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.

Living off the sword under Napoleon : A history of the fencing masters of the Grand Army

What was the job of fencing master in the Great Army like? Let’s examine their practice and it’s context.

Let the sparks fly: How was the briquet used?

The briquet is an iconic blade of revolutionary France. Developed in 1767 to replace the longer grenadier sabres it was … More

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?

Is HEMA a sport?

Was HEMA ever a sport? And is it now? We look at some of the particularities of sport, a relatively recent concept.