A.S.E.M.A
Auckland School of European Martial Arts
A school dedicated to the study, practice and
re-establishment of cultural and historical Martial Arts from Across Europe and through out the ages as functional Martial Arts and Traditions
Our schools main focus is the longsword tradition of Master Liechtenauer a system which spans from the end of the 14th century through the 15th and into the 16th century.
Our curriculum focuses on the study and interpretation of Liechtenauers Zettel & the Nürnberger Handschrift sometimes attributed to Hans Dobringer as our primary sources with all later masters of the Liechtenauer tradition as secondary sources.
Our interpretations are aimed at reconstructing the knightly arts to align with the original principals and techniques of the system in as realistic and faithful a manner as possible.
One of our present focuses is on using both what the master says to do and not to do as a way of instilling good basic practices that would be recognizable to any swordsman of the period.
We do not rush into assaulting or freeplay as this only instills bad habits especially in modern practitioners with limited or no exposure to swords and swordplay.
Once members have a reasonable level of exposure to longsword it strongly suggested that they begin attending our weekend grappling sessions as the Liechtenauer tradition and for that matter all medieval martial arts are grappling based systems, and at closer range rely significantly on grappling techniques along with unarmed strikes, kicks and sweeps.
Knightly Systems and Medieval Martial Arts
The Age of Knights, Nobles, Heraldry & Heroes
FREE TRIAL
First two classes at no Charge
Main term classes Tuesdays and Thursdays
Dunkirk road activity centre in Panmure
Under 18's 5pm-6pm
Adults 6pm-8pm
Saturday Sessions and Special Events
Mt Wellington Private Residence
Public displays available
Contact us for more information.
Knightly Arts beyond Longsword
Beyond the foundation of Longsword and Grappling, our more experienced members are expected to start developing their skills in the other weapons in the Liechtenauer tradition of knightly martial arts across Messerfechten (falchion or long knife) Sword and Buckler fighting along with Dagger Fighting.
This then allows practitioners in our tournament and NZSEMA tournaments to fight in multiple weapon arts along with mixed weapon fights.
As the Liechtnauer tradition is what we would call a "complete system" Longsword and grappling provide a base of techniques which can be adapted to other weapons and the principals and methodology of the art do not change.
However every weapon has it's own techniques and variations of common plays.
An expanding Curriculum
Beyond the swords arts of the Knightly Martial Arts of the Liechtenauer tradition we are working to expand our curriculum to include Spear Fighting and Pollweapon fighting.
We have now run spear and staff a few times during out of sequence months and hope to include spear fighting in tournaments.
Once we are able to safely apply spear fighting at full contact we will move towards including pollaxe fighting before moving into the Harnischfechten (Harness Fighting) section of the art, for those who invest in either historical maille and plate or modern plastic plate.