Welcome to the Dawn Duellists Society website

The Dawn Duellists Society is a historical fencing group studying the martial art of fencing, based in the centre of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. We aim to replicate as closely as possible the study of the arts of fencing in Western Europe from the 13th to 19th centuries.

Among our instructors and members we number some of the country's foremost swordsmen, who give weekly classes. Our studies cover disciplines as wide ranging as medieval longsword or sword and buckler through rapier and smallsword to the military sabre and classical fencing arts of the 19th century.

If you are interested in studying with us please look around this site, contact us or even better, come along to one of our classes - we are always keen to see new faces. However, please note that for insurance reasons the DDS cannot accept members or attendees to its classes under the age of 18.

DDS news

DDS hosts BFHS Autumn Exchange: We are delighted to host the British Federation for Historical Swordplay Autumn Exchange for 2008. This event will take place in Edinburgh over the weekend of 27 and 28 September 2008. Find out more about the Autumn Exchange here.

DDS adds Sunday session: We have added a fourth session a week on Sundays. More details on our classes here.

DDS class schedule for 2008: We have details of our 2008 classes here.

Closure of CoDDS: After many happy years in re-enactment the DDS have decided to concentrate solely on historical fencing and the Company of Dawn Duellists is no more. Several DDS members have become founding members of The Company of St Margaret who are carrying on the good work.