Workshops

Which workshops will happen at the Dreynevent. What, when, where and with whom.

Fight books around the world – martial arts studies

 in Lecture / Workshops

Trainer: 
Daniel Jaquet

Description: 
This lecture will review the latest conference in Solingen (Fight books in comparative perspective - Deutsches Klingenmuseum, November 2017), including a presentation of latest research about fight books from Asia, India, and South America. It will also give perspective on ongoing research projects and avenues (Acta Periodica Duellatorum, Society for Historical European Martial Arts Studies, Martial Arts studies network).

Historical rule-sets for HEMA competitions

 in Lecture / Workshops

Trainer:
Matt Galas

Description: 
HEMA is the reconstruction of lost martial traditions using historical source material. While we tend to focus on technical literature on the fighting arts, there is also a substantial body of primary source material devoted to the day-to-day practice of fencing, including rule-sets for tournaments and other competitions.

This lecture will examine historical rule-sets from a variety of martial traditions, including Germany (Fechtschule rules), France (chivalric feats of arms, rapier rules, fencing guild rules), Italy (fencing hall rules, wrestling rules), Belgium (fencing guild rules), and Spain (fencing hall rules). These various rule-sets will be examined and their relevance to modern HEMA practice discussed.

It’s a trap!

 in Longsword / Workshops

Trainer:
Cor Kronenburg

Description: 
No, this will not be lightsaber by Admiral Gial Ackbar, but we will practice the setting up of traps for your opponents to step in. How can you manipulate the distance and timing of the fight to lure your opponent into doing something he thinks will lead him the victory. When all the while you direct him to his inescapable demise. We will include techniques from Johannes Liechtenauer and Joachim Meyer. With techniques in the Vor, Nach and Indes.

This longsword workshop also teaches you to recognize traps set by your opponent (even if he does it unknowingly) and how not to fall for them.

Needed Equipment: 
Longsword/feder (preferably steel), mask, neck protector, chest protector, gloves. The rest is otional!

Since the last part of the workshop will be dynamic exercises on higher frequency/speed. Because we want to practice our newly gained knowledge in “realistic” scenarios. Wear what makes you feel comfortable.

Skill level of Participants: 
All levels are welcome, knowledge of basic strikes/thrusts is useful.

Characteristics of the I.33

 in Sword & buckler / Workshops

Trainer:
Herbert Schmidt

Description: 

  • What is typical for the I.33?
  • Which techniques are cornerstones of the system?
  • How does the I.33 differ from other manuals?
  • What makes the I.33 unique?

In this workshop we are going to answer all these questions and more. You will gain an insight into the inner workings of this system.

Needed Equipment: 
Sword and buckler.

Skill level of Participants: 
Beginner with decent blade control

The role of the buckler in Bolognese swordplay

 in Sword & buckler / Workshops

Trainer:
Fran Terminiello

Description: 
In this workshop we will focus specifically on the functions of the buckler as an additional weapon in Bolognese swordplay, and how it fits into the fencing mindset and tactical arsenal, following the teachings of Manciolino, Marozzo and the Anonimo Bolognese. The class is recommended for anyone with an interest in using an offhand weapon for the first time, or in trying the Bolognese fencing system.

Needed Equipment: 
Single handed sword, buckler, gloves, mask, gorget – as a minimum.

Skill level of Participants: 
Any.

Pugilism – Old English Boxing

 in Unarmed / Workshops

Trainer:
Alexander Kiermayer and Christoph Reinberger

Description: 
Pugilism is the name for historical boxing. This workshop will focus on basic techniques and drills to develop a good foundation in this old fighting art. The principles of pugilism are very close to period fencing. Contrary to modern boxing it was allowed to grab the opponent and throw him to the ground or hit him while holding him in a chancery hold. During the workshop we will also look at this part of the art.

Most of the techniques and principles we are going to practice will be drawn from late 19th century sources.

Needed Equipment: 
Focus pads and light open-handed boxing gloves (MMA-gloves) if you happen to have some. If not your bare fists will do.

Skill level of Participants: 
Beginners welcome.

