About

What is Historical Fencing?

HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) is an umbrella term for martial arts of European origin, based on historical sources. All of the techniques are reconstructed from historical manuals, written by fencing masters from the 15th to the 19th century. We, as historical fencers, try to recreate the techniques and spirit of armed combat, using safe steel swords and modern protective gear.

What does Sprezzatura do?

In Sprezzatura, we aim to promote a healthy living through the fun of historical fencing. We are currently offering longsword classes, based on the teachings of the 16th century German fencing master Joachim Meyer. The classes are designed to work on your physical fitness, coordination, balance and mental focus. Other than physical fitness, the historical sources are important to understand what is that we are training.

Are you a knigtly order and do you do reenacment at festivals?

Not at all! Although some clubs do that as well, most clubs focus solely on the fencing aspect of HEMA. Still, you'll be sure to find people doing both activities but seperatly. We are approaching historical fencing as a combat sport as a sort of midway between modern sport fencing and martial arts.

How are you different to modern sport fencing?

We wear black! Jokes aside, we have three main differences. First, we use training swords that are much closer to what was used historically. This also includes very different weapons and competetive categories, the most popular ones being:
- longsword
- rapier
- sidesword
- sabre
- messer
- smallsword
- arming sword and buckler

Second, we usually allow phyiscal contact such as grappling, shoving, grabbing the opponents sword. Some fighters and tournaments prefer even more phyiscal contact by allowing wrestling while others don't allow almost any phyiscal touch.

Third, we have hit quality and usually a concept known as "afterblow". Hit quality refers to the fact that a hit requiries sufficent force while afterblow refers to the fact that after you hit, there is still a little bit of time where you have to protect yourself from the opponent hitting you. This concept goes hand in hand with the combat logic of "hit and don't get hit".