tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59421722654847837022024-03-13T16:42:05.608-07:00swinging swordsIn a less than technical "prose", information on medieval fighting arts<br>researched, practiced and trained or<br>events and news worthy happenings at the<br><b>Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts</b>About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-8533775189336781782013-01-21T18:47:00.002-08:002013-01-21T18:56:32.148-08:00From the East ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</style><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It may come as a surprise to many that my wife, Gail, and I have sold our principle residence in Toronto and
moved lock, stock and barrel to Nova Scotia, one of Canada's Atlantic
provinces in the east. It was no easy decision to make, given the
many ties in Toronto composed of familial, friends and professional.
Not to exclude the fact that living in a big city, everything is
close at hand with shops, restaurants, entertainment, steak houses,
events, social engagements and ...did I mention steak houses?</div>
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Smiths Cove, where our new residence
is, is a tiny village on the north side of Nova Scotia, a few minutes
from Digby, which is the terminal end of the Digby-Saint John Ferry
which crosses the Bay of Fundy. It is a 3-hour crossing, something
which I've done many times in the past 12 years visiting Nova Scotia.
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From the Academy's perspective, AEMMA Toronto
continues to operate, evolve and grow under the careful and dedicated
team comprised of Brian McIlmoyle, Principle Instructor and Vice
President, and Beau Brock, the newest instructor in the Academy, Kel
Rekuta and Aldo Valente. Not to forget, there's Paul Micallef who has
been taking care of the traditional archery program at AEMMA. I am
certain that the Academy is in good hands. Myself, I have not been
involved deeply with the day-to-day operations given my frequent
travels, and now, living in Nova Scotia, however, I am still involved
with AEMMA Toronto from a more strategic perspective, and annual
programs such as the armoured tournament, which I can organize from a
distance. I will plan on participating in the tournament as well.
With technologies such as the Internet, email, skype, facebook, etc., keeping in touch with what's going on in AEMMA Toronto has never been
easier.</div>
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In Smiths Cove/Digby, there is a small
Chapter, the NS Chapter. The students are dedicated and have an
interest in the mediaeval martial arts. Growth is slow, but this part
of the province just doesn't have the population density as the GTA!
Being here full-time means that I shall afford more time to invest in
growing and developing the NS Chapter. Check out the website at
<a href="http://novascotia.aemma.org/">http://novascotia.aemma.org</a>
to peruse developments and events down east.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>regards,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>David M. Cvet, Provost </i></div>
About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-62808545175242376632012-05-02T05:24:00.000-07:002012-05-02T05:24:33.548-07:00Bow-making course - second time around...The immensely popular bow-making course, instructed by Paul Micallef returns to AEMMA with a second round of classes
beginning on Sunday, May 13 for 6 weeks, concluding Sunday, Jun 17. The class is limited to 10 students, so register early!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R6QfSypzI8I/T6EnMQ7bkbI/AAAAAAAAAOk/MPiEfMJDmFs/s1600/bow-making.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R6QfSypzI8I/T6EnMQ7bkbI/AAAAAAAAAOk/MPiEfMJDmFs/s320/bow-making.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The course details:<br />
<ul>
<li> the course consists of six classes; each class is 2 hours long,</li>
<li>includes detailed instruction with lots of individual coaching,</li>
<li>no previous woodworking experience is needed,</li>
<li>bowstaves and bowstring materials included in the fee.</li>
</ul>
Course
fee: $250 per student. Registration and payment of
fees (cash or cheque only) will take place just before the first class.<br /><br />For more information on the course or to register, contact Paul Micallef with <b>archery@aemma.org</b>.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-14751702831299224722012-03-15T04:16:00.003-07:002012-03-15T04:23:45.172-07:00AEMMA Chapter formed in Stratford<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsg5yKwvJLg/T2HPytxhxUI/AAAAAAAAAOc/9vDBiblpqz4/s1600/CoA_Stratford.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsg5yKwvJLg/T2HPytxhxUI/AAAAAAAAAOc/9vDBiblpqz4/s200/CoA_Stratford.jpg" border="0" alt="Coat of arms of the City of Stratford" title="Coat of arms of the City of Stratford" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720081471924979010" /></a>Free Scholler William Brickman, a resident of Stratford is starting up an AEMMA chapter in Stratford, the inaugural class scheduled at 7pm, Tuesday, March 27th. The classes will be held in the gym at Shakspeare Public School located on 35 Mowat St., Stratford. Bill successfully tested for the rank of Free Scholler in December 2011, and is anxious to get a chapter up and running in Stratford. He will be instructing in the Fiore dei Liberi system, beginning with grappling, dagger and sword classes. AEMMA wishes Bill success in this endeavour and will enjoy complete support from the Academy. Visit the Chapter's website at <a href="http://stratford.aemma.org">stratford.aemma.org</a> for further details on Bill and the training to be offered.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-87376811932712147322012-01-31T09:33:00.000-08:002012-01-31T09:39:57.283-08:00Pas d'armes, April 14, 2012AEMMA is hosting its 5th annual armoured <i>pas d'armes</i> on Saturday, April 14th, 2012. The event will be held at the salle d'armes on the 2nd floor of 927 Dupont St. (near the intersection of Dupont and Ossington). The day will begin in the morning with the arrival of the combatants, repairs to their harness if needed, coffee & pastries for the volunteers and combatants. The bouts are scheduled to begin approximately 1pm and will continue till around 5pm. Visitors are welcomed to spectate, and ask that a "cover charge" of $10 per person be contributed to AEMMA to help support the cost of hosting such an event.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ciX6CdkaY1M/Tygm-07_XJI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/jLwTjVdySfY/s1600/30255_384087303998_307560758998_3959205_2792256_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ciX6CdkaY1M/Tygm-07_XJI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/jLwTjVdySfY/s400/30255_384087303998_307560758998_3959205_2792256_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703851788868738194" /></a>After the bouts are concluded, the salle will be transformed into a dining venue with great food, pot-luck and other culinary delights. <br /><br />Details on the event can be found by visiting the AEMMA website by clicking <a href="http://www.aemma.org/index2.php?pg=t4"><b><i>pas d'armes</i> announcement</b></a>. As more details and personnel are added to the event, the web pages will be updated to reflect these changes.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-26586452966043433402012-01-14T07:02:00.000-08:002012-01-14T07:27:13.805-08:00Bow Making Course returns in 2012!The ever popular bow making course, instructed by Paul Micallef returns with its first instance this month, beginning on Jan 22nd for 6 weeks, concluding Saturday, Feb 25. The first three classes fall on the Sundays, Jan 22 & 29, Feb 5th, with the final three classes on the three consecutive Saturdays beginning with Feb 11 through to the 25th.<br /><br />The course details:<br /><ul><li> the course consists of six classes; each class is 2 hours long</li><li>includes detailed instruction with lots of individual coaching</li><li>students must supply: a spokeshave, a round file, and sandpaper </li><li>no previous woodworking experience is needed</li><li>students can complete a longbow valued at over $200 retail</li><li>students will also learn how to make traditional bowstrings<br /></li></ul>Course fee: $200, which includes all materials, Registration and payment of fees (cash or cheque only) will take place just before the first class.<br /><br />For more information on the course or to register, contact Paul Micallef with <b>archery@aemma.org</b>.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-68810765319476137682011-09-14T18:16:00.001-07:002011-09-29T04:53:59.545-07:00AEMMA Bow Making Course<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAkW7mRnghM/TnFSFaC-yNI/AAAAAAAAANo/kZUR8d0tFi8/s1600/bow_making_course.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAkW7mRnghM/TnFSFaC-yNI/AAAAAAAAANo/kZUR8d0tFi8/s200/bow_making_course.