Hotspur School Of Defence

Cracking longsword class tonight, working with elements and nuances from the works of legendary 15th century mercenary and Fechtmeister Hans Talhoffer, finishing (as usual) with a good old game of King of the Hill.
Plus three new students taking their free introductory class!
Why weren't you there?
... Visit www.hotspurschoolofdefence.com and get on board with the North East's premier medieval fencing school!
#HSDsince2003
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A very active night of messer fencing at the Hotspur School of Defence tonight.
Some beautiful work by our students, drawn from select 15th century sources.
Why not become part of the North East's premier medieval fencing school?
... Visit www.hotspurschoolofdefence.com and book your free introductory class!
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Jamie (right) breaks Matt's Zwinger with Gefehrhau.
Some lovely execution with the messer at tonight's class.

A beautiful candid moment in controlled free-fencing at tonight's class.
Duncan (left) breaks Ferg's Zorn-Ort by following Lecküchner's advice:
"Ort auff Prust ... Pain zu rück"

Messer, Pollaxe and Spear all on the floor at tonight's training!
If you would like to be part of the North East's premier medieval fencing school, visit www.hotspurschoolofdefence.com and book your free introductory class.

Yet another incredible piece from our good friends at Landsknecht Emporium.

A cracking night of Messer fencing on the works of Johannes Lecküchner!
Plus a new student!
Great start to the New Year!
... If you would like to be part of the North East's oldest medieval fencing school, visit www.hotspurschoolofdefence.com and book your free introductory class.
#HSDsince2003 #Hotspurrocks
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Another beautiful exchange captured in slow motion at the Winter Messer Meeting in Utrecht.
The fencers are using leather bladed messers with minimal protection and using a fechtschule rule set developed by Messerfechten Mainz, in which play is continuous and only ends when one fencer can either no longer defend themselves or receives a blow that would finish the fight.
The fencers are Allen Karlsson, who designed the messers, and Jasper Boelsma.

A beautiful exchange captured in slow motion at the Winter Messer Meeting in Utrecht.
The fencers are using leather bladed messers with minimal protection and using a fechtschule rule set developed by Messerfechten Mainz, in which play is continuous and only ends when one fencer can either no longer defend themselves or receives a blow that would finish the fight.
The fencers are Allen Karlsson (left), who designed the messers, and Bas Doeksen (right).
... Jens Peter Kleinau is officiating.
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A beautiful original messer, dating from c.1500 and owned by our good friend Falko Fritz, who brought it along to the Winter Messer Meeting in Utrecht for us to handle.
A very nimble blade with wonderful balance.

Passport - check Boarding cards - check Giant pluderhose - check!
Hotspur is ready for the Winter Messer Meeting in Utrecht!

A selection of sharp longsword cutting during our recent trip to train with our friends at the GHFG in Romania.
First up is our Marshal!

Duncan and Matt getting to grips at the messer.

A dagger, the blade fashioned from a single piece of crystal, excavated in Spain.
It's at least 5,000 years old.
Think about that for a moment.
... Mind blowing.
Full story: https://www.dailygrail.com/…/the-crysta l-weapons-of-prehis…/
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Wishing all our friends and supporters around the world a Very Messery Christmas!

A rare glimpse of a lost technique from the Fior di Battaglia, c.1409.
Both fighters prepare in their respective guards of Posta Longa (left) and Tutta Porta di Ferro (right).
They then enter into the Abrazzare del Pollice.
... This is accompanied by Fiore's text:
"Uno, due, tre, quattro Pollici di guerra che dichiaro"
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