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Keith Farrell will be visiting us from Friday the 21st of June until Sunday the 30th of June. He will be available for private tuition, and will be running a variety of seminars and clinics while he is in Glasgow.

Friday 21st June – private tuition

Keith will be available for private tuition on Friday the 21st from 1pm until late in the evening.

Private tuition is an excellent way to address problems you are finding in your training and performance. The one-to-one nature of private tuition means that an experienced instructor can work with you alone to give you exactly the input and high quality repetitions you need to improve your skills and solve a problem that you might be having.

To book a slot for private tuition, please contact us here.

Saturday 22nd June – dussack seminar

Keith will be teaching a dussack seminar on Saturday the 22nd of June, from 1pm-4pm.

The dussack was a 16th century training tool for any and all single-handed swords. We will explore this role and examine how we can use our dussacks to learn more about historical fencing with other swords, whether single- or two-handed.

Places are limited, with a maximum of 16 tickets available, due to space in the venue.

The price for pre-booking through the website is £20, and this will guarantee your place at the event. If there are any tickets left, then you can pay on the day, but the price will rise to £25. Any paid-up AHA member is entitled to a 10% discount on the ticket price.

Booking is available through our website: https://www.vanguardcentre.com/shop/events-seminars/dussack-with-keith-farrell/

Saturday 22nd June – coaching clinic

On Saturday the 22nd of June, from 4:30pm-6:30pm (after the dussack seminar).

Instructing at a HEMA club is a difficult thing to do, requiring a huge variety of different skills, without even considering the HEMA skills and knowledge you need to possess to be able to pass along! During this clinic, Keith will highlight a few key items that are part and parcel of instructing, and will then open the floor to individuals to ask questions or request help with specific instructing issues.

Places are limited, with a maximum of 16 tickets available, due to space in the venue.

The price for pre-booking through the website is £15, and this will guarantee your place at the event. If there are any tickets left, then you can pay on the day, but the price will rise to £20. Any paid-up AHA member is entitled to a 10% discount on the ticket price.

Booking is now available through our website: https://www.vanguardcentre.com/shop/events-seminars/coaching-clinic-with-keith-farrell/

Sunday 23rd June – longsword and coached sparring

On Sunday the 23rd of June, from noon-3:00pm.

The topic will be: “Flugelhaw, Schlaudern, and Schneller.”

There are some techniques that appear in the 16th century material that are quite stylistic of the Gemainfechten (“common fencing”) or guild fencing approach at the time. Working with these key techniques gives us an insight into the mentality and approach to the fight, which was probably quite different from the doctrine of Liechtenauer. This lesson will examine the three techniques of the Flugelhaw, Schlaudern, and Schneller, and offer an approach to longsword fencing informed by these ideas.

This session will be perfectly accessible to beginners and more experienced practitioners alike. You amount of (or lack of!) experience will not pose any barrier for this lesson.

After the taught lesson concludes, there will be the opportunity to do some coached sparring with Keith and with other participants.

Places are limited, with a maximum of 16 tickets available, due to space in the venue.

The price for pre-booking through the website is £20, and this will guarantee your place at the event. If there are any tickets left, then you can pay on the day, but the price will rise to £25. Any paid-up AHA member is entitled to a 10% discount on the ticket price.

Booking is now available through our website: https://www.vanguardcentre.com/shop/events-seminars/longsword-and-coached-sparring-with-keith-farrell/

Blacksmithing at The Vanguard Forge

As always, Paul, our resident blacksmith, will be here through the month of June to teach you to make a variety of different items in the forge. Coat hooks, pendants, fire strikers and more! Check out our blacksmithing workshops page to find out what we have to offer.

Gift vouchers are available and make excellent Fathers Day gifts! Get in touch to make a booking at the Vanguard Forge.

Assistant Coaches

Stuart, Victoria and Ben have been familiar faces at the Vanguard Centre for a while now and will be helping to run classes. We are hoping to have some extra classes running through the summer with our assistant coaches taking the lead.

