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Post by scottbrown on Nov 17, 2011 13:46:08 GMT -6
FECHTSCHULE AMERICA 2012!!!The Western Martial Arts Coalition and The Historical European Martial Arts Alliance proudly invite you to the 3rd annual FECHTSCHULE AMERICA!!! Please join us March 16th -18th, 2012 in Houston, Texas for North America’s premier educational and competitive WMA / HEMA event. As has become the Fechtschule America custom, instructors from all over the world will be descending upon Houston to provide workshops, lectures, and presentations on a wide variety of WMA / HEMA related topics. In attendance will be some of your favorite world class instructors as well as some new-to-Fechtschule-America faces. THE HAMMERTERTZ FORUM OPEN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS!!!Fechtschule America is home to North America’s largest and most prestigious WMA / HEMA specific international open longsword tournament. This year the competition is expected to be even greater than ever so be sure to register early and reserve your place! In recent years Fechtschule America has spearheaded the revival of several historical tournament formats and we plan to continue that fine tradition. In 2012 we will once again hold both the Invitational Franco-Belgian Rules Longsword Tournament and our International Open Dussack Tournament. And, who knows, maybe we’ll have another surprise or two for those in attendance so come show the world your WMA / HEMA skills! Discounted hotel rates and free transportation to and from the airports will, once again, be offered by your local hosts, Schwert am Schwert. In this tough economy no other event goes the extra mile to make your WMA / HEMA experience the absolute best. This is why we are bringing back our unprecedented early registration fee of $175.00 USD for those registering before January 22nd, 2012! Be sure to register early and take advantage of this great offer. Registration is now open and we’ll be posting an updated schedule and instructor list in the next few days. Be sure to check the website often to see this year’s fantastic lineup. www.fechtschuleamerica.com/We’ll see you in Houston! The Western Martial Arts Coalition The Historical European Martial Arts Alliance
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Post by scottbrown on Dec 9, 2011 16:29:04 GMT -6
Hi All! We know you've been anxiously waiting for a Fechtschule America update so here it is!!! ITEM- We've added a few more instructors to this year's roster. Be sure to check the "Instructors" and "Class Descriptions" pages to get more information on these recent additions. We are still talking with one or two more instructors so it may get even more difficult to decide which classes you are going to take! ITEM- The schedule is now online and you can view that......wait for it......on the "Schedule" page! Minor adjustments may occur as we add more instructors but this is subject to circumstances as always. We've also spaced out the tournaments to better accommodate our Hammertertz Forum Tournament participants. ITEM- We've finalized our hotel negotiations and we are proud to announce that we are moving to an even better hotel this year! The Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel has worked very diligently to help us provide the absolute best possible experience for our Fechtschule America guests. We're getting the fantastic deal of $79 USD per night for Fechtschule America participants and that includes a free breakfast! Oh yes, the hot breakfast buffet is back, baby!!! Registrations are pouring in and it looks like the 2012 Fechtschule America is going to be bigger and better than ever. Be sure to register early to take advantage of the early registration discount! www.fechtschuleamerica.com/We'll see you in Houston!
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Post by schlager7 on Dec 10, 2011 8:23:37 GMT -6
For the benefit of sport fencers who may not be familiar with the competition formats and fencing styles used, I found a clip from the 2011 Fechtschule America on YouTube.
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Post by scottbrown on Jan 17, 2012 14:19:06 GMT -6
Hi All! This is the last week to take advantage of the early registration discount so register now and save! Please enjoy these latest Fechtschule America updates: -We are proud to announce that J. Christoph Amberger will be joining us and offering a very rare glimpse into "gedecktes Heibfechten!" See the "Class Descriptions" page of the Fechtschule America website to read more about this exciting opportunity to peer into the preparations of the famous Mensuren! -Jason Taylor will be offering a class on the German sickle! Don't miss this great chance to play with this fascinating peasant weapon. -We've negotiated discounted drink specials for your evening entertainment! Hard work all day deserves a reward so now you can play hard and save money at the same time! Do we know how to make swordsmen happy or what!? -The schedule has been updated with minor changes and new classes. We're keeping the details of the "secret classes" quiet for now but you won't want to miss out! -We're keeping a lid on the specifics but we can tell you that some new HEMA equipment will be showcased for the first time at Fechtschule America! Be the first to fondle the latest toys! -The tournaments are filling up fast so get in early and reserve your spot! More to follow in the coming weeks so keep spreading the word and register today! www.fechtschuleamerica.com/The Western Martial Arts Coalition The Historical European Martial Arts Alliance
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Post by fox on Feb 2, 2012 0:15:27 GMT -6
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Post by scottbrown on Feb 2, 2012 12:12:31 GMT -6
What do you mean exactly?
