Review: Fechtschule York

[Chris H]

I wanted to post a review of the inaugural Fechtschule York event that took place over the weekend of the 4th and 5th of August as it appears to have flown under the radar somewhat. It was a part of the Yorkshire Medieval Festival, the first of which is currently taking place, and saw members of the HEMA/WMA community from up and down the UK come together to do what we all do best. A series of lessons saw Bob Brooks (Hotspur School of Defence), Andy Taylor (Stork's Beak) and Steve Thurston (Dragon's Tayle) put us all through our paces and the late afternoon/evening was given over to lectures, with Andy and Bob being joined by Gordon Hamilton and James Elmslie to help bring an intellectual twist to proceedings.

Proceedings began with aplomb at the Melbourne Center with Andy Taylor taking us straight into an introduction to Meyer's longsword, followed by a short break before launching into a second lesson focusing on Meyer's dussack. Both were very well received and Andy took the time to help those who were new to the systems whilst still challenging those who had encountered Meyer before.

A quick change of venue saw a move to the historic surroundings of the Mansion House and Guildhall where we had the privilege of being able to view the York Civic Sword. This sword of state dates back to 1416 and it was wonderful to be trusted with such a valuable item by the friendly staff at the Mansion House. A pair of lectures closed the day with Bob Brooks giving an excellent talk on Harry Hotspur and James Elmslie taking us through the history and development of the falchion.

Sunday started with a fantastic lesson from Bob Brooks on the messer plays from the Glasgow Fechtbuch (along with a few plays from other sources thrown in for good measure). For anyone who has never had the pleasure of attending one of Bob's lessons he is a splendid teacher and the two hour lesson was over far too soon for the group of new messer enthusiasts! Steve Thurston then took the group through a very unique English longsword lesson focusing on the work of J. Ledall. It was a fascinating, engaging session, Steve and the chaps at Dragon's Tayle have clearly put in a lot of hard work interpreting and developing Ledall's system and it is a joy to behold.

After a short break we enjoyed a lecture from Dragon's Tayle member Gordon Hamilton who has been working tirelessly to discover more about J. Ledall and it was a fascinating insight into his subject and also the process of research. Andy Taylor then brought us full circle with an engaging lecture on Meyer. Goodbyes were exchanged, trains were caught and the hardier members of the group retired to the pub for a hard earned drink or twelve.

I cannot praise the weekend enough. Throughout Sunday we were fencing in the 15th century surrounds of the York Guildhall which has to be one of the most sublime settings to fence in, however what really made the weekend so special was the hard work of everyone who contributed, be it by giving a lecture or lesson, or by overseeing proceedings and organising the get-together in the first place. Special thanks to Payson Muller (the brains behind the operation), Bob Brooks, Steve Thurston, Andy Taylor, James Elmslie and Gordon Hamilton for their time, patience and expertise, and to everyone who attended for being such a splendid group of individuals.

I'm reliably informed that Fechtschule York will be returning in 2013 and if you get the chance to attend I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Hotspur School of Defence: http://www.hotspur.org.uk
Dragon's Tayle, an English School of Defence: http://www.swordfightnortheast.co.uk/
Stork's Beak School of Historic Swordsmanship: http://www.storksbeak.co.uk/

[Payson]

York Free Fencers Guild
www.yorkfreefencers.co.uk

[Chris H]

Thanks Payson

[Hotspur School]

As an instructor at the event, I'd first like to thank Christopher for the very favourable review of my class, which was a pleasure to teach. The venue was absolutely superb, in the original 15th century Guild Hall, and the massive thunderstorm outside added a touch of drama none of us could have ever expected. The students were attentive, responsive and a credit to their various groups throughout.

But my class was merely one element of what was, for me, a very, very enjoyable weekend packed with activity.

I'd like to heap praise on Payson Muller and the York Free Fencers, who were excellent hosts and made the weekend a real pleasure, particularly the handling session which they arranged at the Mansion House. Being able to hold an indescribably beautiful sword - with its original scabbard - commissioned by Emperor Sigismund of Hungary in 1416 was a rare treat, as was getting my mitts on the coronation sword of James I of England. That will be a talking point for quite some time to come and my own students who were unable to make it to York were justifiably envious!

It was also a real pleasure to meet and cross swords for the first time with some fellow Northerners - Gordon Hamilton, Steve Thurston and John Hurwood, et al, from Dragons Tayle - and catch up with old friend Andy Taylor from Stork's Beak/DDS, whose energetic workshop thoroughly refreshed my memory for Meyer. It had been almost a decade since I last seriously explored that extensive treatise.

I also had a very enjoyable discussion with falchion scholar James Elmslie about that weapon and its relationship with the messer, which I hope will yield further shared detective work on its place within the fighting arts of medieval Europe. James's lecture on his research was as thorough as it was fascinating.

Unfortunately, due to family commitments, I had to depart earlier than I would have liked to on Sunday afternoon, missing Steve's class on Ledall. I'd been looking forward to it since first being invited, especially given Gordon's research on Ledall's Northern background - a fellow countryman in all respects! However, my Jedburgh Chapter Master, Mick Skelly, spoke very highly of the session and I am keen to make arrangements to catch up with the Dragons Tayle chaps in the very near future.

In the meantime, I look forward to Fechtschule York 2013 with great anticipation, whether I'm there as a student, instructor or both! I will certainly be recommending it to fellow sword enthusiasts here in Northumberland and the Borders.

Well done to everyone who made this an excellent weekend and for what I hope will become a firm fixture in the British WMA calendar.

Honourably,

Bob