WE ARE MOVING JUNE 2, 2009!

Effective the first Tuesday in June the Edmonton Chapter is moving to the basement of the Qualico building at 3203 93 Street, Edmonton. We will no longer be training at the Alberta Avenue Hall.

THE STUDY OF WESTERN MARTIAL ARTS

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. The Academy of European Swordsmanship is what you are looking for.

European martial arts tradition developed over many millenia, peaking in the Medieval and Renaissance eras prior to the emergence of firearms. With roots deep into Greek and Roman antiquity, the golden age of European martial arts was undoubtedly the age of chivalry where men fought on horse and on foot with spear, sword and dagger. It was the twilight of knighthood that ebbed slowly for over a hundred years, fully extinguished only by the advance of firearms, well before the better known eastern martial arts. Over 60 period manuals have survived to this day that demonstrate how deadly western martial arts was, clearly showing a codified system of fighting that was, and still is, second to none for self-defense.

The Academy of European Swordsmanship, with schools in Edmonton and Calgary, has followed these period manuals since 1994, evolving as new material has come to light. During this time we have sought to increase the understanding of this art through study and practice with authentic weapons including test-cutting with sharp swords. We study all period weapons including staff and other polearms, longsword, sword and buckler, dagger and messer. Some of our students also practice rapier, not to be confused with the Olympic variety. Last, but not least, we teach Medieval hand-to-hand fighting. While we focus on the German tradition handed down by Johannes Liechtenauer, we also study others including the Italian Master Fiore de Liberi and later English Masters George Silver and Joseph Swetnam.

Come and experience the living history of western martial arts.