Types of Classes
Drop-In
HEMA Trial classes are offered once a week on most weeks. They allow prospective students to try out all of the different fencing forms we work with and to get a taste for what they might enjoy. These sessions are also available for current students who are looking for a bit of extra training time. If you think HEMA might be the sport for you but you aren’t quite sure where you want to start, consider dropping in on a Saturday afternoon and trying it out for yourself!
Beginner
Beginner-level courses cover the basics of the system, including attacking, defending, movement, and some introductory plays and sequences. Beginner-level courses are appropriate for anyone – students with no experience at all, students with some modern fencing background looking for an introduction to HEMA, and even students studying another fencing form who want to expand their skills. Beginner-level students will be able to use our loaner gear as necessary and are not required to purchase any specialized equipment, but should come prepared with comfortable indoor shoes, a water bottle, and groin protection as necessary for any and all types of courses.
Intermediate
Intermediate-level courses expand on the material covered in the previous level. In many cases, students may be ready to move to an intermediate course after one term of beginner classes, but this period of time may be longer for some weapon systems than others depending on the complexity and diversity of the available historical treatises. Intermediate classes will vary in content between each individual fencing form, but they will generally incorporate more complex plays from the historical texts along with more specialized techniques and, in some cases, the introduction of content from other historical sources that support the material covered in the beginner course.
Some intermediate courses may also begin to explore techniques commonly seen in competitive HEMA events with the goal of preparing students to eventually compete in tournaments. Students can expect to remain in the intermediate course for an average of about two full course terms. While loaner gear remains available for all students, by the end of an intermediate-level course, many students will wish to purchase some gear of their own. This often includes a personal helmet, gloves, or a sword, allowing them to train at home.
Advanced
Advanced-level courses follow a less structured curriculum than either of the beginner or intermediate courses. They will often be designed to remain relevant with changes in the current competitive HEMA scene, and might include analysis of current top competitors and collaborative work on strategies and techniques to counter them.
Advanced courses will often borrow techniques from many different sources for any given fencing form both for competitive and historically interesting purposes. While nothing prevents beginner and intermediate students from participating in competitive tournaments, students in advanced courses are the most likely to attend tournaments outside of the province, and some may occasionally have part of their registration or travel fees sponsored by the school.
Private/Semi-Private
Perfect for students who are looking for more personalized or specialized instruction! Students who book private sessions are often looking to get ahead of the competition, to work through a specific technical issue with the instructor of their choice, or even to catch up after missing a few classes or starting a semester a little bit late. Semi-private sessions allow you to bring a second student with you - this is a great opportunity to drill and spar with a friend in a structured setting while receiving targeted feedback and support. Anyone interested in booking a private or semi-private lesson should email us at terranovaswords@gmail.com to inquire about rates and lesson schedules!
spring Semester ClasSes
(apr 28 - June 20)
Musketeer Academy
Swordsmanship is an art that any age can learn! In this class, kids will learn the basics of sword combat through the guise of becoming one of the legendary French Musketeers. Ironically, this doesn't involve any musket training, but rather is inspired by the novel The Three Musketeers. They will learn to fight with a sword, how to stand in formation, how to work together with their friends, and how to protect the king from any who would do him harm. They will take part in lessons to hone their skills as well as controlled battles where the kids take on the instructors to ensure a safe combat experience. These battles will each play a part in a greater story as the they fight different enemies. Be it monsters, bandits, or the Red Guard, the kids will learn all the necessary skills to take them down and defend the king.
What to expect:
- Learning strikes and attack combinations with the Epee/foil
- Basic Fencing footwork & parries
- Combat tactics
- Light sparring
What you need to bring:
- Water bottle
- Male groin protection (if it applies to you)
- Indoor/non marking sole shoes
- *Not required* Hockey or lacrosse gloves (lacrosse gloves are the better of the two)
- *Not required* Fencing mask (we do have loaners available)
When?
