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).
For a number of reasons our classes often train with wooden swords. Despite what you might think, very little of it has to do with the "safety"...
At first glance many drills can appear rather simple, yet upon closer inspection these practices provide complex insights to training various concepts and techniques... but only if utilized correctly.
1.
Der Kunst beseigt die Stärke.
“The art conquers strength.”
The idea that art conquerors strength implies that time spent on meaningful and mindful training will out-benefit brute-strength.
Oafish strength regularly begins as an attractive alley in youth, often yielding what seems to be quick rewards. Yet this type of strength wanes with time, slows with age. The rewards of this approach quickly diminish as the never ending arms race of pure-strength becomes a heavy burden working against the user rather than with them.
In contrast, art is plastic: rooted around a lifelong journey of exploration, investigation, able to adapt to the artist as they mature and age. Art is an internal and external game that requires meaning, reflection, and growth. Ultimately, when we engage in art, we engage in a collaborative process of creation from which we collectively benefit.
2.
Treffen ohne getroffen zuwerden.
“To strike without being struck in return.”
While I can think of no greater way to sum up the most practical advice regarding fencing, this phrase also serves an important reminder of where this art comes from. As Lehrer Sir William Hope is keen to point out in his NEW METHOD, the term "fencing" has its roots in the word "Defen[s]e", as in the preservation of one's life against sharp swords.
The German word Treffen literally means "to encounter", in this context it expresses the idea to "reach (with a hit, push, throw) and more or less great force and to injure/damage a target." Pretty mean stuff.
Practicing the art of fencing should be a fun and engaging process. Yet we should should at no time be dishonest regarding the ugly history and original purpose of these much tamed devices. Our classes frequently focus on etiquette and certain sword-handling protocols as a sort of recognition of this past. Saluting, respectful handling and passing of the sword, etc., these acts of courtesy are a sign to our collaborating artists that we're here to work with them, a promise that we'll take care of each other when we're training.
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This concludes part one of Notes on Balanced Fencing. Keep an eye out for part two, in which we will begin to explore more practical lessons, including Four Principal Considerations and Key Components of Balanced Fencing.
We all have different reasons for coming to the fencing hall and a variety of ambitions that result in our sticking around. As a teacher at Gotham Swords I want to do my part in helping everyone achieve their goals.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher(s) or me directly via e-mail or Discord [peterjhaas#7618] and let us know what you’re aiming to do this year — we’ll work together to make a plan!
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| Longsword: Concepts & Techniques Class |
It would be unfitting of me to ask everyone to engage in this deeply personal exercise without participating in it myself.
My goals this year are:
This week we discuss how you can focus on goals to build more concise practice sessions.
Drilling, specifically paired drilling, is a big part of our classes in NYC, and likely almost everywhere in HEMA. It’s a way of learning a technique by executing it over and over to build up "muscle memory" and refine the movement until it works in a predictable setting.
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| MS M.I.29 007r |