[H] Revenant School of Arms and Swordsmanship – Open lectures from the College of Revenants

Here are some great youtube videos to get you in the mood

Love it as always Nathaira.

Best of luck, your events and guild really don't get enough reputation and support for the quality stuff you churn out.

Thank you so much Zigger

Looks cool, good luck with this!

Nice! I look forward to reading the posted things, sadly got no horde to attend this.

Any College hosted event that I've had the pleasure of attending to has been terrific. You've my full support.

Filming done, lesson written and editing tonight.

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I really really hope you can all attend defias brotherhood...its gonna be epic

So we had our first lesson!! Thank you so much to everyone who attended.

Here is a breakdown of what happened, the theory and the videos in order! If you enjoyed this and want to know more about fighting then I hope to progress this further and host another lesson most likely in two weeks time .  

Parts of the sword

The Blade – Commonly now made of steel and sharpened. Blades often have an edge – cutting part of the blade and a back edge – the unsharpened edge of a single edged sword.
Point - The tip of the sword’s blade - Thrusting
The Fuller - The central shadow on a straight double edged blade – Also referred to as the “Blood Gutter” – Actually designed to lighten the blade without sacrificing the rigidity. However the popular myth that it helps make the blood flow better down the blade is great for all you blood thirsty RPers.


The Forte – Strongest part of the swords blade nearest the hilt
Foible – The weakest part of a sword blade, from the middle to the point




This is me starting from the forte of a smallsword, which as you can see has hardly any give, working my way up to the foible. At the end is the buttoned point which you can see has a lot of give on my training weapon.  This is what Cedestra was demonstrating in game.

Question: What are these parts used for?
Answer: Forte is used for parrying and defence. Foible or weak part of the blade was traditionally used for making fast cuts to soft tissue such as the hands and face.

Guard - This can come in many forms. Shields the swordsman’s hand and stops it sliding down the blade.
Crossguard or Quillion = Longsword/Bastard Sword
Basket – Broadsword/Military sabre
Short Quillion/Shell – Smallsword




This is me holding a military sabre, and as you can see this has more of a curved guard which when held protects the outside of the hand. Note how the sword is gripped also.

The Grip  - The hilt of swords held in the hand of the Knight. The grip is often made of horn or wood covered in leather and contoured to fit in the hand.
The Pommel – Part of the hilt which acts as a counterweight to the blade and helps keep the sword together.

Question: What parts of a sword can be used for attack?
Answer: All parts. This includes the pommel! The Cross guards if the sword is held the other way from normal can also be used……hammer time.

Question: Difference between a sabre and a smallsword?
Answer: Sabre, dagger, longsword, axe are primarily cutting weapons, with rapiers and smallswords thrusting weapons. However most weapons can also use thrust as an attack.

Farstriders Circle (OOC Sussex Circle)

Form and stance

First thing before any training or “civilised” duelling/engagement it is customary to salute. Many clubs have different forms of salute.



From the video you first see me doing a very simple salute. This is usually done without masks on. Then my partner and I do the salute of the school which can, as shown, engage the opponent’s blade or not. Once this is performed you then put your mask/helmet on.


“En garde” or coming on guard.



As you see from the video I am taking a typical stance for smallsword. For sabre this is pretty similar, though instead of raising your back arm you rest this on your hip keeping it out of the way since you might get your hand chopped off if not! For longsword or staff as two handed weapons the stance is slightly different but I will get a video of that as soon as I can.

Tierce and Quart



This video is just a very quick one going from Tierce (right hand side) to Quart (left hand side). Typically you will assume either position when you are coming on guard.

If you wish to replicate the stance at home/LARP these are the things you should consider:

• Keep a thin body profile by showing only your right hand side
  
  
• The legs should not be too far asunder, for that will shorten the lunge, nor to close for then you cannot stand firm.
  
  
• Place the rear (left) foot perpendicular to the front foot, such that the broad side faces your adversary.
  
  
• Sink with both thighs, your left knee a little more bent than the right, leaning back just a little.
  
  
• Sword arm should be a little bent, the point or the sword toward your adversary’s right side.
  
  
• Point level or slightly higher than the hilt
  
  
• Ensure that you are protected
  
  

Attacking!

Now the fun part.

Thrust



This is a video just showing the typical lunge attack. CAUTION: Please do not try this with any LARP weapons that are not designed for it. This lunge attack can also be used with a sabre where you are cutting your opponent. I’ll try and upload a video of this also.

The duelling! In game we did a Farstriders circle where pairs of people had one attack and rolled to see whether they succeeded or failed. They then moved to the left and to a new partner until the circle was completed!



"Farstrider Circle" (OOC Sussex circle)



This video is the REAL deal! ;)Enjoy!