Here we go again - and because it is our 10th anniversary, it will be bigger, longer, and better!
You can already sign up here for RAPIER VIENNA 2025.
As usual, we have prepared an extraordinary and varied program for you:
We are looking forward to welcome you in Vienna's summer heat!
ATTENTION: We do not organise accomodation!
But we can recommend some hotels that are within a short commute from the hall:
Discipline: Smallsword
William Cavendish’s method could be best described as cut fencing with a pinch of stab, and where some describe smallsword systems with elegant lunges, Cavendish advocates walking calmly and hitting them like a post. Student’s of Fabris’ tradition, and I.33 will find familiarities, but also stark and delightful differences. David will teach you this wonderful system with delight, expertise and vast amounts of swearing.
Experience level: All
Recommended gear: smallsword, mask, light gloves; optional: gorget, breast protection, fencing jacket
Discipline: Single SideSword and single Rapier
Girard Thibault offers us possibly the most beautiful fencing treatise ever produced on verdadera destreza, but beneath his eloquent wording lies a delightfully rutal, practical style, wrapped in pretty words and images. Here we will study some of his counters to the imbrocade, with a twist.
Recommended gear: Rapier, mask, light gloves; optional: gorget, breast protection, fencing jacket
Discipline: Rapier and Sidesword
Footwork is absolutely central to fencing, however it is often relegated to a secondary role in many workshops as a focus on upper body (sword) techniques is often preferred. In this workshop we are going to delve into some deeper understanding of the footwork related to direction of movement and the actions that follow from it. We will practice reading into our opponent’s stance to assess their potential next move, and what upper body techniques make sense to do from a particular footing.
Recommended gear: ?
Discipline: Any
The concept of defence in depth in military defence is the idea of letting the attacker overcommit and break down as they advance, letting attrition (loss of good form) create openings for the defender to exploit. Similarly, during sparring a fencer can choose an aggressive defensive stance, in order to break down and opponent’s attack. References to this strategy are found in several treatises, although without the modern terminology. But also, an important part of the strategy is also when not to use it, as we will see.
Discipline: Sidesword
We shall focus on Joachim Meyer's teaching on fighting with one-handed sword of the late 16th century, commonly referred to as sidesword. Extensive texts offer a great insight into the system constructed from various traditions that Joachim Meyer studied and included into his selection of the foundational elements of the art of fighting. Theoretical and didactical content will be complemented by practical exercises and encounters in pairs.
Discipline: Rapier
Using Salvator Fabris to ensure the success of our attack
The modern (and historical, to some extent) idea of rapier fencing is that two combatants approach one another and then one leaps forward to make a hit. However, the actual chance of success of such an action against an at least moderately-skilled opponent is strikingly low. Salvator Fabris and his students suggest a way of approaching your opponent that gives you not only the chance to hit them before they can parry you, but which also allows you to react in case they try to parry earlier. In this seminar, we will have a look at this way of building a lunge – or extension (distesa), in his words – and the timing theory as well as body mechanics that are behind it. We will include stress tests to optimise our way of moving and the decision-making involved. The aim is to improve your own skills at (Italian) rapier fighting and provide some food for thought for other weapon disciplines you might be training.
Experience level: Beginners and Advanced
Recommended gear: rapier (or even an arming or sidesword if you do not have a rapier); if you want to make contact during the exercises (which is an important part of the learning process in this case), we recommend also a 1600 N fencing mask, gorget, thin gloves and chest protection.
“Your strength is a function of the position of the blade and does not come from pressing with the arm” – this is what Fabris says in the proceeding-with-resolution part of his book about establishing control over the opponent’s weapon. It also applies to all other modes of securing the blade, of which he chiefly distinguishes two: the counter-posture and the finding (“trovare”) of the blade. Apparently, both are called “stringere” by his German students. In this class, we will learn about these different modes, starting with very obvious body-mechanical and physical prerequisites (leverage, edge orientation and physical superiority) and then gradually transfer them to the much subtler ways of establishing control that Fabris and his students suggest. We will also establish the limits of these means, that is, when we have to yield to the opponent’s pressure – or even just the threat of it. The interesting conclusion will be that Fabris tries to move the rapier as little as possible; he will rather have you move your entire body behind the weapon. This ultimately gives a lot of freedom to your sword hand which will aid you in the fast-paced chaos of combat.
Experience level: Advanced
Recommended gear: Sidesword, mask, gorget, padded gloves and chest protection.
Ob Schulter, Ellbogen, Rücken, Fuß oder Knie - wer kennt das nicht: irgendwo tut es bei vermehrter Trainingsbelastung immer weh. Und wenn nicht: damit es auch auf lange Sicht so bleibt, ist es wichtig, die Gelenke, die durch unseren Sport unter Mehrbelastung stehen, resilienter zu machen. In diesem Workshop dreht sich alles genau darum: welchen spezifischen Reiz braucht welches Gelenk, um so lange wie möglich schmerz- und verletzungsfrei zu bleiben, oder wieder zu werden. Egal ob als Anfänger:in oder Fortgeschrittene:r, ob für’s Technik-Training, Sparring oder den Wettkampf. Egal ob mit oder ohne Au. Dieser Workshop richtet sich an alle, die mehr darüber wissen wollen, wie man den Körper auf die Belastungen im HEMA vorbereiten kann.
