Theschooleofdefence

14/06/2026

This mini series from Tod and Joe is worth watching

10/06/2026

There’s nothing really new about European Martial Arts.
I’ve just received this fantastic page from the Illustrated London News from March 7th 1891 with superb illustrations of the lecture given by Egerton Castle, Captain Hutton, Fred and Walter Po***ck, Prof. de Bailey at the Lyceum Theatre in London.
How good are your HEMA skills - can you name the fencing manuals where each of the techniques illustrated are described?

09/06/2026

This is going to sell for far more than I can afford but the detail on the armour is stunning- the two tiny tassets on the hips and the straps all clearly shown

Softwood carving of St George slaying the dragon with a lance, depicted in late Gothic armour with V-shaped cuirass and shoulder guard. With contemporary cast iron mount, raised on later pedestal base, likely 19th century, with blacked paintwork post-1939. Height 145cm Provenance: Sale of the cont.....

09/06/2026

A cut steel decorated eighteenth century smallsword.
I rescued this broken sword from an auction, unloved and with no other bids.
I bought it as I have another smallsword with a fine blade but butchered hilt. I thought I could swap the blade over.
Normally I only advocate gentle cleaning with PreLim and Renaissance Wax but when I saw the potential of this hilt and how the cut steel rivets might look if cleaned up I thought I would break my usual rules and polish it in the wheel. I may do more but I wanted to see what it may have looked like when it was worn and admired by its original owner.
So did I do the right thing or should I have left all the original patina? Let me know your thoughts on the comments.

07/06/2026

William Cavendish was known as the greatest horseman of his age and was renowned all across Europe. It’s wonderful that Historic Equitation can ride horses in his style in the riding stables he built. He was so proficient and at ease in the saddle that he was equated to a centaur!

29/05/2026

Why did knights start wearing plate armour as well as Maile? It's an arms race in iron and steel manufacture vs more and more powerful bows and better projectile weapons and tactics... see the damage a crossbow bolt or arrow does to Maile armour. Free Company Gaston the archery target by recorded at Tintern Abbey

29/05/2026

Anyone free in Suffolk?

I need a small contingent of late 16th century pikemen (+ a drummer!) for filming on Sunday July 12 in mid Suffolk. This is to discuss the response of the Trained Bands to the threat of the Spanish Tercios that would have landed if the Armada had not been thwarted in 1588

It is not a full scale re-enactment. I just need between 4 and 8 people to show me some basic pike drill. Kit for 1588 preferred but we can work with 17th century kit, if not available. The important thing is to look trained and be able to handle a pike well.

I would only need you for a few hours, as part of a demo and interview with me. Message me if interested.

If you know of people who might fit the bill (pun intended) then please share this post.

The image is taken from the internet - I do not know who this group are, but would love to hear from them if they are anywhere near Suffolk.