Long to be the most feared broadswordsman at the next Renaissance Fair? Enroll in a Medieval Combat Training class at the Academy of Arms, a non-profit school dedicated to the study and practice of historical European martial arts. Drawing their curriculum directly from 14th-16th century texts, the Academy teaches sword fighting and other weapon systems once used by medieval knights and men-at-arms. Excerpts from these ancient texts are featured on their web site, including this pearl from Hanko Döbringer, writing in 1389: “And you shall not strike at the sword, but at the man himself, to the head or the body anywhere you can.”

Classes offered at the Academy’s studio in Van Nuys include German Longsword, Italian Longsword, and English Broadsword. Students can also participate in an optional “open practice” every Saturday at a local park.

Medieval Combat Training
Academy of Arms
Van Nuys, CA

Watch videos of medieval combat. GO!