@Hugonis I think it'd be great if you were to redo the video with better quality and perhaps a bit of an explanation of the movements. It looks like you have some valuable points to share.
listen, i am very impressed with this video. unlike some other comments i can see the very deliberate and precise movements of your technique. very seldom is your body left undefended by the shield and you are able to cut and thrust in relative protection from the shield. GREAT VIDEO. i think maybe it wouldve been better with more slow motion scenes to emphasis your technique as the quick movements are probably throwing off some of the viewers and they think you are just flailing around.
Im sorry, I dont doubt your skills one bit, and I have a big interest in medival martial arts myself, but this video isnt that well made to show it, when you're just cutting around it reminds me of that star wars kid.(not that you lookslike him, which you dont, but I mean it lookslike you're just throwing your sword randomly trying to show off) Could just be the not so good quality of the video though.
@YajimaKenji Hi Kenji. I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. Every movement has an application, as a deflection, re-direction, bind, cut, or strike. I am not much of a videographer. I don't think I'm trying to show off, but then again, this is a video posted on YouTube......the point here is that even when weighed down and using a shield, it is not impossible to move precisely and smoothly.
@Hugonis What I ment was due the not so good quality of the video, you cant really see the techniques that good, think its because the camera is to close.
@YajimaKenji Think of what he's doing as the equivalent of an Asian martial artist doing a kata, he's demonstrating a series of movements that would used in a combat situation
@redwormcharlie Hi charlie. Yes, there are two configurations here; in some scenes, I have a ammo bag on the outside with about 15 kg of weight in it, along with various 1 or 2 kg weights at the ankles, upper arms, and wrists. In the other configuration, I have a much nicer 20 kg weight vest on inside the black gambeson, along with the 1 or 2 kg weights at the ankles (double), upper arms and in some shots, wrists.
@Hugonis hi im interested in learning more about medieval martial arts where would i go to learn this stuff or is this just somthing you came up with your self? also cool vid :)
What kind of medieval martial art are you interested in? You can try to google "HEMA alliance club finder" but most of the clubs on that map do unarmored longsword and perhaps sword and buckler. If you are more into large shields like in this video then I'm sorry that I can't really help you (it's to early history for my kind of study).
I very much enjoyed your video and have recently taken up an interest in european martial arts. I just have a couple questions for you. 1) Did you make your shield and if you did, how did you? and 2) could you recommend some books or websites that you have found most useful in your studies of the European martial arts. Many thanks and I hope to see more videos in the future.
@Westcentingas Thanks very much. The next video I'd like to post will feature some of the plays of sword and shield in a very clear demonstration. This is really just some crazy solo practice strung together, but hopefully the next video will inspire people with a bit more detail on the techniques and so on. Unfortunately it may take some time, I'm about to move between continents.
@Hugonis We've been developing spear and shield fighting based on the premise that the spear was the principle fighting weapon in the Early Germanic period - note Vendel and Sutton Hoo helmet pressbleches, etc. (continued)...
However...In order to maintain as authentic a display as possible we're targeting th entire body, with special care to avoid the face. In Anglo-Saxon England, shields were often poetically referred to as 'spear-nets' and were used not just as an offensive/defensive item but also to trap the spearhead of an attacker. So, direct spear strikes to the shield are avoided, whilst the shield increases its offensive capabilities - especially with a button or spiked tipped boss. It's fascinating stuff!
@Westcentingas (1)Cool. There's an interesting article on Anglo-Saxon shield construction from a Richard Underwood in a recent collection of essays entitled 'The Cutting Edge'. Based on their reconstruction efforts, what you say sounds very true indeed. Maybe of interest to you, although a bit out of period, is the memoirs of Usamah ibn Munqidh. There's a paragraph description of an encounter between an Arab with a spear and a shield bearing crusader from the 12th century - out-of-period and ...
@Westcentingas (2) ...a different sort of shield I'd imagine. I find more people are interested in the use of the center-gripped shield (more widely used) than people are interested in examining the arm-strapped heater from a HEMA perspective. This is of course due to a lack of sources, but also, re-enactment groups & SCA have for so long claimed this that I think HEMA people are reluctant to examine it. The A-S shield vs. spear stuff sounds interesting, I hope you'll post more vids. Thanks.
@Westcentingas Hi there. Yeah, this is the greatest band in the world, Juno Reactor, and the track is Tanta Pena off the Gods and Monsters CD. They scored a lot of Matrix music, which I feel changed their sound a bit. Gods and Monsters was not a bad disc, but my personal favorite is Beyond the Infinite. Enjoy!
Good sir, having trained in the WMA only 10 years and taught it for 3 i feel still as a rookie against many i have faced so please take my criticizm as suggestive only. your movement is clean keeping true edge online at speed but half of the times your shield line is slightly low to protect the top of your noggin. the only other suggestion i would pose is mentally concentrate on keeping your eyes "peeled" so they stay wide open on your opponent as i saw them close on most of your cuts.
I too have the "eyes closed" issue btw. Sword and shield was great but the two handed sword technique was still a little one sided. try to slow down and set a practice pattern on the one side and repeat on the other then try to speed back up after that. you did not seem to be leading with your head or torso so that seemed clean in my rookie eyes ;).
@jeshuran70 OK, I watched very closely my practice today, and it was a sunny day, but yes, I think I've developed a serious blinking problem. Oh boy. Thanks for pointing that out, jeshuran, I'll be taking appropriate steps, even if it involves toothpicks on the eyelids. Cheers.
@fardanio I too can shoot a gun, but when we are out of ammo because i was dodging you too well or am in your face before you draw the gun out of pocket, guess whose understanding of line and circle will win the combat.
@jeshuran70 & @fardanio : Krav Maga is a very valid and interesting system, however, I don't think debating the merits of Krav Maga belongs on my video. I invite you to discuss Krav Maga together more privately. Jeshuran, you may be right about the blinking, however, in the room in which this video was filmed, a passing step forward brings me directly into the sunlight at the window, so I would say most of the time I'm squinting and blinking. It's something I'll be thinking of now though. ....
@jeshuran70 & @ fardanio (2) ....however, jeshuran, I'm not sure what you're referring to about one-sided with the brief longsword part. Did you have a chance to look at the other comments? This is an endurance drill, so it contains lots of techniques both offensive and defensive strung together and executed with as much intensity as possible. Hopefully in the next year, I'll post some videos showing the plays of sword and shield and maybe some longsword in further videos. Fardanio, khoda hafez.
@Hugonis the shortness of that section could be why it seemed as it did as well as the confined area you are performing in. normally for this type of exercise i have a full open lawn area to move around on. look forward to seeing more and i may attempt to post some of my exercises as well. apologies for being drawn into someones unrelated commenting :)
Here is a compliment for you Hugonis. I imagined myself trying to attack you with the same weapons you showed in your video and I think I would have a hard time trying to land a hit when you are attacking with 3-5 swings and stabs and defending with 2-3 hits in the sword and shield portion. I'm leary of 2 handed swords, since I am very exposed if I should happen to miss my target, which is why I prefer the sword and shield. WMA is a new hobby for me and I know talent when I see it. Good job!
@GOBRAGH2 (1)Thanks for the nice compliment. The drills in this video are a bit odd in that there are so many actions in such a short space of time; it's great if you feel the attacks are paced together in such a way as to make things difficult for an attacker. However, in an engagement, usually distance and proper attacking times will help you prevent most counterattacks, so you probably wouldn't normally have to expend quite this much energy....: )
@GOBRAGH2 (2) .....Yeah, it's a shame that we have so much historical information on the longsword, but not very much at all on sword and shield. Still, there are a handful of people around the world working on really solid extrapolations from what we do have. I hope someday I'll have a full system researched, tested, and documented for presentation to anyone and everyone. I'm about halfway at this point, in a large part thanks to the efforts of other scholars. Thanks for watching.
@NazirusH (1) Wow. That's a pretty interesting reply. I'll have to take some time to answer this. First of all, I always do a great deal of self-criticism. And I use the more important comments on this video to help me gain a little perspective. However, so far, your comments haven't been serious at all, so I haven't learned anything from you. You've asked me to look at your videos, and I have. I'll be polite enough to comment on them here, not on your page. First, I am impressed with the.....
@NazirusH (2)....horsemanship shown in the videos. Some of the horse stunts require a lot of patience, hard work, and training, and that's great. I think your group does a lot to encourage interest in chivalric arts in the shows you do, so for that, thanks. It looks like a lot of fun. On the other hand, in all the videos posted on your page, I didn't see any authentic historical sword play. I saw quite a bit of stunts, some stage fighting, some excellent horsemanship and nice outfits, but.....
@NazirusH (3) .....no real swordfighting. So it's a bit annoying to me to see you telling me that you do the 'real' thing. I'm sure the show is very entertaining for the spectators, but in order to make good, safe, stage combat, it is not possible to use realistic techniques and speed. That's OK. It just means that we do very different things. I can't criticize stage fighting because I don't know how to do it. I can criticize real swordplay. You've said that I'm "fighting with my mouth",
@NazirusH (4) ...but I did not find your video, write something insulting, then offer nothing constructive. You did. I'm getting quite tired of hearing from these little groups that don't do historical swordplay about how 'real' their 'battlefield experience' is, and how badass they are, and so on. It seems more to me like you are fighting with your mouth. I've had this video here for years. If you have some special knowledge about 'real' swordsmanship , not stage-play, then....
@NazirusH (5) ....go ahead and give me some technical tips from your huge 9 years (!) of experience. Like, maybe you could say, "Hugonis, it looks like your wrist action is a bit too flexible," or, "I think you're head is open too often as you move," or even, "You appear to be giving too much away as you attack." Of course, you would have to have some real experience to say that.
@NazirusH (6) Until you have something useful to contribute, I'm just going to continue 'swinging like a child' and being crazy. Good luck with your performances, and you are welcome.