Experience level: Any
Recommended gear: None
Discipline: Single Rapier
Turning the body is an integral part of Fabris' Fencing style. It is used in counter thrust, to increase speed, and in body voids to move faster off-line. In our workshop we take a close look at the 6th rule of single rapier from Fabris' second book to help realize how fast the turns and twists of the body can be.
Experience level: Intermediate-Advanced
Recommended gear: Rapier, mask, light gloves, gorget, chest protection, fencing jacket
Capoferro’s plates give us a whole range of information, but much of this becomes only clear when you try to work out how it should/could really work and when you have at least some experience. We will go through one of his plates and try to find out what is happening there, how and when these actions make sense, where the limits of their usability are, and how we can produce a set of training exercises from simple to rather complex.
Experience level: Beginner
Recommended gear: Rapier, mask, light gloves; gorget, breast protection, fencing jacket
Capoferro’s plates give us a whole range of information, but much of this becomes only clear when you try to work out how it should/could really work and when you have at least some experience. Like in the first part of this workshop we will go through one of his plates and try to find out what is happening there, but this time we will focus on a plate that gives us a bit more of an headache.
In my humble opinion, the HEMA community, on average, has only little awareness of spatial and temporal planning. By that I mean that there is an insufficient consciousness about the meaning and options that derive from two bodies and weapons positioned somewhere in space, and the time necessary to perform certain movements that are supposed to meaningfully alter this spatial configuration. Sounds complicated? That is perfectly natural. Our sources mainly describe specific actions and counters, but they rarely state general advice like “if the opponent’s weapon is somewhere on your left, it can probably harm you from there, so better put your own weapon close to it to shut that door”. They imply good timing by stating that you have to execute a counter exactly when the opponent tries a weird attack, but they do not necessarily tell you how you have to move your own body in order to execute that counter when it is necessary. This leads to a thinking in individual techniques (“I do A when my opponent does B”) rather than in concepts. Adapting to a situation that is not in a fight book can become really difficult this way. Plus, it can obscure the purpose of a fight book action and what body-mechanical and/or geometrical considerations make it work in the first place. It is a bit like building a brick wall without mortar. The techniques (bricks) fit somewhere in the right place, but they are not connected or embedded reasonably, and the entire thing is generally rather unstable. Spatial and temporal planning means you know what a specific fencing action needs to do for you, how it improves your control over space, and it makes sure you can act when the opponent cannot surprise you. Fabris is comparably open in this regard and it is much easier to derive some of the underlying principles of fencing that he does not explain explicitly. He makes you aware of the fact that you cannot counter short actions with long ones (temporal planning) and that shutting out the opponent’s weapon as much and as early as possible is a major step towards making a safe hit (spatial planning). Still, I would not have understood them without my Olympic sabre coaching having me do things that rely on the very same principles (even though he, too, did not make them explicit). This revelation was so fundamental that I decided to make an in-depth YouTube video essay series about at least temporal planning (called “Timing in HEMA on Three Levels of Difficulty”), trying to spell out what is typically only implicit in our sources or in people’s experience – because many of us do, in fact, have a hunch what good timing feels like. But despite the fact that a few viewers reported that the videos helped their own training tremendously, it remains an area of martial arts that is best conveyed through personal tuition. Your body has to feel what gives you strength over the opponent’s weapon (and how weakness feels) or experience the superiority of being able to execute an action at the right time (and the utter helplessness when the opponent does it against you). And even though people who regularly train with you might sometimes get their personal light bulb moment only after one year, a single seminar can still go a long way in raising awareness of these issues about which we all ought to know more.
The topic of this discussion is what we can learn from historical swords for our fencing styles. How is the weight distribution of well made historical swords? How can this incluence our fencing style? And can a badly made Sword teach us something wrong?
David Rawlings is an internationally respected instructor at the London Longsword Academy and jovially foul mouthed pillar of the HEMA community. His deep love of research and stabbing has led Rawlings to dedicate much of his life to the study and teaching of historical fencing. While he is well known for his work with the longsword, his expertise also extends to the rapier, a weapon he has researched extensively. His approach to Rapier training is precise, emphasizing accuracy to the treatise over his own opinions. Under his guidance, students learn to apply the of footwork, blade control, and timing essential to mastering the rapier in the manner of Girard Thibault. He also swears like a sailor for safety, for punctuation, and for fun which is a good indicator for his well-being.
