Espada Negra - HEMA Study Group

07/06/2026

Sunday classes are getting pretty crowded. Half way through rapier block with going over thrusting against cutting from Capo Ferro and some variations.

05/06/2026

And the last video from Rick Brandes and Fran Lacuata from The School of the Sword visit to Porto, finally after years of friendship Rick and Rui took it to the spadroon.
Both used very different swords with a different set of advantages each despite both being categorised as spadroons, that being light cut and thrust swords of the napoelonic period and earlier.
Some fast exchanges and some thigh hits for good measure, a great way to end the weekend with such a great bout between these two fencers.

And the last video from Rick and Fran's visit to Porto, finally aft...

04/06/2026

Rui will be writing this one:
Michael Silva and I met some 12 years ago when we first started HEMA, that original footage was some clandestine stuff from way back when. Michael was also one of the founding members of Espada Negra and while our lives may have lead us through different paths (Michael is now an instructor at HADU - Historicae Artes Dimicationis Ustrachenses) , we still reminisce about those days and we still shared wonderful experiences throughout all these years of friendship.
11 years later we finally met yet again with sabre in hand, this time steel, and it was impressive to see how much we've both grown since.
Hope you'll enjoy this one, and see you next time for more Dijon footage.

Rui will be writing this one: Michael and I met some 12 years ago ...

03/06/2026

We know there's still a wide backlog of videos to go through, the last couple of weeks Rui has been busy attending HEMAG Dijon 2026 and as such we had to put that on hold for a little.
We will be going back but time to highlight some of the bouts Rui had the pleasure of engaging in throughout the event.
This smallsword sparring was one of the very first ones on the first day of the event and Guillaume Marciano Thomas from GAP, was not making it easy. We know it's always a struggle in the first few exchanges to adapt to the intensity and meet your opponent at either at whichever level he is, be it lower or higher, but we think both managed to meet each other right where they needed to, providing us with excellent sparring footage.
Hope you enjoy it and we'll see you soon for more.
HEMAC Dijon

We know there's still a wide backlog of videos to go through, the last couple of weeks Rui has been busy attending HEMAG Dijon 2026 and as such we had to put...

03/06/2026

Last Sunday we had the opportunity of taking our class outdoors at the invitation of Município do Seixal for Agita Seixal 2026 while also being able to represent what has been our home for the past 6 years Sociedade Filarmónica União Seixalense, "Os Prussianos".
Gratitude for allowing us this space to promote and showcase a little of what we love doing the most.

26/05/2026

If you remember, the last video between Rui and João ended abruptly after bending João's hilt.
This is the second part after João switches his smallsword.
As a side note we'll be uploading both old and new footage simultaneously to get through some of the backlog.
Hope you'll enjoy this one and see you on the next!

If you remember, the last video between Rui and João ended abruptly after bending João's hilt. This is the second part after João switches his smallsword. As...

10/05/2026

03/05/2026

We didn't have a chance to take a lot of photos but, we have at least a few to share.
First class of the rapier block taking over the next two mo tbs with Rui Ferreira - HEMA Instructor starting with basics and fundamentals and getting everyone started with Capo Ferro before the surprises kick in.