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652389260171331794" /></a>AEMMA is happy to introduce a bow-making course, instructed by Paul Micallef. Students taking the classes will learn the bowyer's craft and make their own traditional longbow. There will be six Sunday classes, each class being 2 hours long. All materials (bowstaves & bowstring) are included in the low fee of $200. Students must supply a few basic tools including a sharp knife, a spokeshave, round file and sandpaper. The final product is a longbow which would retail for approx. $200. Courses begin on <b>Oct 16 to Nov 20, 2011</b> between 3pm and 5pm. Contact Paul by clicking <a href="http://www.aemma.org/training/archery/bow_making_Course_oct-nov2011.pdf"><b>here</b></a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S_QPNwUAPd8/TnFTa3QpQiI/AAAAAAAAANw/VHJSEBe5Wn8/s1600/bio_pmicallef.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S_QPNwUAPd8/TnFTa3QpQiI/AAAAAAAAANw/VHJSEBe5Wn8/s200/bio_pmicallef.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652390728302150178" /></a>Paul organizes and instructs the AEMMA archery group and the Royal Ontario Museum Mediaeval Longbow course. He still takes great pleasure in experimenting with and building primitive and mediaeval archery tackle. Paul helped start two archery clubs in BC and also gave seminars showing camp instructors how to teach archery. By then, Paul was an experienced woodworker, yet he found making archery tackle still pleasantly challenging.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-48432344991046532542011-07-19T04:57:00.001-07:002011-07-19T05:01:31.114-07:00How a man shall be armed...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3gq-9hinCYA/TiVxQqM47eI/AAAAAAAAANY/xkQhbu6qhng/s1600/LOGO.PNG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3gq-9hinCYA/TiVxQqM47eI/AAAAAAAAANY/xkQhbu6qhng/s200/LOGO.PNG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631031440116870626" /></a>David M. Cvet, President and Founder of AEMMA, delivered the very popular "How a man shall be armed in the 14th century" to a largely Slovenian audience at Dom Lipa Auditorium, 52 Neilson Dr, Toronto, a senior care facility catering to Slovenian elders on Sunday (Mother's Day), May 8 at 3pm. The audience was comprised approximately 1/2 by patients in the facility, and the other 1/2 by members of <a href="http://www.slovenskidom.com" target="_blank">Slovenski Dom</a>. <a href="http://www.slovenskidom.com" target="_blank">Slovenski Dom</a> is an association of members of Slovenian descent, which promotes and preserves Slovenian culture through hosting and organizing social, sport and charitable events and activities.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0n45MuPiCz0/TiVxnmPzt3I/AAAAAAAAANg/dvUTEuHFJs0/s1600/poster_Slovenski_Narodni_Dom_standard_slo.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0n45MuPiCz0/TiVxnmPzt3I/AAAAAAAAANg/dvUTEuHFJs0/s200/poster_Slovenski_Narodni_Dom_standard_slo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631031834192361330" /></a>The presentation began with a powerpoint presentation introducing some mediaeval history of the Slovenian region, followed by the history of Slovenian heraldry and the state of Slovenian heraldry today. This was followed by the popular "How a man shall be armed...". Questions were fielded in both English and Slovenian. It was well received, most never having experienced anything like this form of presentation before.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-28290726968281318612011-03-23T14:48:00.000-07:002011-03-23T14:57:10.753-07:00Destreza: a reintroduction to Spanish swordsmanship<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaijvyMPAyI/TYpsgPpNNyI/AAAAAAAAANM/NqbQHNr_5SY/s1600/workshop.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 191px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaijvyMPAyI/TYpsgPpNNyI/AAAAAAAAANM/NqbQHNr_5SY/s200/workshop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587397588917499682" /></a>Maestro Ramón Martinez of the Martinez Academy in New York, will be coming to AEMMA to give a weekend workshop on Spanish Swordsmanship, <i>la Verdadera Destreza</i>, at the Fighting Arts Collective on Dupont St, May 14-15th. This workshop will pick up where the last workshop left off after last year's workshop in April, 2010, and as such, it will be generally reserved for three kinds of students of the art: 1) those who took the workshop last year, 2) those who are currently taking Italian rapier, and 3) those who have done Dall'Agocchie, or are currently in the Spanish study group on Wednesday nights. If you would like to attend but do not fit into one of those three categories, contact AEMMA.<br /><br />The fencing equipment required will give people a good idea of what will be covered over the weekend. Without exceptions, all participants must have the following gear:<br /><ol><br /><li>rapier,</li><br /><li>fencing mask,</li><br /><li>fencing jacket or gambeson (a sweatshirt, sweater, regular jacket is NOT an acceptable substitute),</li><br /><li>leather gloves,</li><br /><li>gorget is highly recommended,</li><br /><li>16th/17th century dagger for rapier, as a good chunk of the time will be spent with sword and dagger.</li><br /></ol><br />If you do not possess any one of the above items, and are not currently in the pursuit of them, contact AEMMA immediately so we can set some equipment aside. AEMMA has three rapiers which can be released on loan for the workshop, including up to two daggers.<br /><br />The cost for the weekend will be $125, and AEMMA will require a $60 deposit by the end of this month (31st of March) to reserve your spot.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-39730722626515455782011-03-02T04:50:00.001-08:002011-03-02T05:07:32.235-08:00March Break @ the ROM<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9EXdoBxw9_M/TW49R9owEuI/AAAAAAAAAM0/YnpgkaK8DQw/s1600/logo_rom_big.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 144px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9EXdoBxw9_M/TW49R9owEuI/AAAAAAAAAM0/YnpgkaK8DQw/s320/logo_rom_big.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579464367171179234" /></a>Since 2003, <a href="http://www.aemma.org" target="_blank">AEMMA</a> has been delivering programs for the <a href="http://www.rom.on.ca" target="_blank">Royal Ontario Museum</a> (ROM) which includes annual static and dynamic displays and presentations during the March Break, to individual programs and lectures such as "<span style="font-style:italic;">How a man shall be armed in the 14th century</span>" to classes including introduction to medieval swordsmanship, Italian rapier and medieval longbow.<br /><br />This year is no different, with the conclusion of the Italian rapier classes, AEMMA will be participating once again in the March Break activities on and between March 14 - 18th. However, this year will be slightly different, in that static displays of arms and armour will not be included, but visitors and children will be treated to the usual plethora of medieval interests and activities including medieval dance, falconry and an interactive presentation of "<span style="font-style:italic;">How a man shall be armed in the 14th century</span>" daily at 2pm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iTbRBrQrEI/TW4_QoVHPLI/AAAAAAAAANE/g5zLpBkhENI/s1600/DSC_0033_1000.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iTbRBrQrEI/TW4_QoVHPLI/AAAAAAAAANE/g5zLpBkhENI/s200/DSC_0033_1000.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579466543295052978" /></a>However, the really big "production" is scheduled on the weekend of October 1 & 2, whereby, in partnership with the <a href="http://www.rom.on.ca" target="_blank">ROM</a>, a medieval festival weekend entitled "<span style="font-style:italic;">The Field of the Feast of Archangels: A Fall Mediaeval Fair</span>" which will be featuring medieval falconry and hunting, heraldry, and a historically authentic <span style="font-style:italic;">pas d'armes</span> (armoured tournament) on the Saturday, and an unarmoured tournament on Sunday. A truly activity packed weekend for all to witness and experience the medieval period. Details are being worked out, and look forward to more information and brochures on that weekend distributed during March Break.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-32605229577700450772010-12-18T07:36:00.001-08:002010-12-18T07:41:49.468-08:00FMSS Event : How a man shall be armed in the 14th century<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TQzVbUJVrEI/AAAAAAAAAMI/UhrJU_z-aCo/s1600/david_effigyS.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TQzVbUJVrEI/AAAAAAAAAMI/UhrJU_z-aCo/s320/david_effigyS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552047105882041410" /></a><a href="http://www.rom.on.ca/members/fmss.php" target="_blank">The Friends of the Medieval Studies Society</a> (FMSS) of the <a href="http://www.rom.on.ca" target="_blank">Royal Ontario Museum</a> (ROM) presented to its Members, along with an invitation to the members of AEMMA, a presentation on how a man shall be armed in the 14th century, delivered by David M. Cvet. The intimate audience witnessed the arming up from the feet (solarets/sabotans), to legs, to body and arms and head. Each component of the armour (harness) was described in detail with respect to its design and function. Additional historical details on the specifications of the armour including sources, weight and time frame were included.