@NazirusH Best swordfighters' country? Sounds awfully opinionated and unsubstantiated to me... did your country hold some sort of competition for this title? Hugonis, keep up the great work, don't mind this stage actor's poor criticism.
@Littlejon126 You must know. Russia has vodka, Italia has pizza, Great Britain has Queen, Australia Kagaroos and Czech Republic has beer and best historical shordfighters. That it is. Do you know, where it is (whitout use google)?
@NazirusH Sure do, although its pretty easy to miss. Isn't it between Polska, Deutschland and Österreich? Believe it or not, I even own a few Czech-made handguns, some of the finest I own. I'm particularly fond of my vz. 82 pistol; it's like a Makarov on steroids! However, I was under the impression that the finest school of medieval fencing happened to be in the states, where we have the Iron Door School of Arms, run by John Clements.
@NazirusH Hi again. You don't have to change your bet. But I'm quite familiar with using real equipment. If you really care to know about it, read through all the comments below. If not, maybe you should go train instead of commenting here.
@NazirusH Wow. You used all that energy to reply to my video, and that's what you typed? Well, OK, Star Wars kid and I do have some points in common: both of us are carrying an extra 32 kilos (I can take mine off), both of us are swinging something around fairly quickly, and both of us could take care of you, tinkerbell. However, if you put me up against Star Wars kid, I'd probably bet on me. What you do with your bet is your business.
Man... my sword weight is about 1kg, shield about 4kg, chainmail 10kg, helemet 4,5kg, pads and arms albost 5kg, full legs armour is near to 7kg, gloves is 3kg. Do you think that if you are wearing such armour you can move so fast and fluent? NO, you can't :] What's more, in battle your technique isn't worth anything... it's just too crowded :) Same if figting one man, they are striking very hard, to defeat you. Not to play with you.
@kazioo14 Hi there. So, unless my math is wrong, that sounds like you are wearing about 35 kilos of stuff. You'll note in my comments above that in these clips I am wearing 32 kilos without the green vest, and about 45-6 kilos with the green vest. I can and do move this way when wearing this equipment. I think it's always interesting to hear people from these 'full contact' or 'live steel' groups who bash each other on the most armoured parts of their bodies.
....... What these groups do looks very fun, and it's quite a physical challenge. But it has little to do with martial training. We train in technique because it is what was done. In a real battle, it would be difficult to execute proper technique. All the noise, the screaming, and the fear would mean you acted on instinct. So knights trained their instinct to be as technically competent as possible. But then again, no one, not I nor you, has ever been in a real battle with these weapons.
@Hugonis mm, but you ane not using helmet(in real figt it makes your sight really small) and dont use pads and so on, what interrupts your mvement speed. Green vest does not disturbes you to move your arms or legs :) It's great difference than when using real armours. What's more, fighting with ral oponent makes your moves much more comlex...
@kazioo14 Thanks again, but I have used a helmet, i have fought numerous opponents, and this is the speed we move. I've worn armour as well, though it's important to note that the period I deal with is the High Middle Ages, the age of mail, so the weight distribution is not as comfortable as wearing plate. This is some footage of an endurance exercise I do. Wearing the gear here is heavier and more inconvenient that wearing real armour. Period. I think I mentioned that the video looks........
.... faster than it should, and I've explained all this in the comments below to people from other groups who supposedly understand 'real battle' because they bash each other with no accuracy and technique on the most heavily armoured parts of their bodies, and refuse to move their feet. I wish you good luck in whatever fighting you do, but if you're just here to tell me that you're very tough and I shouldn't try to move quickly, then I can't get anything constructive from your comments.
What is that shitty turkish music...You know that THOSE knights were Christians right? But your music sounds like some fag muslim "maane" so...Besides that you r doing just gr8 and i'd love some tips because meddleage martial arts are rly aweseome and underestimated
every time you throw ur shield out like that, you open yourself up much more than necessary. thats what will get get you killed sooner, rather than later. ur movements are also big enough, that i can tell where ur swinging. just pointing it out.
Hi there. Yeah, there are some weights in the big green ammo vest. In the scenes with that, I'm actually carrying a silly amount of weight. In addition to that, I'm wearing a 20 kilogram weight vest that 'fits' under the gambeson, as well as the various weights on my arms and legs. So when there's no green thing, it totals up at about 32 kilos, and with the green thing, about 46-7 kilos. Actually wearing mail would mean the weight was much more efficiently distributed.
For the sword, yes and no. I train with various real swords in Canada, but here in Japan, only 'bananas' are permitted. With a well-made sword, there is a small increase in weight compared to the wooden waster I use here. However, steel has vastly different handling characteristics, for one thing, it 'cuts' through the air, whereas there is a lot of drag with a waster. I wouldn't say it's a lot harder, just a bit different. Thanks for watching!
good vid I liked it a lot andgave me some ideas. However, the part at the beggining about the knight being slowed by heavy armor and stuff was totally false
Hi there. Thanks, I hope it inspires your training. About the part at the beginning, I don't agree with it either. I was trying to show that contrary to popular cultural impressions, one should be able to move smoothly and fluidly when using a sword and shield, and even when weighed down. That's what I was trying to say with,'or so they say'. Glad you agree.
From your exciting comment, we now know several facts: 1) you have never actually seen a real twat in your life if you so easily confuse me with one, 2) you spend most of your internet time furiously searching for images of twat, and 3) you have nothing important to contribute to this discussion. Thank you for telling us a bit about yourself.
Hi there. I started in Japanese Sword Arts a long time ago, but some friends and I got quite interested in WMA or Western Martial Arts back in the early 90s. At that time, the only sources available were Egerton Castle's 'Schools and Masters of Fence' and another exciting book called 'Three Elizabethan Fencing Manuals' . Nowadays there's a lot more stuff out there, but sadly, very little original sources exist on High Middle Ages (1050-1300) sword and shield.
being fast is not the point in a medieval fight. it is being precise. a few slashes to the arm or leg will not kill you while one stab can end everything
Being fast is the point in any encounter, as it helps it to end more quickly. You'll find quite a few slashes and thrusts in this video, along with full hewing cuts. A variety of attacks are important for this type of swordfighting, as knights would have encountered many types of armour (or lack thereof). Also, please remember, being fast is exactly the point of the endurance drills from which I have taken highlights of for this video. Do you have a lot of experience in 'medieval fights'.
That Sheild Looks Bad Ass Ive Made My Own Medievil sword from wood and bamboo
i used jute string to tie around the handle for grip the bamboo i cut in half and tied them on each side of the sword and then the blade part i had painted silver
it looks quite good ,,,,oh and its got oh each side at the bottom of the handle two blue glass circles that looks like sapphiree
anyways your sword is very cool and tht sheild is the BEST what did you make it out of???????
Hi stitch. This is a training shield only, made to stand up under lots of pounding and to be not entirely uncomfortable to be hit with (although it is). I have made 3 of this size and weight, with a double weight one for extra fun. They have rubber edging to allow for contact with training weapons and faces and bones without too much damage. If I wanted to train with a historical looking shield, there are several suppliers from whom I would actually just buy one.
i practise a medieval combat sport wich teaches you to master your body as it should become a weapon, and then we also practice fighting with i'd say every medieval weapon. we also use medieval armor. it's pretty taugh because you must practice as knights did, so that means armor and clothes in summer and half naked in winter. it's nice to see someone apreciate this kind of thing.
ehh deleted my posts, thought it was a different medieval video, my bad. but i just have a question. where exactly do you get people to practice on, have tourneys with, etc? im sure its not a walk in the park to actually find people willing to do this,
You bet. It's even worse in Japan. I train with a few people, and like me, they have the right mix of insanity, a love for history, and an enjoyment of tough training. One guy I've been training with for about 16 years. We don't really do any tourneys so to speak, though we do a lot of bouting. There are plenty of groups around the world that we can link up with, though few of them take a HEMA approach to knightly sword and shield.
Hi Zelinthe. First I'll address the weight issue: I do in fact wear weights on my arms and legs, at the elbow, wrist, ankle, and just above the knee. They are all covered up by the padded hose and gambeson I'm wearing here, but they're there. Vikings did in fact have an issue with leg armour in some sagas, a problem which was not echoed by knights of the High Middle Ages, nor the Norman descendants of Vikings.
To the second part of your post, about fencing, why would I want to try fencing? It's great, but it is a sport. I practice a combative art. I have no need to flick dull blades with electric button points at other people in a ritualistic and improbable simulation of 19th century smallsword sporting contests. You seem to think that all combative arts are a progression, one to the next. In that case, I recommend trying shotgun. There's a reason fencing died.
I've been asking around a lot and you're from Japan so you may have the best insight on this simple question what is better the eastern or western style's thanks in advance
Hi Locker. Fencing is not dead at all. My seemingly nasty comments were directed at a 'fencing is the best' sort of comment which the original poster has now deleted. But don't worry, I like fencing just fine, and have a lot of respect for Olympic fencers, as some of my friends are fencers, including a former Olympic fencer who competed in the 1970s and 1980s.
Hey that what I tell our recruits, you can't fly don't flap.
The gaps I saw where mainly as you swing your sword forward you pull your shield back, exposing the sword arm, side of head and right leg. Around the 1.05 minute mark is a good example. I feel the best time to hit a shields man is as he attacks you.
The gap between sword and shield is a prime target, have a look at the 133 manual for examples of this (of course that's using a buckler).
One way to counter this is to push you shield forward to meet your arm as you swing, also you need to cover your forearm another prime target.
Yep flapping it forward to snag shield and arms is good, deliberately flapping as invitation then shield hooking the attacking arm is cool, when it works.
You can take those ninjas.
Also agree with working out like this will improve stamina, speed and muscle memory and nothing beat being hit for learning ;)
I agree 100% about the best time to hit a shield man.
