The dussack in motion 

Description: This class will teach you the footwork and body mechanics as well as how to handle the dussack for attacking, defending and feinting in a fluid, dynamic way, passing through all the stances taught by Fechtmeister and Freyfechter Joachim Meyer, as presented in his 1570 treatise Gründliche Beschreibung der Freyen Ritterligen und Adeligen Kunst des Fechtens.

The Dussack was for a long time one of the most misunderstood weapons in HEMA, with many thinking they were either simple peasant’s knives or more commonly a wooden or leather sword used in the fencing guilds. The truth is that it is a steel sword that became extremely popular all the way from Austria to Norway in the early to late 1500s, through to the 1600s. Training with them was done all the way up until the late 1700s and the dussack, along with the staff and the longsword were even required for being honoured with the rank of Maister des Schwerdt, a fencing master. Its use is certainly rooted in the Messer teachings of Hans Leküchner, but Meyer may also have infused Polish and other early European sabre styles into his teachings on the dussack, based on what he learned in his travels through Europe.

The class is open to as many as the hall can take.

Requirements: A fencing mask, throat protection and a dussack, a messer, a sabre, a sidesword or a ca 70-90cm stick.

Duration: 2 hours.

InstructorRoger Norling

Country: Sweden

Club: Gothenburg Free Fencers Guild, Meyer Frei Fechter Guild

An Introduction to Dussack, after Joachim Meyer and Paulus Hector Mair

Description: This class provides an introduction to the 16th century system of Dussack based upon the works of Joachim Meyer and Paulus Hector Mair.

The Dussack is perhaps one of the strangest weapons within HEMA whilst being one of the most popular for it’s time period, allegedly being the most common weapon in bouts within a fechtschule.

This class presents techniques from both treatises and provides and interesting introduction to the weapon. This class can also be tailored for intermediate students.

The class is open to as many as the hall can take and there is equipment for.

Requirements: A fencing mask, good protective gloves are required as well as a Dussack (a small number can be provided)

Duration: 2 hours to 2 days.

Instructor: Andy Taylor

Country: United Kingdom

Club: Stork’s Beak: School of Historical Swordsmanship

British Victorian military sabre on foot

Description: The class will focus on Victorian military sabre use on foot, from various sources but primarily John Musgrave Waite’s manual of 1880.

The class requires no previous knowledge of any martial art, though any knowledge will be advantageous.

A safe sabre simulator is required (wood, steel or nylon).

The class is open to as many as the hall can take.

Duration: 2 hours to 2 days.

Instructor: Matt Easton

Country: Great Britain

Club: Schola Gladiatoria

Basic Swedish infantry sabre

Description: An introductory class to the basics of the Swedish system of military sabre fencing. This more or less also works as a general introductory class to the heavy sabre as a weapon, since at this level the Swedish system isn’t all that different from i.e. Hutton, and I try to point out the differences where and when they do come up. No prerequisite knowledge required.

Duration: Unspecified

Instructor: Andreas Engström

Country: Sweden

Club: Gothenburg Historical Fencing School

Advanced Swedish infantry sabre

Description: A class that presupposes at least basic knowledge of some sabre system or other, it doesn’t have to be Swedish. This class focuses on the things that make the Swedish system stand out as different, like its techniques with passing footwork and lots of attacking out of line. I also work through how some graqppling and disarming can be (reasonably) safely worked into the system.

Duration: Unspecified

Instructor: Andreas Engström

Country: Sweden

Club: Gothenburg Historical Fencing School

Introduction to the Scottish Basked Hilted Broadsword

Description: The basked hilted broadsword has been a weapon favoured by the Scots for centuries; in fact the officers even in the Scottish regiments of the British Army today carry a broadsword instead of a more normal sabre! The weapon is characterised by the protective basket that surrounds the hand, allowing the sword to be held out in front of the body in a fight. There are a number of manuals that discuss how to use the broadsword in a fight and this lesson will provide an introduction to the general principles and techniques described throughout the various manuals, rather than following a single source. This would be an ideal preparatory lesson for people who would like to study the Scottish fighting traditions a little further by looking into using the targe in the off-hand.

The class is open to as many individuals as the venue can hold.

Duration: 2-3 hours.

Requirements: For this class you will need a synthetic or wooden basket hilted broadsword simulator (with some kind of basket to protect the hand) and a mask. Elbow protectors would be a good idea but not essential; gloves are optional as the basket should protect the hand! No knowledge of the broadsword or sabre is required, this lesson is suitable for complete beginners, but can be tailored for more advanced individuals who already know a little about sabre or broadsword from other sources.

Instructor: Keith Farrell

Country: UK

Club: Academy of Historical Arts

Duel with saber in the late XIX. Based on the Hungarian saber – instructor, br. Samu Chappon’s manual.

Description: Br. Chappon was a famous Hungarian fencing – teacher in K.u.K.- era and he wrote his manuals at 1892. In this small books you can find lot of vile element of saber fencing

The class will focus to the Hungarian – style dueling with saber. I will show some special, unique elements and useful tricks which was used during the fight.

The class requires a fencing mask, good protective gloves, some forearms protection. There is no limit of the number of participant.

Duration: 1,5 hours.

Instructor: Laszlo Schunder (Mr.)

Country: Hungary

Club: Ars Ensis