Welcome! You’ve arrived at the very small spot on the web that’s purpose-built for people who want to study historical fencing in New Haven, CT, USA.

We play with swords, and you can too.

Historical fencing is pretty much the only activity in the world that allows you to get fit, study late medieval manuscripts and stab your friends all at the same time. So if that sounds like something you’d enjoy, why not give it a try?

We generally train on Saturday afternoons. The cost is $10, and that’s not for profit – it’s simply to cover the cost of renting the space. We donate our teaching time for free.

(To get in touch, email us at newhavenhistorical fencing@gmail.com, or use the CONTACT link on the top right, or join the New Haven Historical Fencing Facebook group. We also have a new Meetup group, so whatever you prefer, we’ve got you covered. Newcomers welcome!)

Some questions people often ask

Are the swords real?

Yes, we train and spar with real steel swords.

Are you insane?!? How is that safe?



Medieval people faced the same problem we do: how to train with real steel swords, without killing your training partners. One of their solutions was to produce special training swords, still made of steel, but blunt along the edge, and also a little flexible at the tip so as to allow for safe thrusting. You can still find many examples of these steel training swords in museums all around the world. (For instance, there are some lovely surviving examples in the Metropolitan Museum in New York)

When we spar, we use those swords, as well as modern protective gear. We also use sharp steel swords for solo practice.

How do you know this is the way medieval people really fought?

We work directly from surviving historical swordfighting manuals, generally from the 14th-16th centuries. Those manuals were once used to teach the art of swordfighting, when it was a living thing; now we’re learning from them once again.

Do you dress up?

No, we don’t dress up in medieval outfits (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). Instead, we use the best modern safety equipment. Our aim is to practice the historical art of swordfighting, not to recreate the look.

Ok, I’m very interested. Where can I learn more?

If you want to get a better sense of the kind of thing that Historical Fencers do, take a look at this New York Times video on the subject.

After that, contact us, and then come to a class! You’ll be very welcome, whether you’re an experienced martial artist or a complete newcomer.

If You’re An Experienced Practitioner

If you’re a HEMA practitioner in or around New Haven, and you want someone to train with, then please do reach out – we’re trying to build a community here, and we’d love to have you. Grown-ups only, please.

The New Haven Gladiatoria

If you live near New Haven, you might also want to read a bit about our resident late-medieval martial arts manual, the New Haven Gladiatoria. It’s world famous, and it’s right in our backyard.

Other Historical Fencing in the Area

If you’re interested in historical fencing, and you live in Connecticut, you should definitely take the time to check out all the groups who practice Historical European Martial Arts within about 90 minutes drive of New Haven.

In fact, if you’re willing to drive a lot, you can swordfight pretty much all week!

Here’s a weekly schedule for you:

Wednesday – Western Swordsmanship Technique and Research.

WSTR runs an excellent weekly class in Willimantic, CT, at 6:30 pm on Wednesday nights.

Friday – Laurel City Historical Fencing.

Laurel City Historical Fencing runs a very fun weekly class in Winsted, CT, at 6:30 pm on Friday nights.

Saturday – New Haven Historical Fencing

That’s us! We run a weekly study group in New Haven, CT, on Saturday afternoons. Contact us for the details.

Sunday – The Exiles New England.

The Exiles, New England is a branch of the well-known British HEMA group The Exiles. They run a great weekly class in Milford, CT, at 1pm on Sundays.

If You Live Somewhere Else…

If you’re looking for a Historical European Martial Arts club somewhere else in the world, then take a look at the HEMA Alliance Club Finder.

Further Browsing

Here are a few select links for anyone considering the study of the medieval longsword:

Wiktenauer, the largest online repository of medieval fencing manuals.

Hroarr, an online magazine for historical European martial arts.

The popular Youtube channel of long-time HEMA instructor Matt Easton.

Esfinges, the first international network for women in HEMA.

Ritterkunst, the website of prominent HEMA practitioner Jessica Finley.

The Youtube channel of highly-regarded HEMA instructor Martin Fabian.

Women of HEMA, a good source of interviews and tournament coverage

The Youtube channel of highly-respected HEMA instructor Anton Kohutovič.