Society for the Study of Swordsmanship
Durham Chapter
An Introduction
The club exists to allow people who are interested in historical fencing to train and study. This is a very broad and vague remit, and deliberately so. Some members train in a very martial manner to achieve excellence with a weapon, some are more interested in the historical significance of the sword… all of us like playing with swords. The club tries to cater to all levels and types of interest.
The three core activities in the club are the Rapier, the Smallsword and the Military (and Duelling) Sabre. We do also offer instruction in other weapons including Cutlass, Backsword, Singlestick, Greatstick and some other weapons too. New students are offered a course of instruction with the Military Sabre. At the end of this period they will have both practical skills and historical knowledge about this weapon, and also an understanding of the intangibles that differentiate a fencer from someone who has picked up a sword.
Once a student understands these principles, which include concepts such as Measure (distance), Timing and Lines of Attack, they will be in a position to pursue further study. This might include advanced instruction with the sabre or a new weapon such as the Smallsword, Rapier or Cutlass. Students will also be well equipped to undertake study of their own using the many historical treatises available.
The Core Weapons
As already noted, SSS (Durham) teaches many different disciplines, but our core activities are the Rapier, the Smallsword and the Military Sabre. The latter two are sometimes referred to as the ‘modern duelling weapons’ and complement one another in a similar manner to the Rapier and Backsword. We also teach Cutlass and Backsword/Broadsword.
The Military Sabre
The military sabre is, as the name suggests, a military weapon. It is primarily a cutting sword but can thrust effectively. The blade is single-edged, though the first third of the ‘false edge’ was usually sharpened and can be used to make an opportunistic cut.
The basic technique of the sabre is fairly simple, placing greater importance on how you use what you know rather than which techniques you have learned. The ‘off hand’ is not used with the sabre; it is kept on the hip, out of the way of cuts.
All of our instructors are experts with the military sabre.
The Smallsword
As much a fashion accessory as a weapon, the smallsword was a gentleman’s sidearm and also the standard duelling sword in much of Europe. It has no edge and is thus used purely for thrusting. The off hand is sometimes used with the smallsword, to deflect thrusts. Modern foil and epee fencing is derived from the smallsword. Smallsword-vs-sabre fights are not uncommon, as the two are contemporaries.
Our primary smallsword instructor is Martin J Dougherty, who has been teaching people to fence for over 35 years.
The Rapier
The rapier comes in many forms, from the early swept-hit designs to later cup-hilt weapons. It is a long cut-and-thrust sword used primarily for thrusting, and was often used in conjunction with an off-hand dagger or other implement. Extensive use is made of the off hand to defend against thrusts (but not cuts!). Learning the rapier is a gateway to a whole new realm of fencing which includes rapier-and-dagger, rapier-and-cloak, rapier-and-buckler and even case of rapiers (a sword in each hand!).
Our Rapier specialist is Mark Thomson, who has run numerous Game of Thrones swordplay events.
The Cutlass
Any heavy-bladed cutting implement used at sea can be called a cutlass. We teach both formal military cutlass play and the… ‘less formal’… expedients used in a desperate boarding action or shore raid. Cutlass fighting takes place at extremely short measure and can be frenetic.
Our cutlass specialist is Nate Zettle, who is also an expert on Age of Sail warfare at sea and ashore.
The Backsword/Broadsword
A basket-hilted sword with one cutting edge is normally termed a Backsword, whilst one that cuts both ways – the origin of that expression – is typically referred to as a Broadsword. Despite being as heavy as a one-handed sword can be without becoming unwieldy, the backsword is a very subtle weapon in skilled hands.
All of our instructors are experts with the backsword/broadsword.
About The Class
New students are offered a free trial period. Normally this means four lessons with the Military Sabre, during which the student will get the chance to try out their new skills in freeplay. High levels of physical ability are not required; skill and good tactics are more important than athleticism. We can accommodate almost any set of physical requirements, though there may need to be a discussion in the case of serious medical issues. There is no requirement to fight; if a student wants to simply learn about the weapons this is entirely acceptable.
Our instructors have around 90 years of experience in fencing and other martial arts between us, and we know that there is more to learning to fence than being taught some strokes and techniques. Learning to fence begins with an understanding of the weapon and how it is used. This means movement, body position and other facilitating requirements as well as knowledge of the specific strokes and parries. There are also numerous intangibles such as an understanding of time and distance, and how they relate to one another. A fencer is more than someone who knows how to move a sword, just as a chess master’s understanding goes rather beyond simply knowing how the pieces move.
Over time, a fencer will develop understanding of the weapon and of conflict in general, along with elements of physics, biomechanics and psychology. However, it all begins and it is always facilitated by the ability to perform strokes and parries in a crisp and effective manner. Plunging into esoterica is of no use if you are hit by a simple thrust, unless of course your interest is purely academic.