65 ways to disarm you opponent

 in Langes-Messer / Workshops

Trainer:
Hans Heim and Martin Enzi

Description: 
Disarms from Leküchner, you learn how to take the weapon of your opponent out of his hand with:

  • One of your hands
  • With both of your hands
  • Only with your weapon
  • With your weapon and the use of the free hand
  • With your weapon and the free hand at your weapon
  • With an carrot
  • Not all of the 65 disarms out of the book are shown or trained, only the best.

Needed Equipment: 
Langes Messer, or one hands sword, gloves, fencing mask, carrots will be made available from the trainer.

Skill level of Participants: 
Beginners and advanced.

Boarding fight before and during the Napoleonic period, or „How to kill a pirate?“

 in Sabre / Workshops

Trainer:
Julien Garry

Description: 
Mainly based on the manuscript of ltd Pringle Green, and the works of J. de St Martin, and some other secondary sources, in this workshop i will try to show and teach how soldiers and sailors can fight during a boarding action (against soldiers or pirates), in the late XVIIIth century and during the Napoleonic war.

The sabre is the main weapon, but we also learn some technics with smallsword against sabre, sabre against riffle, and sabre with pistol.

After learning some techniques from sources, i will try to show the chaos of a boarding action with some group fight exercice.

Needed Equipment: 
A sabre, short or long (as you can have). Strong protection gear (mask, jacket, gloves, legs and chest protection if you have)

Optionnal gear: A smal-sword, a coat, a pistol simulator, a riffle with fixed bayonet simulator, a board axe, a spear... I will bring some pistols and riffle simulators for people who don't have it.

Skill level of Participants: 
Beginners or sabre-familiar

Keeping the Vor – better reactions due to slower footwork

 in Longsword / Workshops

Trainer:
Stefan Dieke

Description: 
The sources of the Liechtenauer-tradition tell us that we should strive gain the 'Vor', i.e. to deliver the initial attack but also to accept the 'Nach' if the opponent deals the initial blow.

People generally object to being struck by a sword. Thus - if they are quick enough - they will react to the threat of an incoming blow in one way or another. This class will focus on how to deal with these reactions to keep the 'Vor' - in other words: your reaction to your opponents reaction to your initial attack.

There are two key components to the proper reaction. 'Fühlen' tells us what is the correct reaction. Controlled footwork permits us execute this correct reaction while overcommitted footwork prevents us from reacting properly.

Needed Equipment: 
Longsword, mask, gloves, throat protection, groin protection.

Skill level of Participants: 
All levels welcome.

Asymmetrical fights during Viking era

 in Viking era combat / Workshops

Trainer:
Laure Bornier

Description: 
This workshop will be an introduction to what could be fights during Viking era (Scandinavia IX to XI cent.)

We will begin with a quick reminder of the sources available, the weapons and shields used for this period. Then we will do small technical exercises before fighting in various situations of asymmetrical fights: Opponent(s) have different weapons, different number of opponent(s), group fight.

Needed Equipment: 
Round shield between 60 and 100cm diameter, Various weapons: axes, spears, one hand swords, Sparring gear.

Skill level of Participants: 
All levels welcome.

Counterthrusts in Rapier

 in Rapier / Workshops

Trainer: 
Florian Fortner and Julian Schrattenecker

Description: 
Being able to counter the opponent's sudden attacks while you approach him could save your life - In this workshop we will go through the different possible attacks that could occur and then find and practice sutiable counters. All techniques are based on Salvator Fabris and his german lineage .

Needed Equipment: 
Rapier, mask, plastron/jacket, groin/breast protector, neck protector, gloves.

Skill level of Participants: 
Intermediate - Basic rapier fencing skills are a prerequisite.

The Civilian’s Sabre

 in Cane / Workshops

Trainer: 
Alex Zalud

Description: 
While the French developed a system of cane-fencing that centers around whipping strikes and the footwork of Boxe Francaise Savate, the Italian fencing-master M° Giannino Martinelli based his system on the military sabre. His system is that of a military man using a civilian's weapon – a cane in place of a sabre.