<br /><br />David M. Cvet is the founding President of FMSS; the Founder and President of the Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts; and an Honorary Fellow and President of the <a href="http://www.heraldry.ca" target="_blank">Royal Heraldry Society of Canada</a>. David has spent the last 15 years in the research, reconstruction, training and instructing in the mediaeval fighting arts.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.aemma.org/misc/docs/FMSS_fall_2010.pdf"><b>here</b></a> for a downloadable copy of the Fall issue of the FMSS newsletter.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-321337086889254692010-10-15T04:26:00.001-07:002010-10-15T04:28:28.142-07:00Helping out a brother in armsKen Mondschein, a student of historical fencing, originally from NYC, contacted AEMMA and asked if we'd be willing to help him in creating a demo of him narrating the Battle of Poitiers (1356) for the possibility of narrating a series on History Channel. After much discussion, AEMMA agreed to assist Ken and the film crew, scheduled on Thanksgiving Monday.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TLg6jpWRa1I/AAAAAAAAAL4/ZRGZcI5_raM/s1600/DSC06100_1200.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TLg6jpWRa1I/AAAAAAAAAL4/ZRGZcI5_raM/s200/DSC06100_1200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528232926666386258" /></a><br /><br />The Battle of Poitiers was fought between the English and French, which highlighted Edward, the Black Prince ("a bad ass" as Ken puts it) where the English had about 6,000 foot soldiers and 1,000 archers against the 3,000 bowman, 500 knights and 17,000 foot soldiers on the French side. The battle was won by the English, and to add further misery to the French, their King John II was captured. The demo focused on the English foot soldiers and how they defeated the heavily armoured French knight.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TLg6xgn03kI/AAAAAAAAAMA/rOPEDnnjv7c/s1600/DSC06378_1200.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TLg6xgn03kI/AAAAAAAAAMA/rOPEDnnjv7c/s200/DSC06378_1200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528233164842262082" /></a><br /><br />The AEMMA personnel included David M. Cvet and Kel Rekuta (both armoured), Aaron Bolarinho (unarmoured) and Jacqueline Miller who was a great assistant in harnessing up. She also took the photos in this post as well as those found on the <a href="http://www.aemma.org/index2.php?pg=ka" target="_blank">AEMMA photo album</a>.<br /><br />The day began around 8am at the <i>salle d'armes</i> on Dupont, loading up the Jeep and pickup truck, and north to Newmarket, where the site was arranged at a horse farm near the woods. A timeless setting with trees and a babbling brook which could look like any period in history. The day concluded about 4pm, with the film crew having generated tons of video. Editing will take this volume down to about 2 minutes to present to History Channel. Good luck to Ken, and hopefully, he'll get the gig!About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-44923111250047460712010-10-08T07:13:00.001-07:002010-10-08T07:19:35.652-07:00Sick Kids gig<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TK8nMc-mD4I/AAAAAAAAALw/e0MILGa7Vyk/s1600/sickKids.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 46px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TK8nMc-mD4I/AAAAAAAAALw/e0MILGa7Vyk/s200/sickKids.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525678362697535362" /></a>On Thursday afternoon, Oct 8, David M. Cvet of AEMMA, assisted by Alex Wagner also of AEMMA delivered a presentation to a group of excited children and patients at the <a href="http://www.sickkids.ca" target="_blank">Hospital for Sick Children</a>. The presentation included a combination of a brief background on heraldry, having the kids draw and colour their own coats of arms, and how a man shall be armed in the 14th century, called the "Tin Man" presentation within the hospital. Thanks goes out to Susie Petro, Child Life Specialist of the Hospital. This is the fourth such gig for David and AEMMA, and undoubtedly, more will be scheduled in the new year.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-9361255954022850252010-09-07T04:45:00.000-07:002010-09-07T04:51:01.123-07:00End-of-summer BBQ in Smiths Cove, NS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TIYmLrX1wrI/AAAAAAAAALY/V5FqkZXOfcA/s1600/DSC_0025_1200.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TIYmLrX1wrI/AAAAAAAAALY/V5FqkZXOfcA/s200/DSC_0025_1200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514136775824884402" /></a>The AEMMA NS Chapter's 3rd annual BBQ celebrating the end of summer, hosted by David at their summer residence in Smiths Cove, was an afternoon and evening of good cheer and lots of fun. The afternoon began with the boys playing with a throwing spear. David's wife, Gail retrieved a large pumpkin from the target, providing a much more challenging target for the spear throws. David, after numerous attempts, nailed the pumpkin, whereas, Dieter nailed the target post.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TIYmiCCTLVI/AAAAAAAAALg/fZ3D8lrUaXo/s1600/Screenshot-AEMMANS_strikingPumpkin_Sep2010.MP4-1.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TIYmiCCTLVI/AAAAAAAAALg/fZ3D8lrUaXo/s200/Screenshot-AEMMANS_strikingPumpkin_Sep2010.MP4-1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514137159865675090" /></a>This was followed by archery, which included a number of different archery styles, including longbow, recurve, compound and crossbow. This took up the rest of the afternoon till the BBQ itself. The students and their wives, brought great food contributing to a well stocked dinner, of burgers, sausages, potato salad and other salads and great lemon marange pie created by Rob himself!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TIYm05M22PI/AAAAAAAAALo/ms7jnil1H8A/s1600/Screenshot-VID00007.MP4-1.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TIYm05M22PI/AAAAAAAAALo/ms7jnil1H8A/s200/Screenshot-VID00007.MP4-1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514137483911551218" /></a>The day continued into the evening with a fireside, with the firepit blazing, and more libations well into the late evening. Despite the rather wet weekend produced by "Earl", the BBQ materialized and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. <font color="red">A number of selected videos can be seen by visiting the AEMMA youtube channel by clicking <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/AEMMAchannel?feature=mhum#g/c/46D98B824E599B68" target="_blank"><font color="red"><b>here</b></font></a></font>.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-45880280117037505052010-08-30T04:37:00.001-07:002010-08-30T04:44:38.979-07:00Swinging Swords in Digby, NS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/THuYIe4rSnI/AAAAAAAAALA/3iXVEWH97OI/s1600/aemma_ns_volunteers.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/THuYIe4rSnI/AAAAAAAAALA/3iXVEWH97OI/s200/aemma_ns_volunteers.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511165840515091058" /></a>On a hot and sunny afternoon, on Sunday, August 28th at the bandshell next to the Digby Wharf, swords were swinging, arms and armour were on display, depicting a little piece of historical martial arts by the AEMMA NS Chapter. The spectators were treated to something quite unique for this little fishing town near the coast of the Bay of Fundy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/THuYaHrq_OI/AAAAAAAAALI/AKt37Tq_YLM/s1600/jurgen_cutting.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 138px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/THuYaHrq_OI/AAAAAAAAALI/AKt37Tq_YLM/s200/jurgen_cutting.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511166143524175074" /></a>The presentation included a weapons display table, depicting the various training weapons used by the Chapter, including spears, poleaxes, swords and daggers. The volunteers included AEMMA NS students (L-R) Jurgen Griegoschewski, D. Jeremy Walsh, Timothy Simms, Robert Wilkinson and Dieter Jilge. Dieter's wife Marion also volunteered to help out with the event. Demonstrations began with a brief look at the three styles trained, beginning with "abrazare" (grappling), "daga" (dagger) and "spada" (sword). Various drills executed with efficiency by the students dazzled the spectators. This first part of the presentation concluded with a number of cuts with a sharp arming sword, using "HFTs" or Human Facsimile Targets composed of rolled tatami mats, having been soaked in water overnight. The image on the right depicting Jurgen preparing to take a cut at the target.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/THuYm8ctEdI/AAAAAAAAALQ/0A5QbvtbJQo/s1600/digby_walkabout.