Collegium in Armis (CiA) is a school of historical European swordsmanship based in Brisbane, Australia. We study and practice historical fencing based on sources from the Holy Roman Empire and Central Europe between the 14th and 16th centuries. CiA was established in 2003 by Bill Carew and Leith Golding and was accepted as a member school of the Australian Historical Swordplay Federation (AHSF) during the 2004 Australian Historical Fencing Convention in Sydney, Australia.

Within CiA we study and practice historical European swordsmanship as a modern martial art with an emphasis on safety, skill and control. We aim to nourish an environment of excellence, prowess, respect and healthy esprit de corps.

Goals

Our ultimate goal is to successfully interpret, reconstruct, practice, teach and promote the art of fencing practiced in Medieval and Renaissance Germany, and to fence in a safe, effective and fun way for our enjoyment and the benefit of the wider community.

We’re always happy to socialise over good food and (thanks to the enlightened Reinheitsgebot) a cold pint or two of German beer. We aim to take our fencing seriously and ourselves not at all.

Sources

Our primary sources originated in the Holy Roman Empire from the 14th to the 16th centuries, including the texts attributed (sometimes erroneously) to: Hanko Döbringer, Sigmund Ringeck, Peter von Danzig, the Codex Wallerstein, Peter Falkner, Paulus Hector Mair and Joachim Meyer.

Practice

Fencing with the longsword (langschwert) forms the central pillar of our study and practice, just as it did in the period, although we aim to work with wrestling (ringen), dagger (dolch), large knife (messer and dussack), sword (rapier), staff (stange) and spear (spiess) from time to time.

As our focus is squarely on the development of historical fencing as a modern activity, we are not an historical re-enactment or living history group (although they are fine activities). For this reason, we use modern protective equipment such as fencing jackets and fencing masks, wear suitable modern athletic clothing and use sword simulators such as synthetic wasters and steel blunts.

Our practice involves the mastery of the fighting phases, core biomechanics, guards, strikes, slices, thrusts, footwork, handwork and detailed devices (solo and partnered) through a progression of dynamic drills and exercises. All this hard work culminates and finds ultimate expression in carefully monitored free fencing when students are skilled, ready and confident enough.

Benefits

Historical fencing practice is beneficial for general fitness and well being. Swordsmanship exercises all the major muscle groups in the body and as the longsword is a double handed tool, both sides of the body are challenged and developed. Reaction time, perception, balance, athletic grace, speed, aerobic fitness and mobility can all be improved with committed practice. Other benefits include the cultivation of patience, humility, perseverance and confidence in practitioners.

Grading Structure

There are a handful of internal ranks within CiA, awarded following demonstration and examination of skill and knowledge against set criteria. In order of seniority the ranks (along with their approximate English equivalents) are:

- Neuling (Novice)
- Fechter (Fencer)
- Freifechter (Free Fencer)
- Vorfechter (Provost)

In line with our collegiate philosophy and outlook, we tend to avoid visible signs of rank such as belts, sashes, hats and scarves. Instead we have a lovely line of training gear available for everyone at our CafePress shop:

www.cafepress.com/CollegiumNArmis

Contact Us

For more information or to enquire about coming along to a class, please contact us at collegiuminarmis (at) gmail.com.