There may be more of a gap than I wanted there at 1:05, but then again, I tend to see that as a bit of an optical illusion. The shield edge forward spoils the perspective on how far ahead it really is. But still, point taken. My problem may be that my opponents very rarely manage to hit me on the wrist. I agree that the arm needs to be covered with this type of shield, as in I.33.
Hi Michael, thanks for the nice words. About the flapping, you could be right, but then, how else will I fly? No, actually, you may have a point, and I'm working on this. There are two possible things you could mean by 'flapping'. One, the shield is opening too much in forward wards while cuts are being executed, or, two, the shield is opening too much as it is drawn back, as the arm charges and the muscles release tension. Number one is OK, but number two is a problem. (con't)
...In many of these actions, the shield starts in an edge-forward position known as 'open ward' by many. As I imagine leagues of eager ninjas attacking me in this kind of 'shadow fencing', I do several movements designed to use the shield edge to pry open or displace the enemy's weapons and create an opening for a simultaneous strike. That's the type one 'flapping', and it's by design. The other type, of which this video has very little (I only noticed it at 1:58 for example) (con't)..
...actually happens a lot more in my other videos, and even during bouting when I'm tired. It's something you're always working with in this type of system. However, dropping the shield back, or down, or opening it too far is less of a problem when you are out of distance. This type of fighting does not simulate an environment where arrows are flying about, and it is not appropriate for shield wall formations, both of which would require careful shield discipline, and better yet, a guige.
Hi. A 'real fight'? Heavy metal full contact? I have used some of the basic techniques shown here quite effectively in bouting with others. I'm still working to improve, but I'm generally comfortable with the interpretation. I'm curious about your experience. You wouldn't by chance have experience with that special Eastern European type of 'armoured fighting' in which people bash each other on the top of the helmet over and over?
I've seen this type of fighting before, and I must point out, it is anything but realistic. Swords are not ideal weapons for confronting armour. They do not cut through helmets, nor do they part mail like cheese. The best targets on an armoured person are the face, the groin, and the armpits. But these areas are far too dangerous to hit in most types of bouting. Bashing away mindlessly at each other while wearing plate armour only succeeds in looking absurd, and embarrassing the art.
I'm rather middle-european fighter ;). But I'm familiar to easternstyle fighting, I've seen them many times.
1. We do not use only swords. We also use axes, maces, bardiches and halberds. We just dont want to kill each other, while still fighting really hard.
2.And this fighting is not just like you say. We have also many techniques specially for duels. Bohurts (team melle fights) also have very complicated tactics, even if you think that they don't. You just have to be there and taste it.
Perhaps your fighting is different from what I've seen from the Ukraine and Russia. I understand what you mean about 'we just don't want to kill each other' because I feel some limits must be set on free bouting to avoid injury. However, in that case, I suppose you could say that all of us do something that 'doesn't work', because our friends are still alive and we are not in jail. Still, we do a lot of practice wearing safety equipment that allows ...(con't)
...us to thrust safely at speed to throat, face, groin and armpits in controlled drills. This means that we are actually able to practice techniques that would have worked on the battlefield. Do you have opportunities to do similar drills? I understand that group combat is possible in groups like yours. We don't do any large group fighting for safety reasons. Do you have any specific examples of why you feel the type of fighting you do is somehow more realistic?
Hello again, kamikaziu. Yeah, sure. This system, of which this video is not really an example, since there is only one person in it, is based on a wide number of sources. There are no extant fight manuals from the middle ages which explain how to fight with these exact weapons. However, a list of my sources appears in the comments here, and includes Talhoffer, Ringeck, DiGrassi, Agrippa, Monte, I.33, and others. OK, your turn.
id agree with you hugonis, we do charged blows and head strik in my clud... i passed my first gradeing this week not newbie now ,(yes) 1st Wolf done..... have a great one latter jedi
I'd have to disagree. I have a few decently-made steel weapons, and I swing them around at the same speed I swing these wooden weapons. The weight and balance is not incredibly different, although there are some important differences in handling. I feel no more exhausted swinging a metal sword around than I do wearing an extra 40 pounds of weight harness. Marathon running is exhausting. That doesn't mean people don't run marathons. It means people train for them.
Swinging sword, while wearing plate armor, is really exhausting. I haven't seen fighter who can duel at full strenght longer than 3 minutes in full suit of armor. And believe me I've seen a lot;). And what metal sword have you been swinging? Historical replica? Where did you get this replica from?
OK, I have an Albion Gaddhjalt, a Windlass War Sword (a bit heavy and whippy), and a single handed Norman sword by Del Tin, among others. These swords, particularly the Albion, I use for test cutting and training. You're right that training in armour is tiring, but that's why I do drills like the one shown in this video, to build endurance. Of course, actual fighting is not all constantly flailing about like this, but these drills build stamina.
You mentioned that 'you've seen a lot.' Maybe, with your experience, and all your free time for commenting on my video, you could find a video of what you feel is a more realistic system of fighting, and post the name here. That way, anyone who watches my video could see what 'real full contact heavy combat' looks like. Please feel welcome to do so.
Ok, If I find one that suits things what I'am talking about, I'll post it. Maybe I'll make one by myself. The sezon for re-enactment is starting, I'll have plenty occasions.
Please do. I must mention, however, that re-enactment is very much a different thing from what I do. Even in the comments from this video, I've had many conversations with re-enactment groups. Some groups do something close to what is done in Historical European Martial Arts, and some do not. The thing is, the main goal of re-enactment is very different from the goals of a martial art. It's important to keep this in mind, I think.
About my free time. Let's say it is quite temporary state;). I've just passed maturity exam, and I have longest vacations of my life (4 months) before going to university:). I'll see many duel tournaments, so I'll send you some, to see what I mean.
I'm must dissagree with you yet again. Swinging in air with wooden sword (or even steel) does not build up your stamina. I don't really find it build up anything. To build up stamina you have to do some exercises. Going to gym, running or just doing many fights in armor make you stronger. The real training, is when you fight with living enemy, trying to hit him.I can't find words explain this to you couse english is not my native language, but it works something like that.
Maybe you're not to sure on what stamina means then. I know you're not a native speaker of English, but as a professional English instructor, I can tell you you're doing quite fine in English. It's true that strength training helps you to be able to fight. I regularly run, do calisthenics and train in and out of weighted harness. Even though I do a lot of cross-training, there is only one perfect way to get better at using a sword and shield in armour. Do it alot. Again and again.
Now, I've had living enemies hitting at me for a long time. I think if you have questions or comments about the techniques in these videos, it would be much more helpful for you to post something specific and detailed in terms of feedback. Just saying 'it doesn't work' doesn't really help me, and it's probably a waste of time. If you're going to keep typing on here, then make your comments relevant and useful. I promise I will do the same for any of your videos which you choose to show me.
Why don't you get yourself a shield with a central grip, I reckon those are much better for individual fighting. And kudos for training and making a vid, we need more practitioners of forgotten arts.
Hi Ranziel. Thanks for your support. I agree with you entirely that center-gripped round shields are much more advantageous for individual fighting, especially on foot. My main area of focus is on knightly sword and shield, and thus, the arm-strapped heater. I'd like to dabble in the use of center-gripped shields, if only to understand engagements between them and the heater. For center-gripped stuff, Hammaborg has been doing some really good work. Thanks.
Sorry jedi, I'd love to, but I don't have a working digital camera right now. It is very difficult to imagine the application of the techniques shown in this one person drill, and I'm afraid you can't see the voiding, parrying, pressing and trapping movements with the shield, and of course footwork. Sorry about that. I'm using an arm strapped heater shield, which is worlds away from the centre-gripped Viking rounds they use, but for clarity of technique,......
....and a great set of examples of how large shields can be used to close lines, check out videos by the group 'Hammaborg' here on YouTube. They have a lot of WMA material, but if your interest is in larger shields, I think their videos very aptly show the basic concepts. Of course, an arm-strapped heater like mine has much less forward reach, so the sword does more work while the shield is not as easily able to aggressively intercept blows. There are other large differences as well, but...
That's right, this is a gambeson and padded hose, this particular set made in Poland by a company called MATULS. Most medieval footmen would wear something similar, perhaps a kettle hat as well. It's actually tough to cut through, and cushions some of the impact. A gambeson with mail on top(as a knight would wear) forms a fantastic defense, as it can absorb a fair amount of impact force, cannot be cut, and yet is still able to move with your body.
Haha. You are a great man. It seems you are very honorable. You would crush me but it would be a great honor to fight you. I know no martial arts and techniques of the sword and shield. Though I am probably not worthy I would fight beside you any day.You should be king.
You look like a badass in this video :D, it's nice to see something that isn't just two random guys bashing each other with swords while wearing armor.
Thanks, but if I keep eating chocolate everyday, I'll soon have more 'ass' than 'bad'. I know how you feel about the armoured bashing videos; it's wrong to see such good kit wasted like that. I'm not near good enough yet, but someday, I hope to show that Sword and Shield combat is graceful, accurate, cool and deadly.
Nice video. I like the intro a lot. You seem to be a serious scholar.
Here are my specific thoughts:
I know you are essentially doing endurance drills, but you may be training yourself into some bad habits. I am speaking from personal experience here. It takes a lot more effort to break bad habits than to get them. Practice proper form at all times.
Do you stand in front of a mirror? I find that it helps to keep my form correct to do so. You can observe yourself from your opponents vantage and spot openings.
Keep your shield in front of you. Don't open it up any more than absolutely necessary. It is a natural impulse to use it as a counter balance, but it leaves you open. Keep I.33 in mind here. With buckler, you usually do not separate your shield & sword. It is different with a large shield of course, but it appears in the video that you are exposing your sword arm. The dexter corner of your shield should be keeping the vertical channel to your sword arm closed as much as possible.
Many of your strokes are made with the arm alone. To develop a realistic amount of power in them, they should be generated with the body & hips. Keep a loose, flexible grip on the sword. This will allow the blade to be guided by your hand, but not held back by it. The desired effect is almost a whipping action. It will improve the speed of your stroke, the power of the stroke, the speed of the recovery, and your arm will tire less quickly.
