Workshops and Instructors

Martin Fabian

  • Martin Fabian has been actively fencing since 2003. He began his journey in a stage combat and reenactment group but, in 2006, shifted his focus entirely to studying original works on historical European martial arts (HEMA). He has authored numerous transcriptions, translations, articles, and other notable works on fencing and related subjects. In 2024, he published the English book Fechtbuch Fabian which compiles his own teaching methods and approaches along with complementary translations of German medieval texts.

    Martin’s primary interests include the longsword (mainly in the German tradition) and the rapier (Fabris and Giganti). Currently, he resides in Bratislava, Slovakia, where he founded and leads the Bratislava Fencing Society (Bratislavský šermiarsky spolok), which boasts 70 active members. He is a long-term international instructor, an active tournament participant, and the founder of SIGI Forge, one of the leading suppliers of HEMA weaponr

  • Description :Fencing rests on three pillars: distance, timing (with both distance and timing forming "tempo"), and footwork, which brings practical meaning to the other two. In this workshop, we'll adopt a playful approach to mastering footwork and explore best practices for achieving nimble and agile movement, allowing us to embody Paulus Kal's humanoid.

    Minimal level : Beginner

    Minimal gear : Longsword, fencing mask and small gloves

  • Description : Centuries of fencing evolution have established the thrust as the most vital technique in swordfighting in general. While the two-handed longsword naturally encourages cutting, the thrust remains the most effective way to initiate an attack. In this workshop, we'll focus on the "One-thrust method" and a goal-oriented approach to mastering the art of the thrust.

    Minimal level : Beginner

    Minimal gear : Longsword, fencing mask and small gloves

  • Description : The Schielhau and Zwerchhau are among the most distinctive techniques of the German school of fencing. Although they may appear similar, their execution differs significantly. In this workshop, we'll examine the key differences between these techniques and refine our mechanics through a goal-oriented approach.

    Minimal level : Intermediate

    Minimal gear : Longsword, fencing mask and small gloves

  • Description : At higher levels of skill, a swordfight becomes a battle of wits, where the better deceiver often prevails. This workshop will delve into advanced methods of manipulating your opponent through rhythm-breaking, delaying tactics, and strategic programming.

    Minimal level : Intermediate

    Minimal gear : Longsword, fencing mask and small gloves

Nick Bauer

  • Nick Bauer is a co-founder and instructor at Signum Corvus School of Arms located in Mississauga. Having trained in various sword arts (including Eastern martial styles) for over 10 years, he brings a rounded martial perspective to the salle. Nick's HEMA journey began in 2010 with the rapier and has since evolved to that of longsword and sabre, however, sidesword is his true love. Participation in tournament competition keeps Nick sharp and he has found this avenue of practice to be rewarding. Nick enjoys an intense sparring session as much as he enjoys diving into the historical texts, and marrying both theory with practice is his ultimate goal.

  • Description : For a judicious attack to be successful, a trap must be set, and the opponent lured into this trap. The Provocation is a principal concept in the Bolognese system that allows for the preparation and eventual springing of said trap. Through discussion, demonstration and practical exercises, this session will introduce students to various techniques of provocation and will serve to enhance understanding and skill in the use of these provocations as presented in the Bolognese system.

    Minimum equipment : Sidesword preferred, can be modified to be weapon agnostic, mask, gorget, jacket, medium/heavy gloves.

    Minimal level : Beginner/intermediate with one-handed weapon.

Elisabeth Beattie and Craig Renaud

  • Elisabeth is junior instructor at Hoplologia WMA in Toronto. She is a recovering academic, a re-enactor, and a historical fencer, who has been playing with swords since 2016. She is a demon for footwork, and an admirer of good form and sprezzatura.

  • Craig Renaud is a junior instructor at Hoplologia WMA in Toronto. He is an armoured fencer, tailor, and re-enactor. He has been studying historical martial arts primarily through Fiore since 2016.

  • Description : We learn the First Assalto of Sword and Rotella, following the descriptions of Achille Marozzo (1484–1553). Required equipment: Fencing mask and gloves, one-handed sword, and round shield (ideally a sidesword and rotella; an arming sword and a large buckler may be used if necessary).

    Minimum equipment : Coming soon.

