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By the Sword

Events and Podcasts on Historical Martial Arts

  • Home
  • Book me to teach
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    • Portraits by David Holbrook Photography
  • Online coaching
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New PDF: Starting HEMA

swordswomen's avatar swordswomen August 25, 2025

Over on my ko-fi I’ve just launched Starting HEMA, a beginner’s guide. This guide is what I would have wanted when I first looked into HEMA and when I just started. It takes you through what HEMA is, everything you should consider before you start, what to expect at the beginning, and how to get the most out of this hobby.

Here’s what else I’ve been posting about this week:

🥲Feelings of inadequacy in our beloved hobby and ways to deal with them.


💪🏼Top tips to get yourself out of a training plateau.


📅Coping with post-event blues and returning to the nine to five.


⏰Work life balance and fitting in your hobbies.


📝What we are taught and what we are expected to pick up – how I’m changing my teaching approach to include these essential skills.


⚔️Weird things about swordfighting that are actually very normal.


🏆What happened when I finally quit tournaments.

  • event

Artemis 2026

swordswomen's avatar swordswomen August 9, 2025

Coming in June 2026, Artemis is a women’s retreat with an edge. Held at a castle in Wiltshire this exclusive event with a small number of places allows sword women to hone their fencing, share skills, and embrace community.


Selling out in less than 24 hours we have now started a waiting list. Get in touch for details.

  • event

Monthly Womens/URG Sparring and Coaching

swordswomen's avatar swordswomen August 5, 2025

We have recently started a monthly coaching and sparring session in Godalming, Surrey.

Hosted by The School of the Sword, these gatherings are open to all women and URG fencers and are free of charge.

So far we have had a great turnout from some talented and enthusiastic fencers. Followed by a social trip to the local pub, this is a great opportunity to connect with the wider HEMA community, share experiences, and make friends.

If you want to stay informed about our next meet up, contact me using the button below.

Contact us
  • event

Bartitsu Extravaganza

swordswomen's avatar swordswomen February 8, 2025

29 March 2025 By the Sword presents:

Mses. Garside, Ireland and Kirk in

A Bartitsu Extravaganza!

The perfect workshop for Edwardian ladies, gentlefolk and gentlemen, you will learn how to handle ruffians and ne’er do wells in a variety of capers and consequences.

Featuring classes on cane, pugilism and grappling, you will learn the art of self defence following the teachings of Edward William Barton-Wright.

Book promptly for early bird price £35

£40 after 10 Feb.

Broadwater School Sports Centre, Godalming, Surrey

18 and over only

Tickets available here

  • event

Flowers of Battle: Fiore Dagger and Unarmed

swordswomen's avatar swordswomen March 20, 2024

This month we were proud to host two brilliant instructors in a Fiore double bill Seminar.

Emilia Skirmuntt of the UK taught classes in Dagger, and Kimberleigh Roseblade from a Canada came especially to teach unarmed grapples and defence.

The event was a sold out success thanks in part to an enthusiastic contingent and support from our friends at the Exiles. Attendees were from many different clubs and levels of experience, and we even had participants fly in from Ireland and Sweden.

Follow Emilia and Kimmie to see where they are teaching next, and follow By the Sword to keep up with all of our events.

Kimmie shows Bruno the hand
Emilia demonstrates a grapple on Mike
A Fabulous Flock of Fiore Fans

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