Classes Offered
Italian Medieval Martial Arts
Instructor: Christian Vivo
Manuscript Reference: "The Flower of Battle" - Fiore dei Liberi
This class is designed to introduce you to the fighting techniques taught to Knights and Men at Arms in the late 14th and early 15th century in what is now northern Italy. The material is that taught by the swordmaster, Fiore dei Liberi. This class is based on Fiore dei Liberi’s treatise, “The Flower of Battle.” Of the four known copies of this work the one residing at the J. Paul Getty museum in Los Angeles is the primary source for this class, as it is the most complete and has more detailed explanations to go along with the artwork.
This art involves learning how to wrestle, use daggers, swords in one hand and with two hands, spears/lances and poleaxes. It includes techniques both in armor and unarmored, on foot and on horseback. The beginning curriculum provides a grounding in basic principles as applied to wrestling, dagger and use of the sword in two hands. All these techniques are learned and practiced unarmored. Advanced classes will introduce you to the use of these principles with the other weapons of the system, both in and out of armor.
German Renaissance Martial Arts
Instructor: Miles Robinson
Manuscript Reference: "The Art of Combat: A German Martial Arts Treatise of 1570" - Joachim Meyer
This class is designed to introduce you to the fighting techniques taught in the mid to late 16th century in what is now Germany. Following in the centuries old Lichtenauer tradition, Meyer's manuscript provides a systematic approach to the material that bridges a gap between the teachings of earlier masters and modern instructional methods, making it an excellent starting point to understand other systems originating in the Lichtenauer tradition.
Beginning with the longsword, and progressing on to dusack, then rapier, we come to understand the many facets of the system. From there we test our understanding by extending it on to other forms such as grappling, dagger work and pole weapons. Though in the manuscript instruction is intended to be unarmored, protective gear will be used to allow us to explore more safely. The introduction curriculum focuses on the use of the longsword, building a foundation for all future weapon forms. Advanced classes will introduce you to the use of other weapons and how to apply principles already learned to any weapon.
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