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Post by Aldo N on Feb 2, 2012 20:13:39 GMT -6
Sorry for the confusion. I think fox meant to send that to me as a PM. We were discussing the various perspectives within the historical fencing milieu regarding tournaments. He had seen the discussion thread on the ARMA board and was pointing me to the discussion.
IIRC he had forgotten which group's board had the discussion of your event that highlighted two very different outlooks on the question of tournaments. (The concept of tournaments in and of themselves not being very controversial... obviously... within the sports fencing community).
He found the discussion thread he had lost and was intending to point it out to me.
That's all.
BTW, way to go, fox!
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Post by Martin Gale on Feb 2, 2012 20:16:57 GMT -6
Actually, I found the link fascinating. I felt like discussions very much like this were probably happening at the end of the 19th century as the Olympics and Olympics-derived fencing were forming.
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Post by fox on Feb 3, 2012 12:28:50 GMT -6
err... huhmpff.... yes, well oops
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Post by scottbrown on Feb 7, 2012 17:11:32 GMT -6
Time for another Fechtschule America update! ITEM- In celebration of our largest event yet, we are offering a limited time reduced registration price! Register before Sunday, February 12th, 2012 and save $55 USD! If you or your friends have been wavering on whether or not to go then this is the sign you've been looking for! Get off the fence so you can get up and fence and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity! Register today at www.fechtschuleamerica.comITEM- The rules for the Hammertertz Forum Franco-Belgian Invitational Longsword Tournament have been posted on the website. All competitors are encouraged to review them today and start training now! ITEM- More classes have been added to the schedule and can be viewed on the website. Welcome aboard, Maxime Chouinard! ITEM- We are looking for intermediate to advanced level grapplers and dagger fighters interested in participating in a series of field-test bouts and possibly a small prototype tournament. If you'd like to participate in helping launch a competitive HEMA grappling and dagger environment you are encouraged to contact us at info@fechtschuleamerica.com today! More exiting announcements coming in the following days so stay tuned! Register today and you won't miss out on all the fun! Up with HEMA! The Western Martial Arts Coalition The Historical European Martial Arts Alliance
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Post by scottbrown on Feb 7, 2012 18:02:38 GMT -6
Sorry for the confusion. I think fox meant to send that to me as a PM. We were discussing the various perspectives within the historical fencing milieu regarding tournaments. He had seen the discussion thread on the ARMA board and was pointing me to the discussion. IIRC he had forgotten which group's board had the discussion of your event that highlighted two very different outlooks on the question of tournaments. (The concept of tournaments in and of themselves not being very controversial... obviously... within the sports fencing community). He found the discussion thread he had lost and was intending to point it out to me. That's all. BTW, way to go, fox! Ahh, well, fair enough then. Makes more sense to me now! I was informed of that thread a while back but confess I gave up on it by the end of the first page. It seemed there was more interest in debating so-called "real" fighting vs. "fake/tournament" fighting which, frankly, I've heard before. After 30 or so years in martial arts I'm still trying to understand what the "real" fighters are doing in daily practice that the "fake/tournament" guys aren't? Near as I can tell, they aren't running each other through, although, maybe I'm wrong!? I'm happy to compete from time to time but I do it to monitor my dedication to the historical systems and my, alleged, understandings of how they work....in practice. But, hey, that's me. Our club only ever discusses "tournament strategy" a week or two prior to a significant event such as Fechtschule America and that's usually by the one or two young bucks who are optimistic about their chances. We're a dedicated martial arts school, end of story. The problem occurs when we more closely review history's documented practices and start to understand, as has become more and more apparent, that competition (without death), was really more the norm than the rarity, despite the excitable phrasings within a couple of historical fencing manuals. This_understandable_juxtaposition has led to loads of amusing online fun and, also understandably, skewed and/or false myths even amongst our own HEMA communities. But, heck, what's a guy to do??? There is an almost habitual undertone from the "anti-tournament HEMA crowd" that competitive/objectively judged