Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)
Historical European Martial Arts, or HEMA for short, is more than just swinging steel around in a gym. It is the study and revival of the long-lost martial traditions of Europe, reconstructed from the treatises and manuals left by masters centuries ago. Unlike modern fencing, HEMA focuses on historical accuracy and a wide variety of weapons, from longswords to messers, polearms to rapiers, sabers to daggers. It is all about rediscovering the art, science, and philosophy of combat from a time when swordplay was a matter of survival and honor.
HEMA is unique because it combines physical practice, historical scholarship, and community. You will learn not just how a sword moves, but why it moves in that particular way, how masters thought about timing, distance, and body mechanics, and how each technique fits within the context of historical combat. Unlike Asian martial arts, where lineages have survived continuously, European martial arts largely disappeared or evolved into sport fencing, boxing, and wrestling. The HEMA community’s main goal is to resurrect these arts from old manuals, some written in verse or obscure terminology, interpreting them through practice, discussion, and scholarly research.
The History and Revival of HEMA
The European martial tradition is vast and varied. Masters like Johannes Liechtenauer, Fiore de’i Liberi, Joachim Meyer, Salvator Fabris, and many others left behind detailed instructions on techniques, stances, and strategies for fighting with different weapons. Over time, these arts largely vanished due to changes in warfare, the rise of firearms, and the formalization of sport fencing. For centuries, the knowledge in these manuals was largely dormant, scattered across libraries, museums, and private collections.
In the late 20th century, a movement began to revive these historical arts. Scholars and people who loved the craft started translating old texts, experimenting with techniques, and testing them safely with protective gear. HEMA emerged, not as a competitive sport first, but as a reconstruction project that was both intellectual and physical. Unlike martial arts that are continuously taught from master to student, HEMA had to be pieced together like a puzzle, through interpreting words and illustrations, testing movements, and adjusting for modern understanding of anatomy and physics.
The revival owes a tremendous debt to pioneers like Dr. Patri Pugliese, who spent decades collecting and distributing fencing manuals in the United States. Long before the internet made manuscripts widely accessible, Pugliese was photocopying rare texts and mailing them to students and clubs, sharing knowledge freely and building the early HEMA community. His efforts laid the foundation for modern resources like Wiktenauer, the largest online repository of HEMA manuscripts and translations. Without such dedication, much of the knowledge that fuels HEMA today would remain inaccessible to hobbyists.
Because of this, the study of these texts are a core component to HEMA. While becoming a scholar on the texts is not necessarily required, all the techniques are interpreted from these texts. And the joy of learning and executing the texts is a common joy among HEMA hobbyists.
HEMA Equipment: Safety, Investment, and Getting Started
HEMA is a hobby that requires careful attention to safety and investment in the right gear. Beginners often start with synthetic swords or foam trainers, progressing to steel weapons as skill and confidence grow. Protective equipment is essential, especially for sparring, and should never be compromised.
Over the years, manufacturers have refined HEMA equipment to balance historical authenticity and accuracy with safety. Nylon and synthetic swords are softer than steel, yet shaped to replicate a close feel to real blades, helping beginners build familiarity without excessive risk. Steel training swords – known as a federschwert, a German training sword – are made with flex and rounded tips to reduce injury during thrusts and jabs. Meanwhile, fencing jackets are designed to be stab-resistant and absorb high levels of impact, giving the wearer reliable protection even in intense sparring and competitions.
Beginner Setup
Fencing mask (350N or CEN 1 for synthetic swords, 1600N CEN 2 recommended for steel)
Gloves (basic protection, such as lacrosse-style gloves)
Throat protection (gorget)
Groin protection (box)
Synthetic sword
Practice Setup
Chest protector
Fencing jacket
Protective trousers and knee/shin pads
Elbow and forearm protection
Mask overlay for back-of-head protection
Steel Setup
Steel swords for full-intensity sparring
Specialized gloves for longsword or rapier
Regular maintenance: cleaning, oiling, and occasionally rewrapping sword grips
Vendors and manufacturers like Regenyei, Sigi Forge, HF Armoury, and Castille Armoury offer high-quality steel swords for dedicated practitioners. As a beginner, it’s very tempting to dive right into steel words but it’s highly recommended to begin with a synthetic or nylon sword. Not only is it a safer way to start, it also is a way for you to explore the hobby before investing in the more expensive steel swords. HEMA groups, which are discussed below, often have these practice swords available for you to try as well.
