Our Founders
Jeff Wilson
Jeff has been involved in reenacting for decades and really appreciated what he saw when he found the HEMA world community. 
Kodie Ray (May he R.I.P)
Kody always loved bladed battle be it ax sword or polearm. When the Idea for a HEMA group began to form he enthusiastically dove in to form the basis of a successful club. |
Jason Callis
Jason has been an enthusiast of Swords since in can remember. He Finds HEMA adds greatly to his varied bladed combat study. 
Madeleine Wilson
Drawn to HEMA when her Dad started looking into it, she has become a force in her own right. Currently she is deep in college studies. |
These four are the primary founders of what we are, but there are many others who helped, supported and guided us along the way.
To them we owe our gratitude and respect. ~ Thank you
To them we owe our gratitude and respect. ~ Thank you
Primary Instructors
Our rank structure comes from the Historical Fencers Affiliation and within it the rank of Free-Scholar holds an obligation to both hone your own skills but also help others in their reach for the knowledge and techniques that make us good fencers. While all free scholars are instructors, we do have a few who take that role in hand and try hard to make sure the Novices and Scholars coming up have the chops to be good and technically sound fencers.
Our Affiliates and Friends in Arms
One of the most rewarding aspects of any activity is enjoying it with others. HEMA is no exception to this and we enjoy
camaraderie, competition and friendships with HEMA practitioners all over the world. Without the support,
competition and cooperative efforts of other clubs and groups all over, none of our passion
and heart for HEMA would last.
Some of our closest associations can be found links below.
camaraderie, competition and friendships with HEMA practitioners all over the world. Without the support,
competition and cooperative efforts of other clubs and groups all over, none of our passion
and heart for HEMA would last.
Some of our closest associations can be found links below.
The HFA - Historical Fencing Affiliates are a federation of Fencing clubs that adhere to common structure of Ranking to better hone skill against skill as we meet and spar across the Globe. It is a resource of knowledge and experience that we can pull from in order to learn more or better understand some nugget of lore we're currently working on in our practice. And it is an incredible bunch of people.
The following list is a current list of Affiliate clubs from all over the globe:
The following list is a current list of Affiliate clubs from all over the globe:
Wisconsin Historical Fencing Association (WHFA)
WHFA - Appleton WHFA - La Crosse WHFA - Menomonie
WHFA - Milwaukee WHFA - Kenosha-Racine
WHFA - Appleton WHFA - La Crosse WHFA - Menomonie
WHFA - Milwaukee WHFA - Kenosha-Racine
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Edel Krieg Historical Fencing
Michigan Historical Art of Arms Fellowship M-HAAF New Jersey Historical Fencing Association (NJHFA) Order of the Dragon Steel Ring Academy (SRA) Texas Armizare Texas Armizare Turkey Historical Fencing Association |
Academy of Hoplomachia
Coriolanos Meandros Monmouth Historical Fencing East Texas Society of Historical Fencing MInneapolis Amateur Swordfighting Association Fenris Kunst Des Fechtens (FKDF) Center for Blade Arts |
Nearby HEMA Schools
We are located In Bradenton, but there are a few other nearby schools where you can learn HEMA.
Krieg School is a Sister-School of our own. They began the study and Practice of HEMA years ago and have decades of combined experience and knowledge in the Art. The Tampa Bay branch is located in Largo and we benefit greatly meeting and training with them throughout the year.
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Black Flag is a group of incredibly well rounded technical fighters. They are located North of Tampa. We meet with them any chance we are able. They are worthy opponents for sure.
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Scholars
Our Scholars make up the mass of our students. Mainly working in the Kunst des Fechtens (Craft of Fighting) with Longsword, these fighters are learning and reinforcing the fundamentals of what we are study. These guys and girls are all working hard and learning
to become the best version of HEMA fencers that they can. Most of them can't wait to rank up to Free-Scholar so they can
explore more weapons and weapon systems like Polearms, Swords and shields or bucklers, rapiers, axes etc.
to become the best version of HEMA fencers that they can. Most of them can't wait to rank up to Free-Scholar so they can
explore more weapons and weapon systems like Polearms, Swords and shields or bucklers, rapiers, axes etc.
Novices
Esteemed Guests
Mike Ruhala - Heart of Steel, KDF
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Craig Shukas - Kreig School TPA
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Eric White - NJHFA
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Aaron Pynenberg - HFA
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We often have guest instructors visit and give us aid and tips. We appreciate and always look forward to their experience and tutelage.
