Brisbane Swords

Brisbane Swords instructs HEMA (Historic European Martial Arts) with a focus upon medieval longsword, sword and renaissance rapier.
Brisbane Swords teaches historic fencing techniques with practical application and modern teaching methods, taught by an instructor with over 30 years martial arts training and 15 years teaching experience.

Sword training is great for fitness, martial arts proficiency, problem solving, confidence building and a lot of fun.

Brisbane Swords teaches fencing for fun, for fitness, technical and practical application. Regular local, social and competitive fencing events exist through the year.
For those that have the interest, there is also 'Swordplay', a national tournament with fencers and schools from around Australia held in Brisbane in September each year.

We have a new home and venue to train in Logan/Kingston on the southside of Brisbane Qld.

These arts are drawn from historical manuscripts such as Fiore dei Liberi's 'Fior di Battaglia' (Flower of Battle), which shows unarmed grappling, dagger defence, unarmoured sword & longsword combat, fighting in armour with swords, polearms and on horseback.

Brisbane Swords is a part of the School of Historical Defense Arts.

Here’s some info:
Q: What is it you do?
A: Brisbane Swords shares the study and practice of Historic European Martial Arts (HEMA) swordsmanship from the Middle Ages. Training is based on historic dueling manuals written between the 14th and 16th centuries. With a focus on the arts as shown in the Flos Duellatorum (Flower of Battle) written by Fiore dei Liberi. Training is for turning the theoretical pictures and words into practical techniques.
Fiore’s Armizare consists of unarmoured fighting, dagger defence, unarmoured fighting with swords in one and two hands, fighting in armour, with spears and polearms. Fiore is possibly the earliest complete documented system of martial arts and principles shown with a near complete system of teaching.

Q: Is this like fencing?
A: This is fencing's older, meaner, more deadly grandfather. In fact, the word 'fencing' in the context of swordsmanship comes from the medieval training manuals.

Q: Do you guys LARP?
A: Not in this group, no. Brisbane Swords is strictly about studying Historic European Martial Arts with little deviation from the original manuscripts. There is no role play, no costumes, and the weapons aren't padded. We do however have local connections with re-enactment and role play groups.

Q: Where do I start?
A: Come to training! Bring water and just wear regular workout clothes.

Q: Do I need to get armor?
A: Not yet. We primarily study unarmoured duelling, which is fighting without armour. As you progress, you may desire to study harness/armoured fighting, which is fighting in plate armour. Soon, though, you will need to acquire sparring gear and a practice sword (a waster).
The first thing you will need is groin protection (for males) and gloves then a fencing mask. You can then add armour in your own time. If you wish to start sparring exercises and eventually tournaments, you will need some specific stuff like a padded gambeson (jacket) , neck protector (gorget), and hard elbows and knees; many people use motorcross armour!
Details for the equipment will be provided by your instructor.

Q: I don't really want to fight, but I still want to learn this stuff.
A: No problem! Sparring is optional. Many members look forward to it, but you can still take part in workouts, drills, and partner exercises without ever having to go toe-to-toe against other students in the sparring arena.

Q: I can't afford protective gear right now...
A: Start saving. Plan to invest in gear. You can purchase off the shelf, but most can be made by creative hands. Until then, you can borrow equipment during practice.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing the very cool skills of swordsmanship.