Historic Dutch Rapier Fencing - From Gerard Thibault's TretiseFeatured

Learn the historic art of rapier fencing.

First published in 1630, Gerard Thibault's Academy of the Sword stands as one of the most lavish treatises on the art of civilian swordplay ever written. It has also been largely, and unfairly dismissed by most fencing scholars and historians as 'overcomplicated' and 'unimportant.'

In this class, we will study how, through an elegant blending of Dutch and Spanish fencing theory and techniques melded together with a highly rational mental approach to the problems of fencing Thibault was able to achieve a simple, yet surprisingly effective and adaptable system of swordplay. Thibault argues that the single rapier alone is perfectly adequate for both offense and defense against any other system of rapier, as well as sword and shield, sword and dagger and even the longsword.

You will learn the theoretical underpinnings of Thibault's system and practice the techniques that manifest that theory. Come and learn why the 'Academy of the Sword' is more than just another pretty book.

This class is taught in Portland by Matthew Howden and in Phoenix by John Czekala