In addition to protective equipment, HEMA communities emphasize “soft safety” practices that help ensure a positive training environment. Like many martial arts, HEMA fencing is about measured contact, not brute force. Instructors and sparring partners closely monitor intensity, stepping in to correct excessive strikes or unsafe behavior.
First timers and even seasoned students are never rushed into sparring until they are confident in basic technique and control. Early training typically focuses on drills, distance management, and slow fencing, giving practitioners time to develop precision before increasing speed or intensity. This gradual approach is designed to properly introduce you to the sword and the techniques that are commonly used.
Most importantly, open communication is a core value in HEMA culture. If someone feels uncomfortable, unsafe, or struck too hard, they are encouraged to speak up immediately. There’s no judgement as this shared responsibility for safety ensures that every participant, from beginner to veteran, can train in an environment that prioritizes respect, comfort, and well-being.
HEMA Groups: Community, Friendship, and Shared Practice
HEMA is inherently a social activity. While solo drills and online research are useful and helpful, fencing requires a partner. Clubs and groups provide the space, equipment, and guidance necessary to practice safely. Some clubs emphasize scholarly study of historical texts, others focus primarily on sparring, and most balance both. The key is finding a community that matches your goals. Here are some examples of how different groups may approach HEMA:
Academia
Some groups lean heavily toward historical study, focusing on reading, translating, and interpreting old fencing manuals. These clubs often run study sessions alongside physical training, encouraging members to dig into the words and illustrations of past masters. If you enjoy research and debate as much as sparring, these historically oriented communities, which often use resources like Wiktenauer, may be the right fit.
Fencing
Other clubs emphasize the competitive side of HEMA with structured training programs designed to prepare students for tournaments. These groups often focus on high-intensity sparring, conditioning, and refining techniques under pressure. If your goals include testing yourself in competition or tracking progress through international rankings, a sport-focused club will provide the intensity and coaching you need.
Socializing
Most, if not all, practitioners are creating a welcoming space to casually explore swordplay. Some clubs simply operate as a congregating place for HEMA hobbyists, where the focus is on fun, fitness, and friendship rather than while still incorporating a more measured type of study and competition. These groups are perfect if you want to enjoy HEMA as a social hobby.
Being part of a HEMA group offers many benefits beyond training. You gain access to experienced practitioners who can advise on gear, technique, and tournament preparation. You make friends with people who share a niche passion and often find yourself traveling together to seminars, workshops, and events. The camaraderie is a hallmark of the hobby, with mentorship and shared enthusiasm creating a welcoming environment for beginners and seasoned fencers alike.
For those looking to join a club, resources like HEMA Club Finder make it easy to locate groups worldwide. Philadelphia Common Fencers’ Guild, as featured in our video above, is one example of a long-standing, active club that balances research and practice. Many clubs operate similarly, providing regular training sessions, workshops, and introductory programs for newcomers.
Clubs also serve as a gateway to competitions, offering structured environments where beginners can practice safely and gradually build confidence before testing themselves in tournaments. You will meet a variety of practitioners, each specializing in different historical weapons or national traditions. The diversity of styles within a single club is part of what makes HEMA endlessly interesting. You might learn about German longswords from one mentor, Italian rapier from another, and a bit of wrestling and dagger work from a third.
Visiting a group allows you to try the hobby firsthand with personal guidance from real and excited practitioners. You do not need to commit immediately, and most clubs even provide loaner gear and can demonstrate how their swords work, giving you a safe, hands-on introduction to both practice and the welcoming community.
HEMA Events: Tournaments, Seminars, and the Global Community
Competitions, workshops, and reenactments allow practitioners to test skills, learn new techniques, and meet others who share the hobby. Events range from small local tournaments to international gatherings, with opportunities for sparring, seminars, and lectures on historical martial arts research.