Classes at The Vanguard Centre

Regular classes at the Centre will be running as usual with Highland broadsword and targe being our subject of Scottish Fighting Arts this month.

We will be making some changes to archery sessions next month to accommodate archery beginners and give our regular archers more time for shooting. We will still have regular sessions on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays so you can get your archery fix!

You can also book some private tuition with us! Private parties, stag and hen parties as well! Get in touch if you would like to book your event with us.

New reading material

A completely new translation of the anonymous commentary on the Zedel of Johannes Liechtenauer, forming a 15th century treatise on three subjects: Fencing on foot with the longsword, fencing on horseback with lance, sword and dagger, and fencing on foot with lance, sword, and dagger.

The work contains a poetic translation of the Zedel and plain, straightforward translations of the commentaries to provide a smooth reading experience perhaps closer to that of reading the original document. You can purchase your copy from our online shop.

Kishinkai Aikido

Nathan from Kishinkai Aikido will leaving us for pastures new! His last class at The Vanguard Centre will be on Wednesday the 5th of June at 6pm. We would just like to say what a pleasure it has been having Nathan teach at the centre and that we wish him all the best on his new ventures.

That’s all for this month, to keep up to date on our day to day activities, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tumbler pages.

What’s on

May Day Archery

Monday the 6th of May we will be hosting some additional archery drop in sessions to our schedule. You can join us at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm for drop in archery sessions. Suitable from ages 8+, all equipment and instruction will be provided. No need to book, just come along and have a go! Under 15 year old £5, 16 year old and over £7.50. Please note that children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult at all times while visiting the Centre.

German Longsword Beginners Course

Ever wanted to learn to use a big two-handed sword? Now is your chance with our Beginners Longsword Course!
Starting on Saturday 11th of May 2019, and running every Saturday for 6 weeks, with the exception of the second week, which will be hosted on Sunday the 19th or May instead of the Saturday, we will be hosting a course teaching the fundamentals of using the Longsword in the late-medieval German style.

This form of swordsmanship is characterised by strong bio-mechanical positions and the angles of attack needed to get around them, as well as logical and methodical tactical play – studying this weapon provides a great mix of the athletic and the academic!

This course is intended for those with little to no martial arts experience, and for those who may have a grounding in other fighting arts but have never investigated European fighting styles or edged weaponry.
Through the 6 lessons, participants will get a basic understanding of the history, terminology, mechanics, techniques and tactics associated with this weapon in a safe and friendly environment. This course will also be an ideal stepping-off point into further study and practise of martial arts, including the foundation needed to attend our regular German longsword drop-in sessions at the Centre. 

Full equipment will be provided by the Vanguard Centre as part of the course, but suitable clothing and footwear must be brought by each participant.
The course will cost £70 for 6 lessons over 6 weeks, with passes available for purchase through our online shop. This also includes a copy of The Academy of Historical Arts – German Longsword Study Guide. Please make your payment in person at the venue (we can accept both cash and card), or through our online shop (we can accept card or PayPal).

Book your place here: https://www.vanguardcentre.com/shop/events-seminars/beginners-longsword-course/FacebookTwitterPinterestShare

Blacksmithing at The Vanguard Forge

Paul, our resident blacksmith, is here to teach you the basics of forging. As summer is fast approaching, why not get booked in to make yourself a toasting fork for barbeque season? We have plenty of other forging sessions available including our fire striker session, pendant forging, beginners blacksmithing course and more! For more information click here:https://www.vanguardcentre.com/classes/blacksmithing-in-glasgow/ Or to book a session you can contact through our contact form or call us on 07477234020.

Schedule of classes

Something for everyone at The Vanguard Centre, all of these classes are drop in classes so come along and try your hand at some historical fencing or archery. Our Introduction to HEMA is a free class, perfect for those of you looking to find out what HEMA is and the different sword disciplines taught here at the Centre. We have archery sessions on Monday evenings, Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings from 10.30am until 12 noon. For a full timetable of scheduled classes click here: https://www.vanguardcentre.com/classes/

Easter Holidays – Archery

As April plays host to the Easter break, we are running some extra archery sessions on Mondays. We will be hosting 1 hour long drop in sessions from 1pm until 5pm on April 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd. Under age 16, £5 per session and 16+ , £7.50 per session. We also have some special offers on small group bookings for archery during weekdays, so if you are looking for something fun to do why not give us a call and book in for some archery fun!

