The Order of the Seven Hearts is a private, internationally-recognized research group in Northern 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: 1. To conduct a methodical, philological research of the historical fencing and dueling texts of the 1500s-1800s period, with an emphasis on those arts practiced in what is now Italy, 2. To perform the theory and practice of what we learn as a martial art while remaining as faith as possible to the letter of the text, and 3. To share our research with the growing Historical Western Martial Arts community through online resources, published books, and seminars.

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. We have extensive curricula in the following:

• Italian rapier of the early 1600s, especially as described by Salvator Fabris.
• Bolognese Swordsmanshipof the 1500s.
• Italian polearms from the 1500s and 1600s.
• Baroque Swordsmanship and Italian rapier arts of the late 1600s, especially as described by Francesco Marcelli and Bondi' di Mazo.
• French smallsword from the 1700s.
• Classical Neapolitan dueling epee as codified by Masaniello Parise in the 1880s.

Most of our instruction takes place at pan-organizational or dedicated seminars and we 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.