I watched your first video from two years ago. There is a marked improvement in the smoothness of your strokes in this one. Keep up the good work. I hope these comments are helpful to you. If you find they are not, simply discard them. Everyone must tread their own path.
Hi Canis! Thanks for your comments on my videos. I appreciate your helpful attitude, and constructive criticism is important. I do have to differ with some aspects of what you've said, while I agree with others. Let me explain. I believe this, to a certain extent, to be essentially (always room to improve) the correct form for the system and it's goals. I agree that training in isolation can result in bad habits; however, this interpretation is also tested in bouting.
I have a mirror on occasion to look at. Even more effective, I have a few sparring partners who tend to exploit weaknesses, although they too are sometimes too kind, I'm sure. Keep in mind that with a solo drill, there is no way to show how the shield is being used to displace blows and position the opponent in a way that blocks the line of the most likely attack.
I strongly disagree with the notion of keeping one's shield in front, for reasons clearly outlined by Paul Wagner and Stephen Hand in their essays in the SPADA journals available from Chivalry Bookshelf. In addition to their comments, I add as well the notion of a 'back ward' for the shield as discussed by William Carew of Australia, and as shown in several Renaissance sources discussing rotella.
I agree that in buckler play, there is a greater emphasis on not separating sword and buckler, as you say. With this type of sword and heater shield use, meant to simulate knightly fighting arts of 1150-1250, on foot, the necessity of strong protection for the sword arm is lessened somewhat due to the assumption of mail on the arms. However, in bouting, we wear thick Kendo kote, and consider the sword arm a very viable target. I am not often struck on the arm.
I agree with what you've said about the positioning of the dexter corner of the shield; this is something I'm always working on. I feel there must be a balance achieved between the tightness of such positioning and the freedom of movement necessary for a wide variety of natural tactical responses. In that sense, I must also disagree that many strokes are made with the arm. Note that almost every strike, even smaller ones, are....(con't)
...made with passing steps forward and back. The momentum of the passing step provides ample force for the cut. One thing test cutting on a variety of media has shown me is that striking strongly is not necessarily a guarantee of a successful cut. So I agree cutting from the arm is incorrect, but I do not think that is what is shown here. I do not favour excessive whipping action with the sword because I have not seen any descriptions which match these type of strokes in ...(con't)
...the works of historical masters on weapons such as the longsword, messer, or I.33's use of sword and buckler. I certainly hope there is some improvement, and I am heartened that you say you have noticed it. But bear in mind, the file transfer process has made this video look comically too fast in some areas. It's for that reason that I haven't uploaded anything new for a while. I need a better camera....
I do think that I am continuing to work on my speed of transitions between cuts, while maintaining the precision of the cut, and the full range of motion lining up wrist, elbow, and arm for a proper motion. I also feel that this video presents a far too linear form of motion; real bouting involves a greater amount of passing to the sides of the opponent to exploit weaknesses. That is underrepresented here. I would also like to improve overall agility in the foot movements.
Your comments should not be discarded by any means! They are valuable and it is for precisely this reason that I feel compelled to reply at length. Thanks for the input, and good luck in your training too. Take care.
Me again! I just wanted to thank you for the curteous reply. While we may differ some on our approach, I feel sure that you are of the type of person that I enjoy sparring with the very most.
Thank you, sir! I still dream of the day when I for some reason have oodles of cash, and am free to travel the world training a bit here, a bit there, with people from a wide variety of groups with varied insights. Every night would be drinks and food. On that day, I'll look you up. Cheers.
Ha! Possibly because it shows you what happens when you spend too much time with larger shields... You start dressing oddly and swinging about.
But seriously, the type of sword and heater shield I use has many parallels to the system presented in MS I.33; specifically because the forward reach of the shield is limited. As with I.33, many techniques involve deflecting incoming attacks with the sword, then using the shield forward edge to trap the opponent.....(con't)
...and following up with a strike with the sword. The 'shield-knock' is also a very viable technique. Systems with larger, center-gripped shields tend to use the shield more in defensive actions, and can perform a greater amount of shield strikes as well. With the heater, the sword arm is somewhat covered by the shield like in I.33, although not to the same degree as this system simulates armoured knightly combat (mail sleeves and mitts).
Hugonis, as i am not new to wearing armour may i suggest that simply encumbering yourself with weight may only approach wearing mail, it does not accurately simulate wearing plate which actually inhibits many movements. you are not going to able to practice your winding tecniques without an opponent or victim. i am unimpressed with your ability, though i am not a swordsman myself i do know a few, but i find your attitude worthy of praise, if you come to Australia you are welcome to look me up.
I used to wear butted mail a long time ago, of the butted-tear-apart-your-clothes-too-heavy-for real-life variety. This weight harness is to simulate mail, not plate, and like mail, it tends to sit largely on the shoulders and belt. It is not really the same as wearing mail though, because mail is so much more efficient. Someday...but when I get mail, I have this dastardly plan to wear everything, all together, at the same time....Don't worry, I'm unimpressed with my ability too. So I train.
I'm unimpressed with your lack of historical knowledge. A knight or man at arms would not use a shield with plate armor. The reason one would wear plate in the first place would be so that he wouldn't need to use a shield. this opens up the shield wielding hand to either use a longsword or to use grappling techniques. This is all well known to any serious student of western swordsmanship or anyone that has read some of the available period manuscripts.
@Hugonis I think it'd be great if you were to redo the video with better quality and perhaps a bit of an explanation of the movements. It looks like you have some valuable points to share.
ContradictoryNature 3 months ago
Have you ever used a basket hilt sword and a targe with a spike on it? :)
I'd be interested to see you do something with those.
GOBRAGH2 3 months ago
listen, i am very impressed with this video. unlike some other comments i can see the very deliberate and precise movements of your technique. very seldom is your body left undefended by the shield and you are able to cut and thrust in relative protection from the shield. GREAT VIDEO. i think maybe it wouldve been better with more slow motion scenes to emphasis your technique as the quick movements are probably throwing off some of the viewers and they think you are just flailing around.
Snake1076 5 months ago
hard sword + hard shield = Hard video.
Cool111Boyz 7 months ago
Im sorry, I dont doubt your skills one bit, and I have a big interest in medival martial arts myself, but this video isnt that well made to show it, when you're just cutting around it reminds me of that star wars kid.(not that you lookslike him, which you dont, but I mean it lookslike you're just throwing your sword randomly trying to show off) Could just be the not so good quality of the video though.
YajimaKenji 8 months ago
@YajimaKenji Hi Kenji. I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. Every movement has an application, as a deflection, re-direction, bind, cut, or strike. I am not much of a videographer. I don't think I'm trying to show off, but then again, this is a video posted on YouTube......the point here is that even when weighed down and using a shield, it is not impossible to move precisely and smoothly.
Hugonis 8 months ago
@Hugonis What I ment was due the not so good quality of the video, you cant really see the techniques that good, think its because the camera is to close.
YajimaKenji 8 months ago
@YajimaKenji Think of what he's doing as the equivalent of an Asian martial artist doing a kata, he's demonstrating a series of movements that would used in a combat situation
langying 4 months ago
were you wearing weight bags in some spots in this video?
redwormcharlie 8 months ago
@redwormcharlie Hi charlie. Yes, there are two configurations here; in some scenes, I have a ammo bag on the outside with about 15 kg of weight in it, along with various 1 or 2 kg weights at the ankles, upper arms, and wrists. In the other configuration, I have a much nicer 20 kg weight vest on inside the black gambeson, along with the 1 or 2 kg weights at the ankles (double), upper arms and in some shots, wrists.
Hugonis 8 months ago
@Hugonis hi im interested in learning more about medieval martial arts where would i go to learn this stuff or is this just somthing you came up with your self? also cool vid :)
SpartanT555 2 months ago
@SpartanT555
What kind of medieval martial art are you interested in? You can try to google "HEMA alliance club finder" but most of the clubs on that map do unarmored longsword and perhaps sword and buckler. If you are more into large shields like in this video then I'm sorry that I can't really help you (it's to early history for my kind of study).
gurkfisk89 1 month ago
great movie! great song! very nice
makeeta222 9 months ago
i want to learn to sword fight, dont know where to go to learn tho...
extondude 9 months ago
This is Thrand!!!
Nice Video!!!
ThegnThrand 11 months ago 2
@ThegnThrand Hail Thrand! Thanks.
Hugonis 11 months ago
@ThegnThrand yes, it is very unfortunate that the music was added.
leckig 10 months ago
I very much enjoyed your video and have recently taken up an interest in european martial arts. I just have a couple questions for you. 1) Did you make your shield and if you did, how did you? and 2) could you recommend some books or websites that you have found most useful in your studies of the European martial arts. Many thanks and I hope to see more videos in the future.
manshark42 1 year ago
Thank you my friend, very much appreciated. I will indeed enjoy.
Very much liked your training video.
Westcentingas 1 year ago
@Westcentingas Thanks very much. The next video I'd like to post will feature some of the plays of sword and shield in a very clear demonstration. This is really just some crazy solo practice strung together, but hopefully the next video will inspire people with a bit more detail on the techniques and so on. Unfortunately it may take some time, I'm about to move between continents.
Hugonis 1 year ago
@Hugonis We've been developing spear and shield fighting based on the premise that the spear was the principle fighting weapon in the Early Germanic period - note Vendel and Sutton Hoo helmet pressbleches, etc. (continued)...
Westcentingas 1 year ago
However...In order to maintain as authentic a display as possible we're targeting th entire body, with special care to avoid the face. In Anglo-Saxon England, shields were often poetically referred to as 'spear-nets' and were used not just as an offensive/defensive item but also to trap the spearhead of an attacker. So, direct spear strikes to the shield are avoided, whilst the shield increases its offensive capabilities - especially with a button or spiked tipped boss. It's fascinating stuff!
