What We Study
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)
HEMA is an umbrella term for the martial practices of Europe that have died out and no longer have a recognizable surviving lineage. HEMA is composed of numerous styles that developed over hundreds of years all across Europe and can include folk wrestling techniques, Iberian greatsword fencing, German pike combat, etc. The study of Historical European Martial Arts is based on and is reliant upon the writings of period masters and practitioners that were able to survive the passage of time.
In modern practice, longsword is the most widely used weapon; however, rapier, sabre, and sword and buckler are not uncommon. Wrestling and dagger systems often find themselves in a club's curriculum as well.
In modern practice, longsword is the most widely used weapon; however, rapier, sabre, and sword and buckler are not uncommon. Wrestling and dagger systems often find themselves in a club's curriculum as well.
The Fencing of Joachim Meÿer
VBHF is focused on the sword and dagger styles recorded by Joachim Meÿer, a 16th century fencing master who taught numerous weapons which build upon each other into a single unified weapon style. During Meÿer's time, the longsword had declined in its usage as a battlefield and self-defense weapon and had been relegated to serve as a non-lethal tournament weapon using a specialized weapon called a feder.
Meÿer's teachings begin with this tournament longsword style as the basis of all armed combat before progressing into another then-popular tournament weapon called a dusack, which served as the basis for all one handed weapon combat. The dusack was a short, single-edge curved blade not too dissimilar from the later period sabre; it is very poorly documented as being used outside of tournament combat and may have only ever been made from wood or wood covered in leather. He concluded his sword-teachings with his rappier, a specific variant of early rapier/sidesword. The rappier was a long, slender thrust oriented one-handed weapon with a slightly more complex guard than either the longsword or dusack taught for lethal combat in self-defense situations. Meÿer briefly discusses dagger and wrestling, which we also study before moving onto the quarter staff, halberd, and pike, which we do not currently study.
Meÿer's teachings begin with this tournament longsword style as the basis of all armed combat before progressing into another then-popular tournament weapon called a dusack, which served as the basis for all one handed weapon combat. The dusack was a short, single-edge curved blade not too dissimilar from the later period sabre; it is very poorly documented as being used outside of tournament combat and may have only ever been made from wood or wood covered in leather. He concluded his sword-teachings with his rappier, a specific variant of early rapier/sidesword. The rappier was a long, slender thrust oriented one-handed weapon with a slightly more complex guard than either the longsword or dusack taught for lethal combat in self-defense situations. Meÿer briefly discusses dagger and wrestling, which we also study before moving onto the quarter staff, halberd, and pike, which we do not currently study.
Fencing with a Sword & Buckler
VBHF's sword and buckler group is primarily focused on the sword and buckler system recorded in the Tower Manuscript, I.33, from the early 14th Century. At the time when the manuscript was written, sword and buckler had become one of the most popular systems in Europe.
VBHF's sword and buckler group also explores the sword and buckler system from the Fellowship of Liechtenauer as recorded by Andre Liegniczer, circa 1450's. This system is more in line with traditional German Longsword systems and serves as a bridge between the VBHF Longsword class and the VBHF Sword & Buckler class. The group explores differences and similarities between the Liegniczer system and the system from I.33.
Finally, the VBHF sword and buckler group explores George Silver's fencing system written in 1599. The swords used have complex hilt which adds strategic and tactical value to the fencer over the medieval cruciform hilt. This dive into George Silver's system explores the evolution of sword and buckler combat created from technological development.
VBHF's sword and buckler group also explores the sword and buckler system from the Fellowship of Liechtenauer as recorded by Andre Liegniczer, circa 1450's. This system is more in line with traditional German Longsword systems and serves as a bridge between the VBHF Longsword class and the VBHF Sword & Buckler class. The group explores differences and similarities between the Liegniczer system and the system from I.33.
Finally, the VBHF sword and buckler group explores George Silver's fencing system written in 1599. The swords used have complex hilt which adds strategic and tactical value to the fencer over the medieval cruciform hilt. This dive into George Silver's system explores the evolution of sword and buckler combat created from technological development.
Who We Are
Club Philosophy
VBHF is wholly dedicated to ensuring that members are enjoying themselves in their pursuit of the art. We seek to achieve this through clear and concise instruction, fun and engaging practice material, and individualized practice pacing. Members are welcome to be as dedicated or as casual as they wish to be.
VBHF strongly believes that students should be comfortable to express dissenting opinion in the interpretation of technique and exercise practice. Constructive criticism is welcome as a helpful mechanism for improving student experience.
VBHF strongly believes that students should be comfortable to express dissenting opinion in the interpretation of technique and exercise practice. Constructive criticism is welcome as a helpful mechanism for improving student experience.
Club Captains
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Bailee HachBailee Hach began training in HEMA with VBHF in the summer of 2017, focusing primarily in Meÿer's longsword and dusack, with some training in rappier. She has worked as an assistant instructor since April 2018, focusing on dusack. Additionally, she has a martial arts background that includes 4 years of training in Taekwondo.
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Donny McKayDonny McKay began his HEMA training in 2017 with the Schlüssel Historical Fencing Group in Belton, TX. He has primarily studied Sword and Buckler combat but also has branched into Scottish Broadsword and Ringeck’s German Longsword. He is a history enthusiasts and likes to emphasize historical context while teaching from HEMA treatises. He currently heads the club's sword & buckler class. Donny also has 6 years of practice in Tang Soo Do Martial Arts.
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Steven LeGrandSteven began training with VBHF in early 2018, focusing primarily in longsword. He currently works as an assistant instructor for beginner and intermediate longsword classes. Outside of club, Steven is an astrophysics major at UNT.
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Club Founders and Former Captains
Ryan CokerRyan began his HEMA training in Spring of 2016 with Brandr Combat Academy in San Antonio while studying at UTSA. He primarily studied Meÿer's longsword with the club, but also branched out into dusack and rappier before moving back home to DFW in the Summer of 2017. While with Brandr, he served as one of the club's Gelehrten officers instructing many of the new students and helping coordinate practices. Ryan currently serves as VBHF's curriculum director and dusack/rappier instructor. In addition to his HEMA experience, Ryan has 6 years of Taekwondo experience, with two of those years working as an assistant instructor.
Ryan has since moved to Indiana and founded the "Lafayette Historical Fencing Guild". |
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Hannah WalcekHannah Walcek began her HEMA training with Brandr Combat Academy during fall 2016 in San Antonio. She trained primarily with the longsword, but also branched out into light dusack training before leaving. She currently serves as the primary instructor for beginner's longsword.
Hannah has since moved to Indiana and founded the "Lafayette Historical Fencing Guild". |
Meeting Time and Place
VBHF meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6:30PM-8:00PM. Feel free to arrive late or leave early. We meet at McPherson Park in Colleyville.
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Colleyville City Park
Colleyville, TX 76034 Look for us by the tennis courts! |