Medieval European Martial Arts Guild

The Medieval European Martial Arts Guild

The Medieval European Martial Arts Guild is a modern-day fechtschule (fencing-school) devoted to the study, training, and reconstruction of the combative arts developed in Europe during the Middle-Ages and Renaissance. The M.E.M.A.G.'s studies focus on the Kunst des Fechtens (Art of Fighting) of Master Johannes Liechtenauer, who lived in what is now Germany in the fourteenth century. Master Liechtenauer’s art has survived the treacherous passage of time in the form of several fechtbucher (fight-books) written by various Masters from within his long-lived tradition. It is from these writings that MEMAG has devised interpretations and accompanying curriculums that are used to instruct modern students in the ways of the Medieval German Masters of the Kunst des Fechtens. MEMAG currently has schools in three locations which hold regular classes in the use of several types of Medieval weaponry.

History

The Medieval European Martial Arts Guild was officially founded in March 2006 by Cory Winslow, John Bax, and Joshua Reptsik. It was the aim of all involved to create a fellowship of dedicated researchers, practitioners and instructors of Historical European Martial Arts who would aid each other in their endeavors and help resurrect these lost arts. Later, Robert Koulakjian, Chuck Wyatt, and Betsy Taylor joined the ranks of MEMAG instructors, adding new insight and observations to MEMAG’s interpretations.

Training Philosophy

MEMAG believes that in order for students to become proficient in the use of medieval weaponry they must practice the forms laid down by the Masters earnestly and repeatedly until they have internalized them. It is the repetition of these forms and techniques coupled with discussions on and experimentation with tactics and strategy that form the basis for training at their schools. Students are not allowed to bout openly or engage in practice-combat freely until they have proven to the instructors that they have internalized these forms and strategies to the point that they no longer need to think of them before using them. Doing this ensures that only effective and historical techniques are learned and nothing detrimental is introduced to a student’s practice.

New students may join any class at any time. All new students start at the beginning of the curriculum. They first learn a bit of history about the Art they are studying, then move on to stance, footwork, how to grip the weapon, how to attack with the weapon, and basic tactics. After they have been observed to have learned these basics by the instructor, they are allowed to move on the next level of training. This is repeated until the entire curriculum has been covered and internalized. Training is done individually, in pairs, and in groups.

Curriculum and Ranks

1. Lehrling (Apprentice/Scholar) Symbolized by the Buffalo, holders of this rank are novice students in MEMAG. This rank is achieved upon joining the MEMAG Longsword Class. Students must complete the following to attain the next rank:

a. Langenschwert (Longsword)

i. Lehrling Langenschwert

2. Geselle (Journeyman/Free Scholar) Symbolized by the Deer, holders of this rank are proficient students in MEMAG, and sometimes aid in teaching.

a. Ringen (Wrestling)

i. Lehrling Ringen

b. Messer (Large Knife)

i. Lehrling Messer

c. Bauern Stangen (Peasant Staff)

i. Lehrling Bauern Stangen

d. Stangen (Staff)

i. Lehrling Stangen

e. Langenschwert

i. Geselle Langenschwert

3. Vorfechter (Advanced-Fencer/Provost) Symbolized by the Falcon, holders of this rank are advanced students in MEMAG and assistant teachers.

a. Ringen

i. Lehrling Dolch (Dagger)

ii. Lehrling Sichel (Sickle)

iii. Geselle Ringen

b. Messer

i. Lehrling Schwert und Buckeller (Sword and Buckler)

ii. Lehrling Rappier (Rapier)

iii. Geselle Messer

c. Bauern Stangen

i. Lehrling Sense (Scythe)

ii. Lehrling Flegel (Flail)

iii. Geselle Bauren Stangen

d. Stangen

i. Lehrling Hellebarten (Halberd)

ii. Lehrling Langen Spiess (Pike)

iii. Geselle Stangen

e. Langenschwert

i. Vorfechter Langenschwert

f. Geselle in three of the following: Dolch, Sichel, Schwert und Buckeller, Rappier, Sense, Flegel, Hellebarten, Langen Spiess.

g. Vorfechter in two of the following: Ringen, Messer, Bauern Stangen, Stangen.

4. Meister (Master/Teacher) Symbolized by the Lion, holders of this rank are teachers at MEMAG and may run their own school. One who has attained the rank of Meister will enter a probationary period of one year, at the end of which he will be critiqued by his peers. During this time he must further progress in his studies and continue to contribute to MEMAG and the HEMA community. If his peers find that he has met their standards he is granted the rank of full Meister and his probation ends. If he does not meet his peers' standards then he enters another probationary period of one year and the process repeats.

Provisional MEMAG Ranks

Instructor: One who teaches at MEMAG in the absence of any members who hold the rank of Meister. Holders of this rank are expected to work their way up to the rank of Meister.

Assistant Instructor: One who assistant-teaches at MEMAG in the absence of any members who hold the rank of Vorfechter. Holders of this rank are expected to work their way up to the rank of Vorfechter.

Schools Within MEMAG

Halbinsel Fechtschule

Halbinsel Fechtschule

The Halbinsel Fechtschule (Peninsula Fencing-School) in Salisbury, Maryland was the first School to open its doors within MEMAG. Today it is still the headquarters of the Guild, has the highest number of regular students, and hosts a variety of Guild events yearly.

Brücke Fechtschule

Brücke Fechtschule

Pennsauken, NJ. USA School

Elkton Fechtschule

Elkton, MD. USA School

See also

• Historical European martial arts
• German school of fencing

External links

• MEMAG Website[1]
• MEMAG Videos on Youtube[2]