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/THuYm8ctEdI/AAAAAAAAALQ/0A5QbvtbJQo/s200/digby_walkabout.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511166363846906322" /></a>Following the demonstration of the fighting art, David delivered the popular "How a man shall be armed in the 14th century", donning his complete harness, suitably impressing the spectators. This generated a number of questions from the spectators and concluded with a photo opportunity whereby photos with the "knight" were made with donation of funds for the AEMMA NS Chapter by those taking the photos. David, accompanied with "Lady Marion" did a walk-about in the town of Digby, terrorizing the locals concluding the demonstrations of the day. <font color="red">Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/aemmachannel?gl=CA&hl=en#p/c/626574DCDC9525E9/10/FECpmu6S2YY" target="_blank"><font color="red"><b>here</b></font></a> to view a short youtube video on the walkabout.</font><br /><br />All in all, a fun and successful presentation. AEMMA wishes to thank the volunteers for taking the time out of their busy weekend to participate in the event.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-36433173225483656292010-08-04T19:09:00.000-07:002010-08-04T19:13:19.724-07:008th Annual OMSG Camping Weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TFoeA9f3kJI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Tbaiy9aAbQI/s1600/omsg10_8.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TFoeA9f3kJI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Tbaiy9aAbQI/s200/omsg10_8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501742896643543186" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.ottawasword.com/" target="_blank">Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild</a> (OMSG) hosted their 8th annual camping weekend on the farm of John Woods (co-founder OMSG) and his wife, Liz in Groveton near Spencerville, ON south of Ottawa during the weekend of July 30 - Aug 2. The weekend featured many of the usual events including an archery contest, bonfires, libations and a pig-roast banguet on the Sunday evening.<br /><br />This year's event, John had extended a challenge to Dale Gienow to a joust followed by sword on horseback and grappling on horseback. A jousting list was built on the east side of the farm. The event also featured the return of the "<a href="http://www.scallagrims.com/" target="_blank">Scallagrims</a>", a Viking re-enactment and fighting group from Toronto. They challenged the AEMMA & OMSG combatants to armoured combat within the lists. This was concluded with a small melee, in which four of the <a href="http://www.scallagrims.com/" target="_blank">Scallagrims</a> formed a shield wall, and the four armoured combatants from AEMMA & OMSG attempted to breach the shield wall with some success. The "battle" was a hard one, and a Scallagrim was the only one left standing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TFoeKWCzW0I/AAAAAAAAAKw/IN6He2ceq1A/s1600/omsg10_47.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/TFoeKWCzW0I/AAAAAAAAAKw/IN6He2ceq1A/s200/omsg10_47.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501743057851341634" /></a>The banquet was held Sunday evening. Prior to the meal, Anton and John of OMSG, awarded medallions to all armoured combatants, including the <a href="http://www.scallagrims.com/" target="_blank">Scallagrims</a>. Other awards went to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for the archery contest taken by North Gienow in 1st, Dale Gienow in 2nd and Samuel Cvet (Anton's son) taking 3rd.<br /><br />AEMMA wishes to thank the OMSG folks for another great weekend and do look forward to next year's event!About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-30309366829759353402010-05-25T04:37:00.000-07:002010-05-25T04:41:47.680-07:00Presentation, Juniper House, NS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S_u2yMLJTcI/AAAAAAAAAKY/6afkG0sqDsQ/s1600/juniper_4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S_u2yMLJTcI/AAAAAAAAAKY/6afkG0sqDsQ/s200/juniper_4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475170745376656834" /></a>David delivered a presentation for kids between the ages of 13-15 yrs, associated with <a href="http://www.juniperhouse.ca/" target="_blank">Juniper House</a>, NS, a transition house that provides a safe shelter for abused women and their children. The presentation took place in <a href="http://smba.ednet.ns.ca/about_smba.htm" target="_blank">St. Mary's Bay Academy</a> in Weymouth, NS on May 12.<br /><br />The presentation began with a talk on the history of the medieval fighting arts, and the principles and concepts behind the fighting system, which are applicable to today's potential physical scenarios. The presentation included the attributes of respect and compassion. The presentation in the gym continued with instruction on a few movements of "abrazare" or grappling.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S_u26yIATMI/AAAAAAAAAKg/M-dIL-z_tu4/s1600/juniper_6.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S_u26yIATMI/AAAAAAAAAKg/M-dIL-z_tu4/s200/juniper_6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475170893002984642" /></a>The presentation continued after the gym session with a lecture and presentation on heraldry and chivalry. All of the kids received blank shields on paper, and were asked to draw their own personal coat of arms with symbolisms which reflected who they are and who their families are and their current interests. The winner, determined by the loudness of applause was awarded a Primer on Canadian heraldry, published by the <a href="http://www.heraldry.ca/" target="_blank">Royal Heraldry Society of Canada</a>. The presentation was well received, and the kids were nothing short of attentive! AEMMA NS would like to thank Lori Andrews, RPC for organizing the event.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-15938968278088726752010-04-27T04:02:00.000-07:002010-04-29T15:37:20.788-07:00Pas d'armes 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S9bE3ZJ02YI/AAAAAAAAAKI/mkG9iblq300/s1600/mcilmoyle_gienow.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 198px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S9bE3ZJ02YI/AAAAAAAAAKI/mkG9iblq300/s200/mcilmoyle_gienow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464771653784623490" /></a>This year's pas d'armes (a reproduction of a late 14th century tournament on foot), on April 25, was held at AEMMA's salle d'armes located near Dupont and Ossington, Toronto. The field comprised of 9 armoured combatants, 5 from AEMMA Toronto, the defendants, being challenged by the appellants, 3 from Ottawa and 1 from Muskoka. The salle proved to be a viable venue for the event, and it was felt that future pas d'armes can be held at the salle. Spectators numbered around 50 people. They were informed on the event during the ROM March Break, where AEMMA distributed flyers announcing the event and its new location.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S9bEsA68BlI/AAAAAAAAAKA/Li3FKgswYAU/s1600/davids_solarets.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S9bEsA68BlI/AAAAAAAAAKA/Li3FKgswYAU/s200/davids_solarets.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464771458301167186" /></a>The defendants included David M. Cvet, Brian McIlmoyle, Kel Rekuta, Aldo Valente and Matt Brundle, all of AEMMA Toronto. The appellants included Dale Gienow, a jouster who hails from Muskoka. The other appellants were John Woods, Chris Penney and Matt McKee all from the Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild, and all appellants were no stranger to the AEMMA pas d'armes.<br /><br />The pas d'armes began with a lavish procession, complete with heralds, pagentry and banners. It was a memorable site for the spectators witnessing this event. The closing procession was also as impressive. Each of the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S9bIXWjPovI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/_anxQg8anOs/s1600/emily_michael_david.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 121px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S9bIXWjPovI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/_anxQg8anOs/s200/emily_michael_david.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464775501376627442" /></a>combatants were awarded a medallion, signying their participation in the event. Despite the bouts being fought with dramatic intensity, there were no injuries incurred by the combatants, save a cut finger, and a slight concussion from being struck to the head with a sword blow. All combatants were extremely pleased and excited about how well the event went, and most certainly, conveyed that they will return at the next one in 2011.<br /><br />AEMMA was fortunate in having a photo-journalist from Reuters, the results of his work appearing in numerous publications listed below.<br /><a href="http://www.aemma.org/misc/events/2010/pas_d_armes/Toronto_Sun_apr26_2010_tourney.pdf">Toronto Sun, April 26, 2010</a> by <a href="http://www.markblinch.com" target="_blank">Mark Blinch</a>, a <a href="http://www.aemma.org/misc/events/2010/pas_d_armes/Toronto_Sun_apr26_2010_tourney_closeup.pdf">closeup</a> of the same.