Medieval Sword and Shield

It's such a pity that people don't realize the wealth of Medieval Martial Arts being revived around the world today. To inspire interest in - or maybe just conflict about - Historical European Martial Arts, I've thrown together some pieces of more recent solo training drills to make a flowing, constant stream of movement. The original camera is quite inadequate for capturing action, and during the file conversion process, the movement has become quite jerky. Although I'm moving faster than I used to, I still think that in some clips the jerky movement makes it look a bit too fast (especially at the end, which is ungodly fast for some reason). Sorry about that.
Enjoy, leave a comment if you like, and I'll try to respond when I get a chance.
For the curious, the music is from Juno Reactor's album 'Gods and Monsters,' and the track is entitled "Tanta Pena".

Enjoy the craziness, and please remember, I don't usually move about the house this way (the wife would kill me).

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Medieval
• Sword
• and
• Shield
• Martial
• Arts
• knight

[YajimaKenji]

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.

[Hugonis]

@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.

[redwormcharlie]

were you wearing weight bags in some spots in this video?

[Hugonis]

@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.

[ThegnThrand]

This is Thrand!!!

Nice Video!!!

[Hugonis]

@ThegnThrand Hail Thrand! Thanks.

[gurkfisk89]

@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).

[SpartanT555]

@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 :)

[ContradictoryNature]

@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.

[GOBRAGH2]

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.

[langying]

@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

[Snake1076]

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.

[Cool111Boyz]

hard sword + hard shield = Hard video.

[YajimaKenji]

@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.