|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The Order of the Seven Hearts is a private, internationally-recognized research group in Alexandria, virginia devoted
to studying and practicing the historical fencing and dueling arts of old Europe, including
Italian rapier,
Bolognese Swordsmanship,
and Baroque Swordsmanship.
Named after the Chivalrous Order of which legendary fencing master
Salvator Fabris
was supreme knight, our mission is threefold:
- To conduct a methodical, philological research of the historical fencing and dueling texts of the 1500s-1800s period.
- To perform the theory and practice of what we learn as faithfully as possible to the letter of the text.
- To share our research with the growing Historical Western Martial Arts community.
In 2005, Tom published the first English translation of
Fabris' Italian rapier treatise,
which is now available for the first time to Italian rapier students all over the world.
Our primary emphasis is on the Bolognese system of the 16th century, the Italian Rapier system of Salvator
Fabris of the early 17th century, and the system of Baroque Swordsmanship of the late 17th century as described by Francesco Marcelli
and Bondi' di Mazo. We strive to rediscover these lost arts as thoroughly and accurately as possible. We also research, study and practice
other forms of swordsmanship and European martial arts. Thanks to the efforts of Tom Leoni and Steven Reich, we have extensive
curricula in the following:
- Bolognese swordsmanship of the 1500s.
- Italian polearms from the 1500s and 1600s.
- Italian Rapier of the early 1600s, especially as described by Salvator Fabris.
- Baroque sword and Italian rapier arts of the late 1600s, especially as described by Marcelli and di Mazo.
- French smallsword from the 1700s.
- Classical Neapolitan dueling epee as codified by Masaniello Parise in the 1880s.
- European and US bayonet exercise, from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Most of our Italian rapier teaching takes place at pan-organizational or dedicated seminars. Tom Leoni and
Steven Reich have been invited to teach historical fencing, Italian rapier and European martial arts seminars throughout the United
States and in Canada, Europe and Australia. Our philological approach of being "true to the books" is constantly well received,
as is the cultural frame within which we place the arts we research and teach and the athleticism with which we strive to perform them.
A Note to Aspiring Students
Tom's fencing salle in Alexandria is open for rapier and historical fencing classes, training and private
lessons. Please contact him at (703) 606-1594 to learn more.
|
|
Recent Additions:
|
|
** UPDATE ** December 29, 2009
WMA Seminar in Columbia, MD on January 30-31, 2010.
Jake Norwood is hosting a WMA seminar for the last weekend of January to bring together the WMA from
the greater DC area (although there will also be people from out of town). The cost is $39 or $49 if
you register after January 15. For information about the instructors, schedule, and other details
about the seminar, go to Mid-Atlantic HEMA Gathering.
|
|
|
December 03, 2009
New Stirling Arms has Wooden
Wasters for the Spada da Due Mani and the Zweihander.
While we all love steel, wooden wasters are a viable alternative for training and
(careful and controlled!) free-play. If you are looking for a waster,
New Stirling Arms has two models
available--one resembles the weapon seen in Marozzo's treatise and the other is similar to the weapon used
by the flamboyant german landsknecht. If you are interested, contact New Stirling Arms directly to inquire
about the specifics such as length, weight, price and shipping.
|
|
|
October 21, 2009
Arms and Armor has a new Spadone Trainer available.
If you are looking for a Spadone trainer, whether for Tom's Spadone track at
4W 2010 this
February or your own training needs, Arms and Armor
has a new training weapon which you might find interesting (we're pretty excited about them). These
were developed as the result of a commission by Steve to fulfill the requirement for a durable
training weapon for practicing the 16th and 17th century Spadone material which will work well for
drilling and controlled free-play. This weapon is relatively light and maneuverable for its size
with a blade that flexes enough to allow thrusting (provided appropriate protective gear is worn).
Frankly, we were blown away when we first handled it--as was everyone else at
WMAW 2009.
As an alternative, our friends at Arms and Armor also have a
Montante Trainer
available. Although originally developed with the guidance of Eric Myers and Steve Hick for the study of the work of
Diogo Gomes de Figueyredo,
it will also work very well for the Spadone material. The primary differences between the two practice weapons
are the overall length, the length of the quillons, the length of the handle (the Spadone trainer is a little longer
in each of the dimensions) and the weight (the Spadone trainer is slightly heavier).
Order soon if you want to ensure that your weapon will be completed in time for
4W 2010.
|
|
|
October 7, 2009
Steve and Tom will be teaching at 4W 2010, Saturday thru Monday, February 13th-15th, 2010 (President's Day weekend).
Steve will be teaching a track on the Bolognese single-hand sword,
covering the Sword-Alone and the Sword and Buckler. Tom will be teaching a track on the Spadone.
Each track will consist of three 3-hour classes. Additionally, they will not be concurrent, so
students will have a chance to receive up to 18 hours of instruction in Bolognese Swordsmanship.
|
|
|
October 7, 2009
Visit our Books Page to see the selection of publications we have available.
|
|
|
Last Updated: 29-Dec-09
|
|