<br /><a href="http://www.aemma.org/misc/events/2010/pas_d_armes/Edmonton_journal_apr26_2010_tourney.pdf">Edmonton Journal, April 26, 2010</a> by <a href="http://www.markblinch.com" target="_blank">Mark Blinch</a>, a <a href="http://www.aemma.org/misc/events/2010/pas_d_armes/Edmonton_journal_apr26_2010_tourney_closeup.pdf">closeup</a> of the same.<br /><a href="http://www.aemma.org/misc/events/2010/pas_d_armes/Windsor_Star_apr26_2010_tourney.pdf">Windsor_Star, April 26, 2010</a> by <a href="http://www.markblinch.com" target="_blank">Mark Blinch</a>, a <a href="http://www.aemma.org/misc/events/2010/pas_d_armes/Windsor_Star_apr26_2010_tourney_closeup.pdf">closeup</a> of the same.<br /><a href="http://news.search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&p=Academy+of+European+Medieval+Martial+Arts&fr=yfp-t-501&type=all&age=all&type=photo" target="_blank">Yahoo News</a>, Photos filed by <a href="http://www.markblinch.com" target="_blank">Mark Blinch</a> <br /><a href="http://blindedmusephotography.blogspot.com/2010/04/aemma-spring-pas-d-armes.html" target="_blank">AEMMA Spring Pas d'Armes</a> photos by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/01974334549815303037" target="_blank">Emily Tanaka</a><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/04/26/GA2010042602649.html" target="_blank">Washington Post, April 26, 2010</a> (click on photo #7)<br /><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/photojournal/2010/04/26/pictures-of-the-day-388/" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal, April 27, 2010</a> (scroll down about 1/2 of the page)<br /><a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/Photos+Modern+knights+battle+Toronto/2952307/story.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+canwest%2FF229+%28Vancouver+Sun+-+News%29%22/vancouver_sun_tourney_files/jquery-1.js" target="_blank">The Vancouver Sun</a>, April 26, 2010<br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7635628/Medieval-fight-club-knights-from-a-14th-century-re-enactment-society-fight-in-suits-of-armour.html" target="_blank">Telegraph, UK</a><br /><a href="http://www.dnevnik.bg/dnevnikplus/2010/04/26/892928_ricarski_turnir_na_vtoriia_etaj/" target="_blank">Дневник (Bulgaria)</a><br /><a href="http://noticias.terra.com.br/popular/noticias/0,,OI4399869-EI1140,00-Torneio+de+artes+marciais+recria+batalhas+medievais+no+Canada.html" target="_blank">Terra Networks Brasil S.A.</a>About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-1374805454490499022010-04-20T14:44:00.000-07:002010-04-21T10:39:38.549-07:00Spanish Swordsmanship Workshop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S84iO9hLS-I/AAAAAAAAAJw/0Xk_9eTnvV0/s1600/dsc_0735_1000.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S84iO9hLS-I/AAAAAAAAAJw/0Xk_9eTnvV0/s200/dsc_0735_1000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462341038474218466" /></a>AEMMA invited Maestro Ramon Martinez (<a href="http://www.martinez-destreza.com">Martinez Academy of Arms</a>) to Toronto over the weekend of April 17-18, to provide instruction on Spanish Swordsmanship, to broaden our understanding of other historical fencing systems in Medieval and Renaissance Europe for the purpose of enhancing our own techniques as they pertain to Fiore dei Liberi.<br /><br />The Spanish style, founded by Carranza in the late 16th century, is characterized by entirely circular footwork - as opposed to the mostly linear footwork found in Italian rapier - and is practiced with the sword alone, or with a dagger as a secondary weapon. Unlike the Italian school, which evolved rather quickly from the 16th century onwards, the Spanish school went almost completely unchanged from its inception to the beginning of the 19th century. <br /><br />The content covered during the workshop included:<ul><br /><li>How to stand in guard and move along the circle.</li><br /><li>The cuts and thrusts used in the school (small to large compass, from various angles).</li><br /><li>Blade engagements.</li><br /><li>Stepping along the circle as both an offensive and defensive maneuver (desviar).</li><br /><li>The disarm (movimiento de conclusion) and other actions.</li></ul><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S884D7Sv11I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/dRcvS5HC27c/s1600/dsc_0768_1000.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/S884D7Sv11I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/dRcvS5HC27c/s200/dsc_0768_1000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462646513130788690" /></a>The workshop was well received and was attended by 16 students. Maestro Martinez is an excellent instructor, and everyone who attended found the workshop most useful and were completely satisfied. AEMMA is discussing the possibility of having Maestro Martinez return for a follow-up workshop on the same subject.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-4305851322383180962010-03-02T17:11:00.001-08:002010-03-02T17:11:21.653-08:00Looking forward in 2010There is always something going on at AEMMA, with projects, papers, new ideas in training, events, and so forth. 2010 will be no different as the year unfolds, and things continue to develop. Kel continues to interface with the public schools in the GTA, providing the students at the schools, a practical look at arms and armour of the medieval period, evaporating the many incorrect perceptions and historical data. <br /><br />Training continues to evolve, looking at expanding the training regimen with the inclusion of drills or "sequenza". Although, in the early formative days of AEMMA, drills were created oriented towards German longsword, and were called "folgen". However, new interest in developing drills, focused on one or two attributes of fencing appears to be making traction in the AEMMA environment. The design of the drills, at least initially, appear to be incorporating Fiore's foundations, with gioco largo plays and leveraging some details of Vadi in their design. If anything, they are fun to do, in particular, when the speed of the exchanges are ratcheted up.<br /><br />It was a great disappointment that the ROM has terminated the hosting of the annual "pas d'armes" or tournament. It appears that the issue has to do with insurance risks with respect to the spectators. AEMMA does plan to approach the ROM, providing sounds arguments in favour of them lifting the "ban" and returning the event to the ROM.<br /><br />In the next Medieval Symposium, organized by the Friends of the Medieval Studies Society of the Royal Ontario Museum, scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 9-5pm at the ROM, look for our very own Ariella Elema, who will be delivering a lecture on medieval fighting arts. Check with the ROM website to register to attend this symposium.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-81534776343566535672009-12-02T11:44:00.000-08:002009-12-02T12:10:15.901-08:00Why Become a Scholar?Over the course of my involvement with AEMMA there have been scores of students who have darkened the door. Some have stayed for just a few classes, some a few months, some for years. Others have decided to commit to achieving the rank of Scholar. A few have, through much training and study ascended to the illustrious rank of Free Scholar. There are examples of individuals who are content with each of these scenarios and have found the appropriate place in their lives for this study.<br /><br />I have noticed that it is not at all uncommon for students to hover around the decision of whether or not to commit to playing for the prize of Scholar or not. The following are some thoughts and personal reflections which may help your internal dialogue.<br /><br /><table align="right" width="200" cellpadding="5"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SxbEzIY1zqI/AAAAAAAAAJg/TWVd6eCLoT4/s1600-h/shawnzirgerschollerTest.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SxbEzIY1zqI/AAAAAAAAAJg/TWVd6eCLoT4/s200/shawnzirgerschollerTest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410728385036275362" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Shawn Zirger, who challenged on September 9, 2007, is being observed under the watchful eyes of Frank Williams FS, Brian McIlmoyle and David M. Cvet Provosts, Kel Rekuta FS and Anton Cvet Provost.</i></td></tr></table>Firstly, and this can’t be said strongly enough, there is no timetable, other than the one one imposes on ones’ self, for becoming a Scholar. Some set short time lines and strict training regimens and eagerly set test dates. Others linger, taking time to digest and make sure they’ve internalized key skills and concepts. Both strategies work depending on what type of individual you are.