KDF Plymouth : Medieval Swordfighting in Plymouth
KDF Plymouth is a HEMA study group, focusing on Liechtenauer's Longsword as part of the KDF Swordfighting organisation.
We focus on longsword (a two handed sword about 120cm/50inches long overall, weighing 1.5-2kg/4lbs) fighting from fourteenth and fifteenth century German sources. The aim is to revive these extinct arts from the detailed manuals written at the time they were still practiced, as an alive and effective martial art.
If you'd like more info, contact me at jp@swordfightplymouth.co.uk
What's it all about?
We meet up once a week (currently Wednesday evenings, 8-10 pm) for a two-hour training session.
We charge £5 per person per session to cover the cost of hiring the training space.
The plan is to assemble a small group of people interested in learning medieval swordfighting, meet once a week and train for a two-hour session.
We primarily use nylon wasters, rather than steel swords, for safety and cost reasons, although this may change. Steel (blunt) longswords are used, the primary simulator we use is nylon. For now.
What does "training" involve?
The three aspects of training will be solo drills, paired drills and freeplay/sparring.
Sparring is completely optional, no one will be forced to spar unless they want to.
Do I need experience?
No experience is necessary, only motivation! I have no idea how much interest there is, so I don't know whether there will be more beginners or experienced practitioners.
Is it dangerous?
All martial arts -- in fact, all physical sports -- carry some element of risk. However, safety is never taken lightly, and proper protective equipment should be worn at all times.
For solo drills, no protective equipment is required. For paired drills, a fencing mask and padded gloves should be worn.
For sparring, the bare minimum required would be a fencing mask, padded gloves and a throat protector. Arm pads, shin pads and abdo guards are also suggested!
Following these guidelines, the worst you'll get are the odd bruise during sparring.
Do I need to be fit?
It is a physical activity, but you don't need to be superfit - I'm certainly not!
What will I need?
Comfortable sports clothes, trainers, and something to drink.
If you have one, bring a fencing mask and good protective gloves that still allow movement - Lacrosse/Hockey gloves are good, as are Escrima/Kali gloves.
If you own a nylon longsword waster (or rebated steel longsword, or Federschwert), then you're probably a HEMA practitioner already - bring it along!
We don't have a huge amount of loaner kit, but we do have some.
What is HEMA?
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) is the study of fighting styles from across Europe.
Medieval European swordfighting (and other combat arts, armed and unarmed) survives through various combat manuals and manuscripts which have been translated and decyphered, such as the I33 (13th-14th century), Le jeu de la hache (~1400), Hans Talhoffer's Fechtbücher (15th century), and many others.
You can read a more in-depth introduction to HEMA on The IDC's Website
KDF the Organisation
Founded in 2006 by experienced HEMA-ists to focus on the earlyKdF/Lichtenauer tradition specifically rather than HEMA in general, the KDF Swordfighting oranisation now has over 10 training groups in six countries.
In the UK, the two main groups are in Nottingham and in Leeds (where they're based in the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds). There's also another study group trying to establish itself in Sheffield. There's at least one international meet up a year, usually at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. Getting to handle the historical weapons and look at the I.33 manual is cool. By which I mean informative.
They're perhaps less hot on web presence, though. other than FaceBook and Yahoo groups, there's only the Netherlands branch online at the moment. Hence this site.
I trained with the Nottingham group before moving to London. I have a history degree with a medieval focus, and also train in Mixed Martial Arts.
Signup Form
Fill out this form to register your interest, and I'll keep you up to date with what's happening.
Filling in this form does not put you under any obligation to attend; I'm just measuring interest.
The only bits you need to fill in are your name and email, everything else is completely optional.
Any details you enter will be used only for me to contact you about the status of the group. I'm not going to spam you, sign you up for newsletters, give or sell your data away, or print it out and leave it in a taxi.