Developing or ‘getting good’ is a matter of student effort and motivation. An instructor is a facilitator of the learning process, but cannot replace student effort. The instructors offer a clear and simple path to follow, and how quickly you move down it is up to you. There comes a point where an advanced student can begin to make their own path – if they want – through study of the various historical works available. This requires a solid grounding first; that is what the instructors are there to provide.
Rules
The club has very few rules, and most of those relate to safety. In general, students are expected to be considerate of the people around them and to remain aware that they are in an environment where large pieces of metal may be on the move. Common-sense attention to safety is of paramount importance. New students are also expected to stick to what their instructor has told them to do; more experienced members have a lot more freedom to explore swordplay, but that particular voyage of discovery is best kept off the rocks by training with a qualified instructor until they say that it is time to proceed.
A basic set of safety rules is as follows:
Safety Equipment
Certain items of safety equipment are necessary for most activities. Specifics vary, but some items are mandatory for any activity involving weapons. As already noted, assume you need it all unless told otherwise.
Freeplay
Sometimes referred to as ‘sparring’, freeplay is fencing with or against an opponent. Scoring is normally on an ‘honour system’. Fencers must acknowledge touches made by their opponent, who then decides whether to accept the hit or to reject it on the grounds of not being a clean contact that would have caused a wound with a live blade. Even when the bout is being presided (refereed) this is an important part of fencing etiquette as it allows fencers to learn if what they are doing is effective.
Freeplay is not ‘playing sword fights’; fencers must ensure they remain calm and controlled and apply their skills in an intelligent manner. Freeplay can be used for a variety of purposes , ranging from an attempt to make a specific move work in a fluid situation all the way up to a direct contest. New fencers will not be permitted to take part in freeplay until their primary instructor agrees, and even then they will be closely supervised. More advanced fencers have a lot more leeway.
Durham Chapter
An Introduction
The club exists to allow people who are interested in historical fencing to train and study. This is a very broad and vague remit, and deliberately so. Some members train in a very martial manner to achieve excellence with a weapon, some are more interested in the historical significance of the sword… all of us like playing with swords. The club tries to cater to all levels and types of interest.
The three core activities in the club are the Rapier, the Smallsword and the Military (and Duelling) Sabre. We do also offer instruction in other weapons including Cutlass, Backsword, Singlestick, Greatstick and some other weapons too. New students are offered a course of instruction with the Military Sabre. At the end of this period they will have both practical skills and historical knowledge about this weapon, and also an understanding of the intangibles that differentiate a fencer from someone who has picked up a sword.
Once a student understands these principles, which include concepts such as Measure (distance), Timing and Lines of Attack, they will be in a position to pursue further study. This might include advanced instruction with the sabre or a new weapon such as the Smallsword, Rapier or Cutlass. Students will also be well equipped to undertake study of their own using the many historical treatises available.
The Core Weapons
As already noted, SSS (Durham) teaches many different disciplines, but our core activities are the Rapier, the Smallsword and the Military Sabre. The latter two are sometimes referred to as the ‘modern duelling weapons’ and complement one another in a similar manner to the Rapier and Backsword. We also teach Cutlass and Backsword/Broadsword.
The Military Sabre
The military sabre is, as the name suggests, a military weapon. It is primarily a cutting sword but can thrust effectively. The blade is single-edged, though the first third of the ‘false edge’ was usually sharpened and can be used to make an opportunistic cut.
The basic technique of the sabre is fairly simple, placing greater importance on how you use what you know rather than which techniques you have learned. The ‘off hand’ is not used with the sabre; it is kept on the hip, out of the way of cuts.
All of our instructors are experts with the military sabre.
The Smallsword
As much a fashion accessory as a weapon, the smallsword was a gentleman’s sidearm and also the standard duelling sword in much of Europe. It has no edge and is thus used purely for thrusting. The off hand is sometimes used with the smallsword, to deflect thrusts. Modern foil and epee fencing is derived from the smallsword. Smallsword-vs-sabre fights are not uncommon, as the two are contemporaries.
Our primary smallsword instructor is Martin J Dougherty, who has been teaching people to fence for over 35 years.
The Rapier
The rapier comes in many forms, from the early swept-hit designs to later cup-hilt weapons. It is a long cut-and-thrust sword used primarily for thrusting, and was often used in conjunction with an off-hand dagger or other implement. Extensive use is made of the off hand to defend against thrusts (but not cuts!). Learning the rapier is a gateway to a whole new realm of fencing which includes rapier-and-dagger, rapier-and-cloak, rapier-and-buckler and even case of rapiers (a sword in each hand!).
Our Rapier specialist is Mark Thomson, who has run numerous Game of Thrones swordplay events.
