Bayonet fencing… with carbines<\/h4>\n
By Martin de Jong<\/a> In this workshop, you will be introduced to bayonet fencing as taught in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) regulations of 1937. Time permitting, we will also look at the differences between carbines and rifles, how bayonet fencing principles adapt when facing different weapons \u2014 from carbine vs. carbine to encounters with klewangs or other arms. All levels. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n By Auri Poso<\/a> Fiore dei Liberi’s Armizare system uses a limited number of principles to derive an infinite number of actions, applicable to any pointy weapon \u2013 or lack thereof, in the case of wrestling. Central to his system are his guard positions, which he uses to anchor and direct those actions. In this workshop we’ll be looking at how we can use the same Fiore guards from wrestling and dagger to longsword and spears to apply his simple heuristics for dealing with adversaries.<\/p>\n Suitable for all, beginner\/intermediate students\u00a0will probably get the most out of it.<\/p>\n By Martin de Jong<\/a> In this workshop you will learn how to fight with a Klewang as taught in the KNIL (Royal Netherlands East Indies Army) regulation from 1937. This iconic short type of sabre was used in close combat situations in the various environments of what is now present day Indonesia. You will learn basic movements with and without weapons, cuts, thrusts and parries with the Klewang and how to use the carbine in the off-hand active and passively. We will practice this in solo and group exercises.<\/p>\n Did you know that people of Swiss origin had served in the VOC \/ KNIL from 1660 until 1950?<\/p>\n All levels. By Maarten Van der Auwera<\/a><\/p>\n In this longsword workshop, we will look at how to move the body to make your attacks as efficient as possible. For this, we will use basic techniques and go into the details of what every part of your body is doing. We will look in depth at the oberhau, but the principals of this workshop can apply to all techniques.<\/p>\n All levels. By Ju Garry-Combet<\/a><\/p>\n During the francophone influence era of the 19th century, bayonet fencing was an essential part of infantry training. Popularized and theorized in France but also in Germany, it quickly spread to neighbours country and kingdoms through French and Prussian texts translations. Switzerland is not spared and is even one of the first countries to bring it in the official infantry training, long before France, which was the originator of the bayonet fencing method chosen.<\/p>\n The goal of this workshop is to discover the Swiss bayonet fencing of 1826 as it was pictured in the Military manual for the instruction of Swiss officers of all arms<\/em>, then in its recovery by the war federal council in 1845.<\/p>\n Level : beginners<\/p>\n By Veronica Young<\/a> Are you a shorter fencer and always getting hit on the head by taller people? Are you a tall\u00a0person that\u2019s always getting hit in the arms by shorter people? Do you have trouble when\u00a0training to get some techniques to work correctly because of your or your training partner’s\u00a0height? This is the class for you! In this class we will go over training methods, fighting methods,\u00a0and techniques that can help your training and fencing to hopefully use your height to your\u00a0advantage! We’ll be focusing on overall health, distancing, and fencing techniques to use. This\u00a0class is for all genders and people of all heights, because everyone is shorter than somebody!<\/p>\n Level : all levels<\/p>\n By Veronica Young<\/a> Quarterstaff and Polearms are a lot of fun because of the larger weapon size and how different\u00a0they feel from other weapon sets seen in HEMA. This class will go over the basics of what\u00a0Meyer teaches for Quarterstaff (and spear and polearms) from the 1570 book The Art of<\/em>Combat<\/em> as well as safe training and sparring methods.<\/p>\n Level : beginners<\/p>\n<\/div>\n By Emanuel Meyer<\/a><\/p>\n Emanuel Meyer proposes to discover the Scottish style of sword fighting. The workshop will focus on Hope’s observations and recommendations based on the French school.<\/p>\n Hope is considered part of the Scottish Enlightenment movement and spent his life questioning and trying to improve fencing. He wrote several books, including his \u201cNew Method\u201d and \u201cThe Compleat Fencing Master\u201d, to which this workshop will be dedicated.<\/p>\n Suitable for novices and more advanced fencers alike.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n By Jerzy Miklaszewski<\/a><\/p>\n By the 18th century, the Polish sabre had adopted many elements from Western cavalry sabres. Level : Intermediate and advanced By Jerzy Miklaszewski<\/a><\/p>\n One of the most crucial aspects developed in modern fencing is distance preparation. While detailed works on intention discovery and action preparation were created in the 17th A series of exercises derived from sport fencing designed to introduce fencers to the process of distance preparation and the discovery of intention.<\/p>\n Level : intermediate By Cyril “Kurso” Perrier<\/a><\/p>\n Assistant : Romain Meister<\/p>\n Bataireacht is a centuries-old art practised in Ireland, and more specifically in our case in Northern Ireland (Antrim County).<\/p>\n It combines the use of a stick, a blackthorn cane, with foot\/fist techniques and even wrestling.