HEMA ca. 1300 AD - 1900 AD
80 videos • 561 views • by Darcie Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) is a revival of recorded arts from historical treatises on various weapon fighting systems in Europe from the Late Middle Ages onward. The earliest written source (Royal Armouries Ms. I.33) covered the techniques of using sword and buckler, and it was dated between 1290 AD - 1350 AD. No arts prior to this time period are known to have been preserved. A considerable portion of modern HEMA practitioners also apply their skill in sparring tournaments for sport. During the Late Middle Ages, halberds, spears, and other pole-arms were the most popular weapons, with sword and buckler popularly accompanying as side arms (sword and buckler was also popular for civilian self-defense during this time). Into the Renaissance period, military saw a rapid evolution of technology and tactics which changed the nature of the battlefield with each development. Halberds, pikes, and massive two-handed swords (ie. montante / zweihander) were dominant in the beginning until the presence of muskets became too strong; however, mounted cavalry would still persist. The most popular weapon for modern HEMA practitioners is the longsword (during the time between approximately 1380 AD to 1500 AD, it was seen as the most fashionable weapon for knightly scholars, consequently many treatises cover its use). Additional material: -Peter Falkner's German longsword techniques (via Hammaborg) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... -Armored fighting techniques from the Gladiatoria manuscripts of the 15th Century (via Hammaborg) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... -German longsword techniques from Codex Wallerstein (via Hammaborg) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... -Examples of a uniquely German grip used in "winden" (winding) techniques for longsword to accomplish different areas of blade contact than usual. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...