The Cutlass
Any heavy-bladed cutting implement used at sea can be called a cutlass. We teach both formal military cutlass play and the… ‘less formal’… expedients used in a desperate boarding action or shore raid. Cutlass fighting takes place at extremely short measure and can be frenetic.
Our cutlass specialist is Nate Zettle, who is also an expert on Age of Sail warfare at sea and ashore.
The Backsword/Broadsword
A basket-hilted sword with one cutting edge is normally termed a Backsword, whilst one that cuts both ways – the origin of that expression – is typically referred to as a Broadsword. Despite being as heavy as a one-handed sword can be without becoming unwieldy, the backsword is a very subtle weapon in skilled hands.
All of our instructors are experts with the backsword/broadsword.
About The Class
New students are offered a free trial period. Normally this means four lessons with the Military Sabre, during which the student will get the chance to try out their new skills in freeplay. High levels of physical ability are not required; skill and good tactics are more important than athleticism. We can accommodate almost any set of physical requirements, though there may need to be a discussion in the case of serious medical issues. There is no requirement to fight; if a student wants to simply learn about the weapons this is entirely acceptable.
Our instructors have around 90 years of experience in fencing and other martial arts between us, and we know that there is more to learning to fence than being taught some strokes and techniques. Learning to fence begins with an understanding of the weapon and how it is used. This means movement, body position and other facilitating requirements as well as knowledge of the specific strokes and parries. There are also numerous intangibles such as an understanding of time and distance, and how they relate to one another. A fencer is more than someone who knows how to move a sword, just as a chess master’s understanding goes rather beyond simply knowing how the pieces move.
Over time, a fencer will develop understanding of the weapon and of conflict in general, along with elements of physics, biomechanics and psychology. However, it all begins and it is always facilitated by the ability to perform strokes and parries in a crisp and effective manner. Plunging into esoterica is of no use if you are hit by a simple thrust, unless of course your interest is purely academic.
Developing or ‘getting good’ is a matter of student effort and motivation. An instructor is a facilitator of the learning process, but cannot replace student effort. The instructors offer a clear and simple path to follow, and how quickly you move down it is up to you. There comes a point where an advanced student can begin to make their own path – if they want – through study of the various historical works available. This requires a solid grounding first; that is what the instructors are there to provide.
Rules
The club has very few rules, and most of those relate to safety. In general, students are expected to be considerate of the people around them and to remain aware that they are in an environment where large pieces of metal may be on the move. Common-sense attention to safety is of paramount importance. New students are also expected to stick to what their instructor has told them to do; more experienced members have a lot more freedom to explore swordplay, but that particular voyage of discovery is best kept off the rocks by training with a qualified instructor until they say that it is time to proceed.
A basic set of safety rules is as follows:
- Fence the way we teach you. Don’t make stuff up.
- If there is a medical issue then we need to know about it. Many matters can be worked around, but instructors cannot help you (and cannot be held responsible for the consequences) if they are not made aware of your special considerations.
- Treat swords as if they were ‘live’, i.e. sharp. Carry them safely and don’t wave them about or poke people. Weapons must be covered (e.g. in a bag) and not readily identifiable when being transported.
- Sharp implements of any kind are not allowed in the training area.
- Perform strokes and techniques as taught, no matter how many Conan novels you have read.
- Use appropriate safety equipment. The default option is to use full kit for any activity where your instructor has not told you otherwise.
- If a fellow student is hitting too hard or similar, inform them. They probably do not realize this is happening.
- ASK! If anything seems wrong or out of place, or you are unsure, ask an instructor.
Safety Equipment
Certain items of safety equipment are necessary for most activities. Specifics vary, but some items are mandatory for any activity involving weapons. As already noted, assume you need it all unless told otherwise.
- No bare skin must be showing
- Suitable footwear is always necessary
- Gloves must be worn on both hands
- Padded plastron (chest protector) or similar impact protection
- Fencing Mask
- A fencing jacket is strongly recommended
- Elbow guards and other protection may be necessary for some weapons, e.g. sabre.
Freeplay
Sometimes referred to as ‘sparring’, freeplay is fencing with or against an opponent. Scoring is normally on an ‘honour system’. Fencers must acknowledge touches made by their opponent, who then decides whether to accept the hit or to reject it on the grounds of not being a clean contact that would have caused a wound with a live blade. Even when the bout is being presided (refereed) this is an important part of fencing etiquette as it allows fencers to learn if what they are doing is effective.
Freeplay is not ‘playing sword fights’; fencers must ensure they remain calm and controlled and apply their skills in an intelligent manner. Freeplay can be used for a variety of purposes , ranging from an attempt to make a specific move work in a fluid situation all the way up to a direct contest. New fencers will not be permitted to take part in freeplay until their primary instructor agrees, and even then they will be closely supervised. More advanced fencers have a lot more leeway.
