Hi!

It’s been a very good couple of weeks. I’ve hit two major milestones: my Angelo transcription is complete, which means I can start work on the actual fun stuff of interpretation, explanation, and training methods. Hurrah!

And a top-secret project is on course to launch on the school’s 25th birthday, March 17th.

It will be a free, gorgeous thing you can print at home, or get professionally printed.

Should I say more?

OK, here’s a hint:

Yes! the excellent Katie Mackenzie has laid out my Vadi translation matching the style and colours of the original manuscript. And she has created print files for a luxurious hardback, with a complete, straight, facsimile of De Arte Gladiatoria, with my translation laid out to match. She’s also created the cover files.

There are a couple of minor tweaks to make, but then the files will be distributed entirely free. No sign-up required, share it as you like, 100% completely free.

Happy Birthday to us!! And what can I say, I’m hopeless at keeping secrets. Expect links etc. on March 17th.

It’s very important, what with all this beavering away at stuff on the computer, to keep up with physical training. You probably know I use a standing desk, and the only things to sit on in my study are a kick pad, an exercise ball, and a weights bench.

But I have just upgraded my training options with this glorious bit of kit:

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Yes, a cable machine. It’s great for pull-downs (the one thing I couldn’t really do in my setup before), and also exercises like “kneeling fendentes”, “standing sottanos”, “posta longa, baby” and so on. No, you won’t find those on standard weight-training apps.

I’m putting together a set of exercises on the cable machine that are specific to training in swordsmanship, but I’d be interested to hear any suggestions: any cable machine exercises that you find particularly useful for your own training.

Reply to let me know!

On The Sword Guy podcast: Armoured Martial Arts, with Jenny Häbry

Jenny Häbry is an armoured martial arts competitor who has crowned UK's best female fighter in both 2022 and 2024, and again in 2025. And since 2024 has served as the Women's National captain. She has founded her own team, and her favourite discipline is pro fighting, where she remains undefeated. In 2025 she secured three World Championship gold medals, further cementing her place as one of the sport's leading fighters. Jenny also travels worldwide, sharing her expertise and passion through teaching. She runs Armoured Martial Arts Nottingham with UK men’s team captain Daniel Winter.

In our conversation, we find out what the modern sport of Armoured Martial Arts involves; the different elements of competition, the physical risks, how Jenny trains, and what this very small sport needs to grow. We also hear about her titanium armour!

Jenny also tells us about her recent trip to America, where the sport is much more popular. Here’s a photo of her winning the crown in the first female five-round championship fight:

cheers,

Guy

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