medieval martial arts ?

valen

Is there much of an interest in this ? Our group trains weekly in various medieval arts, mainly western european rucking and Guild sword training. We don't charge subs etc. for training. We are interested in spreading the word, getting new members, and perhaps doing demos in other clubs.

We use spear, axe, sword (big and little), as well as hand to hand, hand to knife etc. are used. The weapons are "rebated steel", as in steel, but no sharp edges, most injuries are just bruises. The dedicated make their own kit & armour also.

We were wondering would any martial arts groups have members interested in this sort of martial art - it's a lot less formal, and more about show and fun that defending/hurting people, but it's valid for all that. Those that train regularly get accepted into large Historical Reenactment events around the country; most of the stunt fighters in the new King Arthur film are Irish Reenactors.

If you know of a group that's interested, perhaps they could come along, watch us train, maybe get involved. We also travel; next big event is Bannockburn on 20/09/2003 (irish and scots vs. english).

John

xx

Sounds like good fun, this. What exactly do you mean by "western european rucking" though?
Where do ye train, what sort of hours etc??

valen

"Western European Rucking" was the rough & ready styles of fighting that the europeans used, as distinct to the formalised eastern styles.

One minute, you might be raping and pillaging, the next, taking people on in bar fights, the next you'd be heavy cavalry with a lance and war hammer.

Completely different to the sober styles of the Japanese samurai. Basically, it's just "whatever suits". Many of the warrior's manuals going back to the 9thC use many of the same techniques for holding, throwing etc. as the japanese still do, it's just quite different when you have a sword & shield in your hands; you have to improvise.

We train in Blanchardstown, every sunday, from 13:00 to 18:00. If you are interested, drop me an email directly, and I'll tell you how to get there, what you need etc.

John

xx

Sent you a private message dude.
5 fookin' hours training though - Phewwwww :eek:

valen

You need the training. 35 of us did a gig in Dungarvan last summer. Two and a half hours in blistering heat, wearing 13 kilos of maille, fighting with a 2 kilo sword and a 3 kilo shield.

Fabulous scrap, with an audience of maybe 3000 people. You can't get tired and sit down halfway through that

John