

The Celebration of Mediocrity
The recent HEMA drama seems to be a debate on definitions, but in truth, it is simply an age-old fight – of competence against mediocrity. This strikes the heart of HEMA, because all of us have once been that – … Continue reading The Celebration of Mediocrity

Video Digest #16 – Are treatises our only source?
While various fencers have entire spectrum of different views on source material for HEMA, last video of YouTuber Shadiversity video is even more surprising. Is his talk, he responses to previous Matt Easton’s point about the letter “H” in the … Continue reading Video Digest #16 – Are treatises our only source?

The two HEMA treatise apps on Android
For years I’ve searched the Google Play Store (and sometimes – the Apple App Store) for any HEMA apps. Naturally, what popped up was mostly fantasy games. But about 5 years ago I finally got one – one many of … Continue reading The two HEMA treatise apps on Android

HEMA students, teach your teachers
A recent private discussion on HEMA online has made me realize that in today’s community, we expect much more of HEMA instructors than a decade ago. That’s not a bad thing, and we certainly see more and more professional instructors … Continue reading HEMA students, teach your teachers

Scholarly Digest: Meyer in both hands
The beloved HEMA wiki – Wiktenauer – is getting regular updates on one of the most well-known German masters recently, since the new 1570 manuscript of his came out. The latest one is the transcription of the Meyer’s chapter about … Continue reading Scholarly Digest: Meyer in both hands

Video Digest #15 – Is history a thing for you people?
We are back – and we are warming up with our most solid series of articles, the weekly Video Digest. In the time this project has been on hiatus, HEMA videos have grown so much – so more often than … Continue reading Video Digest #15 – Is history a thing for you people?

2 new SPES jackets, finally 800N Light
Perhaps the standard in HEMA right now, SPES have always been fast at offering new products, but a bit slow on updating or upgrading their classics. Now we have a surprise – two of their most popular jackets, in 800N … Continue reading 2 new SPES jackets, finally 800N Light

HEMA beyond tournaments: The Motus “Knightly” Obstacle course
There is a tendency in HEMA, like in other combat sports, to assume tournaments and free fencing to be the ultimate endgame. And that kind of thinking is not entirely wrong – sparring, competitive or otherwise, is the best way … Continue reading HEMA beyond tournaments: The Motus “Knightly” Obstacle course

Jay Maxwell: A school of fencing with a special concept
I love travelling and meeting HEMA people, and Dijon and Minsk were perhaps two of the best opportunities to become acquainted with a ton of instructors, fighters and scholars from all around the world. But among all of them I … Continue reading Jay Maxwell: A school of fencing with a special concept