When neutrality isn’t enough: Fencing Swiss style

Weapon: Longsword

Source: Munich, Bayerischer Staatsbibliothek, Cgm 558 (Schwabenspiegel Codex)

This workshop will be the opportunity to discover the teachings of Hugo Wittenwiler, a Swiss fencer, active during the 15th century, from the area around Wil or Toggenburg, nowadays in the canton of St Gallen. His fencing manual can be found in the codex Cgm 558, a codex containing several works written in middle high german and covering various subjects from Alemannic Switzerland. The manual covers multiple weapons, fighting on foot or mounted.
In this workshop we will focus on the longsword part of the treatise. We will try to gain some insights on the context : was Hugo Wittenwiler linked with the tradition of Liechtenauer ? Was he a “common” fencer ?

Skill level of Participants: Any skill level
Needed Equipment: Longsword, mask, gloves

About the trainer – Chrsitophe Le Millier

Born in France in 1980, I started modern fencing at the age of 6. After a few tries at artistical fencing, I discovered proper HEMA in 2003 by joining the group Zornhau in Germany and started learning mainly longsword and dagger. In 2011, I joined the Associació Catalana d’Esgrima Antiga (ACEA) in Barcelona, where I focused on the rapier and most importantly on learning Verdadera Destreza. In 2014, I also joined the group GAGSchola in Geneva, practicing there longsword and wrestling. At that time, I helped Switzerland discover Verdadera Destreza by holding several classes at various events. Then there were a few back and forth between Barcelona and Geneva, but in 2020 I settled in Switzerland and I am now the main instructor of GAGSchola.
While longsword and rapier are my main focus, I also enjoy sword and buckler or 18/19th centuries fencing with foil, sabre or canne.