Nordic Swordsmanship

[Tokmirr]

Hi all. Does anyone know of a good guide, or book for learning Nordic Swordsmanship? Simple question, not sure if there is a simple answer or not thought. :)

Tokmirr

[calumthug]

I can't vouch for it, but the only manual that I have seen can be found at the rennstore. I can;t remember the adress either, but its a lead.

[Der Einzelgänger]

I think I would look into German Swordsmanship actually.

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1429695.html?menu=news.quirkies


Germans blamed for Viking invasion

German arms dealers have been blamed for the Viking invasion of Britain after archaeologists found the swords they used were made in Germany.

The new research has discovered that German weaponsmiths were actively selling their swords to the Viking invaders around the 9th century AD.

The Norse invaders who terrorised the British coastline laying waste to towns and villages were all kitted out by master sword makers from the Rhine.

Russian and Norwegian scientists working with the Russian Museum of Ethnography in St. Petersburg made the discovery by decoding individual stamps used by ancient smiths to mark their work, which linked the swords to the German ancestors.

According to the scientists, the Vikings all used the German-made steel blades that were much prized because they did not break, even during the fiercest fighting, and were of the highest quality.

[Cottatt]

Try here, their system, IMO, is pretty authentic...

http://www.jomsvikings.com/training.php

(Video Available at the bottom of the page...in NTSC and PAL format)

[Sigurd]

Germans blamed for Viking invasion

German arms dealers have been blamed for the Viking invasion of Britain after archaeologists found the swords they used were made in Germany.

The new research has discovered that German weaponsmiths were actively selling their swords to the Viking invaders around the 9th century AD.

The Norse invaders who terrorised the British coastline laying waste to towns and villages were all kitted out by master sword makers from the Rhine.

Russian and Norwegian scientists working with the Russian Museum of Ethnography in St. Petersburg made the discovery by decoding individual stamps used by ancient smiths to mark their work, which linked the swords to the German ancestors.

According to the scientists, the Vikings all used the German-made steel blades that were much prized because they did not break, even during the fiercest fighting, and were of the highest quality.

that here made me laugh out loud. I guess it is a british source. Cause the british general public always blames Germans (incl Austrians) for everything :rolleyes:

[Der Einzelgänger]

Haha, Yes, I think I saw somewhere that the parent company is British...

[Liffrea]

that here made me laugh out loud. I guess it is a british source. Cause the british general public always blames Germans (incl Austrians) for everything

No we don't blame the Germans for everything. Just all foreigners. :p


I am actually interested in learning Germanic swordsmanship myself. Sword play though I imagine would not have much finesse given that Germanic blades were designed to deal heavy slashing blows and either cut an opponent open or just bludgeon him to the ground. Our ancestors were no nonsence kind of people and in a shield wall there is little room for fancy tricks.

[calumthug]

It would make sense that the germans would supply good swords, since there wasn't much in the way of high quality steel in scandinavia.


No we don't blame the Germans for everything. Just all foreigners. :p


I am actually interested in learning Germanic swordsmanship myself. Sword play though I imagine would not have much finesse given that Germanic blades were designed to deal heavy slashing blows and either cut an opponent open or just bludgeon him to the ground. Our ancestors were no nonsence kind of people and in a shield wall there is little room for fancy tricks.

I guess that means what you mean by "Fancy". Having studied swordwork for a number of years now, I know that a lot of delicate work can be achieved with a 5lb sword. In fact, a heavy weapon does demand a bit more skill to not get oneself killed. :D

You're definitely right about there not being much room for fancy tricks in the shield wall. Even in the sheild wall though, there is a place for a little skill. From the Wisby battle site, some corpses bear wounds to the back of the head that may have been from the back edge of a sword.

Anyone experienced fighter, especially one who trained with wasters,which was a common medieval practice, could develop a level of skill and finesse with a 5lb sword that would amaze most people. :)

Ryan

[pinlighter]

Try here, their system, IMO, is pretty authentic...

http://www.jomsvikings.com/training.php

(Video Available at the bottom of the page...in NTSC and PAL format)


Surely this is a re-creation group, a bit like the SCA?

Nothing whatever wrong with that - these groups are good things - but is it the place to lear real swordsmanship???

[Cottatt]

Surely this is a re-creation group, a bit like the SCA?

Nothing whatever wrong with that - these groups are good things - but is it the place to lear real swordsmanship???

Unlike the SCA, the group I was referring to are known for historic authenticity; the only period group with a better reputation is Regia Anglaurum (probably spelt wrong) but there system is similar and Regia don't do training videos (although their 'boss' Kim Stibbons is a well nown authour of texts about Viking-age combat).

Re-enactment is a good place to learn swordsmanship, as, although many groups use fully scripted fights, the majority does not; a 5lb sword can kill whether a honed blade or not; thus re-enactors have to take combat very seriously.

The techniques learned with a broadsword can easily be transferred to a walking stick in a self-defence situation.

