About Ars Gladii

AG is both a study group and a "traditional" school.The nature of Western Martial Arts (WMA) requires every practitioner to constantly reevaluate the techniques they practice. New research is continuously refining or even wholesale changing our understanding of the texts. It is not uncommon for us to change our minds totally on a certain matter and retrain to the new method. This is not done frivolously, but only as the result of continued research. Therefore, though we have "instructors", even they are still students.

Historical Sources

The primary weapon of Ars Gladii is the Longsword, This weapon is well represented in most known historical treatises from the 14th and 15th centuries. Its use as a sporting weapon even continued after it was no longer used on the battlefield (see Meyer'streatise , c. 1570, for an example of a more "sporting" longsword - even with its less than dire application Meyer's text contains most of the core of earlier longsword works in the Liechtenauer tradition [see below], just without the thrusting). The Longsword is, as its name implies, a long weapon. It is not the single handed sword that many a D+D aficionado believes it to be, but a knightly weapon designed to be used primarily with two hands against either unarmored or armored opponents. In the German works that Ars Gladii studies this is referred to as Bloßfechten and Harnischfechten respectively. The method in which the weapon is employed is different for each depending on the context of the fight.

Ars Gladii works from what is now referred to by many practitioners as the "Liechtenauer" tradition, lineage, or legacy, taking its name from the master Johannes Liechtenauer. Liechtenauer was teaching sometime in the mid to late 14th century. His teachings where first written down in the form of merkverse or cryptic verses in a treatise attributed to one Döebringer c. 1389. Several other authors from that point on, including Döebringer, created glosa or commentary on what these verses mean and how one performs the various techniques referenced in them. Other authors that either comment directly on Liechtenauer's verses or are identified as using techniques matching those put down in the merkverses include Sigmund Ringeck, Von Danzig, Meyer , and Talhoffer. While most practitioners who state that they practice "German" longswordsmanship utilize Liechtenauer's teachings, this does not imply that all Germans trained in this specific system (for L. teachings definitely constitute a system rather than a collection of tricks or techniques), or that all published material comes from the Liechtenauer tradition. The Codex Wallerstein, for example, has an extensive collection of plates devoted to the longsword, most of which bear little to no relation to Liechtenauer's material. Ars Gladii works mainly off the Ringeck and Von Danzig glosa.

In addition to the Longsword, Ars Gladii also works with various other weapons found in the medieval German treatises including:

  • Sword and Buckler [small hand held shield] using Tower Manuscript I.33
  • Poleaxe [knightly weapon consisting of either a hammer or axe head combined with a top spike and rear spike or hammer set on a 4-6' pole] using various Talhoffer treatises and the French La Jue de la Hache
  • Dagger using Talhoffer, Von Danzig, and the Codex Wallerstein
  • Ringen [wrestling/grappling, both armed and unarmed, armored and unarmored] using various sources

Practice Site and Classes

All classes are held at a private residence in Redford, MI. Please contact us for more information on our practice area.

Classes are held Sunday mornings 10m-12noon. These hours will change as of January, 2007. For more information, please see our Classes page.

"Rankings"

A typical piece of martial arts instruction are "grades" or "belts". We do not use any thing of the sort. There are only two "rankings" at Ars Gladii: Novice and Scholar. Scholars are those that have worked through the basic curriculum of training for a certain weapon. By gaining this rating, a member can participate in freeplay (unstructured bouting) with that weapon. To gain the Scholar rating, a member must demonstrate a high level of control in the use of the weapon, a deep understanding of the technical and tactical principles of the weapon, and a good grasp of the techniques and be able to perform these on command.

Equipment

For a Novice, little equipment is required. All new members start with the Longsword and work with this weapon until they reach the Scholar level and then move on to other weapons. To start, the Novice needs the following items:

  • An Aluminum Longsword waster (training sword) from Swordcrafts Specifically, we use the new German models
  • A strong fencing mask or helm. The standard mask we use is the Triplette 2000 with a black bib and either white or black mesh.
  • An arming cap from Revival Clothing.
  • Leather gloves, with or without padding. Here are Revivals, though you get unpadded ones elsewhere.
  • Flat soled, low traction shoes. Turnshoes are the best, but they tend to get torn up on our surface. Anything that has a flat sole and will allow you to pivot freely will work.
  • Loose, but not baggy clothing.
  • Athletic cup for men or rigid chest protection (called a plastron) for women

Towards the end of the Novice training, you will need a few extra items:

  • Brigandine or steel gorget (throat protection). There are several vendors that can supply this item. We currently do not have a preferred vendor.
  • A gambeson (padded arming jacket). We highly suggest Revival Clothing's cotton (the linen is designed for use with armor and is thus thinner). Make sure you get the proper size. You may need to get in contact with them if you are between sizes or have one area that fits one size and another area that fits another.
  • Rigid elbow protection. We prefer period elbow cops, but hockey/skating pads work as well. You can usually get period cops for the same price as the modern stuff, so...
  • Heavy-duty hand protection. Almost all of our injuries occur to the hands. We suggest using lacrosse gloves, though period steel gauntlets (either 14th or 15th century will do) are an excellent choice. Unlike the cops, the period stuff is FAR more expensive and hard to come by. Ask in the group for suppliers is you want period gear but be prepared to spend over $300 for it. Soon, Chivalry Bookshelf/Revival Clothing will have a set of Kevlar based gauntlets that should be far superior to the lacrosse gloves.
  • (Optional) Shoulder cops. These small pieces lay over the shoulder joint (they do not continue down the arm like spaulders). The only place we have found selling these lately is Apprentice Armorer. Look for the spaulder cops.

This gear will be used in developing at speed skills and tactical sensibilities as well as freeplay.