Westcentingas 1 year ago
@Westcentingas (1)Cool. There's an interesting article on Anglo-Saxon shield construction from a Richard Underwood in a recent collection of essays entitled 'The Cutting Edge'. Based on their reconstruction efforts, what you say sounds very true indeed. Maybe of interest to you, although a bit out of period, is the memoirs of Usamah ibn Munqidh. There's a paragraph description of an encounter between an Arab with a spear and a shield bearing crusader from the 12th century - out-of-period and ...
Hugonis 1 year ago
@Westcentingas (2) ...a different sort of shield I'd imagine. I find more people are interested in the use of the center-gripped shield (more widely used) than people are interested in examining the arm-strapped heater from a HEMA perspective. This is of course due to a lack of sources, but also, re-enactment groups & SCA have for so long claimed this that I think HEMA people are reluctant to examine it. The A-S shield vs. spear stuff sounds interesting, I hope you'll post more vids. Thanks.
Hugonis 1 year ago
Can anyone tell me what this music is? Cheers.
Westcentingas 1 year ago
@Westcentingas Hi there. Yeah, this is the greatest band in the world, Juno Reactor, and the track is Tanta Pena off the Gods and Monsters CD. They scored a lot of Matrix music, which I feel changed their sound a bit. Gods and Monsters was not a bad disc, but my personal favorite is Beyond the Infinite. Enjoy!
Hugonis 1 year ago
You have to be very strong man, if you can to sway real steel sword like this during combat
Boriz02 1 year ago
Good sir, having trained in the WMA only 10 years and taught it for 3 i feel still as a rookie against many i have faced so please take my criticizm as suggestive only. your movement is clean keeping true edge online at speed but half of the times your shield line is slightly low to protect the top of your noggin. the only other suggestion i would pose is mentally concentrate on keeping your eyes "peeled" so they stay wide open on your opponent as i saw them close on most of your cuts.
jeshuran70 1 year ago
I too have the "eyes closed" issue btw. Sword and shield was great but the two handed sword technique was still a little one sided. try to slow down and set a practice pattern on the one side and repeat on the other then try to speed back up after that. you did not seem to be leading with your head or torso so that seemed clean in my rookie eyes ;).
jeshuran70 1 year ago
@jeshuran70 OK, I watched very closely my practice today, and it was a sunny day, but yes, I think I've developed a serious blinking problem. Oh boy. Thanks for pointing that out, jeshuran, I'll be taking appropriate steps, even if it involves toothpicks on the eyelids. Cheers.
Hugonis 1 year ago
i dont know anyone who still thinks any of those things.
Indabaz 1 year ago
do simple just use an gun u onley have to press something incase of those movements.
fardanio 1 year ago
@fardanio I too can shoot a gun, but when we are out of ammo because i was dodging you too well or am in your face before you draw the gun out of pocket, guess whose understanding of line and circle will win the combat.
jeshuran70 1 year ago
@jeshuran70 me because i do also krav maga :)
fardanio 1 year ago
@fardanio Ahhh yes, i know no martial arts whatsoever so please dont be afraid i promise ;P
jeshuran70 1 year ago
@jeshuran70 krav maga has beeen made to be against people with swords
fardanio 1 year ago
@jeshuran70 & @fardanio : Krav Maga is a very valid and interesting system, however, I don't think debating the merits of Krav Maga belongs on my video. I invite you to discuss Krav Maga together more privately. Jeshuran, you may be right about the blinking, however, in the room in which this video was filmed, a passing step forward brings me directly into the sunlight at the window, so I would say most of the time I'm squinting and blinking. It's something I'll be thinking of now though. ....
Hugonis 1 year ago
@jeshuran70 & @ fardanio (2) ....however, jeshuran, I'm not sure what you're referring to about one-sided with the brief longsword part. Did you have a chance to look at the other comments? This is an endurance drill, so it contains lots of techniques both offensive and defensive strung together and executed with as much intensity as possible. Hopefully in the next year, I'll post some videos showing the plays of sword and shield and maybe some longsword in further videos. Fardanio, khoda hafez.
Hugonis 1 year ago
@Hugonis the shortness of that section could be why it seemed as it did as well as the confined area you are performing in. normally for this type of exercise i have a full open lawn area to move around on. look forward to seeing more and i may attempt to post some of my exercises as well. apologies for being drawn into someones unrelated commenting :)
jeshuran70 1 year ago
@jeshuran70 Cheers! No problem. Happy New Year. With a little luck, I'll have some more space soon too.
Hugonis 1 year ago
Here is a compliment for you Hugonis. I imagined myself trying to attack you with the same weapons you showed in your video and I think I would have a hard time trying to land a hit when you are attacking with 3-5 swings and stabs and defending with 2-3 hits in the sword and shield portion. I'm leary of 2 handed swords, since I am very exposed if I should happen to miss my target, which is why I prefer the sword and shield. WMA is a new hobby for me and I know talent when I see it. Good job!
GOBRAGH2 1 year ago
@GOBRAGH2 (1)Thanks for the nice compliment. The drills in this video are a bit odd in that there are so many actions in such a short space of time; it's great if you feel the attacks are paced together in such a way as to make things difficult for an attacker. However, in an engagement, usually distance and proper attacking times will help you prevent most counterattacks, so you probably wouldn't normally have to expend quite this much energy....: )
Hugonis 1 year ago
@GOBRAGH2 (2) .....Yeah, it's a shame that we have so much historical information on the longsword, but not very much at all on sword and shield. Still, there are a handful of people around the world working on really solid extrapolations from what we do have. I hope someday I'll have a full system researched, tested, and documented for presentation to anyone and everyone. I'm about halfway at this point, in a large part thanks to the efforts of other scholars. Thanks for watching.
Hugonis 1 year ago
Please, do a self-criticism. You are bad, swinging whit wooden sword like crazy child. I do swordfighting 9 years. Look at my videos, you will see.
If you want be better, try some swordfighting school or group and stop fighting whith your mouth.
Visit Czech republic, the best swordfighters country, here is over 800 fencing groups and study. You are welcome.
NazirusH 1 year ago
@NazirusH (1) Wow. That's a pretty interesting reply. I'll have to take some time to answer this. First of all, I always do a great deal of self-criticism. And I use the more important comments on this video to help me gain a little perspective. However, so far, your comments haven't been serious at all, so I haven't learned anything from you. You've asked me to look at your videos, and I have. I'll be polite enough to comment on them here, not on your page. First, I am impressed with the.....
Hugonis 1 year ago
@NazirusH (2)....horsemanship shown in the videos. Some of the horse stunts require a lot of patience, hard work, and training, and that's great. I think your group does a lot to encourage interest in chivalric arts in the shows you do, so for that, thanks. It looks like a lot of fun. On the other hand, in all the videos posted on your page, I didn't see any authentic historical sword play. I saw quite a bit of stunts, some stage fighting, some excellent horsemanship and nice outfits, but.....
Hugonis 1 year ago
@NazirusH (3) .....no real swordfighting. So it's a bit annoying to me to see you telling me that you do the 'real' thing. I'm sure the show is very entertaining for the spectators, but in order to make good, safe, stage combat, it is not possible to use realistic techniques and speed. That's OK. It just means that we do very different things. I can't criticize stage fighting because I don't know how to do it. I can criticize real swordplay. You've said that I'm "fighting with my mouth",
Hugonis 1 year ago
@NazirusH (4) ...but I did not find your video, write something insulting, then offer nothing constructive. You did. I'm getting quite tired of hearing from these little groups that don't do historical swordplay about how 'real' their 'battlefield experience' is, and how badass they are, and so on. It seems more to me like you are fighting with your mouth. I've had this video here for years. If you have some special knowledge about 'real' swordsmanship , not stage-play, then....
Hugonis 1 year ago
@NazirusH (5) ....go ahead and give me some technical tips from your huge 9 years (!) of experience. Like, maybe you could say, "Hugonis, it looks like your wrist action is a bit too flexible," or, "I think you're head is open too often as you move," or even, "You appear to be giving too much away as you attack." Of course, you would have to have some real experience to say that.
Hugonis 1 year ago
@NazirusH (6) Until you have something useful to contribute, I'm just going to continue 'swinging like a child' and being crazy. Good luck with your performances, and you are welcome.
Hugonis 1 year ago
@NazirusH Best swordfighters' country? Sounds awfully opinionated and unsubstantiated to me... did your country hold some sort of competition for this title? Hugonis, keep up the great work, don't mind this stage actor's poor criticism.
Littlejon126 1 year ago
@Littlejon126 You must know. Russia has vodka, Italia has pizza, Great Britain has Queen, Australia Kagaroos and Czech Republic has beer and best historical shordfighters. That it is. Do you know, where it is (whitout use google)?
NazirusH 1 year ago
@NazirusH Sure do, although its pretty easy to miss. Isn't it between Polska, Deutschland and Österreich? Believe it or not, I even own a few Czech-made handguns, some of the finest I own. I'm particularly fond of my vz. 82 pistol; it's like a Makarov on steroids! However, I was under the impression that the finest school of medieval fencing happened to be in the states, where we have the Iron Door School of Arms, run by John Clements.
Littlejon126 1 year ago
@NazirusH I looked at your videos and there is just a couple of moments with sword fighting and all of them were staged.
Ranziel1 1 year ago
Buy real sword, shield and armor and try it. It is big difference. If you will make video whit real stuff, I can change my bet.
NazirusH 1 year ago
@NazirusH Hi again. You don't have to change your bet. But I'm quite familiar with using real equipment. If you really care to know about it, read through all the comments below. If not, maybe you should go train instead of commenting here.
Hugonis 1 year ago
ROFL, this is Star Wars kid 2?
