After Valhalla

This weekend found me and three members of the London Longsword Academy demonstrating medieval combat systems at the Valhalla Festival in Colchester.
We were part of a larger martial arts demonstration, covering every thing from traditional Japanese Budo, through to boxing and, kung fu and combatives.
Most of the displays took place in the boxing ring (background in some pics) we felt however that the energetic and interactive nature of display may need a little more space.

I started of by explaining the concept of mnemonic naming that runs through the Liechtenaur tradition of sword arts, and how this has parallels in many Asian systems. We then set about dismissing some of the preconceptions that the European long sword was a slow and cumbersome tool. quickly running through the guards before destroying them with masterstrikes and follow on techniques.
From there it was quickly onto free sparring as I continued to give background to the system and pull some brave volunteers to from the audience to learn some basic balance breaks. As you can see in the background the little ones who were the bravest, they behaved impeccably training safely and respectfully and their parents should be proud of them.

After a short break we moved onto some of the other weapons, starting with sword and buckler, giving and explanation of the geometry of the system and showing how far removed from the Hollywood hack and slash sword fighting the refined and cautious reality of the sword and buckler fight is.
People seemed surprised at the power generation involved how hard and how fast you can hit from short range, yet how simply you can close that energy down with a subtle and correct counter.
For the last two weapons we concentrated on Talhoffer and Wallerstein’s messer and the shortstaff of Paulus Hector Mair, both very powerful systems, showing how we are not just dealing with a tentative tactical fight, at times we are dealing with extreme and aggressively brutal attacks.
Little did I know as I was explaining the staff work the lads had taken it upon themselves to spar staff in the background… With some trepidation I turned to see what was going on (this being the first time they have sparred with staff) I have to say I was very impressed, very sharp, and very controlled.

Thanks to the students who attended, Mark, Tim and Toby were patient and professional, the feedback I had from both the audience an organisers was excellent and suggested you we went down a storm. Thanks all of you, and Thanks Nili for taking the pics.


Tonight and the next few days, longsword messer and sword/buckler, usual venue, look forward to seeing you there.