<br /><br />Secondly, we all start from a different entry point. That is, some are fit and lithe and have scads of martial study under their belts before they enter the salle d'armes. Some are a tad longer in the tooth with conditions or injuries to contend with. Some are single with a good measure of free time. Others have schedules that are not their own. All these things must be considered when developing a time line for your scholar test and expectations for yourself. Many students who get to the point of setting a date for their Scholar test, find it prudent to back the date up for some time to make sure they are ready. This is not out of the norm and can be perfectly acceptable.<br /><br /><table align="left" width="200" cellpadding="5"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SxbFOTU1CdI/AAAAAAAAAJo/3CwSt8AZhFk/s1600-h/aaronbolarinhoschollerTest.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SxbFOTU1CdI/AAAAAAAAAJo/3CwSt8AZhFk/s200/aaronbolarinhoschollerTest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410728851828705746" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Aaron Bolarinho, who challenged on December 14, 2008, sits patiently in the middle of the salle d'armes at the conclusion of his test, awaiting the results of the deliberation of the Schollers and Free Schollers in the armoury.</i></td></tr></table>Some find that there are several advantages to becoming a Scholar. The first and most immediate is a sense of accomplishment. It is no small task to be successful in your challenge. As with anything difficult, success breeds enhanced self-esteem and self-concept proportionate to the task. However, it has happened in past that individuals are not successful in their initial play for Scholar. This is not reason to give up or pack it in. Rather, it’s a time to reflect and retool.<br /><br />One of the most obvious advantages of “scholarhood” is the opportunity to participate in free-play with a variety of weapons. This is truly a most excellent thing. I cannot find words to describe how much fun, how invigorating, how much of a multi level superb experience this is (and this is written by a person who rarely “wins” a bout!). Participation in tournaments is an opportunity to meet new people in the broader community and test yourself. They are a wonderful opportunity to put your own skills under the microscope and set study and practice goals for the next opportunity.<br /><br />Personally, I find the biggest advantage to becoming a Scholar is the freedom to self-direct study to a large degree. The very word scholar implies study and, for me at least , this limitless field of study is the single greatest result of becoming a scholar. Over the years our community has grown and accordingly, a greater number of players is becoming available to fellow Scholars. The ability to study together, in text and on the floor is valuable and allows one to propel one’s own study.<br /><br />For some, achievement of the rank of Scholar is an end in itself. For those people, occasional practice, visits to the salle d'armes or online participation adds to the richness of their lives. For others, WMA study is woven into the fabric of the rest of their lives. They continue, in whatever capacity possible, to train and study and improve themselves and their understanding of the art. It becomes a necessary component of life. If you’re worried about not having “the stuff” don’t. You can do it. If you’re considering to move beyond recruit training, you’ve already taken the first step. Once you’ve decided to pursue this path, it’s simply a question of hard work, hard thinking and patience. Feel free to talk to any or all Scholars at the salle d'armes or online if you have questions. Good luck and I hope to see you in the circle! <br /><br />A link on the AEMMA website which describe the requirements for becoming a Scholar can be reached by clicking <a href="http://www.aemma.org/index2.php?pg=t02" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.<br /><p align="right">Matt Brundle</p>About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-40233528642864466512009-11-10T19:11:00.001-08:002009-11-10T20:51:31.094-08:003rd Annual Unarmoured Tournament<table width="200" align="right" cellpadding="4"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SvoridSlM1I/AAAAAAAAAI4/yHo6RrjgVrI/s1600-h/tourney_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SvoridSlM1I/AAAAAAAAAI4/yHo6RrjgVrI/s200/tourney_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402678573962441554" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>A shot of the bout between Mat Brundle (L) and Beau Brock (R)</i></td></tr></table>AEMMA Toronto hosted the 3rd annual unarmoured tournament at its salle d'armes on Dupont st, Toronto on Saturday, November 7, 2010. It was an all day event, with combatants being comprised of twelve combatants including schollers and free schollers from the Toronto Academy, Guelph Chapter, Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild (OMSG) and one Dale Gienow from Muskoka. The weapon to be used for this tournament was the Tinker Pearce blunt trainer longsword. David M. Cvet and Brian McIlmoyle were the marshals for the tournament, and OMSG's scholler Leanna Falkenhagen assisted with the execution of the tournament.<br /><br />This entire event was initially organized by David Murphy, founder and instructor of the Guelph Chapter, however, was unable to attend the event due to illness. He is on the road to recovery, and he was missed by one and all.<br /><br /><table width="200" align="left" cellpadding="4"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SvorrZnSjUI/AAAAAAAAAJA/EN3H3mhuCCE/s1600-h/tourney_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SvorrZnSjUI/AAAAAAAAAJA/EN3H3mhuCCE/s200/tourney_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402678727594380610" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>A shot of the bout between Chris Penney (L) and Bill Brickman (R)</i></td></tr></table>The event was structured so that each combatant had a chance to fight with all other combatants, resulting in approximately 73 bouts during the day (a couple dropped out towards the end of the tournament due to incurring injuries). For details on the structure and rules of the tournament, click <a href="http://www.aemma.org/index2.php?pg=t8" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>. All went well, and the quality of the bouts were extremely good, with most of the bouts demonstrating the art in spirit and principle. After the conclusion of the tournament, all combatants casted a secret ballot for voting on which combatant best demonstrated the principles and spirit of the art, selecting him/her as "first amongst equals". The ballots selected the AEMMA Guelph Chapter's Bill Brickman who was awarded a prize (under contruction at that time) of a sword created by Charles Jevons, the same individual who constructs AEMMA's aluminum arming and long swords.<br /><br />An assessment and review of the Tinker Pearce Blunt Longsword Trainer can be viewed by clicking <a href="http://www.aemma.org/onlineResources/reviews/tinker/review.html" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>. Videos depicting some of the bouts can be seen by going to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/aemmachannel?gl=CA&hl=en" target="_blank">AEMMA Channel</a> on youtube.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-69571284546753967342009-09-23T09:03:00.000-07:002009-09-23T09:09:25.973-07:00AEMMA on Discovery HD<table align="right" cellpadding="4" width="200"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SrpHYk-kshI/AAAAAAAAAH0/VctnfE9f55M/s1600-h/swords04.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SrpHYk-kshI/AAAAAAAAAH0/VctnfE9f55M/s200/swords04.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384694792043409938" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>A shot of a portion of the filming depicting Dieter Jilge on the left, and David M. Cvet on the right.<br />Photo credit: John DeMings, <a href="http://www.novanewsnow.com/rubrique-720-County-of-Digby.html" target="_blank">Digby Courier</a></i></td></tr></table>David M. Cvet and four of the students engaged in AEMMA training in Nova Scotia, assisted in the filming of a documentary for M5 Productions Inc., "M5-Weapons of War", a mini-series scheduled for Discovery HD. The filming was done at the Smiths Cove residence of David Aug 23-25 for a series of out door shots and action, and Saturday, Aug 26, at Rebeka Hall, Bear River. The students involved in the filming include Dieter Jilge, Robert Wilkinson, Mark Amirault and Jurgen Griegoschewski.<br /><br />The weather during the outdoor shoot was completely cooperative, however, rain set in on Saturday, but this was not a problem, given the shoot was scheduled for indoors on that day. The days were long, ending with dinner at the local restaurant "Boardwalk Cafe" in Digby. The expected scheduled for airing is sometime this coming winter.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-73295398485323266392009-09-22T12:04:00.001-07:002009-09-22T12:04:33.986-07:00Forza e DestrezzaAEMMA has a new blog, oriented towards renaissance fencing, pull together by rapier instructor and AEMMA member, Beau Brock. The blog offers its readers updates on subject such as equipment, training courses and workshops. The blog is entitled <a href="http://forzaedestrezza.