Interview with Retired HEMAist Michael Edelson: HEMA in the Northeast, Part II

Michael Edelson began studying Yagyu Shinkage-ryu in the early 1990s and happened onto historical fencing by chance. From there, he bought himself a fight book, gathered some friends together, and started figuring out what the historical sources said to do. In 2005, Edelson established his New York Historical Fencing Association. Becoming friends with influential personality … Continue reading Interview with Retired HEMAist Michael Edelson: HEMA in the Northeast, Part II

Interview with Retired HEMAist Michael Edelson: HEMA in the Northeast, Part I

Michael Edelson began studying Yagyu Shinkage-ryu in the early 1990s and happened onto historical fencing by chance. From there, he bought himself a fight book, gathered some friends together, and started figuring out what the historical sources said to do. In 2005, Edelson established his New York Historical Fencing Association. Becoming friends with influential personality … Continue reading Interview with Retired HEMAist Michael Edelson: HEMA in the Northeast, Part I

Interview with HMA Instructor and Researcher Guy Windsor: Growth of the Movement in Europe

When Guy Windsor enrolled in University in 1992, he quickly joined every martial arts club that was available. Soon, he found that fencing was his calling, but not the modern sport. In 1994, he co-founded the Dawn Duellists' Society to explore historical fencing. That exploration has led him to author numerous books, create a swordfighting … Continue reading Interview with HMA Instructor and Researcher Guy Windsor: Growth of the Movement in Europe

Interview with UK HEMAist Fran Lacuata: Tournament Growth in the Movement

Fran Lacuata began historical fencing in Bolognese sidesword and rapier rather than longsword because those were the only systems available, learning at The School of the Sword in Frimley, United Kingdom. In 2014, she inherited the school, opening the Godalming and Reading chapters. Lacuata also helped establish the competition community in the UK, assisting in … Continue reading Interview with UK HEMAist Fran Lacuata: Tournament Growth in the Movement

Interview with MKDF Lead Instructor Jess Rozek: The East Coast Growth of HEMA, Part II

Jess Rozek just could not find what she wanted to do. She had tried a class or two of various martial arts, but they were not for her. Not until she watched Reclaiming the Blade in 2011, where it connected with her interests with fantasy and science fiction. From there, she found HEMA and Grunberg … Continue reading Interview with MKDF Lead Instructor Jess Rozek: The East Coast Growth of HEMA, Part II

Interview with Tri-State Historical Fencing founder Alex Meloi: Mounted Combat Within Fiore dei Librei’s Manuscript

Alex Meloi first started aikido after getting the wind knocked out of him by a karate friend. After that, it opened him up to the world of martial arts, eventually coming the Historical European Martial Arts in 2015. Over the years, he has honed and refined his knowledge of Fiore dei Librei’s manuscript, later establishing … Continue reading Interview with Tri-State Historical Fencing founder Alex Meloi: Mounted Combat Within Fiore dei Librei’s Manuscript

Interview with Mordhau Historical Combat Cofounder Brittany Reeves: Her HEMA Journey and the Revival Movement

Brittany Reeves began her Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) journey in 2011 while in Vancouver, Canada. With a degree in Ancient and Medieval History, she cofounded Mordhau Historical Combat with her husband, Kyle Griswold, in the beginning of 2018. There, she is committed in helping guide the new generations of HEMA practitioners. Today, Reeves joins … Continue reading Interview with Mordhau Historical Combat Cofounder Brittany Reeves: Her HEMA Journey and the Revival Movement

Longtime HEMA Practitioner Richard Marsden: HEMA in Arizona and the Modern Revival Movement

One of the original HEMA practitioners in Arizona, Richard Marsden began studying under Greg Hinchcliff, and later Jim Barrows. In 2011, Marsden and John Patterson established the Phoenix Society of Historical Swordsmanship. More recently, Marsden has authored two HEMA: one on Polish sabers and European martial arts in their contexts. All images provided by Richard … Continue reading Longtime HEMA Practitioner Richard Marsden: HEMA in Arizona and the Modern Revival Movement

Interview with Wiktenauer Editor-in-Chief Michael Chidester: HEMA in the United States

Michael Chidester is the Editor-in-Chief of Wiktenauer and, as Director of the Wiktenauer, an officer of the non-profit HEMA Alliance. Michael is a Research Scholar of the Meyer Freifechter Guild, 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 … Continue reading Interview with Wiktenauer Editor-in-Chief Michael Chidester: HEMA in the United States

Interview with Noble Science Academy Founder Michael-Forest Meservy: All About HEMA

Michael-Forest Meservy began training in HEMA in 2001, later founding the Noble Science Academy in 2007, and cofounding the Wiktenauer two years after that. Today, Meservy discusses the fragmented history of HEMA, the scholarship involved in interpreting the sources, and the movement’s future. All images provided by Michael-Forest Meservy. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and … Continue reading Interview with Noble Science Academy Founder Michael-Forest Meservy: All About HEMA