Stork'S Beak: School Of Historical Fencing

Historical Fencing, Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)

The Stork's Beak School of Historical Swordplay is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The School is based on teaching, practice and research going back some 12 years. We currently offer regular courses of instruction in Longsword, Dussack, Two-Handed sword, Sickle and the Great Stick or Bastone. We use steel replicas of historical weapons and teach systems, principles and techniques drawn from texts on the subject of fencing written between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries.

When you join our school, you will get to study the European tradition of martial arts, and learn how to use a variety of swords. And, in the process you may pick up some history, philosophy, and fitness.

People mistakenly associate the words ‘martial arts’ exclusively with Asian fighting arts. Currently, there is a renaissance in the study of historically accurate Historical European Martial Arts, from medieval fighting treatises. These treatises reveal a well-established, highly sophisticated European fighting system, employing swords, rapiers, daggers, shields, pole axes, sickles and much more.

Unfortunately, theatrical and popular media portrayals have reduced European martial arts to the myth that combatants merely crudely bludgeoned, hacked, and slashed savagely at their opponents. In reality, European martial arts integrate footwork, avoidance, bladework, and the ability to use timing and distance. These skills include techniques for grappling, wrestling, throwing, and disarming of the opponent. European martial arts are distinctly different from modern Olympic fencing and Asian martial arts.

Aside from practicing the physical and martial aspects of the Art of Fencing, Stork's Beak is also dedicated to continuing research into the historical martial arts. As such, we continue to develop interpretations based on period texts, work on translations of period manuscripts and encourage our students to pursue projects that will benefit the school and the community at large.

We have members from many varied training backgrounds, all ages and both sexes. Fitness is not a barrier to taking part - if you want to get fitter then it'll help and it won't be as boring as going to the gym!


The School meets from 19: 30 - 21: 30 every Thursday in the Lower Hall of Kirk O'Fields Church on Brown Street (just off the Pleasance).

The School offers an ongoing series of training courses and workshops.

Classes

The initial classes will aim at teaching a the core of the German Fechtschule system, using both the Longsword and Dussack, as these were the primary weapons within this system. Later we intend to add other weapons including Great Stick to the list of disciplines on offer.

Price will be £7 for a whole two hours of fencing, with concessions available. Paying per month prices are lower at £15 for Students and £20 for others.