About
Reykjavik
hema club
We are a group dedicated to the practice and study of HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) - the historical part means that the techniques we study are copied from manuals written hundreds of years ago. Unlike modern sword sports such as Olympic Fencing, nothing here has changed since the time when you life could rely on your sword hand.
Reykjavik HEMA Club was formed in 2019 by a group of experienced HEMA practitioners, with the core ideal inclusivity, and the core goal of putting Iceland on the international HEMA map. The longsword holds a position of honor in our club, and we mainly reconstruct Joachim Meyer‘s manual from 1570: Gründtliche Beschreibung der Kunst des Fechtens.
What we teach
Longsword
A two handed sword with a lot of potential.
Whether you want to cut your opponents, stab them, bash them with the pommel, grapple with them or end them rightly, the longsword gives you the best of every world. We teach longsword mostly from Joachim Meyer‘s 1570‘s manuscript, but we dabble in other masters from time to time.
Sword& Buckler
A one-handed sword and a small shield used together can be a formidable combo.
The shield can be used to protect yourself or control the opponent. The sword does both of those but it adds to the fray nasty attacks, usually working from the bind. We teach S&B mostly from the I.33 manual from the 1320‘s.
Sabre
A one-handed weapon, usually with a curved blade and a strong guard to protect the hand.
Was developed at the end of the 17th C. and was used very efficiently on horseback. The curved and heavy blade would drop enemies quickly.
Rapier
A one-handed sword, very slender.
Most often pierces the opponent, as it‘s hacks and slices are usually not the best. It has been stated in modern times that the rapier should be the weapon of choice in a duel out of all the other weapons.
Montante
A giant two-handed sword popular in the 16th C.
This weapon is a good bodyguard weapon, and spinning it around uses a lot of flourishes to keep enemies at bay until you - and the person you are guarding – can safely get away. We teach montante mostly from Figueyredo (1651) and Godinho (1599).
Our Council
Rúnar Páll
President
&
Trainer
Atli Freyr
Treasurer
&
Trainer
Þórkell Ólafur
Vice-President
Þórður Páll
Secretary
Reykjavik HEMA CLUB
Youth
Tuesday: 16:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 16:00 - 17:00
Friday: 16:00 - 17:00
Adult
Tuesday: 17:00 - 19:00
Thursday: 17:00 - 19:00
Friday: 17:00 - 19:00
Laugardalsvöllur
Reykjavegur 15,
104, Reykjavík,
Iceland
Tel: 845 1073