In this workshop, we are going to explore this system, using the drills of Martinelli in a self-defence environment and combining his methods with those of the sabre-method taught by M° Blengini.

Needed Equipment: 
A cane (wood, GFK, CFK – a simple wooden dowel may suffice), gloves (sparring gloves may be a good idea – canes can hit pretty hard), fencing mask.

Skill level of Participants: 
Some basic knowledge of either cane or sabre is beneficial.

Italian rapier: Nicoletto Giganti

 in Rapier / Workshops

Trainer: 
George Zacharopoulos

Description: 
In this workshop we will work on the basics of the Italian rapier fighting using as a guide the teachings of the Venetian maestro Nicoletto Giganti as laid out in his treatise “Scola, overo, teatro….” (1606). Body mechanics, footwork, guards, counterguards, tempo, measure, attack and defense and all the necessary elements of rapier fencing according to the maestro. Time permitted we will also work on a couple of his plays of “coming to grips” (close distance techniques )from his second book published in 1608.

Needed Equipment: 
Sword, fencing mask, light gloves, chest protection.

Skill level of Participants: 
Beginner, intermediate.

Stuff about the staff according to Meyer

 in Staff / Workshops

Trainer: 
Roman Vučajnk

Description: 
Working with quarterstaff zooms in on the wonderful geometry of fighting. This seemingly basic and common tool is founded on eloquent expression of martial principles and the aim of the workshop is to shed some light on those. Movements and the intention of the quarterstaff also provokes some unique patterns of behavior in combat. We shall focus on the source book by Joachim Meyer, a 16th century master of arms.

Needed Equipment: 
A wooden staff (approx 2 m in length), soft gloves for a better grip and mask.

Skill level of Participants: 
Basic HEMA skills

Get into the flow – but do it slow

 in Rapier / Workshops

Trainer: 
Karl Rapp

Description: 
Based on Capoferro's style of rapier fencing this workshop will try to teach you that you can normally be quite slow while fencing rapier (which is good for a workshop in the morning) and that your focus should not stay on being faster than your opponent, or on hitting your opponent as soon as there's a possibility to hit. It's rather about being and staying in control, keep yourself safe, knowing your options for every situation, and slowly but firmly limit your opponents possibilities until he can't escape anymore or makes a mistake. And then you have to be fast, very fast. But only then, the rest of the time you can be quite lazy 🙂

Needed Equipment: 
Rapier, light gloves, mask, gorget, jacket, chest protection and cup.

Skill level of Participants: 
Intermediate, it's definitely no beginners workshop!

The context of your source

 in Lecture / Workshops

Trainer: 
Marcus Hampel

Description: 
In this lecture I present you the state of affairs regarding the research of the life stories of F.C.Christmann and Dr. G.Pfeffinger. They serve as an example why it is important to know the historical context of your source. And even how this helps to run an organized club.

Be prepared to hear about imaginative assumptions, even fanciful claims, why context is important!

Mastering Christmanns military sabre style

 in Sabre / Workshops

Trainer: 
Marcus Hampel

Description: 
Sabre fencing after Christmann is easy to learn. His fencing book is very well structured and contains a lot of exercises and step-by-step instructions. But, and that's the main focus of this class: you have to read, understand and follow every tiny bit of it. In this class Marcus will show you the first steps and how to either succeed or f#ck up your proper Christmann style. There is no grey.

Needed Equipment: 
Sabre (or onehanded weapon), mask.

Skill level of Participants: 
Beginner and first-time fencer.

Luis Dodinho’s montante

 in Montante / Workshops

Trainer: 
Jan Gosewinkel

Description: 
The Montante/Twohander is a weapon specialised in the fight against many. So it is wielded in continous, smooth circular motions, involving the whole body. We will focus on the special biomechanics and the logic of movement, which is necessary to keep this tall weapon circling. Besides this "basics", we will have a look at some "core"-techiques of the system: the fight in a surrounded situation for the application in a free play. Here we will learn turns, jumps and spinning jumps with the montante.