    Minimal level : Beginner/intermediate with one-handed weapon

Matt Biondo

  • Matt Biondo is a co-founder of Niagara Historical Fencing and the main instructor for Broadsword and Sabre. He has an extensive background in martial arts and has been fencing competitively for 6+ years. Matt has been training martial arts for most of his life and has trained in many traditional arts such as Taekwondo, Wing Chun, and Muay Thai. His HEMA training includes Italian and German Longsword, Dagger, Grappling, Broadsword, Sabre, Rapier, and Smallsword. Matt also cross trains in Olympic Fencing focusing mainly on Epee. Matt has competed and won gold medals in a variety of tournaments across various disciplines and has been an instructor through various periods in his martial arts career.

  • Description : This workshop will be a beginner workshop on the fundamentals of using a basket hilted Broadsword alongside a Targe. The workshop is grounded in the small amount of sources that focus on this weapon system. These sources include Thomas Page, Donald McBane, and also the Penicuik Drawings. We will be going over stances, footwork, guard positions, and partner drills. Lastly, we will finish off the seminar with some light sparring to try and apply the techniques that we learned. This workshop is also good for intermediate fencers who are looking to tighten up their fundamentals and learn more effective ways to execute techniques when using a sword and shield.

    Minimum equipment: Fencing mask, Targe, and foam sword

    Minimal level : Beginner

Kendra Brown

  • Kendra Brown does independent medieval manuscript research in her free time. She started translating historical fencing sources in 2003 and has never stopped. Kendra keeps an irregular research blog called Darth Kendra Research, and has a forthcoming article in Acta Periodica Duellatorum. She also enjoys rondel dagger, polearms, and frequently longsword. If words like "research disaster" and "very deep rabbit hole" excite you, you'll get along great.

  • Roll up your sleeves-- we're going back to the source to examine some Liechtenauer techniques with a sword in one hand and a text in the other. By comparing the same sections from Paulus Hector Mair's Latin and German manuscripts, we'll get some new perspectives on how the Lew gloss was understood in the 16th century and how small differences in words can make big differences in how we move swords around. We'll be using texts describing Liechtenauer longsword techniques, but students of any weapon or tradition are welcome.

    Equipement required : Participants should bring a sword (two-handed is best), mask, and light protective equipment for slow technique work.

    Workshop’s level : Intermediate and/or genuine interest for the sources.

Michael Chidester

  • Michael Chidester has been studying historical European martial arts since 2001 and has been Editor-in-Chief of Wiktenauer since 2011. In 2019, he started a publishing company called HEMA Bookshelf to produce facsimiles of fencing manuals and publish translations and historical research. Michael is a Research Scholar of the Meyer Freifechter Guild (MFFG), a founding member of the Society for Historical European Martial Arts Studies (SHEMAS), a member of the Western Martial Arts Coalition (WMAC), and a Lifetime Member of the HEMA Alliance. He has lectured on historical martial arts across North America and Europe and has written several books, including The Illustrated Meyer: A Visual Reference for the 1570 Treatise of Joachim Meyer (2020), The Flower of Battle: MS M 383 (2021), “The Foundation and Core of All the Arts of Fighting”: The Long Sword Gloss of GNM Manuscript 3227a (2021), and Pieces of Ringeck: The Definitive Edition of the Gloss of Sigmund Ainring (2024), and edited or contributed to many others. He currently trains at Athena School of Arms in Cambridge, MA.

  • Coming soon.

Simone Donders

  • Simone Donders (she/her) is a HEMA practitioner living in Montréal, Canada. Her home club is La Compagnie Médiévale, which she joined after interviewing some of its members for a university paper. Despite being less than three years into her HEMA practice (and still a beginner in many ways), Simone won the opportunity to teach a workshop at this year's Amici Armis event during last year's edition.

  • Simone’s workshop will be an introduction to rapier and cloak. After a brief discussion of the historical context in which a cloak would have been used with a rapier, participants will familiarize themselves with their cloak — how to wear it, take it off, and move it — and practice their new skills with rapier and cloak plays from various Italian treatises, such as those by Alfieri, Giganti, and Fabris.

    Minimum equipment : Fencing mask, single-handed sword (rapier preferred, but a smallsword or sidesword will also work), and a cloak (or large towel, small blanket, or hoodie)

    Workshop’s level : Beginner and up, with no/minimal experience with a cloak

Jeff Greenwood

  • Jeff Greenwood is an Ottawa based fencer who started training in historical fencing and Japanese kenjutsu in 2004, and imminently fell in love with being able to research and apply historical techniques. In 2014 he became the Chief Instructor of the Ottawa Historical Fencing Society. His focus has been on Longsword in both the German and Italian traditions. His primary influences are Ringek’s Dresden Gloss, Fiore’s Getty Manuscript, the Bauman Fechtbuch, and Talhoffer’s Württembert Treaties.