In the states, the only 'authentic' swordplay organisation I can reccomend are the International Swordplay Symposium.

[Son Of Odin]

There isn't a real nordic Swordmansship. As far as i know there was no real technique.. i mean... i know the German swordfighting is a real craft and a very long study which can still be done in the Netherlands for instance. the 2 best fighters of the world give lessons and training for the german western swordfighting style

How i know they are the best? They have won the World Championship western swordfighting for the second time already and i have some movieclips availlable for those who are interested.... if you want to see them, pm me for them and i'll give you a link.

anyway. Back to nordic swordfighting, like i said, i doubt that there is a real technique.. if i am correct it was just a matter of who was quicker and better with the sword.

[Liffrea]

I guess that means what you mean by "Fancy". Having studied swordwork for a number of years now, I know that a lot of delicate work can be achieved with a 5lb sword. In fact, a heavy weapon does demand a bit more skill to not get oneself killed.

Over committing being the main problem. Ive handled a few axes that Huscarls trained with. Very good weapons. But careful timing is needed. Miss and thats it. Ive always favoured the theory that axemen were sprinkled in tiny packets through the shield wall and were defended by spearmen who could ward an enemy off if the axeman had not delievered a wounding blow.


You're definitely right about there not being much room for fancy tricks in the shield wall. Even in the sheild wall though, there is a place for a little skill. From the Wisby battle site, some corpses bear wounds to the back of the head that may have been from the back edge of a sword.

Hmmm could these injuries be from when the shield wall broke and they were running for their lives?


Anyone experienced fighter, especially one who trained with wasters,which was a common medieval practice, could develop a level of skill and finesse with a 5lb sword that would amaze most people.

Yes I agree. It is nackering work though!

[pinlighter]

Unlike the SCA, the group I was referring to are known for historic authenticity; the only period group with a better reputation is Regia Anglaurum (probably spelt wrong) but there system is similar and Regia don't do training videos (although their 'boss' Kim Stibbons is a well nown authour of texts about Viking-age combat).

Re-enactment is a good place to learn swordsmanship, as, although many groups use fully scripted fights, the majority does not; a 5lb sword can kill whether a honed blade or not; thus re-enactors have to take combat very seriously.

The techniques learned with a broadsword can easily be transferred to a walking stick in a self-defence situation.

In the states, the only 'authentic' swordplay organisation I can reccomend are the International Swordplay Symposium.


Thank you. I have done sword fighting freeform with blunts: but the problem is that "pulling" the blow must be practiced until it is an instinct or you'll kill someone.

I know of one guy who stopped recreation fighting and trained himself out of "pullng" blows by slashing sticks in half for months.

He could not go back!! Too risky.

However I am no expert at all . . ..



I should really get this video and watch - it sounds interesting

[Cottatt]

pinlighter - Thank you. I have done sword fighting freeform with blunts: but the problem is that "pulling" the blow must be practiced until it is an instinct or you'll kill someone.

One technique I teach is known as the 'Italian Grip'...esentually, rather than pulling the blows, the weapon is mainly held by the two fore fingers & thumb (with the other two fingers 'guiding'), enabling it to 'roll' across your opponant, in a real combat situation, a full grip would be used.

[Loki's Advocate]

When you're hitting someone for real, whether with a sword or just with your hand, you keep everything as relaxed as possible until the moment of impact (one of the reasons why timing is so important).

A good way to pull blows and not have one's technique suffer is simply to tense up the arm somewhat and keep it tense up until the point of contact; your speed won't be all it could be, but the motions will remain exactly the same, and you won't be hampered when you want to hit someone properly.

(Hrothgar, send me those links please? I am suitably intrigued.)

[Liffrea]

Is anyone here in a reinaction group?

[Cottatt]

Is anyone here in a reinaction group?

Have been, spending some time cross-period training this year, will be going full-hog again with Viking group based in Nottingham next year...I have some re-enactment contacts in Derbyshire...

[Liffrea]

Have been, spending some time cross-period training this year, will be going full-hog again with Viking group based in Nottingham next year...I have some re-enactment contacts in Derbyshire...

I am interested in getting involved. If you could pass on details I would be grateful. :)

[Cottatt]

I am interested in getting involved. If you could pass on details I would be grateful. :)

Where abouts in Derby are you?

Regia Anglorum are a nation-wide living history group, they do have a group in Derby email: membership@regia.org

Alternatively, if it's just the combat side, I have a few phone numbers, but you'll have to email me for them: cottatt@aol.com

[Son Of Odin]

here in the Netherlands we have more swordfighting groups, in all category's, i think the best one although its not nordic is Amek, there they teach you the german style indeed.

And i agree about the Jomsvikings .. they have a pretty good training aswell which comes close to authentic

[Eoghan Odinsson]

I practice the German Longsword via www.thearma.org

I run a study group at my house every Saturday outside DC.