Learn to see the universal requirements, to make every technique work.

Weapon: Weaponless

Source: Universität Augsburg I.6.4.2 (Codex Wallerstein), Universitätsbibliothek Göttingen 2° Col. MS Philos. 62

Techniques are solutions for specific situations. They are tied to very particular conditions. Many interpretations are not suited for free combat because they ignore the physical, psychological, and systemic conditions. In this seminar, participants will learn about these conditions. Additionally, there are methods to playfully integrate these conditions into training, preparing trainees optimally for free combat.

Skill level of Participants: Any skill level
Needed Equipment: Nothing

About the trainer – Thore Wilkens

• 2009: Co-founder of Blossfechter zu Chemnitz
• Since 2009: Trainer for Longsword and Combat Grappling at Blossfechter zu Chemnitz
• Since 2013: Speaker and instructor in historical martial arts, nationally and internationally, with a focus on combat psychology, didactics, methodology, and systemic pedagogy

Seminars (Selection)
• Borchen, SC Borchen: TEACHING HEMA. P.E.T. for Historical Fencers
• Dresden, Schwertspiel e.V.: Introduction to Combat Psychology
• Zurich, Gladius et Codex: Introduction to Combat Grappling
• Dreynevent, Vienna: Evasive Movements and Reference Points
• Kassel, Trainer’s Day of the German Federation of Historical Fencers: Source Analysis and Interpretation Methodology

Lectures (Selection)
• Chemnitz, Schlossbergmuseum: Dimensions of Representing Recorded Fencing Techniques
• Hamburg, Trainer’s Day of the German Federation of Historical Fencers: “May I Touch You?” Violence and Socialization in the Middle Ages and Today (in cooperation with Paul Becker, In Motu)
• Bamberg, Ochs Historical Martial Arts: “…and know that all fencing comes from the book.” Source Studies for Historical Fencers

Publications (Selection)
• Kunst dy dich zyret. Fencing as a Means of Personal and Institutional Representation. Dresden, 2017. Ed. by Uwe Fiedler and Thore Wilkens.
• Knack die Quelle: Source Studies and Interpretation Methodology for Historical Fencers. Neobooks, 2017.
• Studies on the Relevance of Pragmatic, Perspective-Based Analyses in Fencing Book Research. In: Daniel Jaquet and Nicolas Baptiste (Eds.), L’expérimentation du geste en sciences humaines. Recherches et méthodologie autour du geste technique et de la culture matérielle des pratiques martiales à la fin du Moyen Âge / Die Erprobung der Geste in den Geisteswissenschaften. Studien und Methodik zu den technischen Gebärden und zur Materialkultur der martialischen Praktiken gegen Ende des Mittelalters (Itinera, Supplement to the Swiss Journal of History).
• 2014 – 2016: Vice President and Head of the Education Department at the German Federation of Historical Fencers
• 2014 – 2016: Development of the module “Source Studies and Interpretation Methodology” for the trainer education program of the DDHF
• 2017 – 2019: Development of the training system “Principle-Based Experiential Training (P.E.T.)” (renamed as Combat-P.L.A.Y. in 2023)
• Since 2019: Trainer and instructor for Combat-P.L.A.Y.
• Since 2020: Coach and trainer for self-assertion, self-defense, and self-experience for executives and specialists