  • Description : Think you know the Krumphau? Think again! In this class we will delve deep into the Krumphau starting with the gloss of Sigmund ain Ringeck, the counter from Hans Talhoffer, and ending with how you can apply the Krumphau in our modern sport with plays from the Bauman Fechtbuch.

    Minimal equipment : Longsword preferred, mask, heavy gloves or gauntlets

    Workshop’s level : Intermediate Experience

  • Description : One of the hardest aspects of fencing to learn is the Fühlen (Feeling), in this class you will work on drills to improve your awareness of your opponent when bound at the sword. This will lead into drills of the Sprechfenster (Speaking Window) from Sigmund ain Ringeck and how you can use it to make quick decisions in the bind.

    Minimal equipment: Longsword / Feder, light gloves, and a mask

    Workshop’s level : Beginner Experience

Louis-Pierre Gosselin

  • Louis Pierre Gosselin is the lead instructor for sabre (and other 18th-century weapons) at the Club d’arts martiaux historiques de Sherbrooke since 2022 and has been practicing HEMA since 2021. However, he previously practiced Olympic fencing extensively during his history studies. His two passions have now come together.

  • Description : “this is an extraordinary Weapon that none can compaer with it” – Donald McBane, 1728
    “Cette arme eft la meilleurs furtout pour les troupes de cavalerie” – Domenico Angelo, 1765

    The workshop focuses on a well-known yet underappreciated weapon: the spadroon, or English sword. Far more than just a "military court sword," we will see that it is a versatile weapon at the intersection of British and French fencing traditions, drawing from sources on both sides of the Channel throughout the 18th century.

    The workshop will be divided into three parts:

    1. The fundamentals of thrusting (influenced by Domenico Angelo),

    2. The elusive cut-and-thrust sword (M. J. De Saint-Martin and A. Valville),

    3. Specific techniques for the spadroon (Donald McBane, Andrew Lonnergan, Citoyen Bertrand, and John Ferdinand).

    The focus will be on stances and assaults specific to thrusting and counter-thrusting and how to integrate these techniques into the use of the spadroon. The workshop will conclude with light sparring to practice the newly learned skills.

    Minimal equipment: Gloves, fencing masks, jackets, and a straight-bladed (or slightly curved) one-handed weapon.

    Workshop’s level : All levels are welcome.

Peter Haas and Kat Hamilton

  • PETER HAAS is the Program Coordinator and a Senior Instructor at Gotham Swords where he co-manages the Bauernwehr Program.  A passionate and dedicated mentor since 2018, Peter engages in a holistic approach to training historical martial arts; promoting perpetual learning, refinement, and growth.

    Outside the HEMA-sphere Peter is an award-winning filmmaker, enthusiastic Pinochle player, and a member of New York’s Byakkokan Dojo (白虎館) where he studies Toyama Ryū Batto Jutsu (戸山流).  

  • Kat Hamilton is a practitioner of historical swords since 2016, Kat Hamilton joined Kollektiv des Messerfechtens in 2018 and is a founding member of Gotham Swords. She currently teaches a fitness class focused on fencers and co-teaches the Baurenwehr program. Kat also studies Toyama Ryū battodō.

  • Description : The Peasant's Defense, Bauernwehr, invites students to experience a unique fencing system of Ringen (wrestling), Messer (machete), and Stock (Stick) outside the context of the “noble” historical duel; favoring defensive approaches to an engagement, aiming to minimizes the damage taken to one’s own body.  

    This workshop offers an introductory survey to the Bauernwehr program at Gotham Swords. Beginning with core body mechanics and the concept of Fühlen (feeling), participants will learn and practice the core principles of fencing with the Farmer’s Knife and a brief introduction to intermediate techniques.  The final third of the class focuses on applying the skills: students are given the opportunity to take turns working one-on-one with instructors to further refine the principles and techniques.

    Minimal equipment : Bauerwehr or dagger simulator (12 loaners available), there will be periods of floor-work involved, we highly recommend protective knee pads.

    Level : Beginner through Advanced. 

Manuel Mineau

  • Manuel Mineau was born in Montreal in the early 1990s. As a child, he began practicing martial arts through Taekwondo, participating in numerous regional competitions. In his early twenties, he took up English boxing at the Champion Boxing Club and competed in small amateur galas. He later transitioned to Muay Thai with the Daosawan Club and then the Yeuang Kraai School, to which he remains committed today.

    He discovered historical fencing with La Compagnie Médiévale in September 2022 and fell in love with the systems of Verdadera Destreza, the fencing of Girard Thibault, and various court sword techniques. During his first two years as a fencer, he participated in several tournaments and managed to win medals in various disciplines.

