The Dawn Duellists Society is always happy to welcome new members and students, our only requirement is that you are over 18. The aim of the DDS is to encourage the study and practice of historical fencing and European martial arts. To this end, while catering for experienced fencers, our classes are designed over the period of a year to provide a newcomer to the art with a foundation in the DDS core weapons: longsword, sabre and rapier.
Agrippa Rapier Class Mondays fortnightly, 7.30 - 9.30 pm, 16th January - July, Kirk O'Field lower hall The Dawn Duellists Society is proud to introduce the works of Camillo Agrippa to its students as its third term of Wednesday classes for the year 2011. Led by Jean-Loup Rebours-Smith, a student of the sword since 2003 and a keen rapier enthusiast, the class will teach you the basics on how to wield and duel with the rapier using this fascinating system.
Medieval German Longsword Class Tuesdays, 7.30 - 9.30 pm, 6th September - December, Kirk O'Field upper hall Train and fight using the medieval German Longsword system! Led by Martin Page, this class is mainly derived from Lichtenauer's Goliath text. The class is open to everyone from complete novice to experienced longsword practicioner and is run on a drop-in basis. You can come along any week of term and get started right away.
Military Sabre Class Wednesdays, 7.30 - 9.30 pm, 16th January - July, Kirk O'Field lower hall This year sees the start of a brand new course in Military sabre with a departure from the Leith School of Sabre. Led by Gregory Rickeard, our most excellent sabreur, the class will be taught using Waite's sabre system with elements of Hutton's sabre system making an appearance later in the course.
Sword & Buckler Mondays fortnightly, 7.30 - 9.30 pm, 23rd January - July, Kirk O'Field Upper hall Led by Finn Bell, this new fortnightly course in sword & buckler is derived from the early German source, Tower Manuscript i33. The class will follow the structure of the German longsword class; catering for all levels and allowing more experienced fencers to progress, while still being accessible to beginners.
Study Groups Mondays, 7.30 - 9.30 pm, 9th January - July, Kirk O'Field Upper hall Monday evenings are given over to the various DDS study groups. Here members get the opportunity to study their own field of interest and the course-work is made! These groups are usually only open to experienced fencers but you can ask your instructor if there is a study group for your class if you are interested in extra practice.
Newcomers get one free session and a trial period of four weeks at the paid membership level of £5, after which they can decide whether to become paid members or pro-rata members.
Training fees
Paid members and newcomers
£5 per session
Pro-rata members
£7 per session
Membership fees
Paid membership
£30 per annum
Pro rata members
£2 per session*
*Included in training fee.
Paid members have, among other advantages, access to further reductions in fees for classes, workshops and events. Please see here for full details.
All fees go to cover the hire of the hall, equipment and insurance. We are a non-profit organisation and instructors teach for their love of the art not financial payment.
Events
Forthcoming events See our events listings for details of DDS events and events from other fencing groups in the world of historical martial arts.
Workshops
Upcoming workshops See our workshops listings for details of DDS workshops and workshops from other fencing groups in the world of historical martial arts.
Contact Us
Get in touch Drop us an email or find out where we are and come along.
Forthcoming events
Upcoming workshops
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