German Historical Fencing Class Begins!

 

Good news Friends,

We have started our new German Historical Fencing course!

German Historical Fencing, or our Deutscher Historischer Fechtverein, explores the Augsburg school of swordsmanship, a tradition of historical dueling arts originating in the southeastern region of what is now Germany. Students will be instructed in the art and techniques of the Longsword, Messer, and Bauernwehr.

This series is designed to guide students towards a fulfilling hobby of Historical Fencing that includes elements of fitness training, skills, and free-fencing bouts.  Additionally, students wishing to compete in HEMA Tournament settings will find this class helpful as it builds familiarity with organized fencing exchanges, judging, and score-keeping.

All the German Historical Fencing classes are Beginner Friendly
and are designed for students of all levels of experience.

Newer students will be introduced to fundamental skills and general lessons while experienced students will engage in more advanced practice.

 This course runs on Saturdays and is comprised of three related sessions:

• Sword Fitness
• Skills
• Applications
  

Das Geschrenckt Ortt — "the Crossed Point"

Creating a Covering with the Crossed Point

The following unit covers das geschrenckt ortt, the crossed point: a versaztung, displacement, which employs an ascending cut from First Ward which crosses your opponent's sword in defense against a variety of cut and thrust attacks.

Effective against all manner of cuts and thrusts, this displacement might appear simple but its potency relies upon a particular set of body mechanics.

An Introduction to First Ward / Combative Stance / Mittelhut

We begin our Primary Lessons with the introduction of the First Ward, Ersteläger, along with the various defenses and attacks which can be deployed from it. In this first section serves as a brief introduction to the guard.

In general First Ward refers to a posture that places your weapon low to your left side:

Example of First Ward with a weapon as seen in Talhoffer, Cod.icon. 394a 113r.