Join outstanding Heavy Rapier and Cut & Thrust instructors at Skewered V: Tenoch’s Table for the day as they instruct you on a wide variety of swordsmanship skills.

At the beginning of the day, you will sign up for one “track” with an instructor, and each instructor will have a set of key skills they are working on for the day. You and your classmates will together make a cohort, working with eah other and that instructor across two morning sessions of instruction, excercises, and more. Between the two instructional sessions, you will have a brain-break with an optional whole-group body awareness and stretching session.

After both classes and a lunch break, there will be a Grand Exhibition. During the Exhibition, pairs of fighters will take the field in front of the Gallery of Defense, where your Instructors will watch as you demonstrate your growth and exploration of the techniques you practiced that morning. Wins and losses in the Exhibition are not counted, and each Instructor will be awarding a “winner” based on their own technical or study criteria. Each winner will receive a prize during our Folkmoot at the end of the day.

SCHEDULE:

9:30am – 10:30am: Class 1
10:30am – 11:00am: Break
11:00am – 12:00pm: Class 2
12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch
1:00pm – 1:30pm: Prep for Exhibition
1:30pm-2:30pm: Exhibition
Remaining time for open sparring and practice.

Instructors and Classes:

Master Ffernfael of Carleon – Basic Bolognese sidesword for SCA C&T
This class will introduce the four Bolognese cuts in both Mandritto and Reverso, how to cut properly with arm, body and feet, and detail how to target specific parts of the body with those cuts. We will also introduce the fundamental guards and stances, using cuts to transition into guards, and explain in detail how those guards work and how they can be used offensively via formation of the True Cross. Finally, this class will highlight the functional similarities of forming the True Cross to that of finding and gaining of the blade within the context of the rapier.

Master Cailin Blackwood – Marozzo’s Presa and Counters
Marozzo offers an unique look at the Bolognese system. His writing is uncoordinated, convoluted, esoteric, and superb. In this class we will go over a handful of presa, light grappling, and the counters. There is a not so subtle opinion provided on the prospect of grappling with someone with a sword. Student’s will be exposed to some half speed presa and more importantly the counters.

Magister Ishmael Stedfast Reed (he/him) – Tempo
Tempo is an abstract concept in fencing, which can confuse students, but it has fundamental applications. Students will begin by learning about the different kinds of tempi before focusing on how to avoid giving tempi to your opponent (and how to force your opponent to give you tempi) by studying a few historical theories and techniques. The Track will include a rotation of lecture, paired drill, and individual reflection/study time. Advanced students will extend their learning by practicing visualizing future tempi, and address a few more advanced concepts, such as half-tempi, one-and-a-half tempi, and the relationship between measure and tempo.

Master Raphael di Merisi, of the Midrealm (he/him) – Fencing Strategy
The high concept of fencing strategy, and giving fencers words to describe their own areas of excellence. This will be an incredibly hands on class, primarily taught via sparring games, followed by short verbal reflections. The class itself will be weapon agnostic, so please feel free to bring any and every sword you wish.

THL Nyvein bat Rav Adam – Sprezzatura and Natural Movement
Sprezzatura – the Italian term for natural, seemingly-effortless movement and grace of mastery. Using movement-based exercises interspersed with opportunities for discussion, this class will teach the basics of functional alignment, body awareness, and general coordination, and then connect those concepts to rapier fencing. The aim is to guide students towards an intuitive understanding of their own movement styles. The goal of the day is a reduction in jerky or disconnected rapier actions and an increase in grace, strength, and coordination of students’ fights