Bladeworks Workshops

At Bladeworks we always strive to provide a good mix of workshops for our visiting HEMA practitioners, allowing us to accommodate a range of skill levels and interests, whilst keeping everything fun and enjoyable.

For 2026 we’re delighted to have a wide range of instructors and topics, listed here, with full detail below.

Workshop detail

Colin Fieldhouse (Schola Gladiatora)

Colin is an instructor in the Schola Gladiatoria group. His main focus for the past 15 years has been British sabre from the Georgian/Napoleonic age. His primary source was the Roworth (1798, 1804 and 1824) series of manuals as well as Mathewson and others. He has taught at events across the UK, runs the Kings of the North event and is a fairly regular judge at the Ecky Thump competition series.

Workshop 1: Swords in the Age of Black Powder

Swords in the Age of Blackpowder is a lesson that will look at why edged weapons still played a vital role in the age of black powder firearms. Using Nerf and other foam dart guns as stand ins for the real thing, the lesson will be taking the inspiration from primary source compilations such as Kindesley and others to recreate scenarios from history where blades and firearms met on the field.

Workshop 2: Mathewson’s Introduction to Sabre

When Mathewson wrote his manual in 1805, the threat of invasion from Napoleonic France was at its height. Mathewson’s manual was aimed at all who wanted to be able to defend themselves, should the need arise and also be useful to many volunteer units that had sprung up across the nation. He was a veteran of the British army who travelled around cities across the United Kingdom, learning from many different teachers both during and after his time in service. He finally composed his manual whilst living in Manchester.

This lesson will look at Mathewson’s manual and his advice on getting to grips with his system and how to start with the basics of his style of fencing.

Chris Halpin (York School of Defence)

Cutlass Chaos: Napoleonic Fencing and Boarding Actions

In this workshop we’ll take a peek at the use of the cutlass in British service during the Napoleonic Wars. We’ll begin with some cutlass basics and progress on to some group games and boarding action shenanigans based on period sources. Expect chaos, disorder, NERF guns and many excuses to swash your buckle.

You will need a fencing mask and a pair of light gloves. Groin protection is also recommended if you need it! Whilst we initially drill you are welcome to use any steel cutting sword as your cutlass simulator, (backswords, broadswords, spadroons, messers with a heavy glove and sabres will all be ideal), but when we move on to some fun and games all participants will be using foam swords for safety. If you have any foam sabres or broadswords please bring them along for the class, we will be bringing a large number of our own to loan out to people.

Lauren Ireland (York School of Defence)

When Lauren’s not being all medieval and stabbing people with a Messer, she’s usually stuck in the early 20th century, beating people up with sticks, fists, feet and gravity. Baritsu and everything it both stole from and inspired are major passion of hers and there are few things Lauren enjoys more than exploring that world via the publications of the eccentric mixed martial artists who came before.

Savate Workshop:

It’s 1900, and the streets of Paris are filled with gangs and thugs and danger around every corner, or so the papers say. But fear not! Because, you are French, which means you already have the best defensive weapons in existence… Your feet. Join us in learning Savate, the art of beating people up with kicks, stomps and, most importantly, style!

Kit requirements: groin protection is highly recommended if your anatomy calls for it Shin pads if you have them Appropriate footwear (no big boots or super hard soles, we don’t want you breaking your training partner!)

Paul Reck (Goat’s Head Historical Fencing)

Dussack – Slapping, Stabbing and Striking; Using ALL of The Weapon

In this workshop we will look at using every part of the weapon to defend ourselves and to offend our opponents.

Through the lens of Meyer Dissack we will explore options from the “Drei Wünders” to use of the flat, pommel and guard to attack, manipulate and defend.

Mark Penman (York School of Defence)

Mark is a current assistant coach at the York School of Defence and ex instructor at Manchester Historical Fencing. Mark has been punching things in some form or another for the past 20 years and enjoys sharing his love of The Sweet Science of Bruising with others.

On the Trail of the Kayo Kid- (An introduction to pugilism ala Jack Dempsey)

Have you ever wanted to learn how to throw a punch? Have you ever wanted said punches to pack some serious explosive power? Have you ever wondered what would happen if a year-old baby fell from a fourth-floor window onto the head of a burly truck driver, standing on the sidewalk? Are you now wondering how this has any bearing on punching? Well lucky for you Jack Dempsey aka The Manassa Mauler covers all this in his excellent instructional book Championship Fighting!

This class is an introduction to the fistic arts through the lens of Dempsey’s teachings. We will cover some absolute basics in terms of footwork, stance and how to keep yourself safe whilst punching. We will then move on to the principle methods he believes lead to punches that pack a serious… well you know. These principles focus on using your whole body and mass to throw heavy HEAVY punches. We will look at a standard set of punches and see just what Dempsey’s advice is for transforming them into the type of blow that will earn you the nickname The Kayo Kid.

This session is for total beginners or boxing curious folks in general. Expect to be ducking and diving, dodging and weaving and making some terrific noises as you obliterate the training pads with your booming blows!

Kit requirements are-

  • Grit
  • Determination
  • Your own two fists
  • A smile
  • And a gum shield if you are feeling spicy
  • Oh and a groin guard. Always a groin guard.

Ross McKane (Medieval Combat Group)

Liechtenauer Longsword

Title and details forthcoming!

Ross Bailey (Medieval Combat Group)

Leckuchner’s Messer

Title and details forthcoming!