Equipment Required: None (you are welcome to bring your own mace)

Krista is a Yoga Teacher, RMT, RC-Mobility Specialist, CSEP-Personal Trainer®, Kinstretch Instructor Level 1 ®, Hypopressive Level 1 Trainer ®

Introduction to The Art of Steel Mace and Steel Club Training for fitness, mobility and wellness.

This workshop will provide students with the basic movements of the mace and clubs to enhance movement patterns, assist with mobility, as well as learning a basic flow.

There will be several sizes of steel mace and steel clubs provided, from 10 to 20 lbs. However, each student would need to share the equipment (or train with a stick just for learning movements).

This workshop will involve:

– a brief history of the art and movement
– warm up for the shoulders, spine and hips
– core strength
– basic moves for the mace and clubs
– flow practice
– cool down

Equipment Required: Mask, gloves, one handed sword, longsword.

Sebastian hails from Lames Historiques de l’Outaouais

In this workshop we will learn some Messer techniques shown in the books from the Augsburg group. We’ll begin with understanding the concepts behind the guards in messer and which ones are favored when fighting a longsword. Afterwards we will focus on distance management and how to deal with weapon lengthe asymmetry. We will put all of this together in practicing the plays where the messer wielder defends themselves against a longsword’s peasant strike in various plays. We will incorporate different contexts, adapting the plays for both armored and unarmored fighting. Some light wrestling will be involved, actions will be stopped before going to the ground. We will finish the workshop with some controlled sparring to apply what we have learned. The goal of this workshop is to explore the use of the messer while practicing plays involving mixed weapon fighting.

Equipment Required: Sidesword, jacket, and preferably plastron

Cass hails from the Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (AEMMA) – Ottawa

‘Lo Schermo d’Angelo Viggiani’ proposes a new system of fencing, deviating from other Bolognese methods in a few key ways with the goal of enabling a single, perfect defense to be applied in all situations.

Equipment Required: Mask, gloves, longsword

Kieron hails from Dueling Weapons Academy of Reniassance Fencing (DWARF)

The Codex Guelf is a 1591 German fencing manuscript. It’s an anonymously authored and unfinished volume 2 to a non-existent (or lost) volume 1. Which is probably why you haven’t heard of it. But the manuscript provides many fascinating insights into the non-Lichtenauerian fighting styles of the 16th century. Come join known non-Lichtenauarian fencers, Kieron and Sharkey of DWARF as they guide you through their interpretation of this deceptive, brutal and effective style.

Participants will gain a valuable glimpse into a different take on 16th century combat culture, delivered in a fun, safe and discussion rich atmosphere.

Equipment Required: None (you are welcome to bring your own jo/4′ staff)

Jamie & Mike hail from Koketsu Kai – Tiger’s Den Martial Arts

At this work shop you would go through the basics of how to use a jo and the various techniques in it’s use as a defensive weapon against a knife attack.

Equipment Required: Mask, heavy gloves, feder, or longsword

Jeff hails from Ottawa Historical Fencing Society (OHFS)

Think you know the Krumphau? Think again! In this class we will delve deep into the Krumphau starting with the gloss of Sigmund ain Ringeck, the counter from Hans Talhoffer, and ending with how you can apply the Krumphau in our modern sport with plays from the Bauman Fechtbuch.

Equipment Required: Longswords and as much protective kit as possible (no armour required, but allowed)

Matt hails from St. Lawrence Swordfighters Guild

Fiore dei Liberi’s “Flower of Battle” is renowned for its techniques for fighting a duel in full 14th/15th Century armour. This course will introduce you to the fundamentals of Fiore’s Armoured combat system, including its stances, striking techniques, defences, and unique aspects of fighting in harness. No actual armour is necessary, but significant HEMA fencing protection is required for paired drills – and understanding the limitations of armour.

Equipment Required: A bayonet trainer or a long stick (around 5 feet in length). A fencing mask, gloves, and a plastron or jacket.

Matt hails from Niagara Historical Fencing

Alfred Hutton is mainly known for his works regarding both the sabre and the foil but he also published multiple fencing treatises on how to bayonet fence with a rifle. In his third book on bayonet fencing, “Fixed Bayonets: A Complete System of Fence for the British Magazine Rifle” he gives a very complete and comprehensive system on how to fence with the first mass produced repeating rifles for the British military. The unique aspect of his book is that the bayonets on these rifles also had an edge to them so it was possible to cut as well as thrust. Additionally, as they were shorter than the older musket style rifles, he also goes over how to use them in close combat.

This seminar is meant as a beginners introduction to bayonet fencing but it may also have new insights for anyone that has already had experience in bayonet fencing, especially for those who have only trained with thrust only systems.

