Lecture: Studying the artwork of Joachim Meyer’s Fencing Treatise of 1570
Description: This lecture is a very visual one, highlighting some 20 topics, looking at both context, symbols, mechanics, geometry and some peculiarities hidden in the treatise, thus showing the immense value hidden therein. The goal is to deepen the understanding of the treatise, but also to open up the eyes of the reader to the great number of subtleties and what they signify.
Duration: 1 – 3 hours.
Lecturer: Roger Norling
Country: Sweden
Club: Gothenburg Free Fencers Guild, Meyer Frei Fechter Guild, HEMAC
Lecture: The Life of Freifechter and Fechtmeister Joachim Meyer
Description: This lecture revolves around the life of Swiss-born Freifechter and Fechtmeister Joachim Meyer. It tries to paint a vivid image, starting with his father, passing through the society and times Joachim lived and worked in, and ending with his death and eternal legacy to the world; a dynamic martial arts system, presented in a surprisingly modern fashion and rooted in athletics pedagogics forgotten during Victorian times and coming into fashion again only in recent times.
Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours.
Lecturer: Roger Norling
Country: Sweden
Club: Gothenburg Free Fencers Guild, Meyer Frei Fechter Guild, HEMAC
Lecture/Workshop: Research methods and tools for understanding combat manuals
Description: Having a method for approaching and systematically taking apart and analyzing a combat manual is crucial if we are to be able to see the underlying principles that build up the core upon which all techniques rest. Just reading and trying to copy the described techniques by repeating what is told as best one can isn’t enough. Instead we need to identify elements, categorize them and create a structure that makes it all easier to understand. This way we are also liberated from the strict text and can more dynamically and freely start to use the lessons taught in them.
This workshop is part theoretical with a semi-lecture/discussion, and part practical, where parts of a source will be used with a provided method that help the students structure their study of the material, working in groups of 3 to analyze the material. The source material can be provided by the instructor, the event organizer or the student. Ideally, the students should have read the material several times before the class. The method has been tested extensively over several years and has helped the instructor considerably in understanding the various sources he has studied.
Duration: 2-4 hours.
Requirements: Fencing mask and weapon suitable to the source chosen for study.
Instructor: Roger Norling
Country: Sweden
Club: Gothenburg Free Fencers Guild, Meyer Frei Fechter Guild, HEMAC
Free Fencing for sparring with dangerous techniques
Description: Sometimes you need to train with methods that allow you to use even the most dangerous techniques in a system. How can we minimize the risks when doing so, without losing a martial intent and speed & power in the training?
For this I have designed a group of exercises built around the concept of Free Fencing. The purpose of Free Fencing is to learn through experience, not necessarily to win. Consequently you are primarily not to hit the opponent, but to provoke him/her to respond to a threat. This threat can be a real one or a feinted one. And to the defender it should all appear the same; as a real threat that must be handled.
Quite importantly, Free Fencing shouldn’t be confused with Slow Fencing, as speed is not necessarily a factor here. As always you should fight at a speed that puts you in good control over your body and weapon.
The class is open to any weapon, but preferably to students who have a good amount of experience in the weapon of their choice. Also pairs of students using the same weapon is ideal.
Duration: 2 hours.
Requirements: Fencing mask and weapon of choice. Material for making notes; pen & paper, tablet/computer etc.
Instructor: Roger Norling
Country: Sweden
Club: Gothenburg Free Fencers Guild, Meyer Frei Fechter Guild, HEMAC
Moving like Meyer
Description: At the core of all of 16th cent Fechtmeister Joachim Meyer’s fencing is a particular body mechanic that traces is roots back at least to fencing master Hans Lekuchner. This involves a particular way of twisting your body which while independent of footwork also tightly integrates with it, and which both powers your strikes and parries, and automates your stepping, while freeing your torso so you get more reach in certain contexts.
This workshop focuses on this mechanic, expressed for grappling & dagger, dusack, longsword and quarterstaff/halberd. We will be practicing
- Synchronizing the body in stepping
- Twisting with your upper and lower body in opposition
- Weight shifting
- Footwork variations
- Moving in balance focusing on your core
- Moving in relation to multiple opponents
And just have whole lot of fun as we practice!
Duration: 1-2 hours.
Requirements: Fencing mask and weapons of choice.
Instructor: Roger Norling
Country: Sweden
Club: Gothenburg Free Fencers Guild, Meyer Frei Fechter Guild, HEMAC
Physical Training for Swordplay
Description: Being the best Swordfighter requires two components, the technical training and the physical training. You cannot reach your personal best without both. The workshop applies the concepts of Functional and Sport-specific training to the demands of sword-fighting arts.
Topics can include: Flexibility & Mobility Sport Specific Strength Training Cardiorespiratory Conditioning Agiltiy & Balance Explosiveness and Plyometric Training Periodization for Year-round Training
The class requires no previous knowledge of strength training. The class is not specific to any style of swordplay.
Students should be dressed to workout. No other equipment is necessary.
There is no hard limit on class size but class size will determine the mix of lecture versus hands-on.
Duration: 2 hours to all weekend, with length determining the number of topics covered.
Requirements: Holding the class in a gym is preferable but not required.
Instructor: Steven Hirsch
Country: Massachusetts, USA
Club: Kunstbruder – the Brotherhood of the Art
Sparring as a teaching tool
Description: Takes the students through methods of using sparring as a way of developing their own fencing, as well as that of their students and training partners.
Duration: 2-4 hours.
Requirements: Sparring equipment.
Instructor: Anders Linnard
Country: Sweden
Club: Gothenburg Historical Fencing School, HEMAC, SvHEMAF
Timing and distance
Description: Goes through methods of controlling the area where you fight and the movements of the opponent.
Duration: 2-4 hours.
Requirements: Longsword, gloves and a mask
Instructor: Anders Linnard
Country: Sweden
Club: Gothenburg Historical Fencing School, HEMAC, SvHEMAF