Wednesday 5:30-6:30pm Kids (Ages 8-12)
Wednesday 6:30-7:30pm Youth (Ages 12-16)
Saturday 10:00am-11:00am Family class (Ages 6+ with guardian or older sibling)
The smallsword or court sword is a very light one handed sword designed for fashion and self defence. It is the evolved weapon of the heavier rapier of the late Renaissance. During the mid-17th century and the 18th century, the smallsword was a status symbol for officers of rank. This program centers around the works of P.J.F Girard’s Treatise of Arms “The Art of the Smallsword” published in 1740. Students will learn the finesse and dexterity that it takes to wield such a quick and decisive weapon. This program is also heavily intensive on footwork and lunges.
What to expect:
- Instruction on the fundamentals of the smallsword
- Intensive training on explosive footwork i.e advance, retreats, slips, and lunges.
- Combat tactics
- Agility training
What you need to bring:
- Water bottle
- Male groin protection (if it applies to you)
- Indoor/non marking sole shoes
- Leather or suede gloves (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are available)
- Fencing mask and throat protector (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are available)
When?
Monday 7:30-8:30pm Adults (Ages 16+)
Adult Smallsword
Adult Rapier
The rapier, which comes from the term "espada ropera" or dress sword, was heavily used both as a civilian self-defence weapon and for fashion. Students in this class will be taught the Venetian school of fencing traditions. This program centers around the works of Maestro Nicoletto Giganti (1606). Little is known of Giganti’s life, but in the dedication to his 1606 treatise he claims 27 years of professional experience, meaning that his career began in 1579 (possibly referring to service in the Venetian military, a long tradition of the Giganti family)
What to expect:
- Instruction on the fundamentals Rapier & Dagger
- Intensive full body intensive training
- Combat tactics
- Agility training
What you need to bring:
- Water bottle
- Male groin protection (if it applies to you)
- Indoor/non marking sole shoes
- Leather or suede gloves (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are available)
- Fencing mask and throat protector (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are available)
When?
Wednesday 9:00-10:00pm Adults (Ages 16+)
lONGSWORD
The longsword is the most well-known knightly weapon of the late medieval and the early Renaissance periods. It has a long hilt intended mainly for two-handed use, as well as a simple guard in the shape of a cross, and a double-edged blade that averages a full metre in length! Despite the size of the weapon, the two-handed grip allows the wielder a greater degree of control than many one-handed swords. It is every bit as fast as the rapier or sabre, and when matched up against other weapons the longsword’s superior length often gives it an edge over the competition! Our longsword programs will take students from the very basics of wielding a two-handed sword all the way up to complex plays drawn from historical treatises as well as a wide range of competitive longsword fencing strategies.
The Italian Longsword courses centre around the works of Fiore dei Liberi (written between 1400 and 1410), Philippo Vadi (written around 1487), and Achille Marozzo (published in 1536). Students will learn a mixture of cuts, thrusts, parries, footwork, and a number of maneuvers and techniques unique to the longsword. While these techniques are all drawn from the centuries-old instructions written by these three Italian fencing masters, they will be presented in an engaging and easy-to-understand lesson format.
The German Longsword program centers around the works of Joachim Meyer, who was a 16th century German fencing master. Meyer wrote four fencing manuals that covers various weapons, but for this course we will only look at the two-handed longsword. Meyer’s manual on the longsword is primarily written for tournament fencers of his time, and acts as a synthesis of much of the older German Leichtenauer tradition. This class will focus on building a repertoire of Meyer’s interpretation of actions and combining them into more complex and calculated exchanges, as well as a deep examination of Meyer’s perception of time within a fencing match. Students will also learn a wide variety of solo and partner drills to hone their competitive edge outside the salle!
Classes are approximately 60 minutes in length, and all adult classes are followed by half an hour of sparring time for any adults who wish to participate. Protective equipment and training swords will be made available for use during classes, but students are welcome to purchase and bring their own equipment if they so choose, provided that equipment meets the school’s standards for safety. While free sparring is not offered for youth classes, students will still have the chance to test each other’s skills safely with our specialized padded swords during regular class activities.
