Europe is home to some of the most prestigious Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) tournaments in the world. If you're a HEMA enthusiast looking for some of the best tournaments to participate in or spectate, check out these 5 HEMA tournaments in Europe. Swordfish - Malmö, Sweden The Swordfish tournament, held annually in Malmö, Sweden, is considered by many to be the premier HEMA event in Europe. It features a variety of weapons categories, including longsword, rapier, and spear, as well as a category for mixed weapons. In addition to competitive fencing, Swordfish also inc ..read more

HEMA, or Historical European Martial Arts, has gained popularity in recent years as a form of martial arts and self defense. But is HEMA truly effective in modern times? In this article, we will explore the effectiveness of HEMA as a martial art and self defense technique. To understand the effectiveness of HEMA, it's important to first understand what it is. HEMA is a martial art that focuses on the study and reconstruction of European martial arts techniques from the medieval and renaissance periods. It includes weapons-based training, such as sword fighting and spear fighting, as well as un ..read more

Historical European martial arts (HEMA) is a discipline that involves the study and reconstruction of the martial arts practices of Europe from the medieval period to the early modern period. In recent years, HEMA has gained a growing following around the world, with practitioners training, competing, and sharing their knowledge in a variety of contexts. In this article, we'll introduce you to HEMA and explore its popularity in the United States and around the world What is HEMA? HEMA is a discipline that involves the study and reconstruction of the martial arts practices of Europe from the me ..read more

If you're interested in martial arts, you may have noticed that there are many styles and traditions from Asia, such as karate, judo, and taekwondo, but relatively few from the West. This might lead you to wonder: Why Are There No Western Martial Arts? To answer this question, it's important to understand the history and development of martial arts in different parts of the world.  What are martial arts? Martial arts are systems of combat techniques that originated in various cultures around the world. These techniques can include strikes, kicks, throws, and other physical actions, as wel ..read more

Historical European martial arts (HEMA) tournaments are events that bring together practitioners from around the world to compete and showcase their skills in a variety of disciplines. These tournaments can include sparring matches, cutting demonstrations, technical displays, and other types of competitions that test the knowledge, technique, and physical ability of the participants. In this article, we'll explore what an HEMA tournament is, and provide an overview of the different types of events and activities that might be included.  What is an Historical European Martial arts (HEMA) T ..read more

If you're interested in historical European martial arts (HEMA), you may be wondering how much it costs to get started. The cost of HEMA can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of equipment you need, the location and availability of clubs or schools, and your own personal goals and interests. In this article, we'll explore some of the costs associated with HEMA, and offer some tips for budgeting and saving money as you begin your journey.  Equipment costs One of the biggest costs associated with HEMA is the equipment you'll need to practice and train. This can include ..read more

If you're interested in historical European martial arts, you may have heard of the longsword, a type of weapon that was used by knights and soldiers during the Middle Ages and early modern period. But how heavy is a longsword, and what makes it different from other swords? In this article, we'll explore the specifications and characteristics of the longsword, and introduce you to a related weapon called the federschwert.  What is a longsword? A longsword is a type of sword that was popular in Europe from the late medieval period to the early modern period. Longswords typically had a doub ..read more

If you're interested in martial arts, you may have noticed that there are many styles and traditions from Asia, such as karate, judo, and taekwondo, but relatively few from Europe. This might lead you to wonder: What Happened to European Martial Arts? To answer this question, it's important to understand the history and development of martial arts in different parts of the world.  What are martial arts? Martial arts are systems of combat techniques that originated in various cultures around the world. These techniques can include strikes, kicks, throws, and other physical actions, as well ..read more

If you're interested in martial arts, you may have noticed that there are many styles and traditions from Asia, such as karate, judo, and taekwondo, but relatively few from Europe. This might lead you to wonder: Why are there no European Martial Arts? To answer this question, it's important to understand the history and development of martial arts in different parts of the world. Here's a brief overview: What are Martial Arts? Martial arts are systems of combat techniques that originated in various cultures around the world. These techniques can include strikes, kicks, throws, and other physic ..read more

Historical European Martial Arts, or HEMA, is a growing discipline that focuses on the reconstruction and revival of European martial arts traditions from the past. These traditions include fencing, sword fighting, and other combat techniques that were used by knights, soldiers, and civilians in Europe from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. If you're interested in history, martial arts, or simply want to try something new and exciting, HEMA might be the perfect activity for you. What is Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)? As mentioned above, HEMA is a discipline that involves th ..read more