Medieval Sword School (HEMA)

German Medieval Martial Arts

East Kent to get rare chance to experience the Indian Art of War

Posted on Written by

KDF Broadstairs are proud to announce that Gurdev (Grandmaster) Nidar Singh is coming to East Kent on the 6th July 2019 to run a one-day introductory workshop on the Art of Indian Martial Arts – Shastar Vidiya.

The workshop held at St George’s School Broadstairs will be an overview of some of the martial art techniques and weaponry used by Indians on and off the battlefield for the last 500 years.

Jason Hulott, Coach at KDF Broadstairs, says: “There has been an increasing resurgence of people studying and bringing these ancient martial arts back to life. Having someone that teaches this around the world and has access to the deep workings of the system coming to Kent is great for those with a keen interest in martial arts or those with a love of history.

“While we train in European and Japanese martial arts, there are a number of parallels with all martial systems, and we welcome anyone that would like to come and take a look at this system of combat”.

Tickets are on sale now at £30 for the day – we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. 

To find out more information or to pay via Paypal, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/2245810292347775/

About KDF Broadstairs

KDF Broadstairs was born out of a desire to study medieval martial arts.  Our focus is to emulate the techniques that are provided in the Manuscripts and use them as they were used in the Middle Ages. While our focus is on German longsword techniques, we also practice a range of other weapons at either Workshops or extended training sessions. Read more about us here: https://medievalswordschool.co.uk

About Shastar Vidiya

The term ‘Shastar Vidiya’ is transliterated as ‘shastar’ – weapon or more specifically edged weapons, and ‘vidiya’ – science. Hence Shastar Vidiya translates as ‘the science of weapons’. You can read more about Shastar Vidiya and Gurdev Nidar Singh here: https://www.shastarvidiya.org/index.html

Training with Pahlavandles

Posted on Written by

Some of you may know I have been working with the HeroicSport guys for nearly a year now. These guys have made the various pahlavandles which are attached to water bottles to create Indian clubs. Filled with water, rice, sand or stones. The handles create an easy tool to improve flexibility but also coordination, range of motion and conditioning.

Clubs were originally made for warriors to condition themselves for combat, so it is no surprise that those of us who train in weapon based martial arts, would look to enhance our training with such tools.

HeroicSport also have a range of exercise programmes to follow and have even created programmes for the historical fencer. These are online videos.

https://www.heroicsport.com/product/indian-clubs-historical-fencing-hema-longsword-strength-agility/hero/18/

Checkout their other programmes here:

https://www.heroicsport.com/product-category/indian-clubs-tutorials-beginners/

For the handles themselves:

https://www.heroicsport.com/product-category/buy-indian-clubs/

The best option is to look at the starter pack option:

https://www.heroicsport.com/product/indian-clubs-starter-kit/

Attila the Hun

Posted on Written by

Attila the Hun doesn’t really need that much of an introduction.  We all have some vague notion of how he was.  Roman botherer supreme, he became king of Hunnic Empire in 434 and then spent the next 20 years attacking both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.

The first section of the book is for me the most interesting as I thought the Huns were Germanic – but apparently they are from much further East.  The book also talks about the nomadic society of the Hun. 

It was this nomadic horseback lifestyle that made the Hun far superior to anything the Roman or Gothic cavalry had encountered before. According to the book, the early encounters, the romans didn’t even know who the hun were.

There is an interesting photo section with pictures of some of the weaponry and shows the Hun bow and swords they used ( the sword looks like a cossack sabre – just saying).

I love all the fragments of meeting notes  and documents that are peppered throughout the book.  This gives you more of a first hand account of who the Hun were treated and how anxious the romans were about Attila. 

I found this a really, really good read and I now have a better understanding of who he was and this period of time.  Combined with my recent read of the Battle of Cataluanian Fields – I have a much better understanding and it is quote staggering to think he could have made it all the way to the Atlantic coast.

Personally, I think Ian Hughes has done a great job with this book and one that will stay on my bookcase.

You can buy this book from Pen and Sword Books

Please note I was not paid to write this review but was sent a review copy of the book. All comments are my own, and the publishers have not amended the review in any way.

About Us

KDF Broadstairs (Thanet Fecht Schule) is a German Longsword HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) Group based in Broadstairs, Thanet.

Canterbury Medieval Combat is a HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) Group based in Canterbury, Kent.

Store

Check out our KDF Broadstairs T-shirt store

Check out our Canterbury Medieval Combat T-shirt store

Connect with Us