Durham Medieval Combat Academy

31/08/2026

Reminder that there is no class today due to bank holiday Monday!

12/07/2026

Fun fact: we had a spare kettle at the tournament, since it was deemed critical infrastructure.

12/07/2026

We have finally physically and mentally recovered after running the tournament, which means it's time to publish the scores!

First of all, we would like to thank again everyone for participating, for the wonderful display of sportsmanship by all the fencers, and for volunteering to help with judging.

As for the scores — see the attached images!

Also, congratulations to the winners!

DMCA team

11/07/2026

29/06/2026

The Prince Bishop Tourney – Longsword

There is something iconic about the longsword.

For many people it's the weapon that first drew them into Historical European Martial Arts. Elegant, powerful and endlessly technical, it rewards not only speed and athleticism but timing, judgement and the ability to think under pressure.

This coming Sunday, the Prince Bishop Tourney, run in association with Durham Medieval Combat Academy, will bring together longsword fencers from across the country to test those skills.

The tournament begins with a series of pool fights, giving everyone the opportunity to fence multiple opponents before the highest-ranked competitors progress to the elimination rounds. Whether you're chasing medals or simply looking to gain experience, you'll spend the day doing what we all came here to do—fencing.

Our ruleset is designed to encourage good longsword fencing. Clean hits, good structure, effective use of measure and control all matter.

But while everyone wants to fence well, the atmosphere is every bit as important as the results. We want experienced competitors to feel challenged. We want first-time competitors to feel welcomed. And we want everyone to leave having learned something, made new friends and enjoyed a day of outstanding fencing.

That's what the Prince Bishop Tourney is about.

If you've already entered, we'll see you on the piste. If you're still deciding, this week is your last chance to join us before the swords come out at the weekend.

28/06/2026

One week to go...

Next weekend the Cavendish Convivial returns for its fifth year; this time including the Prince Bishop Tourney. It will be bringing together historical martial artists from across the country for two days of training, competition and community.

On Saturday we'll have eight guest instructors delivering workshops covering everything from longsword and smallsword to Japanese swordsmanship, Wing Chun, WW2 combatives, grappling, sickle fencing and more. Four training sessions throughout the day means everyone can tailor the event to their own interests, before rounding the evening off with food, a HEMA pub quiz and a chance to socialise with friends old and new.

Then on Sunday, in association with Durham Medieval Combat Academy, the Prince Bishop Tourney takes centre stage. Competitors will test themselves in both Longsword and Mixed Steel tournaments, followed by awards and open freeplay for anyone wanting a few more fights before heading home.

We'll also have traders on site throughout the weekend, including Joe's Sword Stuff, as well as Fallen Rook Publishing bringing a selection of HEMA books.

If you've been thinking about joining us, this is your last chance to grab a ticket before the event begins next weekend.

Over the coming week we'll be introducing our instructors, taking a closer look at the workshops, showcasing our traders and sharing more about the tournament. Keep an eye on the page!

We can't wait to welcome everyone to what promises to be another fantastic weekend of historical martial arts.

23/04/2026

We've published answers to some frequently asked questions on our website.
We'll duplicate one here: no, we are not based in Durham, North Carolina!!! We are in Durham, England, UK.
You are welcome to join, though, if you don't mind the long plane trip.

19/04/2026

After many years of keeping our prices the same, we’re updating the fees, starting at the beginning of next month. This was discussed at the AGM and agreed as the best way to keep the club financially stable. It also means we can begin investing in more equipment and continue developing the club for all our members.

Here’s the updated fee structure:

- £12 for a single drop‑in session
- £36 per month if you train one day a week (Saturday or Monday)
- £50 per month if you train at all our regular sessions

On monthly payments: when we say monthly, we mean the calendar month. Your payment covers all sessions that fall within that month, rather than running from the date you paid.

For example, all classes in June, NOT all classes between the 7th of June and the 7th of July, regardless of when you pay.

To help keep our admin load manageable, please try to make monthly payments before the first class of the month. If you need to pay after that date, just let one of the coaches know.

We will also be working on other payment methods such as card readers if possible.

Thanks for your support and for being part of the club.