This weekend I drove up to Ottawa for the Borealis Swordplay Symposium. It was a fantastic experience. Let me briefly outline what was so great about it.
The obvious thing is that I got a chance to learn some new stuff about the Western Martial Arts (aka, the Historic European Martial Arts or HEMA). There were top-notch instructors there. Sean Hayes, Devon Boorman, and Greg Mele came from out of town to teach several workshops alongside Jason Smith and Bernard Emmerich from the hosting Les Maitres d’Armes.
I took classes on use of the arming sword and dagger, use of the pommel and grip of a sword in fighting, and in the use and coordination of the whole body in fighting. I got a ton out of the classes. I can only hope I’ll remember a quarter of it.
There was also a lecture of the pourpoint (padded jacket) of Charles VI. It tickled my interest in sewing. I didn’t even know there was scholarly work done on how historical garments were made. How exciting!
The symposium also gave me an opportunity to make some new friends, some in HEMA, some in the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), and many from both. It’s good to meet like-minded people, so that one doesn’t feel like the only person in the world with an unusual hobby. One of these folks, whom I only knew from Twitter previously, was kind enough to offer me a place to sleep while I was there. I wound up having a great time, laughing a lot, and eating well. I met some of the best sword instructors in North America, and might so boldly even call them friend now.
I think one of the greatest highlights of the meeting for me was when Maestro Hayes thought I was a dancer. I guess something in the way I was moving made him think that. Apparently he wasn’t the only one. It completely floored me. It was quite a compliment, and makes me wonder if I might have missed my calling somehow.
There are other wonderful things that happened, too. I’ll write about them over time. Only one rotten thing happened: I came down with a nasty cold. But even though I felt like crap, I still had fun. My host and hostess were kind enough to let me stay an extra night at their house, because I didn’t feel well enough to make to 5 hour drive home. For their indulgence, I am eternally grateful.
Photos from Sunday’s Pas d’Arms can be seen on my Flickr page here.
Penny Higgins - Storyteller • Artist • Scientist 
Hi Penny,
I enjoyed drilling with you in the Combatives workshop – we worked on creating the thrust from porte di ferro mezzana. There is a lot in common between dancing and fighting. I am not the most graceful person, but I took years of Scottish Country Dancing as a kid. One of the steps is perfectly suited for the drill that Devon taught us of cut with a step, gather with the rear foot and cut to the same side, then repeat the pattern to the other side and keep going. While other were troubled by the footwork and the cut mechanics, I was able to focus on the cut mechanics. Yay. It is nice to have the occaisional advantage!
David
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Hi David,
It was a lot of fun. I certainly appreciated your patience while I was flailing about. I certainly learned a lot (which I will promptly forget), and look forward to my next trip up to Ottawa for more sword-y fun!
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