NazirusH 1 year ago
@NazirusH Wow. You used all that energy to reply to my video, and that's what you typed? Well, OK, Star Wars kid and I do have some points in common: both of us are carrying an extra 32 kilos (I can take mine off), both of us are swinging something around fairly quickly, and both of us could take care of you, tinkerbell. However, if you put me up against Star Wars kid, I'd probably bet on me. What you do with your bet is your business.
Hugonis 1 year ago
Man... my sword weight is about 1kg, shield about 4kg, chainmail 10kg, helemet 4,5kg, pads and arms albost 5kg, full legs armour is near to 7kg, gloves is 3kg. Do you think that if you are wearing such armour you can move so fast and fluent? NO, you can't :] What's more, in battle your technique isn't worth anything... it's just too crowded :) Same if figting one man, they are striking very hard, to defeat you. Not to play with you.
kazioo14 1 year ago
@kazioo14 Hi there. So, unless my math is wrong, that sounds like you are wearing about 35 kilos of stuff. You'll note in my comments above that in these clips I am wearing 32 kilos without the green vest, and about 45-6 kilos with the green vest. I can and do move this way when wearing this equipment. I think it's always interesting to hear people from these 'full contact' or 'live steel' groups who bash each other on the most armoured parts of their bodies.
Hugonis 1 year ago
....... What these groups do looks very fun, and it's quite a physical challenge. But it has little to do with martial training. We train in technique because it is what was done. In a real battle, it would be difficult to execute proper technique. All the noise, the screaming, and the fear would mean you acted on instinct. So knights trained their instinct to be as technically competent as possible. But then again, no one, not I nor you, has ever been in a real battle with these weapons.
Hugonis 1 year ago
@Hugonis mm, but you ane not using helmet(in real figt it makes your sight really small) and dont use pads and so on, what interrupts your mvement speed. Green vest does not disturbes you to move your arms or legs :) It's great difference than when using real armours. What's more, fighting with ral oponent makes your moves much more comlex...
kazioo14 1 year ago
@kazioo14 Thanks again, but I have used a helmet, i have fought numerous opponents, and this is the speed we move. I've worn armour as well, though it's important to note that the period I deal with is the High Middle Ages, the age of mail, so the weight distribution is not as comfortable as wearing plate. This is some footage of an endurance exercise I do. Wearing the gear here is heavier and more inconvenient that wearing real armour. Period. I think I mentioned that the video looks........
Hugonis 1 year ago
.... faster than it should, and I've explained all this in the comments below to people from other groups who supposedly understand 'real battle' because they bash each other with no accuracy and technique on the most heavily armoured parts of their bodies, and refuse to move their feet. I wish you good luck in whatever fighting you do, but if you're just here to tell me that you're very tough and I shouldn't try to move quickly, then I can't get anything constructive from your comments.
Hugonis 1 year ago
What is that shitty turkish music...You know that THOSE knights were Christians right? But your music sounds like some fag muslim "maane" so...Besides that you r doing just gr8 and i'd love some tips because meddleage martial arts are rly aweseome and underestimated
immortaliserwow 1 year ago
every time you throw ur shield out like that, you open yourself up much more than necessary. thats what will get get you killed sooner, rather than later. ur movements are also big enough, that i can tell where ur swinging. just pointing it out.
123qwe910 1 year ago
I like how you start by countering the misconseption that knights were like a metal slug. Thanks fo the encouragement
Charlizard777 1 year ago
are those weights in you vest pouche thingys :S so its like wearing armour and wouldnt it be alot harder with the weight of a metal sword?
joeskelly123 1 year ago
Hi there. Yeah, there are some weights in the big green ammo vest. In the scenes with that, I'm actually carrying a silly amount of weight. In addition to that, I'm wearing a 20 kilogram weight vest that 'fits' under the gambeson, as well as the various weights on my arms and legs. So when there's no green thing, it totals up at about 32 kilos, and with the green thing, about 46-7 kilos. Actually wearing mail would mean the weight was much more efficiently distributed.
Hugonis 1 year ago
For the sword, yes and no. I train with various real swords in Canada, but here in Japan, only 'bananas' are permitted. With a well-made sword, there is a small increase in weight compared to the wooden waster I use here. However, steel has vastly different handling characteristics, for one thing, it 'cuts' through the air, whereas there is a lot of drag with a waster. I wouldn't say it's a lot harder, just a bit different. Thanks for watching!
Hugonis 1 year ago
good vid I liked it a lot andgave me some ideas. However, the part at the beggining about the knight being slowed by heavy armor and stuff was totally false
Knightofthetruehorne 1 year ago
Hi there. Thanks, I hope it inspires your training. About the part at the beginning, I don't agree with it either. I was trying to show that contrary to popular cultural impressions, one should be able to move smoothly and fluidly when using a sword and shield, and even when weighed down. That's what I was trying to say with,'or so they say'. Glad you agree.
Hugonis 1 year ago
@Hugonis ya the vid defiantly helped im sorry for the comment then i get what you mean now.
Knightofthetruehorne 1 year ago
There's no reason to say sorry. Thanks for the comment!
Hugonis 1 year ago
u look like a twat XD
skizr0b 1 year ago
From your exciting comment, we now know several facts: 1) you have never actually seen a real twat in your life if you so easily confuse me with one, 2) you spend most of your internet time furiously searching for images of twat, and 3) you have nothing important to contribute to this discussion. Thank you for telling us a bit about yourself.
Hugonis 1 year ago
Good vid! How did you get started practicing sword combat? :)
GOBRAGH2 2 years ago
Hi there. I started in Japanese Sword Arts a long time ago, but some friends and I got quite interested in WMA or Western Martial Arts back in the early 90s. At that time, the only sources available were Egerton Castle's 'Schools and Masters of Fence' and another exciting book called 'Three Elizabethan Fencing Manuals' . Nowadays there's a lot more stuff out there, but sadly, very little original sources exist on High Middle Ages (1050-1300) sword and shield.
Hugonis 2 years ago
@Hugonis if u want info on medieval sword fighting, u could look at the manuscripts written by the some of the masters of sword in the middle ages.
123qwe910 1 year ago
being fast is not the point in a medieval fight. it is being precise. a few slashes to the arm or leg will not kill you while one stab can end everything
Locker344 2 years ago
Being fast is the point in any encounter, as it helps it to end more quickly. You'll find quite a few slashes and thrusts in this video, along with full hewing cuts. A variety of attacks are important for this type of swordfighting, as knights would have encountered many types of armour (or lack thereof). Also, please remember, being fast is exactly the point of the endurance drills from which I have taken highlights of for this video. Do you have a lot of experience in 'medieval fights'.
Hugonis 2 years ago
HE IS LIKE A KILLING MACHINE!!! fast as hell...
komuda 2 years ago
That Sheild Looks Bad Ass Ive Made My Own Medievil sword from wood and bamboo
i used jute string to tie around the handle for grip the bamboo i cut in half and tied them on each side of the sword and then the blade part i had painted silver
it looks quite good ,,,,oh and its got oh each side at the bottom of the handle two blue glass circles that looks like sapphiree
anyways your sword is very cool and tht sheild is the BEST what did you make it out of???????
stitchandginta 2 years ago
Hi stitch. This is a training shield only, made to stand up under lots of pounding and to be not entirely uncomfortable to be hit with (although it is). I have made 3 of this size and weight, with a double weight one for extra fun. They have rubber edging to allow for contact with training weapons and faces and bones without too much damage. If I wanted to train with a historical looking shield, there are several suppliers from whom I would actually just buy one.
Hugonis 2 years ago
i practise a medieval combat sport wich teaches you to master your body as it should become a weapon, and then we also practice fighting with i'd say every medieval weapon. we also use medieval armor. it's pretty taugh because you must practice as knights did, so that means armor and clothes in summer and half naked in winter. it's nice to see someone apreciate this kind of thing.
1389srb 2 years ago
ehh deleted my posts, thought it was a different medieval video, my bad. but i just have a question. where exactly do you get people to practice on, have tourneys with, etc? im sure its not a walk in the park to actually find people willing to do this,
Zelithe 2 years ago
You bet. It's even worse in Japan. I train with a few people, and like me, they have the right mix of insanity, a love for history, and an enjoyment of tough training. One guy I've been training with for about 16 years. We don't really do any tourneys so to speak, though we do a lot of bouting. There are plenty of groups around the world that we can link up with, though few of them take a HEMA approach to knightly sword and shield.
Hugonis 2 years ago
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Zelithe 2 years ago
Hi Zelinthe. First I'll address the weight issue: I do in fact wear weights on my arms and legs, at the elbow, wrist, ankle, and just above the knee. They are all covered up by the padded hose and gambeson I'm wearing here, but they're there. Vikings did in fact have an issue with leg armour in some sagas, a problem which was not echoed by knights of the High Middle Ages, nor the Norman descendants of Vikings.
Hugonis 2 years ago
To the second part of your post, about fencing, why would I want to try fencing? It's great, but it is a sport. I practice a combative art. I have no need to flick dull blades with electric button points at other people in a ritualistic and improbable simulation of 19th century smallsword sporting contests. You seem to think that all combative arts are a progression, one to the next. In that case, I recommend trying shotgun. There's a reason fencing died.
Hugonis 2 years ago
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Zelithe 2 years ago
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Zelithe 2 years ago
I've been asking around a lot and you're from Japan so you may have the best insight on this simple question what is better the eastern or western style's thanks in advance
Leviathan3D 2 years ago
fencing is in no way dead. it is an olympic sport and people do classic sword and shield fencing as well as the fencing you are refering to
Locker344 2 years ago
Hi Locker. Fencing is not dead at all. My seemingly nasty comments were directed at a 'fencing is the best' sort of comment which the original poster has now deleted. But don't worry, I like fencing just fine, and have a lot of respect for Olympic fencers, as some of my friends are fencers, including a former Olympic fencer who competed in the 1970s and 1980s.
