The Dawn Duellists' classes are always open to new students, anyone who is keen to learn the fine arts of our noble weapons is most welcome to come along - 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 and our classes are open to all; designed to cater for experienced fencers while providing newcomers with a solid introduction to the art of fencing so that all may progress at their own pace.
With a foundation in the DDS core weapons; longsword, rapier, sabre and sword & buckler; members can go on to form study groups in new weapons if they so wish as well as continuing in classes.
Rapier Class Wednesdays, 7.30 - 9.30 pm, Kirk O'Field lower hall Rapier is on haiitus until further notice! Classes will resume when Jean-Loup Rebours-Smith has fully recovered from injury and had time to work on a new syllabus. Please get in touch if you are interested in joining the rapier study group.
Medieval German Longsword Class Tuesdays, 7.30 - 9.30 pm, 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 and has a dedicated study group.
Military Sabre Class Wednesdays, 7.30 - 9.30 pm, Kirk O'Field lower hall This class makes a departure from the style taught in previous years. 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 as students progress.
Sword & Buckler Class Wednesdays, 7.30 - 9.30 pm, Kirk O'Field Upper hall Led by Finn Bell, this course in sword & buckler is derived from the earliest known combat manual source, the i33 German Tower Manuscript, and aims to reconstruct one of the most widely practised Medieval sword-fighting arts.
Study Groups Mondays, 7.30 - 9.30 pm, 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 active members or visitor members.
Training fees
Active members and trial members*
£5 per session
Visitor members
£7 per session
*Newcomers who have not exceeded the 5 session try-it-out period.
Membership fees
Active membership
£30 per annum
Visitor membership
£2 per session*
*Included in training fee shown above.
Active 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.
You can just turn up but in order to help us organise classes on Wednesdays please do book your session if possible and please let us know if you are unable to make a session you have booked. Booking is free and (unless you are on one of the payment schemes) payment is made when you turn up for class.
We will endeavour to ensure that all the instructors are there each Wednesday but if you don't book your session, we can't guarantee their presence and can't give you prior notice if the class is unable to run (they do have lives). There are, however, 4 classes to choose from so if you come along there will always something you can join in with.
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
Get in touch
