Schools of Fence

Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog

Representative: Don Quinn Kerr

1. Philosophy and technique both influence and direct each other in a continuum.
2. Cooperative Effort
   1. We all respect each other. Make each other better and create an identity.
   2. Teach to learn. Each individual’s point of view is valid. Reinforce basics.
3. Fence sooner. Make it active and fun. (The Bog’s learning style is not for all. We lose people we don’t want to lose.)
4. Flow. Footwork is developed through movement. Deliberate flow with confidence and balance. Cuts as equal focus.
5. Train for endurance (indirectly). Fun. Concluda et pugna.

East Kingdom/Parts Unknown/Terra Infirma (Close Enough?)

Representative: Don Pierre de Tours, OGR

1. Fencing is relatively simple.
2. First mistake is taking a “guard” position. Instead, take a “ready” position.
3. Form follows function.
4. Don’t get in your own way mentally.

Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands

Representatives: Master Michael Alewright and Illadore de Bedegrayne

1. Not one school but based on the strength of various fencers.
2. Mind learns faster than the body. Get new fencers suited up and doing as soon as possible.
3. Change up teaching to suit various learning styles.
4. A recent shift to martial over sport orientation.
5. Keep it fun!

Shire of Coppertree

Representative: Mistress Rhiannon the Curious

1. Top-heavy shire. Tend to overload new fencers.
2. Encourage fencers to travel as shire is on the border.

Barony of Blackstone Mountain

Representative: Jethro Stille

1. Borders Midrealm (deal with harder hits).
2. Distance: fast head shots.
3. Saviolo drives dagger work.

Shire of Misty Highlands

Representative: Katherine Vivan

1. Do our own thing together.
2. Calibration and safety important.
3. Talk after bouts.
4. Snatch and grab from other areas.
5. Hand sniping.

Shire of Sunderoak

Representative: Miguel Flores (Sort of)

Two Influences

1. Don Corwin Montgomery: Capo Ferro with line fencing influence. Gets beginners up and running safely.
2. Don Christian de Launey and Lady Sasha Grey: recent additions to our Kingdom and our practice brought greater emphasis on circular and angular movement.

Dominion of Myrkfaelinn

Representative: Don Aldan Kerr

1. Cornell University provides space. Seasonally have an influx of new fencers in the fall — usually keep a few.
2. More schlæger oriented.
3. Footwork and blade drills the first three weeks.
4. Thorpe — aggressive.
5. Matteo — calibration.
6. Take fencers to events.

Barony of Delftwood

Representative: Don Ian Muir called Keyard

1. Persevere.
2. Present the basics, let them fail, and encourage students to stay in the game.
3. Some fencers are very technical, others are more groove/feel oriented, but students need to ask.