The Armour Archive

As far as gear for this, im not the most qualified guy to make suggestions but,

I think the overall name of the Lichtenauer and Fiore schools popping up is being put into an umbrella called "Western Martial Arts"


I would go find what you can learn locally and use the gear suggestions they have, since well, you'll be playing with them.


I would guess that a fencing helm is always going to be the bare mininum, but i have seen that some of the schools use other stuff as well. Here is a link to some of ForteJeff's Stuff. Notice the change in weaponry in different videos.

I think different people are experimenting with different things depending on the results.

The Rose
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZY2gHec-3c
Meyer's Interpretation (through Jeff)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJaQsxr3yqg
The Rose 3: Paurenfeindt's Wrath Cut, includes the Rose.


Here is the place you should start if you are looking for information online JvR,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW_Hk_RAcdg

Here is his full upload page. Study the Footwork, Guards, Bladework and Swordwork.
http://www.youtube.com/user/fortejeff#g/u

Gaurds here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUPER_ZNy4s

The minimum equipment you need to start longsword is, a sword ( wooden waster or otherwise), a gorget ( to keep your throat in one piece), a 3 weapon fencing mask ( to keep your face and all the bits that attach to it in their original position) and some hand protection.
Seek an instructor or start a study group, there's lots of video out there now, the OCH'S guys videos are good, MEMAG has some nice stuff on the web, HCT's books and video on pole-axe is good, with more stuff coming,
Mike Rasmusen also has a video on the German style, so theres lots out there to get you started with historical sword play, now go out and do it, I might seem a little pushy, but the more people out there doing this means that no matter where I go I'll always have somebody to play with , either German style or Italian.

Violen wrote:...I think the overall name of the Lichtenauer and Fiore schools popping up is being put into an umbrella called "Western Martial Arts"...

It is worth mentioning that the term WMA isn't often used in Europe. Over here the term HEMA (historical European martial arts) is far more prevalent... it means the same thing, but reflects a different geopolitical viewpoint.

Good to know