What you need to bring:
- Water bottle
- Male groin protection (if it applies to you)
- Indoor/non marking sole shoes
- Hockey or lacrosse gloves (special longsword gloves are available for purchase at our physical store. Loaners available)
- Fencing mask and throat protector (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners available)
When?
Tuesday 6:00-7:00pm Beginner German Longsword (16+)
7:30-8:30pm All Ages Int. Italian Longsword (12+)
Thursday 6:00-7:00pm Adult Int. Italian Longsword (16+)
Friday 6:00-7:00pm Adult Beginner German Longsword (16+)
7:30-8:30pm Adult Int. German Longsword (16+)
9:00-10:00pm Adult Advance Longsword (18+)
Adult Broadsword
The heavy, basket-hilted, Scottish broadsword was a devastating weapon to anyone who faced it. It was a popular sword of war in 17th and 18th centuries, and was designed to allow for a style of swift elegance mixed with true Scottish brutality.
The heavy blade made it a powerful tool on the battlefield, though the real innovation was in the basket hilt it had. It offered greater hand protection, as well as adding a counter-weight to the bottom of the sword, allowing strong highlanders to use a hefty weapon while still being fast enough to keep up with the lighter swords of their opponents.
Due to this, the style this sword is used for is a wonderful mix of precise fencing techniques mixed with the raw strength found in the warriors of Scotland. The style also has many techniques and concepts that fully embody the absolute refusal to give up and stop fighting Scotland is known for. This style is perfect for fencers looking to learn one of the most well rounded weapons ever made.
What to expect:
- Instruction on the fundamentals of the broadsword and saber
- Intensive training on footwork using lunges, slips, and passes.
- Combat tactics
- Agility training
What you need to bring:
- Water bottle
- Male groin protection (if it applies to you)
- Indoor/non marking sole shoes
- Leather or suede gloves (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners also available)
- Fencing mask and throat protector (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners also available)
When?
Monday 6:00-7:00pm Adults Advance Broadsword (16+)
Sunday 2:00-3:00pm Adults Intermediate Broadsword (16+)
Polish Sabre
In the 17th century, the sabre was a staple weapon in Poland. Be it as the favored weapon of the legendary Polish hussars or the nicest of Polish infantry weapons, this heavy curved sword was as terrifying of a sight to see to its opponents as it was a beautiful one. Many different non-polish sources talk of the gorgeous, as well as deadly, style of polish sabre these warriors used.
In Poland back then, the sabre was more than just a sword. To have a sabre was to have a will and an ability to fight for what you believe. This style of sabre primarily differs from other sabre styles due to it being a heavier weapon. There's too much momentum to stop easily so the Polish developed ways to keep their sword moving, creating a beautiful flowy style involving many twirls and bringing the sword around your body, all the while delivering a flurry of powerful blows.
The Polish sabre is also more curved than many historical infantry sabres, leading to many unique tactics for the trickier of fencers. Either way, few styles of fencing lead to fighters being more comfortable moving their sword around in their hand and letting their blade do the work, making Polish sabre a wonderful option for beginners and already experienced fencers looking to improve their styles alike.
What you need to bring:
- Water bottle
- Male groin protection (if it applies to you)
- Indoor/non marking sole shoes
- Leather or suede gloves (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are also available)
- Fencing mask and throat protector (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are also available)
When?