The following offer is subject to availability. Tuesday to Friday between 1pm and 5pm. This offer is only available from April 2nd until April 23rd 2019. Suitable for ages 8 years +. Full payment to be made at the time of booking. To make a booking call us on 07477234020.

• 1 hour archery for 4 people – £30
• 1 hour archery for 6 people – £45
• 1 hour archery for 8 people – £60

Price changes at the Vanguard Centre

As a small business we try to keep our prices as reasonable as possible for all of our wonderful customers. Unfortunately, the rising costs of running a small business means that from time to time we do have to implement small price increases so that we can continue to provide the services and activities that we have here on offer at the Centre.

We appreciate the continued support of all of our regular and new patrons and hope that you will all continue to frequent the Vanguard Centre. Our price increases will be in effect from April 1st 2019. You can find the price changes in the table below:

ACTIVITY	CURRENT PRICE	NEW PRICE
Introduction to Blacksmithing 1 session	£60	£65
Introduction to Blackmithing 4 session course	£210	£230
Pendant forging session	£65	£70
Private Parties per hour	£60	£12 per person with a minimum charge of £60
Private tuition per hour	£20 member £20 non member	£20 member £25 non member
5 session pass	£35 member £40 non member	£40 member £45 non member
10 session pass	£60 member £70 non member	£70 member £80 non member
Drop in forging session- invitation only	£15 member £25 non member	£18 member £28 non member

April Sparring Day

We try to have at least on dedicated sparring day every month at the Centre, and this month it will be hosted on Saturday 20th.

Starting from 1pm we will have the hall ready for students and guests to come and put in some serious practise time duelling for fun, experience and challenge! This session is open to all HEMA practitioners to come and throw their gauntlet in the ring and play with friends, foes and other folks – basic level safety equipment and some weapon simulators are available to loan, but fencers are encouraged to bring as much of their own as they wish to use.

Coaching, advice and competitive preparation are available from the Vanguard Centre instructors, as well as refreshments, photography and even dance-cards for they shy or unorganised! Tickets are available from our website, here: https://www.vanguardcentre.com/shop/events-seminars/april-sparring-day/

Our Instructor is on Team GB!!

Jonathan, our resident HEMA instructor, has been selected by the organising committee of the European Games to represent Great Britain and Ireland at this summers event in Minsk, alongside other top-notch fencers. He has already begun his reconditioning and diet (which he hates!) in order to be fighting fit for for the end of June, and will be spending some days away to train with other HEMA schools and other members of the Team GB delegates for himself and the rest of the team to fine-tune his skills for competition.

Jonathan will also be helping to organise fundraising and media awareness for himself and the rest of the Team GB delegates in the months to come. Watch this space for updates about HEMA at the European Games 2019 and our training, funding and promotional progress, or better yet, come in for some classes and help Jonathan train yourselves!

New Book Launch

Presented within this book is an investigation of the Company of Liechtenauer, tracing their connections and influences through archival records spanning more than a century. Scholarly Fencing is contrasted with what was referred to as ‘Common Fencing’. This book demonstrates the Aristotelian and Scholastic approach that defined the secret Art of Liechtenauer, and describes the science of sword-fighting in the 15th and 16th centuries.

About Swords, Science, and Society: German Martial Arts in the Middle Ages

In medieval Germany, combat was a matter of life and death, and knowing the Art of Fencing was to have control over it: to have the power to save or take lives. Those who knew the Art of Fencing kept such knowledge as a closely guarded secret.

In 15th century Bavaria, a small and secretive fellowship of fencing masters encoded their knowledge into a cryptic and arcane verse. Their Art, the ‘one true art of the sword’, was reserved only for the initiated. At the head of this fellowship was a grand-master known as Johannes Liechtenauer.