Equipment Required: Helmet, gloves and a belt (to hold the tomahawk and long knife)

Adam hails from Kahnawa:ke Combat Academy

The tomahawk and long knife appeared in a very specific time in history. A time when many weapons were becoming obsolete and the musket and bayonet where on the rise. For this reason, we will learn their use in a mixed weapon and skirmishing context.

In the “Kiss my Axe” workshop, you will learn:
– how to carry and deploy each of them quickly;
– how to effectively use the two weapons together;
– how to utilize the hooking action of the tomahawk to control your opponents weapon, and
– how to use each of them against other weapons, such as swords.

This workshop is appropriate for all knowledge levels.

Equipment Required: Mask, gloves (minimum light gloves but both light and heavy recommended), and a singlesword. Cup and plastron are optional but recommended.

Anthony hails from Ironwood Sword School

An introduction to various ideas and techniques in the reconstruction of Polish sabre fencing.

Equipment Required: Light gloves, sport sabre or other cut and thrust single handed sword

Graham hails from Fight Directors Canada and Toronto Historical Combatants

Learn the foundational techniques of armed stage combat and how to (safely) inflict pain in your fight choreography!

For actors, demonstrators, and reenactors, punctuate your staged duels with safe theatrics to play hits, cuts, and fatal stabs.

When dying is too good for your opponent, they need to suffer first!

Equipment Required: Protective kit from the waist up. Matching weapon with your partner.

Wayne and Rebecca hail from Branta School of Arms

In this workshop aimed at coaches and students alike, we’ll be showing you how you can fit fun and dynamic games and the Constraints-Led Approach into your training. We’ll run you through some of the most useful game frameworks that we use at Branta and talk about how to run them in class, how to modify the rules to meet your training goals, and the theory behind why they work.

The games we will be playing will be accessible to beginners. You should be able to parry and cut comfortably and have your own protective equipment.

For the last few years, Branta School of Arms has been working hard to bring Rob Gray’s theory of Ecological Dynamics and the CLA into our HEMA training. We’re looking forward to sharing what has and hasn’t worked for us and talk about how to make use of it, not just for individuals that are training for tournaments, but for brand-new beginners, and for martial artists working to bring historical technique to life.

Equipment Required: Rapier, fencing mask, gorget, and fencing jacket. Chest protector highly recommended.

Jeff hails from Toronto Historical Combatants (THC)

The Neapolitan school of fencing rose to prominence in the mid 17th century in southern Italy and Rome, spearheaded by the fencing masters of the Marcelli family. Among its signature actions are a number of techniques performed at the edge of measure in order to draw one’s opponent out of guard, creating a safe tempo with which to approach and strike. These “discomposing actions” and their accompanying footwork are a useful addition to any rapier fencer’s toolkit, and participants in this workshop will learn three of them: the disordering, the scommossa, and the provocation.

Equipment Required: None (you are welcome to bring your own boxing gloves)

Shawn hails from Trinity Martial Arts

A beginner-friendly introduction to the French martial art of Savate / Boxe Francaise as taught by the late Professor Salem Assli. The session will be presented by two 1st degree Silver Gloves, Shawn and Anisha Gliddon. Participants will learn a little of the history of Savate as well as the fundamental strikes and footwork of both the modern sport and original street art. There will be light and controlled physical contact.

Equipment Required: Pugnale dagger simulator (loaners will be available), cloak (or towel), mask, gloves. Fencing jacket optional.

Beau hails from the Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (AEMMA) – Ottawa

In his 1536 treatise Opera Nova, Achille Marozzo describes the use of various types of daggers: a stiletto, a daghetta, and the fearsome pugnale, a long, double-edged dagger that often served as a companion to the sword. In this workshop, we will cover the fundamentals of the pugnale–how to provoke, how to defend, and how to enter to grapples–as well as of the pugnale and cloak, so we can engage in some real skullduggery! The simple, effective principles taught in these two sections of Marozzo’s treatise are an excellent introduction to the Bolognese system of fencing, and inform many of they plays seen elsewhere in the treatise. Participants should expect to pressure test what they have learned at the end of the session.

Equipment Required: Any staff approx. 5-7′ in length

Mike hails from Broadsword Academy Kingston & Kingston Niten Kai/Tigers Den Jiu-Jitsu

An introduction to Zachary Wyld’s method of quarterstaff. Wyld’s staff is often seen as a link to English two-handed swordsmanship, as well as a simple yet robust system for stick combat!

Equipment Required: Participants who wish their exchanges be judged should bring a steel sword and full kit. Boffers will be provided to those in light/no kit.

Shepherd hails from Toronto Historical Combatants (THC)

Identify hits and actions accurately by using the wisdom found in modern sport fencing. This workshop will allow new judges to practice identifying hits and making calls accurately by analyzing exchanges using fundamental fie wordings. Participants will also be involved in breaking down rulesets and considering how they can be exploited.