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Forza e Destrezza</a> and is an invaluable resource for those individuals who have an interest in rapier form of fencing.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-27768829649058548012009-08-07T06:31:00.000-07:002009-09-22T12:00:29.261-07:00OMSG Camping Weekend 2009The <a href="http://www.ottawasword.com" target="_blank">Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild</a> (OMSG) hosted their 7th annual camping weekend, on the farms of John Woods and Matt McKee in Spencerville, south of Ottawa during the long weekend from Friday, July 31 to Monday, August 3rd. The weekend featured the usual activities archery, bonfires, large amounts of libations and a pig-roast banquet on the <table align="right" width="200" cellpadding="4"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SnwtNRBthAI/AAAAAAAAAHc/nwckJgNaoMw/s1600-h/portrait_sean_hayes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 167px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SnwtNRBthAI/AAAAAAAAAHc/nwckJgNaoMw/s200/portrait_sean_hayes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367214561850917890" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Maestro Sean Hayes, Northwest Academy of Arms, Oregon, USA, wearing his armour worn at the armoured pas d'armes during the camping weekend.</i></td></tr></table>Saturday evening. The event was attended by David M. Cvet (who traveled in from Nova Scotia), Ariella Elema, Igal Lelchuk, Brian McIlmoyle and Aldo Valente all from the <a href="http://www.aemma.org" target="_blank">AEMMA Toronto</a>. Also attending and participating during this weekend, was Maestro Sean Hayes from <a href="http://www.northwesternacademyofarms.com" target="_blank">NorthWest Academy of Arms</a>, from Eugene, Oregon, USA.<br /><br />This year's event included three new features. A Viking re-enactment and fighting group called "<a href="http://www.scallagrims.com" target="_blank">Scallagrims</a>" from Toronto were on hand on Friday and Saturday. They participated in the class delivered by Sean, and also demonstrated their fighting Saturday afternoon. To add, they entertained all present during the evening after the banquet around the bonfire, a demonstration of fire acts, including fighting with swords in flames. </p><br /><p><table align="left" width="250" cellpadding="4"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SnwtBzCxULI/AAAAAAAAAHU/PeI6dFaTays/s1600-h/appellants.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SnwtBzCxULI/AAAAAAAAAHU/PeI6dFaTays/s200/appellants.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367214364823736498" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>The appellants having been awarded their pas d'armes medalions. L-R: Sean Hayes, David M. Cvet, Brian McIlmoyle, Aldo Valente</i></td></tr></table>Another feature was the <i>pas d'armes</i> organized by OMSG's Herald and armoured combatant, Mat Ravignat. The rules were based on the tournament rules employed by AEMMA in Toronto at the tournaments held at the Royal Ontario Museum. With some minor adjustments to the rules, the tournament was a huge success and will be integrated into future OMSG camping weekends as a new tradition. The appellants were David, Brian, Aldo and Sean Hayes. Sean demonstrated excellent armoured fighting skills and all spectators were suitably impressed with his abilities. <table align="right" width="200" cellpadding="4"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SoGRzw1rNcI/AAAAAAAAAHs/T2YMtZi0VbI/s1600-h/mravignat_herald_cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 164px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SoGRzw1rNcI/AAAAAAAAAHs/T2YMtZi0VbI/s200/mravignat_herald_cropped.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368732549271729602" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Mat Ravignat, OMSG Herald and armoured combatant organized the pas d;armes.</i></td></tr></table> The defendants included OMSG's Chris Penney, Dan Sellars, Matt McKee, John Woods and "Nic" from <a href="http://www.scallagrims.com" target="_blank">Scallagrims</a>, who wore Anton's gear and fought on the defendants' side. At the conclusion of the <i>pas d'armes</i>, each of the appellants were awarded a <i>pas d'armes</i> medalion, as well as the defendants. All fighters had an excellent time crossing swords, daggers, spears, poleaxes during this armoured challenge.<br /><br />To add to the events of the weekend, was a Free Scholler test for OMSG's Chris Penney. The test was scheduled on Monday, and the panel included David, Brian and Aldo from AEMMA Toronto, Anton from OMSG and a special guest member of the panel, Maestro Sean Hayes. Chris proceeded to demonstrate his knowledge and skills of Fiore dei Liberi's manuscript from beginning to end, <table align="left" width="250" cellpadding="4"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SnxWz79yl1I/AAAAAAAAAHk/KrGxKNTQWME/s1600-h/DSC_0126_1200.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SnxWz79yl1I/AAAAAAAAAHk/KrGxKNTQWME/s200/DSC_0126_1200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367260306188965714" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>A pair of combatants from Scallagrims demonstrating sword and shield fighting.</i></td></tr></table>clearly showing his intimacy with the works of Fiore. At the end of the 1.5 hour test, the panelists all agreed that Chris was worthy of the rank of Free Scholler. Chris was awarded the gold garter, the symbol of Free Scholler at AEMMA. By tradition, when a Chapter or Associate Group creates a Free Scholler, the founder of the group, in this case, Anton Cvet, is then conveyed the title of Provost by the Provosts of AEMMA.<br /><br />For more photos of the event, visit the AEMMA website by clicking <a href="http://www.aemma.org/misc/events/2009/OMSG_CW/omsgcw.htm" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5942172265484783702.post-13537547492751660532009-03-30T12:45:00.001-07:002009-08-07T14:13:01.533-07:00ROM Pas d'armes<table width="200" align="right" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdNJsQJed1I/AAAAAAAAAHM/KEi1hvcWhBM/s1600-h/appellantsPresentation.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 110px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdNJsQJed1I/AAAAAAAAAHM/KEi1hvcWhBM/s200/appellantsPresentation.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319676609452472146" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Presentation of the appellants to the Patron of the tournament<br />Photo credit: Ray Barlow</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The day began as any other day at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), except that there was something different in the air that spring day on March 21, 2009, which had little to do with the moderate weather the city was experiencing, nor the exhibits in the museum. There was a sense of excitement as the growing numbers of spectators began to accumulate, jocking for the best seats around the fighting lists, feeding the air with expectation awaiting the commencement of the second annual medieval pas d'armes (tournament). Tiny subtle battles between spectators vying to protect their "investment" as more people began filing in to possess available seats offering the best vantage to spectate the armoured combats soon to be unleashed on the floor of the Currelly Gallery later that day.<table width="320" align="center" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEhne4s9LI/AAAAAAAAAF8/5Cgp_04oWz8/s1600-h/aldo_john.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEhne4s9LI/AAAAAAAAAF8/5Cgp_04oWz8/s320/aldo_john.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319069597090772146" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Combatant defendant Aldo Valente with combatant appellant John Woods from OMSG<br />Photo credit: Ray Barlow</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table width="320" align="center" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEiNZd5RsI/AAAAAAAAAGE/-puy2wP5ahQ/s1600-h/david_dale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEiNZd5RsI/AAAAAAAAAGE/-puy2wP5ahQ/s320/david_dale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319070248471185090" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Combatant defendant David M. Cvet with combatant appellant Dale Gienow from Muskoka<br />Photo credit: Ray Barlow</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Towards the end of the morning approaching high noon, the Gallery was filled with children of all ages, parents, friends, wives, husbands, boyfriends and girlfriends, all awaiting the fanfare which denotes the opening of the grand tournament. Number of spectators having achieved as high as 1,400 spectators during the day. The spectators were treated with a presentation of "How a man shall be armed in the 14th century" by David M. Cvet, with the assistance of his squire Larry Brydon.<table width="200" align="right" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdErOPgZZlI/AAAAAAAAAG0/TqYtdnShn9o/s1600-h/herald_mason.