  • Description: L'Académie de l'Espée is one of the most intricate works on 17th-century fencing. Together, we will aim to simplify its main concepts and incorporate them dynamically into our approach to rapier fencing. We will explore stances, footwork, and swordplay, as well as Girard Thibault’s philosophical perspective on fencing, particularly by comparing it to the Italian and Spanish schools of his time.

    Required Equipment: Mask, gloves, jacket, and rapier.

    Level: Intermediate

  • Description: In this comparative approach, we will differentiate historical pugilism from modern boxing by studying the material, physical, and psychological characteristics of bare-knuckle combat sports. Our focus will be on the 18th century, tracing developments from the formulation of the Marquis of Queensberry rules to the present day.

    Required Equipment: Sportswear (participants with boxing equipment are welcome to bring it!).

    Level: Beginner

John Morahn

  • John has been studying longsword since 2006 at Western Swordsmanship Technique and Research, and starting teaching in 2011.

    As a teacher, John most enjoys imparting the nuances and techniques of German longsword skills. He is skilled at helping his students understand the finer mechanics of strong fundamentals in order to make them more effective. Having studied German translation in college, he brings his direct translation skills and knowledge of fighting techniques to old texts in order to make them accessible to his students.
    When he’s not teaching, John also enjoys playing with polearms, peasant weapons, saber, fishing poles, woodworking, and gardens.

  • Description : Join us as we work through about half of Mair’s sickle plays. We’ll look at how it’s similar to dagger, and highlight the fun differences. We’ll end the day with play 14, everyone’s favorite meme.

    Minimal equipment : Mask, gorget, and light gloves. Sickle will be provided, but are limited in numbers.

    Minimal level : Beginner

  • Description : This intermediate look through the Meyer polearms plays will focus mainly on the staff plays. We'll look at how the text moves from longsword techniques to pure polearm plays. This will be a medium/slow speed class with focus on form and control.

    Required equipment : Mask, medium or heavy gloves, gorget, jacket required equipment.

    Required level : No polearms experience necessary, but some HEMA experience required to handle these safely.  

Brittany Saint Leafy

  • Brittany is the Head Instructor and co-founder of Mordhau Historical Combat in Mesa, Arizona. Having taught at esteemed events across the United States, Canada, and Europe she has become a highly sought after instructor. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Ancient and Medieval History, a minor in Art History, and has cross trained in armored combat and jujitsu. With over a decade of martial arts experience, Brittany has won a multitude of medals across several competitive categories.

  • Description : This workshop will explore the 6 plays prescribed by Andres Liegniczer using the arming sword and buckler. A simple system that is easily digestible for folks new to sword and buckler, and yet one that is incredibly effective making it a prime training example for those with more experience.

    Minimal equipment : Fencing mask, gorget, and appropriate gloves. Additional gear is suggested but not required. The ideal sword will be an arming sword, but any single hand sword can be used. Center grip shields (bucklers) ranging from 9"dia to 16"dia are preferred, but larger sizes are also acceptable..

    Minimal level : Beginner

  • Description : This workshop will present the plays attributed to Paulus Kal using the longsword and buckler. Contemporary to Liegniczer, Paulus Kal provides another facet to sword and shield fighting by prescribing techniques using the longsword. Like Liegniczer, it is simple enough to be picked up by beginner's, but it will take an experienced practitioner to appreciate the nuances of using the longsword in one hand.

    Minimal gear : Fencing mask, gorget, and appropriate gloves. Longswords required and center grip shields between 9"-16" diameter preferred.

    Minimal level : Beginner

Craig Shacleton

  • Craig Shackleton started training in historical sword combat in 1998 while living in New Zealand. In 2000 he founded Ottawa Swordplay where he remains head instructor and program director. Craig teaches primarily from the early Liechtenauer sources with a focus on how the various weapons instructions form one unified combat system.

  • Description : This workshop will introduce the use of spear, longsword, and dagger for Armoured Trial by Combat as described in the early Liechtenauer sources and the Gladiatoria group of manuscripts. No armour is required to participate! We will cover the basic use of each weapon, including their use against the other weapons, and the impact of armour on their use and on fighting systems as a whole. I will also introduce a competitive freeplay system that uses the various possible combinations of weapons.

    Minimal equipment: Mask, padded gloves.

    Additional equipment: spear, longsword, and dagger simulators, ideally synthetic. I will have some loaners available. Note that I prefer synthetic longswords for this workshop as they are less destructive to spear hafts.

