Stork's Beak: School of Historical Swordplay

Stork's Beak: School of Historical Swordplay A Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) club, the primary disciplines we teach are 16th Longsword, Rapier, and both the Italian and German Dagger.

Classical/19th century Fencing instruction is also available. Website: www.storksbeak.co.uk The Stork's Beak School of Historical Swordplay is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The School is based on teaching, practice and research going back some 20 years. We currently offer regular courses of instruction in Longsword, Dussack, Rapier and Academic Foil. When you join our school, you will get to study

the European tradition of martial arts, and learn how to use a variety of swords. And, in the process, you may pick up some history, philosophy, and fitness. People mistakenly associate the words ‘martial arts’ exclusively with Asian fighting arts. Currently, there is a renaissance in the study of historically accurate Historical European Martial Arts, from medieval fighting treatises. These treatises reveal a well-established, highly sophisticated European fighting system, employing swords, rapiers, daggers, shields, poleaxes, sickles and much more. Unfortunately, theatrical and popular media portrayals have reduced European martial arts to the myth that combatants merely crudely bludgeoned, hacked, and slashed savagely at their opponents. In reality, European martial arts integrate footwork, avoidance, bladework, and the ability to use timing and distance. These skills include techniques for grappling, wrestling, throwing, and disarming of the opponent. Aside from practising the physical and martial aspects of the Art of Fencing, Stork's Beak is also dedicated to continuing research into the historical martial arts. As such, we continue to develop interpretations based on period texts, work on translations of period manuscripts and encourage our students to pursue projects that will benefit the school and the community at large. We have members from many varied training backgrounds, all ages and both sexes. Fitness is not a barrier to taking part - if you want to get fitter then it'll help and it won't be as boring as going to the gym! The School meets from 19:00 to 21:00 every Thursday at St Peter's on Lutton Place



Classes

We operate a two pathways approach to learning, students may begin with either the Foil or Longsword and progress to look at either other HEMA weapons such as Rapier and Dussack, or continue their exploration of their chosen weapon. Prices

The price is £10 per lesson, with the second lesson free, students may also pay £40 PCM for all Thursday classes in that month

17/01/2026

The Sunday session tomorrow will be at St Catherine's on the Grange, from 2:30-4:00 pm, this is a one off as we have had an unexpected venue chnage.

Pumpkin cuttingThis Thursday, we will be doing our annual pumpkin cutting a week earlier than usual, normally, we murder...
23/10/2025

Pumpkin cutting

This Thursday, we will be doing our annual pumpkin cutting a week earlier than usual, normally, we murder a few pumpkins with sharps to celebrate Halloween. We will have a few pumpkins, but it would be very helpful if people could bring one or two pumpkins themselves.

Aside from that we will be looking at more Vadi, cutting mechanics, and we will do a friendly king of the hill style tournament.

A really nice session on Meyer's play from the posture of Nebenhut
08/08/2025

A really nice session on Meyer's play from the posture of Nebenhut

Tonight we are going to be beginning the Introductory/Refresher Meyer course. This will run until the end of September. ...
31/07/2025

Tonight we are going to be beginning the Introductory/Refresher Meyer course. This will run until the end of September. The course will mainly cover Longsword; however, we will also cover Rappier and Dussack. This is the perfect time to start, so bring your friends and if you have been away for a bit, a good time to restart fencing. For those with experience, this course will include a wealth of new material. We will also be fencing outside to escape the heat :)

26/07/2025

Tomorrow we will be fencing in the park at St Peter’s from 3-5pm, we’ll focus on Longsword in the taught section tomorrow. I will bring some other weapons for freeplay, and we will do a fair bit of sparring in the second half of the session.

28/06/2025

After a fencing controversy sparked an American debate over transgender participation, medievalist communities like HEMA and the SCA are standing firm in support of inclusion and trans rights in sword sports.

Several really good points are made in this video on the topic of control and competition in HEMA.
26/06/2025

Several really good points are made in this video on the topic of control and competition in HEMA.

As it says. I’m sure you are all aware of Stabgate. Here I want to offer potential solutions as well as ramble incoherently for a while. I hope you will enga...

Tonight we will be looking at on-set plays with the longsword in the first session, and we will do some introductory due...
12/06/2025

Tonight we will be looking at on-set plays with the longsword in the first session, and we will do some introductory duelling sabre in the second session.

I want a 'My lord emperor coquier frog sword' :)
05/06/2025

I want a 'My lord emperor coquier frog sword' :)

The swordcane was a variant of the smallsword, possibly the only one lasting into the present day. As a covert blade its social status varies; it could be the mark of a military man retired into civilian life (as done by some French Grognards) and thus a fitting companion or a discreet item of defence while working for the state (as carried by Rabbie Burns during Excise duties) but most commonly seen as the mark of a bully, ruffian or assassin. Advice for their use is in some treatises for defence with and against for these reasons. Our favourite treatise advice is that if both draw a sword from their cane, they should exchange cartels and arrange a proper duel in cold blood rather than a hot blooded rencontre as is proper for gentlefolk.

Address

St Catherine's, The Grange
Edinburgh
EH91TY

Opening Hours

Thursday 7pm - 9pm
Sunday 2:30pm - 4pm

Website

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