Thursday 7:30-8:30pm - Adult Beginner Polish Sabre (16+)
Thursday 9:00-10:00pm - Adult Intermediate Polish Sabre (16+)
Adult Irish Stick Fighting
Be it a cane, shillelagh, staff, or any other stick you find, the Irish could fight with it. The traditions behind it are scattered and fragmented today, and this class will teach pieces from all of it. The Irish styles of stick fighting all have certain commonalities, most notably a sort of spirit of Ireland living through them. To fight with a stick the Irish way is to protect yourself and to stand up for what you believe in, regardless of the odds. This defines the various techniques that are often brutal or even dirty at times. Few recorded styles of historical combat taught the commoner how to fight the lord, but this one does. It isn't about having the fanciest or most expensive weapon, but rather the strongest spirit and will. What weapon you wield doesn't matter, which makes the style very broadly applicable to other weapons. This style of fighting is also one of the most modernly applicable for self defense, as everyone can carry around a stick. This is the perfect class for any fencers looking to learn to bolster their weapon skills, take a break from blades, or anyone simply wishing to learn to fight and protect with nothing more than a stick.
Come learn the basics of Irish Stick fighting!
What you need to bring:
- Water bottle
- Male groin protection (if it applies to you)
- Indoor/non marking sole shoes
- Leather or suede gloves (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are also available)
- Fencing mask and throat protector (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are also available)
When?
Sunday 11:00-12:00pm - Adult Irish Stick Fighting (Ages 16+)
Conditioning Class
In this non-stylistic conditioning class, students will collaboratively work on fundamental aspects of fitness relevant to historical fencing. Special focus will be paid to explosiveness, flexibility, conscious body dynamics, and safe recovery with the intention of serving as additional training for fencers looking to elevate their art as well as preparation for tournaments. Additionally, fencers will learn basic precepts around grappling and grappling safety, which can apply to nearly any art.
To encourage fencers of all styles, this class has a reduced fee for any active member of Terra Nova Sword School.
What to expect:
Full-body workouts and mobility drills with moderate weight
Medium- to high-intensity cardio
Basic grappling, involving close contact and controlled falls
Discussion of tactics based on physical attributes
What to bring:
Water bottle
Comfortable shoes and shorts/pants
Yoga mat (optional but recommended)
When?
Saturday 11:00am-12:00pm - Conditioning Class
Messer
The langes messer is a one-handed, mostly single-edged short sword. Specifically, this class follows the teachings of master Johannes (Hans) Lecküchner of Nuremberg, a german priest born around 1440. Ironically for a priest, Lecküchner teaches a remarkably brutal style, putting a lot of emphasis on fighting close, including wrestling, grappling, disarming, and half-swording. He was also very well known for his being a showman. Hidden amongst the efficient technical swordplay are gems of techniques, primarily designed to embarrass one's opponent, show off one's own virtuosity, and to excite and amuse the crowd in a public duel. That of course doesn't get in the way of his intense martial effectiveness. He has room for many different sorts of fighting, as his present treatise is by far one the most substantial works on single-handed sword use. While this is the complimentary class for Polish sabre, Lecküchner's teachings are widely known to be relevant to many other weapons, most notably, the longsword. This is the perfect class for anyone looking to improve their fundamentals, widen their skill tree with unorthodox maneuvers, and learn how to capture an audience with the sight of your fencing.
What you need to bring:
- Water bottle
- Male groin protection (if it applies to you)
- Indoor/non marking sole shoes
- Leather or suede gloves (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are also available)
- Fencing mask and throat protector (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are also available)
When?
Sunday 12:30-1:30pm - All Ages Beginner Messer (Ages 18+)
Bolognese Sidesword or sidesword and Buckler
In the city of Bologna in the 16th century, multiple fencing masters arose in a single generation. Their collected works are referred to as the Bolognese School, and their competition amongst themselves honed the cumulative style to a dramatic razor's edge. In the Bolognese Sidesword and Buckler class, students will practice Antonio Manciolino's 1531 Opera Nova, a style designed to be eye-catching when showing off and ruthless when facing a true rival.
What you need to bring:
- Water bottle
- Male groin protection (if it applies to you)
- Indoor/non marking sole shoes
- Leather or suede gloves (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are also available)
- Fencing mask and throat protector (available for purchase through our physical store. Loaners are also available)
When?
Wednesday 7:30-8:30pm - Adult Beginner Sidesword (16+)
Sunday 5:30-6:30pm - Adult Beginner Sidesword & Buckler (18+)
