Classes
Current classes
The Dawn Duellists Society is always keen to welcome new members, especially those new to the study of historical fencing. The aim of the society is to allow its members to study the aspects of European swordmanship that appeal most to them. However, in order to start these studies you will need to understand the fundamentals of fencing principals - one cannot study Shakespeare until one can read, after all.
It is for this purpose that we provide classes every Wednesday from 6.30-8.30pm in Harry Miller Hall, Kirk O'Field Church, Brown Street, Edinburgh, to which all members and newcomers are most welcome. These classes are designed over the period of a year to provide a newcomer to the art a foundation in the DDS core weapons: longsword, sabre, rapier and wrestling/dagger.
We have two weekly study group sessions, where members work together to study treatises and hone their skills. These sessions take place at Kirk O'Field Church on Mondays from 7.30-9.30pm and Wednesdays from 8.30-10.30pm, after the 6.30pm classes.
We have also recently added a Sunday session for advanced classes and study. These run from 1pm to 3pm, at Kirk O'Field Church. From January 2009, we will also be running an extra session on Tuesdays, from 7.30-9.30pm.
If you are new to the arts we strongly advise that you attend Wednesday classes first.
Prices for these sessions run at £4 for members and £5 for non-members. If you attend both sessions on a Wednesday, the cost is £6 for members and £7 for non-members. Membership is set at £22 per annum. These costs go to cover the hire of the hall and insurance. We are a non-profit organisation and instructors teach for their love of the art not financial payment.
Please note that for insurance reasons the DDS cannot accept members or attendees to its classes under the age of 18.
Classes for 2009
Study groups
German Longsword Drill Class
This session specifically aims to drill the basics of German Longsword from treatise study encompassing a variety of manuscripts including Lichtenauer and Goliath.
Wednesdays 22 April-July 2009 6.30-8.30pm
Military sabre instruction by Ian Macintyre
This class will concentrate on the use of the military sabre of the Victorian era, specifically the system devised within the DDS known as the Leith School. This school is based upon a number of C19th sources most famously Cold Steel by Captain Alfred Hutton.
The class will have two aims: to teach the specific techniques of the school and then hone the techniques so that they can be relied on in freeplay. Therefore the first eight weeks or so shall concentrate on learning the system whilst the second half of the course shall be dedicated to improving the students ability to perform them under pressure.
Requirements for the class are: Comfortable clothing, 1600N fencing mask, gloves, body protection, arm guard, sabre.
Some equipment will be available for lending to newcomers.
Study groups
Study groups
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