Vigny’s La Canne, boxing, and the Olympics

Some exclusive technical views on Bartitsu’s famous stick fighter Pierre Vigny as well as his surprising link with the Olympics.

The strange case of the “wooden sword conspirators”

In 1832 London, a group of recreational fencers got arrested for conspiring to overthrow the government.

Marey Sabre uncovered : Marey-Monge’s forgotten yet influential sword designs

Identifying the first known example of a sabre designed by Marey-Monge.

The sticks of Joinville : What is French Baton?

All about the French art of the Bâton, or as some call it “Grand Bâton” or “Great Stick”.

What is Irish stick fighting?

All about the art of Irish stick fighting or Bataireacht.

“A Subject for the Morgue” : Umbrella defense in Philadelphia  

A method of umbrella defense as taught in Philadelphia in 1908.

The first HEMA tournament

When and where was the first HEMA tournament held?

Divers foul tricks and stratagems: Mexican and Bowie knife fighting

Let’s look at some sources describing Bowie and Mexican knife fighting.

“Belaboring each other fiendishly.” The early days of kendo and kenjutsu in America

An early history of Kendo and Kenjutsu in America in different cities.

Singlestick… Or is it? Stick sports in America, an investigation

Was singlestick presented at the 1904 Olympics? Was Teddy Roosevelt an ardent singlestick fighter? Or was it all something else?