Hi! Historical Martial Arts have come a long way. When I started out, there were no maps, no guides—just manuscripts and guesswork. Now? There’s so much material out there, beginners often don’t know where to start. That’s why I’ve created something new: Introduction to the Art of Arms: Get Started in Historical Martial Arts This set of online courses gives you a clear, structured introduction to the Art of Arms. Minimal gear and no prior experience required—just curiosity. We start with: ✅...
12 days ago • 1 min read
BOOKS PODCAST COURSES COMMUNITY BLOG Hi! I’m just back from the Sword and Balkan event in Belgrade last weekend. It was a great trip, with some of my absolutely favourite rapier bouts (my classes went pretty well too). I’ve written up a review of the event here. I had a day to look around Belgrade while I was there, and can 100% recommend the National Museum. I’ll be writing that up properly in due course, but in the meantime, two highlights: Bronze Smith, ca 700BC "The Traitor" by Pavle...
19 days ago • 3 min read
BOOKS PODCAST COURSES COMMUNITY BLOG Hi! Online Course progress As you know I’m working on the Introduction to Historical Martial Arts course, designed to introduce beginners to the historical, martial, and artistic elements of this pursuit. It’s a worthy challenge- in other words, it’s very difficult to get right, but I can’t delegate it to anyone. I’ve cracked the overall structure and the technical side of how it’ll be delivered, so I’m now working on the actual individual components of...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi! I have to confess my mojo has been at a pretty low ebb for the last couple of months. There’s no obvious reason why, but I haven’t written a word in any of my current book projects, and while I did manage to edit and publish the new Vadi course, that was about it for creative juices flowing. I’m inclined to associate this with the very annoying cholesterol results I got back from a routine health check at the end of March, which lead me to drop alcohol altogether for a month. Clearly my...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Hi! Exciting times at Swordschool this week... first up, renowned historian, curator, arms and armour expert, and jouster Dr. Toby Capwell has released his famous lecture "The Scoliotic Knight: Encounters with Richard III" on video for the first time. The discovery in Leicester of the grave of King Richard III (1452-85) raised many new questions. The skeleton’s severe scoliosis revealed that the twisted physique of William Shakespeare’s ‘Black Legend’ was based on fact. But how could someone...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi! Thanks to everyone who bought the new Vadi Longsword Course. It was great fun to make it, but even more satisfying when people actually want it. I’m happy to report that Jo York and I are recording the rest of my interpretation this very week! Which leads to a good day at the office: Followed by an even better day at the office! There will be some bonus material added to the Longsword course in due course, and probably an entire separate course with Vadi's dagger plays. We're also...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi! Oh my did my last email ever fall foul of the deliverability gods. It had about a quarter of the expected open rate, and several regular subscribers got in touch to say it had landed in the "this is crap" folder. I had a word with support and I think it's the link formatting that's done it. So, if you're looking for the new Vadi course, it's here. The discount will expire on Monday. The point I was trying to make in my last, totally useless, email was that the course covers the full...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi! Every martial art is a way of moving and a set of tactical preferences. A martial artist fails under pressure when the pressure prevents them from moving correctly, or applying the correct tactic. There's a huge gap between knowing the choreography of a movement, or the basic position represented by one of Vadi's guard illustrations, and actually being able to apply the technique or concept. In the new Vadi course we establish the way of moving (as I see it), and go through all of Vadi's...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi! When I get to the end of a major project I usually clear my desk and have a general tidy up. It’s then very likely that I’ll spend some time making something physical. There’s something about editing video that makes doing woodwork a psychological necessity. Pretty much the moment I hit “Publish” on the new Vadi course I went out to my shed and got to work cleaning and sharpening my most-used chisels. As I was slotting them back into their rack, I thought it was about time I upgraded...
2 months ago • 4 min read