NEWS:

We were invited to be involved with the Angus Buchanan fete this year. The weather was changeable but the event was well attended regardless, and we were busy all day. Haven't yet had any new students as a consequence but we're ever hopeful! Thanks go to the organisers and those volunteers who made the event, and our attendance, possible.

Classes are going well, we've had an influx of new students at the Lane End and Oxfordshire classes, which is always good. We've started a junior class at Broadwell and hope we can encourage more younger students to attend that class.

If you'd like to contact us about what we do, or future classes, we would be happy to accommodate your interest.

We look forward to hearing from you.

SMEF

 

Please be aware that the SMEF teaches historical European fighting arts as they should be taught, with its origins rooted in the martial art and not as a sport, re-enactment or LARP activity. A martial art can be used in every other scenario but NOT the other way around. Classes are disciplined and training intense, so if you think you have the dedication and commitment necessary to learn properly, come along.

If you're starting up a HEMA group and require some assistance and support then get in touch. We have a depth of knowledge and resources that can help.

The SMEF are always happy to run seminars if you should so desire. Whether you are a modern martial arts group who want a taste of medieval German longsword, or an existing HEMA group who wants a different perspective, let us know.

See our review in Oxford's 'Daily Info' website...

https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/events/190537/medieval-german-longsword-classes-the-school-of-medieval-european-fencing 

or find us on facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/www.thesmef.co.uk/

...and see how many people we've upset this month! (Seems to be an ongoing trend)

Events:

Here are a few events that have been or are coming up on the SMEF calendar:

 

2023 GHEFA Octoberfist

GHEFA Octoberfist 2023 goes ahead soon. A weekend of different disciplines including Filipino Arnis, Quarter and Half Staff, Rondel Dagger, Small Sword, pugilism, long sword, Messer and Karate. The theme for the event is Distance and Intent. With all twenty places taken we are expecting a good and informative weekend.

....in 2023

Hack'n'Snack 2023

Another excellent HnS, well attended and a little damp due to rain (very much in contrast to 2022), but that didn't stop us. All elements ran smoothly and educational fun was had by all. Thanks go to the usual crew who make this event possible.

....in 2022

2022 AGM

A brisk and efficient affair at the usual venue... CURRY and BEER! Pertinent questions were asked and solutions discussed. Not the quickest but sufficient to accommodate the matters at hand. We did still manage to wedge the meeting in between ordering food and it arriving so no unnecessary prevarications occurred.

Hack'n'Snack 2022

The 2022 Hack 'n' Snack event in July was yet another successful event, though the sustained hot weather meant we had to be careful with our cooking facilities as the grass was tinder dry. Good attendance with a broad spectrum of disciplines and some new faces. Always interesting to see their reaction when practice cutting with sharp weapons. Good social evening on Friday, with the addition of a BBQ on Saturday, and plenty or cross training on the Sunday for those who stuck around. Always informative, always educational, always essential in understanding how period weapons work and why. Thanks to everyone for making it a successful event, though some still have to pay their beer tab..... You know who you are!

....in 2021

GHEFA November event.

The first GHEFA event took place in November 2021 in Fleetwood. Small but perfectly formed, the event involved three different schools and focussed on correct martial practice and application within our respective chosen historical disciplines. A very interesting weekend and all attendees left feeling that something significant had taken place. We are hoping to repeat the experience again in early 2022. Thanks to everyone who attended and made it possible.

Hack'n'Snack 2021

2021 Hack'n'Snack was, again, an excellent weekend. On site camping combined with good weather, good food, good practice and good company provided us with ample opportunity to discuss, discover and improve technique. A wide selection of weapons from different historical periods allowed for some interesting cross discipline cutting to occur which is always an informative experience. A positive and happy demeanor achieved by all. Thanks to all those usual people who put themselves out to make the weekend successful.

2021 AGM

As usual this year's AGM took place in our favoured curry pub and took longer than usual, lasting at least 20 minutes, but they weren't full of unnecessary prevarications, apparently.

....in 2020

The 2020 Hack'n'Snack

This year's Hack'n'Snack was moved from its usual date in July to September in order to remain within the CoViD19 prescribed guideline. Fortunately, this was just before the greater lockdown rules were imposed so the event could proceed unhindered. This year, as last year, we reduced the number of attendees to around 22, which allowed for a much greater sense of unity and common interest within the group. The event proceeded without a hitch and, from the feedback, everyone enjoyed/learned something from the experience. Being outdoors meant that maintaining the current CoViD19 protocols was relatively straight forward.

The 2020 AGM

This took place early in the year and we managed to squeeze it between the drinks and food order at our favoured curry pub. It lasted 20 long seconds, which is a new record for us.

....in 2019

The SMEF 2019 AGM

We didn't beat the 2017 record of 21 seconds but managed to tie it all up in 10 mins and was quickly followed by a curry (which wasn't really the main reason we were there, honest!)

SMEF back at SSS Sheffield

To continue our support for SSS Sheffield's desire to pursue proper HEMA training and reinforce our previous successful visit with another, (and an excuse for good company, good food/beer and a good laugh!)

Hack'n'Snack 2019

Excellent event this year and a good crowd generally. No overly silly antics but lots of information exchanged and interest generated. You'll never understand how a sword works unless you use it for cutting, and then you should fully realise why certain techniques are very much associated with certain weapon types. Essential if you're a serious researcher, and an eye opener to anyone as to just how effective these weapons are when used properly.

Teaching Seminar, 'How to teach SMEF HEMA....'

A long but very productive day was spent near Blackpool teaching other Martial Arts instructors how to teach Longsword. The dynamic of explaining not only what we do but also how to spot when your students do it wrong, made for an interesting but also tiring day's tuition. Interesting though and definitely worth the effort.

 

WHAT'S TO COME.....

Book 2 in the series

The second book in the series 'The Art and Science of Johannes Liechtenauer's German Medieval Longsword, Grade 3' is currently in the pipeline, taking a little longer than we would like but all good things come to those who wait (apparently). A rough estimate for publication and availability is mid 2022, but many things can happen in that time, let's hope they don't get in the way!

The Guild for Historical European Fighting Arts  (GHEFA) are running a cross-discipline weekend exchange

It has been discussed within GHEFA that an event involving 'cross-discipline' training (non related martial arts training) will take place annually. However, pinning people down to commit to attending is another matter completely!

Advanced Martial Seminar - How to teach HEMA

A weekend seminar concerning the teaching of advanced martial principles of timing and distance to beginners and experienced students alike. This seminar is likely to take place in 2023/24.

More to come.....