This week Fran meets Aurora Simmons, longsword and armoured fighting instructor at Toronto Historical Combat in Canada.

We discuss the importance of creating training spaces that are welcoming to all genders: what to avoid and what to include.

Aurora also talks about her extensive background in martial arts such as taekwondo and jeet kune do, along with 15 years experience in HEMA alone.

In this episode Fran talks to Spencer Waddell: a champion fighter and title holder of many styles including reenactment, SCA, HEMA, AMMA, boxing, buhurt and light sabre.

We discuss his background and his unique perspective on heavy hitting in sword arts, when it’s appropriate and when it’s a bad idea.

To see what’s coming up in the pipeline you can support the podcast and content by becoming a Patron for as little as £1 a month.

Last week was the ninth anniversary of our inaugural event in 2017. Over thirty women HEMA fencers and instructors got together to learn historical fencing, and we have been building on this ever since.

Saturday we are hosting a URG sparring and coaching session in Godalming, Surrey. It’s free of charge and open to all schools. DM for details