HEMA club members sparring with steel swords. Photo by Hannah Dillon.
The student-created club HEMA — Historical European Martial Arts — is held every Tuesday from approximately 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 116 in the Fine Arts Building.
The HEMA club is fairly new, with active membership starting a little more than a month ago and interested students are continuing to trickle in.
Passionate club members President Alexander Weaver and Treasurer Mark Foldenauer spoke with The Northern Light about their activities and goals as a club.
Weaver noted that the club learns techniques in sword fighting that developed half a millenia ago.
Before club members begin to practice, stretching is an important and fun way to get the sword fighting juices flowing before actually sparring.
Once everyone is done preparing to duel, the training swords come out.
The training begins with a longsword where you learn how to hold the sword and techniques for bouts. The sword is made out of synthetic rubber or plastic but club members may soon acquire padded synthetic swords for an even softer blow for new students who are training.
In an actual battle between two members, extremely dull steel swords with a blunted tip are used. According to Weaver, the type of metal used to create the swords are not able to hold an edge and are not dangerous.
Although these swords will not harm a student, the clash of steel swords swung with the intention of victory is exciting and feels more real than expected.
Members often follow the Meyer’s Square written on a whiteboard in the background — a sort of guide to the four openings of the body – as a framework for technique drills. Wrestling techniques are also incorporated and used often; such as when a sword is dropped or when one is close enough to the opponent.
“Historical European Martial Arts covers any historical European martial art spanning from Roman gladius fighting to late 18th century bayonet fighting,” said Weaver.
When holding a longsword, the wielder must leave a small space between the thumb and the hilt of the sword to allow better range of motion along with a wide and strong stance.
Foldenaur demonstrated to a new member nearly impossible stances used by famous swordsmen.
The manner in which you swing the sword typically has a name. Beginner’s training involves infinity cuts — where you swing the sword in the shape of an infinity sign — and middle cuts — where you simply swing the sword from the center of your body in a wide sweeping motion.
One of the most notable features of the club is the protective equipment. Club members put on a p air of two-toned thick poofy pants — called plunderhosen — that protect the legs when training. The texture of the pants are similar to jeans but have the perfect look for medieval sword dueling.
Anyone who is interested in joining the club will need protective gear but Weaver said current members are collectors of various equipment and are no stranger to sharing defensive armor and swords if joining students do not have any.
Most of the members’ collected swords have a name and an interesting history behind them. Weaver and Foldenauer demonstrated a sword named a messer which translates to “knife” in German.
The messer was originally the product of rebellious sword ownership as Germany attempted to mandate what was classified as a sword.
The handle of the messer is reminiscent of a standard kitchen knife. Club members said the rebellious sword owners would attach a very long blade to a kitchen knife in order to claim the sword was just for kitchen use.
The messer is one of the many swords club members often spar with.
Weaver also noted that anyone can join the club and nothing limits the ability to learn sword fighting techniques. Whether interested students live with a disability or are not particularly athletic, many people can swing a sword.
“Albeit, the end goal is for the UAA club to host a tournament between all the schools in town including our own students that would fight in it,” said Weaver.
The HEMA club is a unique and fun student organization where everyone is encouraged to attend. Whether you are there to blow off some steam after a stressful exam or just want to chat with new friends while watching a fencing session, students will have a great time at the exciting new HEMA club.
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