The Academy of European Swordsmanship
Studying Western Martial Arts.
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Forget what you've seen in the movies, the man-at-arms from Medieval Europe was no brute!
At the Academy we practice the full range of Western Martial Arts (WMA) from swords to polearms to dagger and hand-to-hand fighting. Emphasizing effective real-world techniques, the AES focuses on the teachings of the great German master, Johanus Liecthenauer. Make no mistake, the fighting arts of the European masters were second to none in skill, finesse and ferocity. These were highly skilled warriors, not the club-swinging brutes that Hollywood makes them out to be. -
Why WMA?
While the weapons used in Medieval and Renaissance times are now considered obsolete in warfare, they are still alive and well in the civilian world. Knife attacks still out-pace firearm attacks, and you are more likely to be swarmed on our streets by thugs than shot. The fighting skills used to handle Medieval weapons transfer well to modern objects commonly found in your own home. With all due respect to the Eastern masters, the Western masters are their equal in all respects. -
Why the AES?
Western martial arts offers one of the most well-rounded curricullums of any fighting style and includes weapons and grappling. We study all period weapons including polearms, swords and hand-to-hand fighting. If you seek an authentic martial arts experience in an inclusive atmosphere that emphasizes real-world techniques over stage fighting and repetitive forms, look no further than the AES.