Willkommen! This Gotham Swords program studies a historical fencing tradition from Augsburg, Germany. The Augsburg School emphasizes a curriculum of foundational skills and concepts which inform the application of higher order techniques. The lessons forge a system of fencing that is applicable to Ringen (wrestling), Messer (knives), and Schwert (Longsword).
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.
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:
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| Example of First Ward with a weapon as seen in Talhoffer, Cod.icon. 394a 113r. |
Our standard regiment of warm up exercises before classes.
Exercises are done in an eight count: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8; 2,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.
A basic introduction to Mensur, or measure! The ability to understand and control the measure of an exchange is an important and over looked component of fencing.
Regardless of the device you are utilizing to study swordplay, you should revere the training implement at all times. This practice builds an important consciousness around sword-safety as well as bolsters the important foundational skills.
The sword is composed of a steel blade which should be customized in length to the height and reach of the fencer, a parrying shield and crossguard, grip, and pommel.