First Swordsmanship class free
Visit us at the Fulton Place Community League any Tuesday at 7:00pm for your first HEMA lesson.
We’ll hand you a sword and we can practice together!
Why Us
We practice the full range of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), with a special love given to the sword! Emphasis is placed on effective real-world techniques described in historical arms treatises. You can expect to study all period weapons including pole arms, swords, daggers, and hand-to-hand fighting. While we focus on the teachings of the great masters, Johannes Liecthenauer and Joachim Meyer, we are not afraid to learn from other sources.
If you seek an authentic martial arts experience in an inclusive atmosphere that emphasizes real-world techniques over stage fighting and repetitive forms, look no further than the Academy of European Swordsmanship.
Upcoming Events
From our Blog
A Little on Simple Parries
The simple parry is a small movement that is meant to be a quick block, stopping your opponent’s sword and allowing you to recover and regain the vor in your fight (usually). Here Zach and Eric give us a little demonstration of the simple parry using the Dusack. The simple parry is applicable to pretty much any single-handed weapon, but is especially effective with Dusack, sidesword, and Messer.
Note that they also show a cut against the opponent’s sword – active displacement. What’s covered here on that is very basic and deserves its own video, which I’m sure we’ll see later.
Cover the Centre While Cutting
Most often when cutting at your opponent it is important to cut correctly and to out in such a way that your centre is covered. This is emphasized in class with most of the cuts and techniques that are taught. Here a couple of the AES students, Zach and Eric, demonstrate the concept in their first YouTube video.
Covering the centre line is the difference between a good cut that protect you and a cut that doesn’t. While that is only a small part of cutting correctly, it is one of the simpler concepts to internalize. Watch how Zach shows it at 0:33 – 0:35 — it’s quick and shows the proper form. The rest of the video demonstrates how this works and explains the concept more fully.
Update on Classes
Well, it looks like we’re still shut down. The government of Alberta has announced that restrictions due to Covid-19 are still in place until at least January 21, 2021. Therefore, we are shut down for the month of January. Hopefully we’ll see everyone at the beginning of February!
Lockdown 2020
Sadly, we’re ending 2020 on a lockdown, so cannot attend classes in person. Well, the rules state that we could have small classes outdoors, but this is Edmonton in winter… So, no classes until January.
All in-person attendance is cancelled until January 5, 2020, unless otherwise notified.
What does this mean? It means that we have to do all of our studying and practice at home. All students have access to the AES Dropbox, where there is more than enough reading material to keep you busy for a year, at least. If you don’t have access or know how to access it, please message Johanus.
Johanus is always open to questions through our Training Hall on Facebook. If you’re a member and don’t have access to this, please message Johanus or Sheena.
Practice your footwork! If you have a pel, use it. Don’t break your ceilings. Get involved in our online conversations. And stay positive!
See you in January!
Returning to Indoor Practices
Well, summer is almost at an end, and with that we’ll be returning to indoor practices at Fulton Place Community League (6115 Fulton Road). Starting September 8, 2020 classes will be held both Tuesdays and Thursday from 7:00 pm until 9:30 pm.
Please note that masks are mandatory in class! As well students must wash their hands upon arrival, and gear bags be kept at least 2 feet apart. Some of our drills have changed or been eliminated to accommodate social distancing. The AES strives to keep all students safe and welcome in class, and all concerns should be expressed for the safety and well-being of all members.
We’re looking forward to seeing you in class soon!
And for fun, here are Zach and Eric showing the four primary guards…