environments will destroy the "Arte". Regardless of history's refutation of such bollocks, these folks are typically unseasoned in the modern competitive HEMA circles and so are generally talking out their....masks. The reality is, and I speak from healthy personal experience, that the serious competitions hold their participants to a FAR FAR stricter standard of performance than the allegedly "real fight" proponents. Simple examples include things like the double-hit knockouts and afterblow penalties. To me, this makes the frequent underlying prejudice (from some HEMA folks) against things like sport/modern fencing communities comical. I will agree that modern sport fencing has deviated from its martial arts roots but I also (somewhat) understand how and why this has happened. However, to be realistic, the sport fencing communities continue to modify their sport based on current needs, technology, comprehension of rules, and a dozen other factors so who's to say they won't see revivals of earlier rules in the future? It's the poopoo'ers who are the problem, not the "sport fencing" community. HEMA or Modern... Still, despite having read dozens and dozens of "anti-tournament" threads in the HEMA communities over the years, I still have yet to read anyone say "geez, I'm against tournaments because I'm scared to heck that I may not do well and embarrass myself and my club since I've been writing online for years now how awesome I/we are and everyone else is a total moron." It's funny how there are no end of "reasons" why competitive fencing is evil but none of the high-n-mighty ever seem to feel inclined to just come put the boots to the competitors because their "art" is so just and "real" and therefore superior. Who knows, maybe by never putting themselves in the toughest available modern situations they get to be "right" by virtue of being absent!?
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Post by Martin Gale on Feb 7, 2012 23:55:43 GMT -6
I find this attitude of "anti-tournament" among some segments of the HEMA crowd fascinating. If I look back to the actual medieval period and the one, essentially martial class (i.e. knights), I find that any time they were not in actual battle, they were participating in... wait for it... tournaments.
They participated in tournaments which, over time, had many artificialities built in for "scoring" and safety (as opposed to real life mortal combat). Granted, this was because the powers that be were all for them honing their skills, but not so hot in letting these knights kill each other in an event that did not serve the interests of the ruling class.
(Get killed defending my interests in a war, fine. Get yourself killed for silly sport when I might need you a few months later, not so fine.)
While the reasons are different, the results seem very similar. I doubt that participation in tournaments lessened the very real threat someone like William Marshall actually posed in mortal combat on the battlefield.
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Post by bladesparks on Feb 8, 2012 8:15:19 GMT -6
I appreciate the feelings of those who feel competitions dilute or pollute the "true martial spirit" of their art. Happily, no one is forcing them to compete.
Until the advent of those sports that employ a "ball," most sports were competitive, recreational outgrowths of developing skills needed for survival.
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Lance
Contributor
Posts: 12
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Post by Lance on Feb 8, 2012 8:26:50 GMT -6
If I look back to the actual medieval period and the one, essentially martial class (i.e. knights), I find that any time they were not in actual battle, they were participating in... wait for it... tournaments. Martin is correct. There is actually a respectable amount of surviving, contemporary literature on the medieval knights and their tournaments. The original tournaments, known as "melees," were much closer to actual battle and often resulted in deaths. The powers that be, rather than squander their military resources in idle games, deliberately made changes in rules, formats and equipment. This allowed the knights the chance for competition (and to vent their aggression in a controlled circumstance) and to keep their skill sets sharp, without unnecessary loss of the actually quite finite military personnel.
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Post by scottbrown on Mar 13, 2012 4:11:10 GMT -6
Mail-in registration is now closed for Fechtschule America. It is still possible to register via Paypal and with cash at the door. Just a few days to go! We'll see you all in Houston! Also, for local folks, spectators welcome during the tournaments for a nominal fee. We'd love to see you there!
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Post by schlager7 on Apr 5, 2012 8:55:25 GMT -6
Champion Eric Wiggins vs. 2nd Place Ben Floyd --- Houston Texas 3/17/12
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