Here I'm asking about Western boxing specifically, both in terms of the modern & contemporary sport, and historical European boxing (John L. Sullivan and earlier.)
Is the hammer fist used in ...
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