Needed Equipment: 
A sword or waster with a handle ca. 4 hands wide, alternatively a staff ca. 1,5-1,8 m long (a staff of propper length whould be better than a sword which is too short). Fencing masks are not really necessary, but maybe usefull at some point.

Skill level of Participants: 
General blade skill: 3-10 (there is no specific montante knowledge necessary, but a basic skill of body- and blade-controll is needed for the complex turning&jumping)

Wallerstein’s combat wrestling

 in Unarmed / Workshops

Trainer: 
Elias Flatscher and Špela Šalamon

Description: 
The workshop goes over selected technique chains from Codex Wallerstein, one of the most complete sources on the rough art of medieval combat wrestling. It covers wrestling techniques, joint locks, strikes and combinations thereof and is closely related to dagger fighting. The workshop focuses on the fundamentals and combinations of selected combat wrestling techniques well-suited for use against a bigger and stronger opponent, all leading to the one goal: total annihilation of the opponent.

Needed Equipment: 
None required, mouthpiece and groin protector optional

Skill level of Participants: 
You should be able to fall safely and be happy to mix it up close and personal.

Control matters

 in Langes-Messer / Longsword / Workshops

Trainer: 
Falko Fritz

Description: 
This workshop is an introduction to safe sparring without protective gear for longsword and messer. The "Bloßfechten" techniques we find in the Liechtenauer tradition (and others) were trained by fencers well aware of their vulnerability. This awareness, knowing that the only effective defense is our sword, cannot be simulated adequately once we put on mask and padding. So in this workshop we'll leave out all body protection and focus on blade control to ensure safety. Starting with simple exercises to practice the necessary control over our swords, we'll work our way up through some exemplary techniques and eventually engage in easy, controlled freeplay.

The exercises are intended for beginners and advanced fencers who are interested in the historical context of 15th century fencing, when the masters and their students also had to train safely without the benefit of protective gear. Since training without gear is rather a completely different approach to practicing HEMA than a new technique for your repertoire, most of the exercises will be fairly generic and applicable to all weapons. Especially if you're interested in HEMA research and/or playful, non-competitive sparring, I hope that this workshop will be beneficial to you and that you can take some inspirations home for your own training. 

Needed Equipment: 
Longsword or messer. No protective gear. Extra tip protection (rubber arrow blunt or thick paper taped around the tip) may be necessary as a precaution. If you can, bring plastic goggles.

Skill level of Participants: 
Beginners to advanced.

Italian knife fighting – is this art HEMA?

 in Knife / Workshops

Italian knifefighting - is this art HEMA?

Trainer:
Özgen Senol and Christian Simanek

Description:
The unit covers both history and old stories about traditional Italian duelling knives as well as the Italian knife fighting itself. The technical part basically teaches the very first steps along the circle and the first scholastic assault together with the relative defense against it. Besides concepts in the long range maestro Ossi Senol will teach a few but effecient close range tactics and techniques. The unit will be filled up with demonstrations and will end up in a friendly free play.

Needed Equipment:
A wood or drumstick or any other save knifesimulator - ca. 30 cm long. Take care about the tip.

Skill level of Participants:
HEMA experienced.

The reasons behind vom Tag devices

 in Longsword / Workshops

Trainer:
Andrea Conti 

Description:
With the following seminar we will analyze the strategic and tactical use focusing on a fundamental guard in the German longsword system: the vom Tag, according Joachim Meyer's view.

Although since the texts chronologically closest to Liechtenauer this guard has been considered for its importance one of the four basic postures [Vier Leger], the vom Tag is definitely the one that had some adaptations as demonstrated by treatises in the following centuries.

To be directly inspired from the Stucken is the best way to understand the strategic and tactical value of this guard in Meyer's system. Therefore, every movement will be split explaining its sense. In addition, comparisons with the other weapons will be shown and (where necessary) some ideas even going beyond the written words of the swiss Master will be explained, while remaining consistent within his system.

Needed Equipment:
1600N fencing mask + nape protector; Any fencing jacket;
Light gloves for good mobility and sensitivity of the hands, enough to defend them in case of accidental blow.

Skill level of Participants:
Basic knowledge of Kunst des Fechtens.