    Level: Beginner

Colin Sharkey

  • I am more commonly known among the club and community as "Sharkey" have been a member of Dueling Weapons Academy of Renaissance Fencing since the formation in Oct of 2019 but have previous HEMA experience dating back to 2017. Prior to joining our community, I was heavily involved in the rugby community making me our resident grappler & close contact King. I commonly instruct in Italian & German Longsword, Rondel Dagger, Rapier, and Sabre

    I've now head judged 3 large HEMA events and really have been enjoying the positive feedback and the experience of being on the other side of competitive HEMA scene. I have also been organizing HEMA events in Ontario for the last few years and have even more in the works.

  • Description : In this workshop we will discuss strategies to change the dynamic of a fencing match and getting into the close bind where most sport fencers are out of there element. I will run you through ten historical techniques and some variations of those disarms using the longsword from Masters like Fiore, Meyer, Talhoffer, and Leckuchner.  mask, Targe, and foam sword

    Minimal equipment : Mask, Gloves, Feder/Longsword, and a willingness to not break our friends.

    Minimal level : Beginner

Phil Swift

  • Phil Swift has studied Martial Arts since the age of 8, and has been studying the art of the sword since 2015.

    In 2018, Phil became certified in the world HEMA alliance as an instructor with specialization in Destreza. While in Michigan, he founded the Lansing Community College HEMA Fencing club and taught young aspiring martial artists Spanish True School rapier. He was also a founding member of the Lansing Longsword Guild. 

        Since his move to Newfoundland in September 2018, he has reignited the local SCA community and established the Terra Nova School of Swords, joining the MSS family of clubs. Phil is passionate about expanding his teachings to the younger up and coming fencers of Newfoundland.

  • Description : Explore the world of Domingo Luis Godinho, a masterful Portuguese fencing instructor from the late 16th century. 

    In this class, you'll uncover the fundamentals of Godinho’s dos espadas (Double Swords) technique, learning its dynamic plays and principles.

     Whether you’re new to historical fencing or eager to expand your repertoire, this session offers an engaging introduction to this unique and elegant style.

    Minimal equipment : Mask, gloves, and two one-handed swords (preferably a side sword or rapier).

    Level : Beginner to Intermediate.

  • Description : Join us for a captivating workshop that examines the distinct decision-making styles of two remarkable masters from different eras: 17th-century Italian virtuoso, Nicoletto Giganti, and 18th-century Spanish expert, Francesco Lorenz de Rada.

    Historical Insight: Explore the unique contexts that shaped Giganti's and Rada’s thinking and approaches to problem-solving.

    Comparative Analysis: Delve into case studies that showcase how each master would tackle various challenges, highlighting their individual styles and philosophies.

    Interactive Discussion: Engage with fellow participants to share insights and perspectives on the implications of these historical approaches in today’s decision-making processes.

    Real-World Application: Discover how to apply the lessons learned from Giganti and Rada to enhance your own decision-making skills in leadership and beyond.

    This workshop is ideal for history enthusiasts, leaders, and anyone interested in mastering the art of decision-making through the lens of historical figures! Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from the past!

    Minimal equipment : Rapier, mask and gloves.

    Level: Intermediate to Advance

Sean You

  • Sean is an instructor at Boston Armizare who has been involved in historical fencing since 2013. Despite starting with the longsword, he fell in love with fencing with the rapier, particularly based on Fabris’s Science of Arms with a dabbling into Thibaut, as well as the Radaelli Sabre. 

  • Description : Approaching Fabris’s Science of Arms can seem daunting given the amount of text and number of plates. This class aims to present the fundamental principles of the sword alone from Fabris in a digestible manner by focusing on core concepts and drills. This is useful not only for Fabrisian Rapier but for understanding fencing in general. As Fabris says “we have talked [in the first book] about the principles that every Master of arms claims to know, although few actually understand them and perform them with the necessary skill.”

    Minimal equipment : Rapier, Gloves Mask, Jacket. Plastron recommended

    Level : Intermediate

  • Have you ever been confused about what to do when fencing with the sword and dagger? Do you end up boxing in a phone booth every time you should be “fencing”? Or would you like to study the most stylish and technically complicated weapon set? If the answer to any of these is yes, then this class is for you. We will make sense of the sword and dagger in terms of the principle openings, positions, defenses and wounds based on Fabris’s Science of Arms. Additionally we will present fencing tactics that are particularly useful for the sword and dagger.

    Requirements: Rapier and Dagger Gloves Mask, Jacket. Plastron recommended

    Level: Intermediate

More workshops and instructors to come !