Sacramento Historical Fencing Academy

Highland Broadsword
2025-11-30 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-07 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Fencing Hall
(It) may prove an excellent deception against an impetuous antagonist, especially if he be ignorant of the science. – Mr. John Taylor

The Highland Broadsword
Highland Broadsword is the study of a one-handed basket-hilted weapon that was traditionally double-edged, in common use in the 18th century around the British Isles. The core concepts were taught in a military setting that was represented most famously by the Highland Charge, used to supreme effectiveness by the Jacobites for a brief period of history against what should have been a far superior force.
Leading up to this time of military dominance, earlier history saw common use in what was essentially roaming gladiators putting on prize-fighter combat shows for towns and cities, that only occasionally resulted in fatalities for the contestants. One of the most famous of these was the widely regarded duelist and fencing master Donald McBain.
Contrast the broadsword with the rapier, and you find the martial tradition of military combat vs. that of a gentleman’s dueling weapon as a civilian.
If you desire a no-nonsense cut-and-thrust system with a heavier one-handed weapon, this might be the one for you!
The style of this martial art can also be used effectively with single-edged sabers or backswords, such as the heavy cavalry saber.
While the fundamentals of broadsword study rely on the use of the sword alone, the material and lessons may also be expanded to include off-hands such as alehouse dagger, parrying dagger, targe, or buckler.

Open Fight Night: Sunday Slash
2025-11-30 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Fencing Hall
The Sacramento Historical Fencing Academy hosts The Saber Legion – Northen California in their weekly meet-up. This Open Fight Night is not limited to the TSL community, historical fencers are welcome as well.

Dagger and Grappling
2025-12-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Fencing Hall
…but the noble work cannot be written in the books, one must prove it with iron. – Joachim Meyer, 1561

Class Description
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Class Format
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Recreational Rapier
2025-12-01 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-02 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-12-08 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-09 09:00 - 10:00 | Fencing Hall

Recreational Rapier Freeplay
2025-12-01 20:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-08 20:00 - 21:00 | Fencing Hall
Learning to use a sword involves more than just learning some flashy techniques. You also have to understand how to integrate those techniques into your fencing. Freeplay is a vital part of that. Its not about just trying to win, its about trying to use your techniques in a live, resistant setting.

Beginner's Italian Rapier
2025-12-02 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Fencing Hall
Naturally. You must expect me to attack with Capo Ferro! – Inigo Montoya

Class Description
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Cursus risus at ultrices mi. Sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing tristique risus nec feugiat. Faucibus pulvinar elementum integer enim neque volutpat ac tincidunt. Orci sagittis eu volutpat odio facilisis mauris.
Class Format
Duis ut diam quam nulla porttitor massa. Sit amet nulla facilisi morbi tempus. Arcu non odio euismod lacinia at quis risus sed vulputate. Quis enim lobortis scelerisque fermentum dui. Volutpat lacus laoreet non curabitur gravida. Orci porta non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse.

Italian Rapier
2025-12-02 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Fencing Hall
Naturally. But, I find that Thibault cancels out Capo Ferro. Don’t you? – The Man in Black

Class Description
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Varius duis at consectetur lorem donec massa sapien. Eu feugiat pretium nibh ipsum consequat nisl vel. Cras adipiscing enim eu turpis egestas pretium aenean pharetra.
Cursus risus at ultrices mi. Sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing tristique risus nec feugiat. Faucibus pulvinar elementum integer enim neque volutpat ac tincidunt. Orci sagittis eu volutpat odio facilisis mauris.
Class Format
Duis ut diam quam nulla porttitor massa. Sit amet nulla facilisi morbi tempus. Arcu non odio euismod lacinia at quis risus sed vulputate. Quis enim lobortis scelerisque fermentum dui. Volutpat lacus laoreet non curabitur gravida. Orci porta non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse.

Italian Rapier Freeplay
2025-12-02 20:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-09 20:00 - 21:00 | Fencing Hall

German Rapier
2025-12-03 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Fencing Hall

Open Fight Night: Wednesday Arena
2025-12-03 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Fencing Hall
The Sacramento Historical Fencing Academy hosts two hours of competitive violence.

Longsword: Essentials
2025-12-04 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-12-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Fencing Hall

Spanish Rapier
2025-12-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Fencing Hall

Spanish Rapier Freeplay
2025-12-04 20:00 - 21:00 | Fencing Hall

Longsword: Techniques
2025-12-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Fencing Hall
Drive your work first to the weak, then to the strong, then to the body. – Joachim Meyer, 1571

Class Description
This class is open to any student who has finished the Longsword: Essentials course. It covers the use of the Handtarbeit or “handwork”, a variety of interrelated techniques in the Kunst des Fechtens that are used to defend oneself or gain an advantage against an opponent.
You will work through these techniques in a variety of partner drills designed to first teach you these techniques, then test your ability to perform them in a noncompliant setting. For this reason a fencing mask and gloves are absolutely necessary for participation.
Class Format
A variety of drills are used throughout this class:

Tutorial/Block Drill: Working with a partner for a set amount of time explore the techniques to understand their motions and purpose.
Exchange Drill: Partners take turn, practicing the technique and then immediately resetting and switching roles. This drill style helps add realism to the practice.
Bouting: While still focusing on the techniques at hand partners are allowed to initiate the actions freely, the focus is on making the technique work in a less compliant scenario.

Freeplay
2025-12-07 14:00 - 14:30, 2025-12-07 15:30 - 16:00 | Sacramento Historical Fencing Academy – Main Hall

Longsword: Tactics
2025-12-07 14:30 - 15:30 | Fencing Hall
Tactics, noun: the art or skill of employing available means to accomplish an end

Class Description
Knowing how to do a thing is not enough, you must also know when to use it. This class is open to any student who has finished the Longsword: Techniques course and is interested in improving their fencing.
You will use your techniques in non-compliant drills and games to integrate them into your fencing. You will delve deep into the principles of time and distance that govern all fighting, and learn to read your opponent’s intent and deceive them of your own.
Class Format
Please note, this is a fast paced class not intended for beginners and you will be expected to already know the techniques employed in each class. If you do not know a technique you may not be allowed to participate in the day’s class at the instructor’s discretion.
