The British Federation for Historical Swordplay

Hotspur School of Defence


Club Name
Hotspur School of Defence
Geographic Area
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Scottish Borders
Group Contact
Marshal of the School, Bob Brooks
Contact Email
Qualifications
BFHS IL1
Insurance
BFHS (Instructor and Member)

Description

The HSD pursues the historically accurate study of Europe’s traditional fighting arts, most commonly the use of sword between the years 1300 and 1500. Our ethos is to research, practice and uphold the teachings and legacy of the original historical masters of defence, according to the principles they recorded for all time.

The School has six chapters, located in Alnwick (Northumberland), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Consett (County Durham) and Coldstream in the Scottish Borders, along with a chapter in Washington State in the US.

Methods studied for all students include longsword and messer. Students can then play for their scholar’s prize and broaden their horizons by studying from the full corpus of arms, including dagger, wrestling, spear, pollaxe, glaive, quaterstaff and off-hand weapons with the messer and/or arming sword.

Weapons and Systems Taught

  • Longsword
  • Messer
  • Dagger
  • Wrestling
  • Spear
  • Pollaxe
  • Glaive
  • Quaterstaff
  • Off-hand weapons with the messer and/or arming sword

Hotspur School of Defence

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