Victorian Duelling Sabre Beginner Course
HEMA in Glasgow: Broadsword and sabre classes at the Vanguard Centre.
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Victorian Duelling Sabre Beginner Course

£90.00
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A 6 week introductory course in Military Sabre and Regimental Broadsword. Great for the aspiring HEMA-ist! Come and learn the basics of cut-and-thrust swordsmanship and become a dashing hero.

Let us know what level you are entering the course at, so we can put together the best experience we can for you.

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Description

In the 1800s, through the Victorian era and Belle Epoque in Britain and Europe, the sword and its user were still held as the martial ideal among the empires and cultures of the world, despite the advances in technology and firepower reducing the likelihood or even need for hand-to-hand combat. Regardless, expert fencers and duellists still persisted, and refined the art of swordplay into its final form – the duelling sabre. Informed by the works of renowned explorer, soldier, author, and sportsman Alfred Hutton from the 1860s, we have put together this short course on fencing with the sabre for athletic exercise, tactical competition, and exciting history lessons.

This 6 week course has been designed to get you familiar with the basics of early modern military fencing, so you can get the best start to your career as a historical martial artist! This is not modern Olympic style fencing, but functional combat with one-handed swords based on teachings from historical masters and military training manuals from around 100 to 150 years ago, for self defence, duels of honour, or military skirmishes – most likely for sport between gentlefolk of an adventurous nature!

Basic 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 ยฃ90 for 6 lessons over 6 weeks, with entrance available for purchase through our online shop.
The lessons are scheduled at 7.30pm on Wednesdays, on the 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th of November, and the 3rd & 10th of December 2025.

05/11/2025 Week 1: Intro to the sword, the first cuts and guards, basic footwork
12/11/2025 Week 2: Further cuts, further guards, drilling with an opponent
19/11/2025 Week 3: The thrusts and their counters, distance, range, and timing
26/11/2025 Week 4: Feints and deception – how to get to your opponent
03/12/2025 Week 5: The complete fight, bringing all the basic elements together
10/12/2025 Week 6: Sparring games, and end of course tournament

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