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdErOPgZZlI/AAAAAAAAAG0/TqYtdnShn9o/s200/herald_mason.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319080158581843538" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Defendants' herald, Dr. Robert Mason (ROM)<br />Photo credit: Ray Barlow</i></td></tr></tbody></table> While this presentation was being made, all of the other combatants defendants and appellants were arming themselves in preparation for the ensuing armoured combat bouts. Immediately following the presentation, the anxious spectators were not disappointed with a lavish opening procession lead by a medieval musical ensemble, followed by heralds and pursuivants bearing their beautifully decorated tabards depicting the arms of the combatants defendants and appellants. These were followed by the marshals, responsible for the monitoring and tallying of strikes in the bouts, who were then followed by the combatants defendants and combatants in full armour wearing jupons depicting their coats of arms, preceded by their squires and banner bearers. Lastly, the combatants were followed by the Patron of the tournament, Robbie Sprules, Lord of Wrentnall and his wife, Lady Lucinda. The final grouping were the lovely ladies of the tournament who had undoubtedly inspired the combatants in each and every bout.<table width="320" align="center" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEiztp4ESI/AAAAAAAAAGM/uP_6TlLPC1Q/s1600-h/mat_aldo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEiztp4ESI/AAAAAAAAAGM/uP_6TlLPC1Q/s320/mat_aldo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319070906725175586" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Combatant appellant Mat Ravignat from OMSG with combatant defendant Aldo Valente<br />Photo credit: Ray Barlow</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table width="320" align="center" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEjV318NfI/AAAAAAAAAGU/Jf484F925ik/s1600-h/david_jeremy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEjV318NfI/AAAAAAAAAGU/Jf484F925ik/s320/david_jeremy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319071493575685618" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Combatant defendant David M. Cvet with combatant appellant Jeremy Oneail from Boston<br />Photo credit: Ray Barlow</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Once the tournament was officially opened by the Lord of Wrentnall, the bouts began in earnest. The fighting was intense, the spectators intimidated with the realism of the combats, perhaps not entirely understanding that the combats were unscripted tests of prowess, in which each is attempting to best the other. <table width="200" align="right" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdErwElrVtI/AAAAAAAAAG8/h9N2UTJg5ew/s1600-h/herald_birtwistle.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdErwElrVtI/AAAAAAAAAG8/h9N2UTJg5ew/s200/herald_birtwistle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319080739766752978" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Appellants' herald, David Birtwistle (RHSC)<br />Photo credit: Ray Barlow</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Weapons chosen by the combatant appellants were one or more of sword, dagger, spear or poleaxe. This year's tournament featured the first female armoured combatant, Nikki Fourtzialas-Oneail who was accompanied by her husband and armoured combatant, Jeremy Oneail both from Mass., USA.<br /><br />The first bout matched Matt McKee from the Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild (OMSG) who challenged Matt Brundle (AEMMA) with sword. The bout began without incident, however, in one of the early <table width="200" align="left" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEsqOMJrFI/AAAAAAAAAHE/3PTpsJVcHXA/s1600-h/herald_demille.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEsqOMJrFI/AAAAAAAAAHE/3PTpsJVcHXA/s200/herald_demille.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319081738776456274" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Procession herald, Geoff DeMille<br />Photo credit: Liz Woods</i></td></tr></tbody></table>exchanges, Matt Brundle delivered a thrust to the armpit while gripping his sword in the manner known as "1/2-sword". Unfortunately, the odds of incurring serious injury, although low, reared its ugly head, combined with looseness of the mail over the upper arm allowed the sword to penetrate between the mail and gambeson sleeve and struck Matt McKee squarely in the armpit. This injury drew blood to the surprise of Brundle, and McKee was removed from the lists, and had his injury treated at St. Mike's hospital, no stitches required. McKee was able to make it to the post tournament dinner party at the salle, and assured everyone there that he was fine and was on the road to recovery.<br /><table width="320" align="center" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEj8sKKQrI/AAAAAAAAAGc/SDmsWJ8bupk/s1600-h/nikki_kel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEj8sKKQrI/AAAAAAAAAGc/SDmsWJ8bupk/s320/nikki_kel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319072160454165170" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Combatant appellant Nikki Fourtziales-Oneail from Boston with combatant defendant Kel Rekuta<br />Photo credit: Ray Barlow</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Without too long of a pause, the tournament continued forward with the next series of bouts in the first round. David, who involved with two battles, the battle against a flu bug, engaged in yet another battle with Jeremy Oneail fighting with spears, who promptly struck David on the inner elbow with the spear. The trauma to the elbow did not manifest itself till later at the post tournamenmt dinner party at the salle where his left arm began to swell and cause pain, which was duly handled with dark rum, purely for medicinal purposes.<br /><br /><table width="150" align="left" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEkcry6bqI/AAAAAAAAAGk/E59oKNi1jj0/s1600-h/nikki_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEkcry6bqI/AAAAAAAAAGk/E59oKNi1jj0/s200/nikki_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319072710112472738" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Combatant appellant Nikki Fourtziales-Oneail from Boston<br />Photo credit: Leslie Lemar</i></td></tr></tbody></table>The level of prowess was superior to last year's tournment, an obvious testament to improved, dedicated and enhanced training on both sides of the lists. The second round was a bit shorter than the first, due to fighters having become absent, McKee, Brundle (emergency at home), David out due to fever and congestion, and Larry Brydon (who replaced Brian McIlmoyle who was involved with his own family crisis) incurred an injury to his hand. However, the appellants John Woods, Mat Ravignat, Dale Gienow, Jeremy Oneail and Nikki Fourtziales-Oneail demonstrated their prowess to the delight of the spectators, the rest of the defendants including Kel Rekuta and Aldo Valente satisfied the appellants. All fighters had fought with gallantry and good sportsmanship. The combatants defendants identified Nikki Fourtzialas-Oneail as the "first amongst equals" and most deservedly so.<br /><br /><table width="200" align="right" cellpadding="3"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEm-68y5iI/AAAAAAAAAGs/Yj9Z3qJNFUY/s1600-h/IMG_4386.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vnPg6hJ_igo/SdEm-68y5iI/AAAAAAAAAGs/Yj9Z3qJNFUY/s200/IMG_4386.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319075497319261730" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Lady Lucinda and Robbie Sprules, Lord of Wrentnall posing with the OMSG clan<br />Photo credit: Liz Woods</i></td></tr></tbody></table>The conclusion of the tournament included a procession of armoured combatants and their banner bearers, to receive the traditional tournament medalion placed around the neck of each combatant by Lady Lucinda. This year, the medalion's silk cord tincture was "Or" or gold, representing yet another tincture found in AEMMA's coat of arms. The prize of a beautiful poignard dagger for the combatant selected as "first amongst equals" was given to Nikki by Robbie Sprules, Lord of Wrentnall. This was followed by a closing ceremony, equal to the pomp and circumstance of the opening to the delight of the spectators.<br /><br />AEMMA wishes to thank the <a href="http://www.rom.on.ca" target="_blank">Royal Ontario Museum</a> for allowing us to hold the tournaments in the Currelly Gallery, a fine venue and most appropriate for such an event, given the medieval murals painted on the walls. AEMMA also wishes to thank the <a href="http://www.heraldry.ca" target="_blank">Royal Heraldry Society of Canada</a> for their support and volunteers, in particular to Society's members, Robbie Sprules and David Birtwistle, the combatants appellants herald.About <b>AEMMA</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/09657748827556736703noreply@blogger.com1