Dr. Guy Windsor is a world-renowned instructor and a pioneering researcher of medieval and renaissance martial arts. He has been teaching the Art of Arms full-time since founding The School of European Swordsmanship in Helsinki, Finland, in 2001. His day job is finding and analysing historical swordsmanship treatises, figuring out the systems they represent, creating a syllabus from the treatises for his students to train with, and teaching the system to his students all over the world. Guy is the author of numerous classic books about the art of swordsmanship and has consulted on swordfighting game design and stage combat. He developed the card game, Audatia, based on Fiore dei Liberi's Art of Arms, his primary field of study. In 2018 Edinburgh University awarded him a PhD by Research Publications for his work recreating historical combat systems. When not studying medieval and renaissance swordsmanship or writing books Guy can be found in his shed woodworking or spending time with his family.
Get Them Moving: how to teach is now out!
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Hi! I hope this finds you well. I'm at home between trips, and the lovely Katie who normally formats and schedules my newsletters is away on a much-deserved holiday, so please excuse any irregularities as I create this announcement all by myself! This is just to let you know that my new book, Get Them Moving: how to teach historical martial arts is now available at the swordschool shop. It will go live on other platforms (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc etc.) in a few months, but you can get it now, here: https://swordschool.shop/collections/get-them-moving Here's the blurb: In
, I’ve distilled over twenty years of teaching experience into a comprehensive guide that’s as practical as it is motivational. Whether you’re stepping into the salle as an instructor for the first time or you’ve been teaching students for years, this book offers clear and actionable guidelines to improve outcomes for your students. From constructing effective lesson plans to overcoming the hurdle of imposter syndrome, I’ve laid out strategies and insights to elevate your teaching craft. Learn how to engage beginners with effective drills, run advanced classes, and how to incorporate the historical sources into your teaching.
This isn’t just a manual; it’s a mentorship in book form, designed to accompany you as you forge the next generation of martial artists. Ready to transform your practice into impactful teaching? Let’s begin. Here's a thought- you could get a copy for your historical fencing instructor... if they will take it as a friendly gesture, not a critique of their current skills! cheers, Guy |
Guy Windsor's Swordschool
Dr. Guy Windsor is a world-renowned instructor and a pioneering researcher of medieval and renaissance martial arts. He has been teaching the Art of Arms full-time since founding The School of European Swordsmanship in Helsinki, Finland, in 2001. His day job is finding and analysing historical swordsmanship treatises, figuring out the systems they represent, creating a syllabus from the treatises for his students to train with, and teaching the system to his students all over the world. Guy is the author of numerous classic books about the art of swordsmanship and has consulted on swordfighting game design and stage combat. He developed the card game, Audatia, based on Fiore dei Liberi's Art of Arms, his primary field of study. In 2018 Edinburgh University awarded him a PhD by Research Publications for his work recreating historical combat systems. When not studying medieval and renaissance swordsmanship or writing books Guy can be found in his shed woodworking or spending time with his family.
BOOKS PODCAST COURSES COMMUNITY BLOG Hi, Want to teach in Germany? My friends running Swords of the Renaissance, which I’ll be teaching at in August, are looking for a range of teachers to do short classes. If you’re just starting out as a teacher this is a good opportunity to get some experience. Here’s what they say: For the first time, we are launching an open call for Swords of the Renaissance on August 29–30, 2026 in Potsdam. We are looking for instructors for our break-out sessions. Do...
BOOKS PODCAST COURSES COMMUNITY BLOG Hi! Spring is here, at last. There’s pear blossom in my garden. A reminder for those of us north of the Equator that Summer is on its way, and for those down south, a reminder that Spring will come eventually. As you may recall Swordschool turned 25 last month, and I’ve finally hit ‘publish’ on a blog post about the School’s history, structure, and other things. You may find it interesting: 25 Years of Swordschool I’ve managed to update the Wiki with a lot...
BOOKS PODCAST COURSES COMMUNITY BLOG Hi! The Gathering of Wolves, in Cardiff last weekend, was a delight. It’s my first event in the UK for a decade (which is weird, right? I’ve literally attended more events in New Zealand than in the UK since I moved here). I taught two classes- one on I.33 sword and buckler, the other on Fiore’s zogho largo/zogho stretto distinction, and gave a lecture on solo training. They were all very well attended (about 40 students in each, I think), and each and...