HEMA Tournaments
Tournaments like Revolution Rumble and Longpoint attract hundreds of competitors, offering divisions for different skill levels, weapons, and age groups. HEMA Ratings and other ranking systems provide benchmarks for progress, while competitions foster friendly rivalries and sportsmanship. Videos from Nordic League and GHFS showcase some of the best tournament fencing worldwide, providing inspiration for both beginners and advanced fencers.
Attending a HEMA tournament is a structured but extremely welcoming and social experience. After signing up, competitors are placed into skill divisions to ensure fair matchups. For the most part, all genders face each other. Some tournaments have additional women’s only pools. FrauFecht, is a women's HEMA tournament run by Rashelle Burrell – our featured hobbyist. Matches are fought in a judged, carefully regulated environment where safety remains the top priority. Between bouts, participants can spectate, cheer on others, and connect with the wider community.
HEMA Workshops and Seminars
Many events also feature instructional sessions led by expert practitioners. These workshops can focus on specific weapon systems, historical masters, or advanced techniques, providing a unique opportunity for concentrated learning outside of regular club sessions. Organizations like Sword Carolina and Schola Gladitoria often host events in multiple countries, combining travel, training, and socializing into immersive experiences.
International HEMA Organizations
Unfortunately, HEMA does not have an agreed upon governing body at this point. The HEMA Alliance, IFHEMA, and various national federations are great resources for HEMA newcomers to learn about structure, safety guidelines, and support for clubs and practitioners globally, but they are not the head of HEMA. These organizations and sites are more of a database of licensed instructors, sanctioned tournaments, and sanctioned equipment standards, ensuring newcomers have clear pathways to get involved.
For those more drawn to the pageantry and historical flavor of HEMA than the martial side, organizations like the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) or live-action role-playing (LARP) groups may be a better fit. These communities are more focused on attire, reenactment, and immersive historical or fantasy role-play, creating a different but complementary experience to HEMA.Participants can enjoy costuming, medieval crafts, and large-scale events where the focus is less on winning a bout and more on storytelling and shared community.
You can do a dive into the likes of Renaissance Fairs and Medieval LARPing to get a sense of this more artistic expression of the time period.
Online Communities and Learning Resources about HEMA
For those unable to access a local club immediately, online communities provide a wealth of knowledge and interaction. HEMA Facebook Group boasts over 20,000 members discussing techniques, gear, and events. Reddit’s Western Martial Arts subreddit is another hub for advice, discussion, and sharing of historical sources.
Educational websites like Wiktenauer host thousands of manuscript scans and translations, while Hroarr.com offers HEMA news and commentary. Video resources are equally rich, including:
Schola Gladitoria: Insights into historical weapon use and cinematic fight deconstruction
Sword Carolina: German longsword and wrestling techniques
Duello.tv: Practical Italian swordsmanship
Nova Fechtbuch: Aggregated instructional videos across multiple weapons
Tournament-focused channels include Longpoint, Nordic League, GHFS, and Sword Pals, which showcase sparring footage, product reviews, and event coverage. These resources are invaluable for studying technique, learning rules, and staying connected with the global community.
Realities of HEMA
Before you grab your first sword, it is important to understand what HEMA truly involves. This is a hobby rooted in historical combat, not fantasy or movie swordplay. While protective gear and careful instruction make it extremely safe, you will eventually experience contact, as blows, thrusts, and binds are part of real and authentic fencing practice.
The historical manuals are dense and require study to interpret correctly. HEMA is as much about understanding the strategies and techniques of past masters as it is about swinging a blade. This is a special distinction for HEMA amongst the sword-inspired hobbies as similar interests like lightsabers don’t have as deeply attached technical component. You’ll frequently hear HEMA hobbyists reference the “masters” and how they believed a situation should be approached. This all comes from an appreciation of this era of sword use where it was a crucial part of their historical context and a desire to respect it. You can certainly collect swords and use them without this context but you will begin to separate yourself from HEMA.
Lastly, developing your skills within HEMA takes time. While picking up and swinging a sword can feel as natural as swinging a large stick or baseball bat, when you start incorporating intentional techniques, you’ll quickly see there’s much to learn. Even getting comfortable wearing a helmet while fencing takes a moment to get used to.
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