Resources

The sources we study

Our longsword comes primarily from the German tradition. If you want to read the same material our practice is inspired by, start here:

• Joachim Meyer, Foundational Description of the Art of Fencing (1570) — our core early period text, in Dr. Rebecca L. R. Garber's translation.
• The Liechtenauer tradition & glosses — the foundation of German longsword.
• Salvator Fabris, Scienza d'Arme (1606) — the landmark Italian rapier treatise.
• Francesco Antonio Marcelli, Rules of Fencing (1686) — a cornerstone of the Italian rapier tradition, in Christopher Holzman's translation.
• Gusztáv Arlow, Sabre Fencing (1902) — Austro-Hungarian sabre, in Russ Mitchell's English edition.
• Wiktenauer — the free online library of historical fencing treatises. Nearly every early fencing source, transcribed and translated.

Organizations

• HEMA Alliance — a community organization that connects clubs across North America and offers club insurance.
• Buffalo Historical Fencing Discord — our club's Discord. Say hello, ask questions, and keep up with sessions.
• International HEMA Discord — the largest historical fencing community chat.
• HEMA Ratings — tournament results and competitor rankings across the historical fencing world.
• GD4H — articles and games-based, constraints-led training methods for coaching historical fencing.
• HEMA Strong — strength and conditioning resources built for historical fencers.
• r/wma — the historical fencing subreddit for discussion and questions.

Where to buy gear

You don't need to buy anything to start — we lend gear to new students. When you're ready to build your own kit, these retailers are common in the historical fencing community:

• Purpleheart Armoury — swords, masks, and protective gear.
• SoCal Swords — steel swords, gear, and apparel.
• North Armoury — feders, trainers, and protective gear (Canada).

Ready to try it?

Reading only gets you so far — the art lives in the reps. Come to a session and put a sword in your hand. Try a free class →