Sacramento Historical Fencing is a School of Historical Fencing and Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) and the home of the Sacramento Freifechter. Addtionally we are a part of the NorCal Historical Fencing League, the California Freifechter and the Meyer Freifechter Guild. We teach the Kunst des Fechtens (arts of fighting) of Renaissance Germany as described Joachim Meyer in his 1570 fechtbuch Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens ("A Thorough Description of the Art of Fencing"). Students learn how to fight with the renaissance longsword, dussack, rapier, dagger, period grappling techniques and quarterstaff.

Our research and training focus on the Kunst des Fechtens taught by Joachim Meyer as part of the Liechtenauer tradition, a martial system of German origin. The system makes use of the longsword, dussack and rappier as three weapons being drawn from a single source of techniques and principles. It also includes both unarmed combat in the form of grappling and weapons such as the dagger, quarterstaff, halberd and pike. Most of our time is spent with the longsword, dussack, dagger and grappling material.

The tradition’s earliest known teachings were compiled by 14th century master Johannes Liechtenauer, who documented his teachings in a set of cryptic verses known as the Zettel designed to aid his students in remembering the fundamentals of his system. Those students and their own students went on to write in-depth and comprehensive commentaries on Liechtenauer’s verses. Joachim Meyer is the last great master in this line stretching through two centuries of longsword teaching. While other works follow his, the focus begins to shift from the German source material to Italian and French sources.

Our curriculum uses a holistic view of Meyer's material combined with modern educational techniqes. The focus is on body mechanics and basic movements with equal emphasis on drills (solo and paired) and free fencing. When drilling we try and create as "real" of an environment as possible to avoid artifacts in our training. We also use cutting (e.g. tatami) as a tool to calibrate our training and ensure that what we are doing is effective. 

Classes and Courses

Our classes are designed to support a variety of different individuals. We have classes that cater to athletes looking to push themselves to victory, classes for people more interested in history and learning the arts the way they were taught in the past and classes for enthusiasts who just want to learn everything they can about the system developed by Joachim Meyer.

Currently for longsword we offer 2 classes per week. 

Wednesday is our smaller class with more hands on opportunities with our instructors.

6pm to 8pm. . 

Sunday is our most structured day for all. We work through a variety of plays, both in slow form and high intensity drills. We also examine a new technique every Sunday. 

11am to 3pm.

For more specific information about the material being taught check our Courses Page.

You can also check our Instructors Page to learn more about our instructors.