<\/p>\n The workshop will explore the historical and social foundations that led the Irish to develop this fighting art, as well as the movements and strikes that characterize it.<\/p>\n An application in group combat (Faction fight) may be planned depending on participation and equipment availability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n By Anouk Post-de Jong<\/a><\/p>\n Assistant : Martin de Jong<\/p>\n *this ongoing inside joke will be explained at the beginning of her workshop<\/p>\n Though often ridiculed as being ‘useless’ and ‘weak’, spadroon is a wonderful and interesting weapon to use in H.E.M.A. and does not deserve the hate it generally gets, as Anouk will gladly explain and demonstrate.<\/p>\n This workshop focuses on Roworth’s Art of Defence. The perfect go-to for anyone who wants to start doing sabre with no previous knowledge of the weapon. However, it would be a shame to assume that is all Roworth is good for. It is a source often overlooked as being a ‘beginner’s source’, but if one dives deeper you will find layers upon layers of interesting tidbits of knowledge that combine three weapons into one source.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n By Jay Maxwell<\/a><\/p>\n Billhook, Ronca, Guisarme, Poleaxe, Halberd, etc.\u00a0: second only to the spear in its widespread use on the battlefield, the use of a cut\u2010and\u2010thrust polearm, usually with a hook and an overall length of ca. 240 cm has numerous applications for laceration, trapping and hooking. Known for its versatility, this weapon type was the Swiss Army Knife of its time. In this workshop we will delve into the techniques of George Silver and Joseph Swetnam and clues to its use and consider the origins of this methodology.<\/p>\n Gear requirements: A staff, ca. 180cm long, 30mm diameter. Or a halberd, billhook, poleaxe or similar.<\/p>\n Level: all levels<\/p>\n<\/div>\n By Julie B\u00e9vant<\/a><\/p>\n This workshop aims to introduce you to the fighting cane used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first part will be dedicated to an introduction to cane handling, inspired by the hall cane as described in Louis Leboucher’s \u201cTh\u00e9orie pour apprendre \u00e0 tirer la canne\u201d (1843), then we’ll try out a few techniques for street defense, found in Georges Dubois’s truculent treatise \u201cComment se d\u00e9fendre\u201d (1913).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nAssistant: Anouk Post-de Jong<\/p>\n
\nWe will cover the core fundamentals: how to correctly hold the carbine, basic attacks and parries, and how to move effectively in guard. Through structured partner drills, you will learn to apply these techniques in modern training situations.<\/p>\n
\nThis is a rare opportunity to experience a historical close-combat method that blends precision, control, and practical application.<\/p>\n
\nGear requirements: For the left hand, a heavy glove. For the right hand, Red dragon glove and\/or heavier. Fencing mask. Throat protector. A plastron to protect the chest. Full gear is optional when practicing. When sparring after class, full gear is required. Weapons required: 10 pairs of carbine trainers are provided as loaners. We will be using former East-German FIMP carbines. If you have your own carbine trainers please bring them (no fencing rifles).<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hema-swiss-blades.ch\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250813_0901541.jpg?resize=300%2C177\")
From top to bottom : klewang, klewang trainer, carbines trainers. Picture : A.M. de Jong<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nFiore dei Liberi’s Armizare system<\/h4>\n
\nAssistant: Daniel O’Donovan<\/p>\n
\nFighting with the Klewang<\/h4>\n
\nAssistant: Anouk Post-de Jong<\/p>\n
\nGear requirements: For the left hand a medium-heavy glove. For the right hand Red dragon glove and\/or heavier. Fencing mask. Throat protector. Full gear is optional when practicing. When sparring after class, full gear is required.
\nWeapons required: 10 pairs of Klewang trainers and carbines are provided as loaners. If you have your own trainers please bring them (no fencing rifles). If you don’t have them, sabers, cutters and cutlasses (because of the length) (steel\/synthetic) will also suffice.<\/p>\n
\nLongsword efficiency<\/h4>\n
\nGear requirements: longsword, gloves and fencing mask.<\/p>\n
\n— CANCELLED<\/em> —<\/h4>\n
Swiss bayonet fencing<\/h4>\n
\nThe Height Differential<\/h4>\n
\nAssistant: Thomas Pifer<\/p>\n
\nIntroduction to Meyer\u2019s Quarter staff\/ Polearms<\/h4>\n
\nAssistant: Thomas Pifer<\/p>\n
\nScottish style of sword fighting<\/h4>\n
\nPolish Crosscutting of the 18th Century<\/h4>\n
\nThe fencing system developed into a distinctive blend of Western and Eastern European techniques. Footwork, tactics, cuts, and parries on the menu.<\/p>\n
\nGear requirements : Mask and gloves for advanced level<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nDistance Preparation<\/h4>\n
\ncentury, it was the evolution of modern sport fencing that refined this skill to its peak, particularly in terms of pedagogy.<\/p>\n
\nGear requirement : Suitable for any weapon type, making it applicable to all fencing systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nThe Bataireacht<\/h4>\n
\nA lesson in spadrooning, or, why Colin is also wrong in Switzerland*<\/h4>\n
\nEnglish systems on the use of the Billhook\/Guisarm<\/h4>\n
\nHow to defend yourself against a thug wearing espadrilles<\/h4>\n
\nCodex Wallerstein Longsword<\/h4>\n