York School of Defence

08/09/2026

So happy to be supporting Leeds Roses Ice Hockey Club again and helping out women's hockey in our own little way. Love these folks and watching them play!

We would like to welcome back York School of Defence as a club sponsor this year. 🤝

York School of Defence is sponsoring our scoreboard software which brings a better in game experience for our fans and a customisable screen. 🙌

York School of Defence offers a variety of different martial arts and combative systems. The classes range from medieval longsword and single handed sword, quarterstaff, Catch-As-Catch-Can wrestling, classical pugilism, Bartitsu and Suffrajitsu, self defence, sambo and eskrima.

No experience is necessary to train and all are welcome!

Make sure to check them out here:
https://yorkschoolofdefence.co.uk

We are grateful for your continued support and look forward to growing our partnership further! 💙💛

07/09/2026

Don't forget we're riding the meme weapon wave and actually doing the thing. It'll be a light-hearted one day event at our regular venue in York for twenty of your shiny pounds. We understand that spadroons aren't common in HEMA so feel free to bring a heavy smallsword, light sabre or similar, or borrow some synthetic bits and pieces.

Saturday the 26th in York. Come join us!

https://spadroonfest.co.uk/

We all know that spadroons are the bestest of swords and what happens when a broadsword and smallsword make a baby. They are full of whimsy and fun, and delight everyone who holds them. If you don’t like spadroons then you’re wrong. Come and join your spadroon friends in York for a fun day of le...

28/08/2026

I hope you're all ready for some totally not-at-all serious multi-weapon shenanigans tomorrow!

13/08/2026

A splendid day teaching broadsword organised by the lovely Katie at Crucible Armoury. A bit of Wylde, a bit of Lonnergan, a bit of Page, a bit of McBane. Lovely folks to train with! Thanks for having us!

06/08/2026

EHRC "guidance" is just that... ignore it if you feel able to do so. Submit and file harassment reports if you encouter any problems. This isn't an option for everyone but if you're comfortable doing so please make a fuss, make yourselves heard. If you need help, just ask.

And to all of the non-trans folk reading this page... They're likely coming for you next. All eyes may be focusing on the "T" but they'll be heading right for the LGB next. Cis women's rights will also be on the chopping block... Cis men who aren't stereotypical in their demeanour or appearance? They're coming for you as well. Unless you're a middle class cis white male stereotype you're in the firing line whether you realise it or not.

Support maginalised groups in society, and if you can't bring yourself to do it because morally it's the right thing to do and should be the default for decent human behaviour, do it because they're coming for you at some point in the future unless we work together to stop this.

Everyone benefits from a fair, equal, and unbiased society. Do your bit to make it happen.

31/07/2026

My amazing friend Lucy did a thing, and it's a great thing and you should all go and subscribe for more top content in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhZOqDvIiQA

Most people tell women to pick up a martial art for self defense. B...

28/07/2026

Someone recently had the cheek to ask me what logo generator I used for the YSD t-shirts and branding.

None... This is a GenAI free zone. I'm certain it could be better but it's all done by me, by hand, in Photoshop, and I'm quite proud of it.

And I think we're long overdue a Christmas t-shirt.

P.S. It's a goose, not a duck. If you live in York, well, you know. I'm tempted to do a Tansy Beetle one as well, but the angry York Geese will forever be our mascots. And yes, it looks like a hockey logo because I love hockey and I thought our original logos were a tad boring and lacked whimsy.

12/07/2026

F**k the patriarchy! :P

09/07/2026

Tonight at the YSD, a group of experienced wrestlers who know what it's like to be down on the mats with someone trying to crank, rip and choke them into oblivion, got to experience, try out, and improve some Aikido "knife defences" that were advertised as genuinely being for actual self defence.

The comments were not pretty.

09/07/2026

We're big fans of Historical Fencing Armory at the YSD. They're lovely people and the kit is excellent quality at an excellent price, and it's delivered incredibly quickly.

Expect more orders from us in the future!