| Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Lesson Content |
Friday
| 8pm onwards | General social gathering in the Haymarket Bar |
Saturday
| 08:30-09:00 | Arrival, warm up and opening salute |
| 09:00-12:00 | Mo. Jeanette Acosta-Martínez : French Smallsword |
| 12:00-14:00 | Mo. Paul Macdonald: Backsword vs French Smallsword |
| 14:00-14:30 | Lunch |
| 14:30-17:30 | Mo. Ramón Martínez : Spanish Rapier |
| 17:30-18:00 | Wrap-up and departure |
| 19:00-19:30 | Gathering at Maxie's Bistro for meal |
| 19:30-21:30 | Meal at Maxie's Bistro |
| 21:30 onwards | General socialising in a pub - most like the Bow Bar on Victoria Street |
Sunday
| 08:30-09:00 | Arrival and warm up |
| 09:00-12:00 | Mo. Jeanette Acosta-Martínez : Italian Rapier |
| 12:00-13:00 | Mo. Paul Macdonald: Backsword vs Italian Rapier |
| 13:00-13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30-14:30 | Mo. Lorenzo Ravazzani: Italian Cane |
| 14:30-17:30 | Mo. Ramón Martínez : Classical Sabre |
| 17:30-18:00 | Closing salute, Wrap-up and departure |
| 18:00-20:00 | Wind-down drinks in a nearby hosteliery, for those that are left. |
Lesson Content
In general, the classes will be introductory-level, so no experience is necessary. However, the class contents will be adjusted on the fly for the experience of the attendees, and students will be instructed utlising drills that are appropriate to their level of expertise.
French Small-sword
We will go through a series of progressive drills designed to facilitate the study of the basic theory behind attack and defense with the small-sword. Focusing on the unique elements that are characteristic of the French school. We will concentrate on the technical aspects and then move on to the appropriate use of time. The class is designed to lead the student into the assault where they can apply this knowledge in a practical situation with an uncooperative adversary.
"And as to the practice of schools and of the sword, they are the same; one should not attempt anything with the foil but that which he knows by experience to be without risk according to the rules." Labat, 1696
Italian Rapier
Since fencing cannot occur while out of measure, specifically the method of finding the correct distance and the preparation of the offensive with one's own security foremost in mind is the main focus of this class. The unique elements of the Italian School of rapier, such as its linear approach to combat, will be closely scrutinized. The offensive and defensive considerations of entering into measure, the various approaches to controlling the adversary’s blade, and the distinctive manipulation of time will be carefully examined and analyzed.
Spanish Rapier
The true art and skill of Spanish fencing La Verdadera Destreza has for too long been associated with a needless mystique. Open to students of any experience or skill level, this class will remove much of the mystery and adhere to the key tenets of Spanish swordsmanship. These will be examined through the distinctive approach to time, distance and proportions as set forth by the Spanish masters of the 17th century.
Northern Italian Dueling Sabre
The main feature of this system of sabre is the cuts (molinelli) delivered from the elbow. These circular cutting actions generate powerful oscillations of the blade, which are directed to different parts of the adversary’s body. The class will introduce the participants to the proper execution of the molinelli and how these actions are applied to both attack and defense.
Students participating will receive detailed instruction in this crucial element of the northern school of Italian sabre fencing. Beginning with single person drills and gradually progressing to dynamic two person drills, the students will progress to more sophisticated combinations that will encompass both attack and defense when utilizing the mollinelli.