Presented within this book is an investigation of the Company of Liechtenauer, tracing their connections and influences through archival records spanning more than a century. Scholarly Fencing is contrasted with what was referred to as ‘Common Fencing’.

Separating the ‘common’ from the ‘initiated’, this book demonstrates the Aristotelian and Scholastic approach that defined the secret Art of Liechtenauer, and describes the science of sword-fighting in the 15th and 16th centuries.

This is the newest title to our ever growing collection of HEMA books. To purchase a copy visit our shop https://www.vanguardcentre.com/shop/books/swords-science-and-society-german-martial-arts-in-the-middle-ages/

Beginners Longsword Course

Ever wanted to learn to use a big two-handed sword? Now is your chance with our Beginners Longsword Course!
Starting on Saturday 11th of May 2019, and running every Saturday for 6 weeks, with the exception of the second week, which will be hosted on Sunday the 19th or May instead of the Saturday, we will be hosting a course teaching the fundamentals of using the Longsword in the late-medieval German style.
This form of swordsmanship is characterised by strong bio-mechanical positions and the angles of attack needed to get around them, as well as logical and methodical tactical play – studying this weapon provides a great mix of the athletic and the academic!
This course is intended for those with little to no martial arts experience, and for those who may have a grounding in other fighting arts but have never investigated European fighting styles or edged weaponry.
Through the 6 lessons, participants will get a basic understanding of the history, terminology, mechanics, techniques and tactics associated with this weapon in a safe and friendly environment. This course will also be an ideal stepping-off point into further study and practise of martial arts, including the foundation needed to attend our regular German longsword drop-in sessions at the Centre.
Full equipment will be provided by the Vanguard Centre as part of the course, but suitable clothing and footwear must be brought by each participant.
The course will cost £70 for 6 lessons over 6 weeks, with passes available for purchase through our online shop. This also includes a copy of The Academy of Historical Arts – German Longsword Study Guide. Please make your payment in person at the venue (we can accept both cash and card), or through our online shop (we can accept card or PayPal).

Book your place here: https://www.vanguardcentre.com/shop/events-seminars/beginners-longsword-course/

Ahoy, everybody! 

Spring might not have sprung just yet, but we will still spring into action this March with plenty of fun activities for you! We have some new courses available, lessons from one of our favourite historical manuscripts, and a new beginners course for first time swordfighters.

Beginners Broadsword Course

In the wake of our successful Longsword Course, we have another introduction level course on the 17th century regimental broadsword, starting on Saturday 9th March.

The course will take place over six weeks until April 13th, and will feature lessons in the movements, cuts, guards and tactics of the system, drills and sparring, and a chance to try test-cutting with a real blade. Participants will also receive a copy of Roworth’s “The Art Of Defence On Foot” which is our primary source for this example of historical martial arts.

The course will be an ideal start to a career in historical fencing, as well as excellent source of information and entertainment!

Full information and tickets are available here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/345635342949823/

Scottish Fighting Arts

The Scottish Fighting Arts classes at 8 o’Clock on Tuesday nights takes a different weapon for study each month, and in March we have chosen to explore the sword and buckler. This flexible combination of one handed straight sword and small shield (typically between 15cm and 30cm) was commonly used for self defence and dueling in the medieval period and beyond, and was known to be popular with the aristocracy of Scotland after an education on the continent. The buckler was also a common sight in the raiding parties of the border reivers in the 17th and 18th centuries.

In these sessions we will be learning the medieval German method shown in manuscript known as 1.33 or Tower Fechtbuch, which shares a lot of concepts with later German fighting traditions, but with some changes in tactics to make use of the shield, and some very fancy footwork!

Scottish Fighting Arts (buckler), Tuesday nights at 8.00pm

New Blacksmithing Course

Paul our blacksmith has been hard at work re-organising the workshop and the services we can provide, and is happy to announce that we will soon be able to host a Firestriker making workshop. Often referred to as a Flint and Steel, this tool will be hand-forged before being heat treated and incorporated into a fire starting kit in a protective tin, complete with all the items and instruction needed to start a camp-fire.

