Class list

An important element of Covered-Cut-Fencing is what August Fehn calls Vorhieb, the parry and riposte in one tempo, if you will. This technique in its various forms can be found in every manual on our style, often also under the name of Kontratempo- or A-tempo-Hieb.

In this class, we´re going to try out the specific Vorhiebe Fehn describes, both from the hanging and the steep guard as well as what you can do to prevent them.

The „Theoretisch praktische Anweisung des Hau=Stoßfechtens“ from 1838 is one of a few sources in saberfencing of this timeperiod which includes a lot of offline-footwork. The footwork is usually applied in the tempo of the opponent combined with arrets -stopthrusts- or ramassements, wich are actions against the blade.

We could have a look on a few volts and some ideas to bring it better into practice or some more volts for a better overview of the source. This depends on the participants.

This workshop will introduce an interesting sabre fencing system, which applies concepts of Destreza for the use of this weapon. Simon de Frias was a new-spanish fencing master, a diestro not only in sabre, but in rapier and small sword. It should be noted that Simon de Frias was a master of arms certified und accredited by the New Spain government.

His book “Tratado, Elemental de la Destreza del Sable”, published in Mexico in the year 1809, it is a unique example for the adaptation, under solid principles and rules, of the spanish fencing art for the use of the sabre. An essential part in this system is the so-called body motions or opposition of planes; it is a footwork enhanced by bodywork, which it is not found in any other known western sabre fencing system.

In this class the theoretical background of the system will be introduced, which, together with a series of drills, will allow the participants to be proficient in de Frias’ body mechanics.

This workshop aims at presenting the techniques described in the 1876 method of Joinville, which was destined to French mariners. Though these techniques were supposed to be put into practice with cutlasses, they turned out to lean more toward “sports” than toward military use, and contained the seeds of a sport that we still know today : cane fighting.

After some brief specific warm up, we will present the different guards of this methods and the 4 ways of attacking. The method will be presented, tested and finally applied during fun exercises.

This lecture is based on my master’s thesis, presented in 2018.

In this lecture we will identify the different phases of the evolution of saber fencing and lance fencing in the French cavalery, from the Napoleonic campains to the Second World War. We will also dive into a real-life romantic conflict that lasted several decades and opposed Alexandre Muller and various cavalery officers at the time when fencing on horseback became mendatory in the French army.

If you are new to sabre fencing this is the class with which the ISS should start for you.

This class will address common concepts of sabre fencing (parry-ripostes, cuts, lunges etc.) aswell as some basic fencing theory, like forte-vs-foible, fencing time, second intention etc.

We will explore the application of the sabre (and related weapons) in group combat. While we will not be enough people for ‘battles’ we will have to make do with ‘skirmishes’. Expect different scenarios and goals, eg. ‘capture the flag’.

Protective equipment: minimum: mask, gloves; full HEMA gear is recommended.

Weapons: Nylon sabres (loaner sabres are available), approved simulators for all kind of other battlefield gear – no missile weapons!