MASHS Free Play Sunday!

[Sir Brian]

Attention All,

My HEMA group, MASHS (Mid-Atlantic Society for Historic Swordsmanship) will be having a Free-Play Sunday November 24th at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis, Maryland from 2:30 PM until 4:30 PM. Free-play essentially means that instructions will be limited to allow for unlimited bouts. The normal $10.00 floor fee is also waived making this truly a ‘Free Play’ Sunday so come out to play! 

Pip Moyer recreation center is located at:
273 Hilltop Lane
Annapolis, MD 21403
(410) 263-7958

[Sir William]

Sir Brian, how's the I.33 program coming along?

[Sir Brian]

Larry is still working on the curriculum but intends to start classes in January. Last Sunday I loaned one of the assistant instructors Paul Wiedorn my steel side sword so he can have an example to work with on making an aluminum version as a cost effective alternative to steel or synthetic blades.  If you want to start I.33 with us in January you can or you could start earlier and get some instruction on longsword since we have a new crop of novices start with us a few weeks ago.

[Sir William]

I am very interested in the I.33 program...and absolutely none in longsword.  I'll leave it for my much-more suitable brethren, I just can't seem to grasp it in a way that would make me more formidable.

[Sir Edward]

My HEMA group, MASHS (Mid-Atlantic Society for Historic Swordsmanship) will be having a Free-Play Sunday November 24th at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis, Maryland from 2:30 PM until 4:30 PM.

I might be able to do that! I'm horrifically out of shape though. Haven't done anything since WMAW. At least we can bang up my saber some more though.

I am very interested in the I.33 program...and absolutely none in longsword.  I'll leave it for my much-more suitable brethren, I just can't seem to grasp it in a way that would make me more formidable.

Well, one word of warning-- whichever sword you fall in love with, it can become a "gateway sword" for wanting to learn the others. Heh

[Sir William]

That's the dream, Sir Edward, that's the dream.  I remember when I first got interested in real swords, which occurred shortly after I realized there was a difference between those and the $20 wallhangers at the local flea mart (lol), it was all about the huge, two-handed beasts a la Type XIIa and XIIIa.  Having handled a few of each type, I realized I wanted something less massive but still beastly looking and the Crecy fit that bill to a T.  But I wasn't in love with it...or longsword- in my very limited experience anyway.  There's always hope.

[Sir Brian]

I am very interested in the I.33 program...and absolutely none in longsword.  I'll leave it for my much-more suitable brethren, I just can't seem to grasp it in a way that would make me more formidable.

Well, one word of warning-- whichever sword you fall in love with, it can become a "gateway sword" for wanting to learn the others. Heh

Perhaps in addition to I.33, you should consider the Italian dueling saber if you do not care for the longsword. It offers a great balance of speed, athleticism and finesse yet isn't too demanding on precision to be skilled. 

My HEMA group, MASHS (Mid-Atlantic Society for Historic Swordsmanship) will be having a Free-Play Sunday November 24th at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis, Maryland from 2:30 PM until 4:30 PM.

I might be able to do that! I'm horrifically out of shape though. Haven't done anything since WMAW. At least we can bang up my saber some more though.

I was hoping you'd be able to come!

[Sir William]

Perhaps in addition to I.33, you should consider the Italian dueling saber if you do not care for the longsword. It offers a great balance of speed, athleticism and finesse yet isn't too demanding on precision to be skilled. 

Just perfect for me, then.  Point taken, Sir Brian! 

[Sir Brian]

Oh btw since you are interested in I:33 you might want to buy one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Medieval-Art-of-Sword-Shield-The-Combat-System-of-Royal-Armouries-MS-I-33-/181059568195?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item2a27fdc243#ht_1277wt_758

They are getting really hard to find now. I just bought one to replace the one I gave to Larry so he can develop the lesson plans. Seriously, they are apparently out of print now. 

[Sir William]

Oh btw since you are interested in I:33 you might want to buy one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Medieval-Art-of-Sword-Shield-The-Combat-System-of-Royal-Armouries-MS-I-33-/181059568195?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item2a27fdc243#ht_1277wt_758

They are getting really hard to find now. I just bought one to replace the one I gave to Larry so he can develop the lesson plans. Seriously, they are apparently out of print now. 

Hey man, good looking out!  Bought it- I should get mine between Monday and Wednesday next week according to the checkout page.

[Sir Brian]

Well MASHS free play session was a great deal of fun and well attended. It was great seeing Matt Walsh and Josh Yeager back into training. The second hour of the session was a ‘one touch’ duel round robin tournament where the winner of the first match becomes the king and all subsequent challengers get to choose the weapon for the duel and all ties (double hits) go in the favor of the king. You get to see a lot of different weaponry and no single person was king for very long. Those that were phenomenal with one or two weapon types were challenged with weapons they had little or no experience with. There were enough dagger duels to prompt me to order these! I think we should seriously consider including them with our demonstrations as ‘back up’ weapons! What say you brethren? 

http://www.woodenswords.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DR%2DGuy%2EBookSet

[Sir James A]

Sir Brian, sounds like a fun addition