I was reminded a few days ago of a conversation I had about four or five years ago. This wasn't the first time it happened, nor will it be the last. It comes up organically every once in a while whenever someone in earshot asks why some negative outcome is occurring in some field of the SCA.
You see, here's the thing:
Schola Minervae
This website is the center for the Schola Minervae, a guild in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) dedicated to historical fencing. Our predominant focus is on the Italian rapier systems of the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
Schola Minervae: remaking and relaunching
Salutations, Over the last year I have received constant similar feedback from the rapier community: many desire more clear goals, direct in...
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Don't Let People Be Bad
Friday, November 12, 2021
Lessons from Nintendo
I made an interesting connection this morning as I contemplated dusting off my NES Classic Mini and playing some of the more challenging games like Ninja Gaiden or Castlevania: those games use the same learning process as fencing should.
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Is This Attainable?
Kensey and I have recently ordered some dussack trainers, so a few nights ago we took to YouTube to watch people using them. In one video, we saw a guy who moved really, really well-- in total control at all times, able to pivot and flow and change directions and stop on a dime, all the stuff you'd want to see out of a higher end fighter. The contrast with the opponent was stark, though the opponent wasn't moving poorly. The difference in juxtaposition was just very obvious.
As we talked about what we were watching, she asked me: "Is that even possible for me?"
Sunday, July 18, 2021
Adaptations
It's not uncommon to see someone say they're "adapting" a historical system to suit their own needs with their fencing. On the surface, this sounds like a reasonable thing to do: after all, we're all different and we'll all need a tailored approach. The problem with this is that while true, it's also definitely not true. How can that be?
Saturday, June 5, 2021
But How Do You Know?
One very common question that comes up with historical fencing research is, "How do you know you're right?" This challenge arises because there are no living traditions and we're all working out of manuals of varying quality and even what's available is limited in scope. Confounding matters are the influences of modern and classical fencing, alongside the emergent adaptations that come with SCA or HEMA practices. How do we know?
Monday, May 10, 2021
89 is not 90
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Mistakes Are Data
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Kensey and I have recently ordered some dussack trainers, so a few nights ago we took to YouTube to watch people using them. In one video, w...
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I made an interesting connection this morning as I contemplated dusting off my NES Classic Mini and playing some of the more challenging ga...
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One very common question that comes up with historical fencing research is, "How do you know you're right?" This challenge ari...