Hugonis 2 years ago
i think you are very good but I just think you leave yourself "open" to much... but that´s just me
Naldorian 2 years ago
Hey that what I tell our recruits, you can't fly don't flap.
The gaps I saw where mainly as you swing your sword forward you pull your shield back, exposing the sword arm, side of head and right leg. Around the 1.05 minute mark is a good example. I feel the best time to hit a shields man is as he attacks you.
The gap between sword and shield is a prime target, have a look at the 133 manual for examples of this (of course that's using a buckler).
MichaelAAF2 2 years ago
One way to counter this is to push you shield forward to meet your arm as you swing, also you need to cover your forearm another prime target.
Yep flapping it forward to snag shield and arms is good, deliberately flapping as invitation then shield hooking the attacking arm is cool, when it works.
You can take those ninjas.
Also agree with working out like this will improve stamina, speed and muscle memory and nothing beat being hit for learning ;)
Michael
MichaelAAF2 2 years ago
Pesky ninjas.
I agree 100% about the best time to hit a shield man.
There may be more of a gap than I wanted there at 1:05, but then again, I tend to see that as a bit of an optical illusion. The shield edge forward spoils the perspective on how far ahead it really is. But still, point taken. My problem may be that my opponents very rarely manage to hit me on the wrist. I agree that the arm needs to be covered with this type of shield, as in I.33.
Hugonis 2 years ago
You move very well but you flap you shield open too much.
Michel
MichaelAAF2 2 years ago
Hi Michael, thanks for the nice words. About the flapping, you could be right, but then, how else will I fly? No, actually, you may have a point, and I'm working on this. There are two possible things you could mean by 'flapping'. One, the shield is opening too much in forward wards while cuts are being executed, or, two, the shield is opening too much as it is drawn back, as the arm charges and the muscles release tension. Number one is OK, but number two is a problem. (con't)
Hugonis 2 years ago
...In many of these actions, the shield starts in an edge-forward position known as 'open ward' by many. As I imagine leagues of eager ninjas attacking me in this kind of 'shadow fencing', I do several movements designed to use the shield edge to pry open or displace the enemy's weapons and create an opening for a simultaneous strike. That's the type one 'flapping', and it's by design. The other type, of which this video has very little (I only noticed it at 1:58 for example) (con't)..
Hugonis 2 years ago
...actually happens a lot more in my other videos, and even during bouting when I'm tired. It's something you're always working with in this type of system. However, dropping the shield back, or down, or opening it too far is less of a problem when you are out of distance. This type of fighting does not simulate an environment where arrows are flying about, and it is not appropriate for shield wall formations, both of which would require careful shield discipline, and better yet, a guige.
Hugonis 2 years ago
Heh try to do some swinging like this in real fight. Sorry but it won't work, I have some experience in lets say "heavy metal full contact" :)
kamikaziu 2 years ago
Hi. A 'real fight'? Heavy metal full contact? I have used some of the basic techniques shown here quite effectively in bouting with others. I'm still working to improve, but I'm generally comfortable with the interpretation. I'm curious about your experience. You wouldn't by chance have experience with that special Eastern European type of 'armoured fighting' in which people bash each other on the top of the helmet over and over?
Hugonis 2 years ago
I've seen this type of fighting before, and I must point out, it is anything but realistic. Swords are not ideal weapons for confronting armour. They do not cut through helmets, nor do they part mail like cheese. The best targets on an armoured person are the face, the groin, and the armpits. But these areas are far too dangerous to hit in most types of bouting. Bashing away mindlessly at each other while wearing plate armour only succeeds in looking absurd, and embarrassing the art.
Hugonis 2 years ago
I'm rather middle-european fighter ;). But I'm familiar to easternstyle fighting, I've seen them many times.
1. We do not use only swords. We also use axes, maces, bardiches and halberds. We just dont want to kill each other, while still fighting really hard.
2.And this fighting is not just like you say. We have also many techniques specially for duels. Bohurts (team melle fights) also have very complicated tactics, even if you think that they don't. You just have to be there and taste it.
kamikaziu 2 years ago
Perhaps your fighting is different from what I've seen from the Ukraine and Russia. I understand what you mean about 'we just don't want to kill each other' because I feel some limits must be set on free bouting to avoid injury. However, in that case, I suppose you could say that all of us do something that 'doesn't work', because our friends are still alive and we are not in jail. Still, we do a lot of practice wearing safety equipment that allows ...(con't)
Hugonis 2 years ago
...us to thrust safely at speed to throat, face, groin and armpits in controlled drills. This means that we are actually able to practice techniques that would have worked on the battlefield. Do you have opportunities to do similar drills? I understand that group combat is possible in groups like yours. We don't do any large group fighting for safety reasons. Do you have any specific examples of why you feel the type of fighting you do is somehow more realistic?
Hugonis 2 years ago
Heh give me examples why YOUR fighting seems to be realistic? Do do you base on some medieval european fencing school or on what?
kamikaziu 2 years ago
Hello again, kamikaziu. Yeah, sure. This system, of which this video is not really an example, since there is only one person in it, is based on a wide number of sources. There are no extant fight manuals from the middle ages which explain how to fight with these exact weapons. However, a list of my sources appears in the comments here, and includes Talhoffer, Ringeck, DiGrassi, Agrippa, Monte, I.33, and others. OK, your turn.
Hugonis 2 years ago
id agree with you hugonis, we do charged blows and head strik in my clud... i passed my first gradeing this week not newbie now ,(yes) 1st Wolf done..... have a great one latter jedi
jedi9595 2 years ago
You will never swing so fast with steel sword. If you will, you lose your stamina very quickly.
kamikaziu 2 years ago
yes you do.,
jedi9595 2 years ago
I'd have to disagree. I have a few decently-made steel weapons, and I swing them around at the same speed I swing these wooden weapons. The weight and balance is not incredibly different, although there are some important differences in handling. I feel no more exhausted swinging a metal sword around than I do wearing an extra 40 pounds of weight harness. Marathon running is exhausting. That doesn't mean people don't run marathons. It means people train for them.
Hugonis 2 years ago
Swinging sword, while wearing plate armor, is really exhausting. I haven't seen fighter who can duel at full strenght longer than 3 minutes in full suit of armor. And believe me I've seen a lot;). And what metal sword have you been swinging? Historical replica? Where did you get this replica from?
kamikaziu 2 years ago
OK, I have an Albion Gaddhjalt, a Windlass War Sword (a bit heavy and whippy), and a single handed Norman sword by Del Tin, among others. These swords, particularly the Albion, I use for test cutting and training. You're right that training in armour is tiring, but that's why I do drills like the one shown in this video, to build endurance. Of course, actual fighting is not all constantly flailing about like this, but these drills build stamina.
Hugonis 2 years ago
You mentioned that 'you've seen a lot.' Maybe, with your experience, and all your free time for commenting on my video, you could find a video of what you feel is a more realistic system of fighting, and post the name here. That way, anyone who watches my video could see what 'real full contact heavy combat' looks like. Please feel welcome to do so.
Hugonis 2 years ago
Ok, If I find one that suits things what I'am talking about, I'll post it. Maybe I'll make one by myself. The sezon for re-enactment is starting, I'll have plenty occasions.
kamikaziu 2 years ago
Please do. I must mention, however, that re-enactment is very much a different thing from what I do. Even in the comments from this video, I've had many conversations with re-enactment groups. Some groups do something close to what is done in Historical European Martial Arts, and some do not. The thing is, the main goal of re-enactment is very different from the goals of a martial art. It's important to keep this in mind, I think.
Hugonis 2 years ago
About my free time. Let's say it is quite temporary state;). I've just passed maturity exam, and I have longest vacations of my life (4 months) before going to university:). I'll see many duel tournaments, so I'll send you some, to see what I mean.
kamikaziu 2 years ago
So you're just about to start University? Wow. Enjoy the free time, because it's kind of downhill from here....
Hugonis 2 years ago
I'm must dissagree with you yet again. Swinging in air with wooden sword (or even steel) does not build up your stamina. I don't really find it build up anything. To build up stamina you have to do some exercises. Going to gym, running or just doing many fights in armor make you stronger. The real training, is when you fight with living enemy, trying to hit him.I can't find words explain this to you couse english is not my native language, but it works something like that.
kamikaziu 2 years ago
Maybe you're not to sure on what stamina means then. I know you're not a native speaker of English, but as a professional English instructor, I can tell you you're doing quite fine in English. It's true that strength training helps you to be able to fight. I regularly run, do calisthenics and train in and out of weighted harness. Even though I do a lot of cross-training, there is only one perfect way to get better at using a sword and shield in armour. Do it alot. Again and again.
Hugonis 2 years ago
Now, I've had living enemies hitting at me for a long time. I think if you have questions or comments about the techniques in these videos, it would be much more helpful for you to post something specific and detailed in terms of feedback. Just saying 'it doesn't work' doesn't really help me, and it's probably a waste of time. If you're going to keep typing on here, then make your comments relevant and useful. I promise I will do the same for any of your videos which you choose to show me.
Hugonis 2 years ago
So, until then, good luck in your training, and thanks for watching.
Hugonis 2 years ago
Why don't you get yourself a shield with a central grip, I reckon those are much better for individual fighting. And kudos for training and making a vid, we need more practitioners of forgotten arts.
Ranziel1 2 years ago
Hi Ranziel. Thanks for your support. I agree with you entirely that center-gripped round shields are much more advantageous for individual fighting, especially on foot. My main area of focus is on knightly sword and shield, and thus, the arm-strapped heater. I'd like to dabble in the use of center-gripped shields, if only to understand engagements between them and the heater. For center-gripped stuff, Hammaborg has been doing some really good work. Thanks.