Make a booking

Get full details on the course and find out how to make a booking by contacting us here.

March Sparring

Never willing to let our skills and sense of healthy competition dwindle for too long, we have scheduled the afternoon of Saturday, March 30th to be our regular sparring meet. This will be an evening session, starting at 4.00pm, where participants can find opponents to play with and get supervision and coaching for their fighting. Some weaponry and safety gear will be provided for light sparring, as well as refreshments between bouts!

The sparring session will cost £10 per person (£8 for members), or count as one box of a session pass.

Hello friends and fans of The Vanguard Centre! We have a month of fun, forging and fencing planned in February.

Saturday morning archery

It might have been a bit quiet last month, but now we are making more noise about our fourth drop-in archery session every week – now a regular feature on Saturday mornings! Between 10.30am and 12.00 noon you can get the same experience of indoor target shooting that we host on Mondays and Thursdays. This session is perfect for people who have busy work schedules that do not allow for evening activities, or for those that can only make it into the city on the weekend.

Try coming along for a round of shooting before your Saturday shopping spree or lunch in town with friends. Better yet, bring your friends along too!

February open sparring day

Once again, we bring back a full day-long sparring session for every HEMA fighter that wants a bout or two, or twenty! The sparring will be hosted in the afternoon of Saturday 23rd. Along with the same plan as our monthly sparring meets last year, we will provide plenty of play space, some equipment, coaching and reinforcement for those who wish it, and all the tea and biscuits you can consume to assist your training! Tickets will be available in our shop for pre-purchase. If you are part of another HEMA club around Scotland, why not gang together and bring your tournament team over for some fun with us and the other Glasgow fighters?

Sparring day, 1.00pm onwards, Saturday 23rd February.

Regimental broadsword beginners course

Following the success of our beginners course in the fundamentals of German longsword, we are hosting a similar six week course for Scottish basket hilt broadsword throughout March and April.

The course will begin on Saturday March 9th at 1.00pm and run until April 13th. As part of the course participants will be provided with a copy of The Art Of Defence On Foot by Charles Roworth, a key historical source in the study of Scottish swordsmanship. The course will feature lessons in the cuts and guards of the system, footwork, tactics and training games from the period, culminating with sparring matches, antique handling of real swords from the era, and even cutting with a sharp sword!

Places for this course are limited due to hall space and we expect it to be quite popular, so get in quick!

Scottish fighting arts classes

In February our Tuesday night class, studying the weapon systems and military tactics prominent in Scottish history, will move back to the fan favourite Highland Broadsword and Targe! This combination of small shield and sturdy cut-and-thrust sword allows for a lot of flexibility compared to the military doctrine of regimental broadsword. Being able to defend and attack at the same time, as well as transfer mechanics from one hand to the other, makes this fighting style wonderfully dynamic, but prone to clumsy pitfalls that make it a lot harder than it seems!

The four Tuesday night classes through February aim to give fighters a basic understanding of using this weapon pairing and learning some tricks a wily highlander would use against a less canny swordsman!

Highland Sword and Targe, 8.00pm on Tuesday nights.

Blacksmithing lessons and membership

We run blacksmithing classes by arrangement, so you can schedule a class or even a full beginners course at your convenience. After completing the beginners course, there are options for joining our team of hobby blacksmiths and working on your own metal projects around the anvil – it’s worth it for the camaraderie and spirit of the forge alone! We recommend getting in touch via the contact form on this website and planning your lessons early!

Other opportunities

We are available for private bookings seven days a week – whether it be for solo private tuition, or an exclusive group training session, we can sort it out for you.

Private tuition or coaching for HEMA, archery or smithing can be made weekdays between 10.00am and 5.30pm with enough advanced notice, and weekends up to 10.00pm after scheduled classes have finished for the day. Get in touch via the contact form and let us know what you want!