Cornelius started Olympic fencing in 2004 and soon learned about re-enactment fighting and eventually HEMA. In his first club, Bloßfechter zu Chemnitz, he trained longsword, dagger and wrestling and started teaching sword & buckler (MS I.33), military sabre and Italian rapier. After moving to Hamburg in 2016, he trained at Hammaborg (teaching S&B) and DIMICATOR. In 2019 he founded his own school, DIMICATOR Schola, where he now focuses on sword & buckler and rapier fencing in the tradition of Salvator Fabris. Together with Roland Warzecha he has started publishing the DIMICATOR online sword & buckler course at Teachable. Cornelius is very much convinced that proper fencing is both close to the sources and will help your performance in competition.
Lorenzo Braschi started out in Historical Fencing in Madrid in 2011, learning to fence with rapier, longsword, and sword and buckler as a member of the Escuela Madrileña de Esgrima Tradicional (EMET). Since 2016 he has been a rapier instructor at ARMA-PL Warsaw. He mostly focuses on the Spanish system of Verdadera Destreza, especially the later authors (Rada, Ettenhard), without dismissing earlier masters. His approach now is to make Destreza more widely known outside of Spain and focus on the practical and theoretical interchange between Italian and Spanish fencing.
Roman’s HEMA-journey started in the late 90‘s through reenactment and medievalism, enabled by means of the glorious new world wide web. A few years later he shifted over to the studying, interpretation and practicing of the Art of Fight and the Early Modern Age stepped to the front of the queue of his interests. Joachim Meyer and his approch to fighting led him through wondrous landscapes of urban combat of the 16th and 17th century, with Spanish and Italian traditions following and compliamenting the experience of combat. He is a fervent supporter of HEMA communities, from big stern structured federations to happy circles of dear friends bashing each other with steel, and even officiated weddings for some lovely HEMA-couples! Close to 30 years later he is a content practitioner of fighting with things that cut, thrust, slice or poke, and is greatful to be able to share his views with his people at Slovenia’s Academia artis dimicatoriae and everyone else training with him.
Viviano had an early start to martial arts, at age four, practicing Judo up to the green belt, before turning his interests to other sports. What followed was a journey through climbing and mountaineering, western riding, sports diving and cave diving, bungee jumping and skiing, to instinctive archery and shooting. In 1999 he re-discovered his passion for martial arts under the guidance of Andrea Lupo „Sinclair“, practicing the FISAS-method with Longsword, Sidesword, Sabre and Rapier. He held a number of demonstrations and workshops on his research and expertise in the earlier rapier. He is currently certified as "Martial Arts ACSI Technician". Viviano has been a member of the FISAS executive committee from 2002 to 2021 and held the position of FISAS President between 2008 and 2012.
Ich bin Physiotherapeutin und Osteopathin mit Spezialisierung auf Kampfsportler:innen nicht nur aus dem HEMA, sondern auch aus den Bereichen Kickboxen/MMA/Ringen/Bodenkampf. Warum? Weil ich selber vor allem im letzteren Bereich eine lange Vergangenheit als Wettkämpferin/Trainerin/Coach habe und weiß bzw. gesehen habe, was wichtig ist und wo Potential für mehr Resilienz herrscht.
Florian trainiert seit 2011 Rapier nach Salvator Fabris, aber auch italienisches Seitschwert und Langschwert. Er ist unser kompetitives Aushängeschild mit Top-Platzierungen bei Turnieren im In- und Ausland. Er kämpft immer mit selbstgmachten Schwerten, die meist zu schön sind um zerstört zu werden.
Stefan hat 2011 mit Hofdegen begonnen, ist dann aber beim Rapier hängen geblieben. Die Eleganz und Effizienz der italienischen Fechtschule begeistern und inspirieren ihn. Neben seinem Trainerdasein ist er ein starkes Bindeglied zu unseren befreundeten Vereinen im In- und Ausland.
Julian trainiert mit dem Schwerpuntk auf Rapier, mit und ohne Beiwaffen, nach Salvator Fabris seit 2011. Später wurde das Training mit italienischen Seitschwert und Zweihandschwert ergänzt. Julian liebt es in Fechtbüchern zu schmökern um sein Wissen zu vertiefen und transkripiert immer wieder Manuskripte um diese für die Allgemeinheit leichter leserlich zu machen.
Karl trainiert seit 2008 Rapier, Säbel und Schwert & Buckler (I.33), wobei sein Fokus seit 2012 klar beim Rapier liegt. Er ist routiniert und verliert nie die Fassung. Ausserdem mag er Beiwaffen wie Dolch, Mantel, oder auch mal ein nasses Handtuch. Karls größte Freude ist es wenn seine Studenten einen "Aha!" Moment erleben, was ihm aber auch selbst immer noch passiert.
Be prepared for this great chance to win exceptional prices:
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A sturdy, all-steel hunting/kitchen knife hybrid in the style of the late Renaissance to early Baroque with a chiseled octagonal handle.
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We have introduced our cancellation terms, so we can offer you the best possible experience and we can plan better financially in advance.
It is as follows:
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our Orga Team: kontakt@rapiervienna.at