Hugonis 2 years ago
thats great mate.. can you do any more as im learning this now...slow it down and tell us what and why your doin..base moves etc. with thanks jedi95
jedi9595 2 years ago
Sorry jedi, I'd love to, but I don't have a working digital camera right now. It is very difficult to imagine the application of the techniques shown in this one person drill, and I'm afraid you can't see the voiding, parrying, pressing and trapping movements with the shield, and of course footwork. Sorry about that. I'm using an arm strapped heater shield, which is worlds away from the centre-gripped Viking rounds they use, but for clarity of technique,......
Hugonis 2 years ago
....and a great set of examples of how large shields can be used to close lines, check out videos by the group 'Hammaborg' here on YouTube. They have a lot of WMA material, but if your interest is in larger shields, I think their videos very aptly show the basic concepts. Of course, an arm-strapped heater like mine has much less forward reach, so the sword does more work while the shield is not as easily able to aggressively intercept blows. There are other large differences as well, but...
Hugonis 2 years ago
thanks for that ... check out what we are doing down here in the New Zealand TAUPO JOUST HERE ON YOU TUBE
jedi9595 2 years ago
its like u r dancing :)
mikromponi 3 years ago
and as far as the padded armor you have on, that's what most footman would be wearing anyway, right?
Doctran 3 years ago
That's right, this is a gambeson and padded hose, this particular set made in Poland by a company called MATULS. Most medieval footmen would wear something similar, perhaps a kettle hat as well. It's actually tough to cut through, and cushions some of the impact. A gambeson with mail on top(as a knight would wear) forms a fantastic defense, as it can absorb a fair amount of impact force, cannot be cut, and yet is still able to move with your body.
Hugonis 3 years ago
Haha. You are a great man. It seems you are very honorable. You would crush me but it would be a great honor to fight you. I know no martial arts and techniques of the sword and shield. Though I am probably not worthy I would fight beside you any day.You should be king.
SeekingHonor 3 years ago
You look like a badass in this video :D, it's nice to see something that isn't just two random guys bashing each other with swords while wearing armor.
Arpiainen2 3 years ago
Thanks, but if I keep eating chocolate everyday, I'll soon have more 'ass' than 'bad'. I know how you feel about the armoured bashing videos; it's wrong to see such good kit wasted like that. I'm not near good enough yet, but someday, I hope to show that Sword and Shield combat is graceful, accurate, cool and deadly.
Hugonis 3 years ago
Hey Pal,
Nice video. I like the intro a lot. You seem to be a serious scholar.
Here are my specific thoughts:
I know you are essentially doing endurance drills, but you may be training yourself into some bad habits. I am speaking from personal experience here. It takes a lot more effort to break bad habits than to get them. Practice proper form at all times.
Caniswalensis 3 years ago
Do you stand in front of a mirror? I find that it helps to keep my form correct to do so. You can observe yourself from your opponents vantage and spot openings.
Caniswalensis 3 years ago
Keep your shield in front of you. Don't open it up any more than absolutely necessary. It is a natural impulse to use it as a counter balance, but it leaves you open. Keep I.33 in mind here. With buckler, you usually do not separate your shield & sword. It is different with a large shield of course, but it appears in the video that you are exposing your sword arm. The dexter corner of your shield should be keeping the vertical channel to your sword arm closed as much as possible.
Caniswalensis 3 years ago
Many of your strokes are made with the arm alone. To develop a realistic amount of power in them, they should be generated with the body & hips. Keep a loose, flexible grip on the sword. This will allow the blade to be guided by your hand, but not held back by it. The desired effect is almost a whipping action. It will improve the speed of your stroke, the power of the stroke, the speed of the recovery, and your arm will tire less quickly.
Caniswalensis 3 years ago
I watched your first video from two years ago. There is a marked improvement in the smoothness of your strokes in this one. Keep up the good work. I hope these comments are helpful to you. If you find they are not, simply discard them. Everyone must tread their own path.
Regards, Canis
Caniswalensis 3 years ago
P.S. IMPORTANT: Use a wrist cord while practicing that loose grip. It will save a lot of wear and tear on the household goods.
Caniswalensis 3 years ago
Hi Canis! Thanks for your comments on my videos. I appreciate your helpful attitude, and constructive criticism is important. I do have to differ with some aspects of what you've said, while I agree with others. Let me explain. I believe this, to a certain extent, to be essentially (always room to improve) the correct form for the system and it's goals. I agree that training in isolation can result in bad habits; however, this interpretation is also tested in bouting.
Hugonis 3 years ago
I have a mirror on occasion to look at. Even more effective, I have a few sparring partners who tend to exploit weaknesses, although they too are sometimes too kind, I'm sure. Keep in mind that with a solo drill, there is no way to show how the shield is being used to displace blows and position the opponent in a way that blocks the line of the most likely attack.
Hugonis 3 years ago
I strongly disagree with the notion of keeping one's shield in front, for reasons clearly outlined by Paul Wagner and Stephen Hand in their essays in the SPADA journals available from Chivalry Bookshelf. In addition to their comments, I add as well the notion of a 'back ward' for the shield as discussed by William Carew of Australia, and as shown in several Renaissance sources discussing rotella.
Hugonis 3 years ago
I agree that in buckler play, there is a greater emphasis on not separating sword and buckler, as you say. With this type of sword and heater shield use, meant to simulate knightly fighting arts of 1150-1250, on foot, the necessity of strong protection for the sword arm is lessened somewhat due to the assumption of mail on the arms. However, in bouting, we wear thick Kendo kote, and consider the sword arm a very viable target. I am not often struck on the arm.
Hugonis 3 years ago
I agree with what you've said about the positioning of the dexter corner of the shield; this is something I'm always working on. I feel there must be a balance achieved between the tightness of such positioning and the freedom of movement necessary for a wide variety of natural tactical responses. In that sense, I must also disagree that many strokes are made with the arm. Note that almost every strike, even smaller ones, are....(con't)
Hugonis 3 years ago
...made with passing steps forward and back. The momentum of the passing step provides ample force for the cut. One thing test cutting on a variety of media has shown me is that striking strongly is not necessarily a guarantee of a successful cut. So I agree cutting from the arm is incorrect, but I do not think that is what is shown here. I do not favour excessive whipping action with the sword because I have not seen any descriptions which match these type of strokes in ...(con't)
Hugonis 3 years ago
...the works of historical masters on weapons such as the longsword, messer, or I.33's use of sword and buckler. I certainly hope there is some improvement, and I am heartened that you say you have noticed it. But bear in mind, the file transfer process has made this video look comically too fast in some areas. It's for that reason that I haven't uploaded anything new for a while. I need a better camera....
Hugonis 3 years ago
I do think that I am continuing to work on my speed of transitions between cuts, while maintaining the precision of the cut, and the full range of motion lining up wrist, elbow, and arm for a proper motion. I also feel that this video presents a far too linear form of motion; real bouting involves a greater amount of passing to the sides of the opponent to exploit weaknesses. That is underrepresented here. I would also like to improve overall agility in the foot movements.
Hugonis 3 years ago
Your comments should not be discarded by any means! They are valuable and it is for precisely this reason that I feel compelled to reply at length. Thanks for the input, and good luck in your training too. Take care.
Hugonis 3 years ago
Hi Hugonis,
Me again! I just wanted to thank you for the curteous reply. While we may differ some on our approach, I feel sure that you are of the type of person that I enjoy sparring with the very most.
Take care, Canis
Caniswalensis 3 years ago
Thank you, sir! I still dream of the day when I for some reason have oodles of cash, and am free to travel the world training a bit here, a bit there, with people from a wide variety of groups with varied insights. Every night would be drinks and food. On that day, I'll look you up. Cheers.
Hugonis 3 years ago
P.S. I know that shield he's using isn't a buckler.
GameMaster255 3 years ago
This is useful for those of us who prefer sword and buckler combat.
GameMaster255 3 years ago
Ha! Possibly because it shows you what happens when you spend too much time with larger shields... You start dressing oddly and swinging about.
But seriously, the type of sword and heater shield I use has many parallels to the system presented in MS I.33; specifically because the forward reach of the shield is limited. As with I.33, many techniques involve deflecting incoming attacks with the sword, then using the shield forward edge to trap the opponent.....(con't)
Hugonis 3 years ago
...and following up with a strike with the sword. The 'shield-knock' is also a very viable technique. Systems with larger, center-gripped shields tend to use the shield more in defensive actions, and can perform a greater amount of shield strikes as well. With the heater, the sword arm is somewhat covered by the shield like in I.33, although not to the same degree as this system simulates armoured knightly combat (mail sleeves and mitts).
Hugonis 3 years ago
Good Sword and Shield work, they are in a good harmony.
TheHolyWenzel 3 years ago
Hugonis, as i am not new to wearing armour may i suggest that simply encumbering yourself with weight may only approach wearing mail, it does not accurately simulate wearing plate which actually inhibits many movements. you are not going to able to practice your winding tecniques without an opponent or victim. i am unimpressed with your ability, though i am not a swordsman myself i do know a few, but i find your attitude worthy of praise, if you come to Australia you are welcome to look me up.
baalbull 3 years ago
I used to wear butted mail a long time ago, of the butted-tear-apart-your-clothes-too-heavy-for real-life variety. This weight harness is to simulate mail, not plate, and like mail, it tends to sit largely on the shoulders and belt. It is not really the same as wearing mail though, because mail is so much more efficient. Someday...but when I get mail, I have this dastardly plan to wear everything, all together, at the same time....Don't worry, I'm unimpressed with my ability too. So I train.
Hugonis 3 years ago
I'm unimpressed with your lack of historical knowledge. A knight or man at arms would not use a shield with plate armor. The reason one would wear plate in the first place would be so that he wouldn't need to use a shield. this opens up the shield wielding hand to either use a longsword or to use grappling techniques. This is all well known to any serious student of western swordsmanship or anyone that has read some of the available period manuscripts.
quixoteknight 3 years ago
By the way, period plate armor is quite flexible. you probably wore a poorly fitted reproduction, not the real thing.
quixoteknight 3 years ago