HEMA

Histoire

HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) is the modern reconstruction of fighting systems written down in Europe's old fight books. The oldest, the "I.33" sword-and-buckler manual, dates from around 1300; the German school traces back to the 14th-century master Johannes Liechtenauer.

Italian masters such as Fiore dei Liberi (c. 1409) and later Capoferro, and Germans such as Joachim Meyer (1570), left detailed illustrated books. In the Victorian era Alfred Hutton tried to revive the old swordplay; the modern HEMA movement grew from the 1990s, with clubs and international tournaments.

Le saviez-vous ?

• The longsword is the most practised HEMA weapon, but also sabre, rapier, messer, dagger and wrestling.
• Practitioners study the original texts — many are now free online and in our library.
• Modern HEMA uses blunt steel or synthetic swords with fencing masks and padded jackets.
• Liechtenauer's teachings were written as cryptic rhyming verses, explained by later masters.

Glossaire des techniques

Zornhau

wrath strike (diagonal cut)

Krumphau

crooked strike

Zwerchhau

cross strike (horizontal)

Schielhau

squinting strike

Scheitelhau

scalp strike (vertical)

Vom Tag / Ochs / Pflug / Alber

the four guards of the German longsword

Armes et équipement

Longsword

two-handed sword

Messer

single-edged long knife

Sword and buckler

one-handed sword with small shield

Rapier

thrusting sword of the 16th–17th centuries

Feder

flexible steel training sword

⚔ In the Arsenal

Espada longaEspada de armasBroquelMesserZweihänderRopera / rapieiraEspadimSabreFederBastão inglêsAlabardaMontanteEspada preta

☯ Philosophy and quotes

“Before, after, meanwhile.”— Johannes Liechtenauer, Zettel (German longsword verses) (14th century)

Vor, Nach, IndesOs quatro animais de FioreSee all →

Figures clés

• Johannes Liechtenauer (14th century) — founder of the German longsword tradition
• Fiore dei Liberi (c. 1350–c. 1420) — author of "Fior di Battaglia"
• Joachim Meyer (c. 1537–1571) — author of a great 1570 fencing book
• Alfred Hutton (1839–1910) — Victorian reviver of old swordplay

Sources: Royal Armouries (Ms. I.33) · Wiktenauer (HEMA manual library) · Encyclopaedia Britannica