CFAA’s collective membership brings a vast array of background and experience with Western Martial Arts in general and Historical European Martial Arts in particular; many having been involved in researching these topics for two to three decades!
This research component is part of what makes “HEMA” unique within the larger Martial Arts world. The following selection of essays, training tips, how-to’s, and research articles are part of our ever-growing archive of contributions from our members schools, clubs and academies.
In addition to the robust library of articles on our blog, the PDF articles are curated here from our members’ personal websites and publications. They provide starting-points for new comers, give “snapshots” of the state of research in the CFAA community, and inspire inquiry and debate among current students of Western Martial Arts. Remember, that these articles represent the views of the author(s) alone, and in the best tradition of academic inquiry, individual articles may affirm, or rebut, others. Such is the nature of the beast!
GENERAL/RESEARCH ADVICE
Frog DNA, Concentric Rings and Old-Fashioned Necromancy: Reconstructing Historical European Swordsmanship – Gregory Mele, Chicago Swordplay Guild
Philology in Historical Research – Tom Leoni, Order of the Seven Hearts
Legitimate Teachers in the WMA Community – Tom Leoni, Order of the Seven Hearts
Should Women Fencers Wear Chest Protectors – Pamel Muir, Order of the Seven Hearts
Understanding the “A” in Western Martial Arts – Tom Leoni, Order of the Seven Hearts
PEDAGOGY (Tips and Tactics for the Teaching of Historical Western Martial Arts)
The Importance of Skill Progression in the Western Martial Arts – Sean Hayes, Northwest Academy of Fencing
Strategy and Tactics for Longsword A Primer on Tactical Drilling – Sean Hayes, Northwest Academy of Fencing
TRADITION-SPECIFIC ARTICLES
Armizare
Italian Martial Arts at the Birth of the Renaissance – Gregory Mele, Chicago Swordplay Guild
Galeazzo_da_Montova : Biography of a Condottiero – Gregory Mele, Chicago Swordplay Guild
Understanding Wide and Close Play in the Tradition of Fiore dei Liberi – Gregory Mele, Chicago Swordplay Guild
Bolognese Fencing
Notes on Bolognese Gioco Stretto and Manciolino’s Strette of the Half Sword – Tom Leoni, Order of the Seven Hearts
English Martial Arts
A Transcription of the Harlein Manuscript on English Longsword – Terry Brown, Company of Maisters
German Martial Arts (Liechtenauer Tradition)
An Anonymous Dueling Shield Treatise – Christian Tobler, Selohaar Fechtschule
In Defense of Peter von Danzig – Christian Tobler, Selohaar Fechtschule
Iberian Martial Arts
Dom Gomes Figueiredo on the Montante (Ibieran Two Handed Sword) – Steve Hick and Eric Myers, Sacramento Sword School
Italian Rapier
The Importance of Fundamentals in Italian Rapier – Tom Leoni, Order of the Seven Hearts
Understanding Tempo – Tom Leoni, Order of the Seven Hearts
The Most Common Mistakes Beginning Rapier Students Make – Tom Leoni, Order of the Seven Hearts
chivalricfighting.wordpress.com 