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 from the 14th to the 17th centuries. CIA was established in 2003 and 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 with an emphasis on safety, control and with protective equipment so that we can enjoy the art of swordsmanship without the scars resulting from the rot blume! A key aim of ours is to nourish an environment of mutual respect, support and healthy esprit de corps.

Goals

The ultimate goal of our research and practice is to successfully interpret, reconstruct, practice, teach and promote the systems of fencing practiced in Medieval and Renaissance Germany, and to fence in a safe, effective and fun way for the enjoyment of ourselves and the wider community. In the same spirit, we’re 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 17th centuries, including the fight-lore (fechtlehre) typically attributed (sometimes erroneously) to: Hanko Döbringer, Sigmund Ringeck, Peter von Danzig, Codex Wallerstein, Paulus Kal, 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 also work with wrestling (ringen), dagger (dolch), large knife (messer and dussack), sword (rapier), staff (stange) and spear (spieß) from time to time. We make extensive use of historically accurate, blunt steel longswords including specialised foils (federschwerter) based on originals from the Renaissance. For beginners and for solo exercise, simple wooden practice swords called wasters may be used in addition to other simulators that prove useful. Personal protective equipment such as padded gloves, jackets and fencing masks are employed so we may fence safely and with intensity.

Practice includes the mastery of core biomechanics, fighting phases, guards, strikes, slices, thrusts, footwork, handwork and detailed devices (solo and partnered) through a dynamic progression of ‘alive’ drills and exercises. Hard work in training culminates and finds ultimate expression in carefully monitored free play (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 developed equally. Reaction time, perception, balance, ahtletic grace, speed, aerobic fitness and mobility may 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 informal internal grades within CIA, awarded following demonstration and examination of skill and knowledge against set criteria by respected peers. In order of seniority the grades (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.