Andy Deane of the Royal Armouries presents a course based upon the techniques employed by the RA in their reconstructions of medieval and Renaissance Masters.

Congratulations to John Rudin III and Michael Cramer, winners of the Chivalry Sports scholarships for this year's symposium!

"Oyez Oyez!

"Be it known that the Schola Saint George, having been completely overwhelmed with the response from the first Symposium--held in May of 2001--
have determined to bring together another Western Martial Arts (WMA) event--this year with even more instruction and accommodating even more than the 156 attendees present at last year's Swordsmanship Celebration.

"This year our venue will remain the same, but we will be erecting an additional classroom tent outside to accommodate three full tracks. Come and share your experiences and learn principles and tricks from swordmasters and practitioners renowned worldwide for their scholarship, skill and conduct. Meet the authors who are creating Chivalry Bookshelf titles. Test your skills in the medieval Pas d'Armes or in the Renaissance Prize Playing. Share your thoughts and experiences at our Saturday night medieval feast."

Note that this is not a reenactment event; this symposium is unaffiliated with any society and the opinions and techniques demonstrated may have limited application within the context of other forms of combat. During the Pas d'Armes, Medieval Dinner and Fencing Tournament, appropriate clothing is to be encouraged but not required. Combat standards for the tournaments will be published separately.
 

Here are a highlight of confirmed event highlights--more are being added every day-- (or look at all the events!):

• CHIVALRY SPORTS has graciously sponsored TWO scholarships for the Swordsmanship Symposium!
• Michael Cawelti and Bob Charron are teaming up to bring a class on leveraging medieval manuals for stage work!
• Gus Trim and Jim Alvarez will host the cutting practice using the Oriental mats--come test your technique, free of charge!
• Friday night "Vespers" tournament rules posted. Please comment on SFI thread!
• Maestro Sean Hayes of the  will be teaching a course on 19th century Italian Dueling Sword!
• It looks like we'll be joined by Andrew Deane, Fight Construction expert from the Royal Armouries at Leeds! See the events page for more details.
• A special discounted rate is available from the nearby Hampton Inn, only $69 per night! (sign-up by May 24th)
• Steaphen Fick (Davenriche Academy) will once again offer his Sweatnam class, plus a second course on teaching swordsmanship to women.
• Ramon Martinez of the Martinez Academy of Arms (NY) will teach an all day Spanish Rapier seminar. Jeanette Acosta-Martinez will also present a course on the small sword.
• Stephen Hand of the Stoccata School of Defense (Sydney, Australia)--a favorite from last year's Symposium (on so many levels!)--will teach two courses--"Bad Rapier Fencing: An English Problem and an English Answer--Joseph's Swetnam's Single Rapier," and an ALL DAY course--"George Silver: Last of the Medieval Swordsmen."
• Pete Kautz, (NY), renowned expert on knife and unarmoured combat from Alliance Martial Arts, will present an all day seminar on Sunday, plus another to-be-accounced class on Friday.
• Christian Henry Tobler, (CT) author of the recent book SECRETS OF GERMAN MEDIEVAL SWORDSMANSHIP will this year do a hands-on course presenting the German Meisterhau and one on German halfswording techniques.
• William Wilson, (Flagstaff, AZ) principal of the renowned Tattershall School of Defense and author of the forthcoming ARTE OF DEFENCEand longtime expert on the rapier, will be presenting several classes.
• Bob Charron (Madison, WI) of St. Martin's Academy and author of the forthcoming ITALIAN MEDIEVAL SWORDSMANSHIP  will give at least one class relating to his work with Fiore de Liberi.
• Greg Mele of the Chicago Swordplay Guild will present remarks in the opening segment plus a class TBD
• Paul MacDonald of MacDonald Academy (Edinburgh, Scotland) has also consented to teach not one but two classes; one on the backsword of the 17th and 18th century, the other on the spiritual side of fencing and fighting. Gracious thanks to Steaphen Fick for moving their to-be-conflicting event to allow both he and Paul to attend.
• Tom Leoni (Virginia) will present a full-day course on Fabris' rapier work, a very fine and polished interpretations for both beginners and advanced swordsmen.
• MORE INSTRUCTORS are definately trying to work this event into their schedule. CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE LIST.
• A grand pas d'armes tournament for both rebated and behourd-style weapons. Come see how other folks play!
• Cutting practice--try out those techniques and see what they do!
• LOTS of open sparring with instructors and practitioners from all over the country!
• Renaissance and medieval courses planned--many more are in process--stay tuned!
• A medieval-style dinner to celebrate the tournament
• A rapier "playing for the prize" will be held on Friday night!

The Site: Taking place in picturesque old Livermore, California, just outside of the San Francisco Bay Area, the venue for this event will be a large building dressed for the occasion. "The Barn" has sufficient space to handle even a medium-sized tournament and a large dinner in-doors, so our tournaments are not at weather-risk. The site carries its own insurance (expensive, but worthwhile). We will section it into two zones, one for each "track". Weather permitting, we may also have a third track outdoors.

"The Barn": 3131 Pacific Avenue, Livermore, CA. Click here for the appropriate Mapquest link.

Day-pass registrations will be available at the door at a price of $60 per day or you can Register now to ensure your space in the classes of your choice!

Meals: Although a light breakfast of pastries, juice and coffee will be available at no charge on Friday and Saturday, and sandwich lunches available all three days, there are many interesting restaurants within a short driving distance of the event. Click here for a listing. Dinner will be the responsibility of the attendees, although we are contemplating an on-site BBQ on Friday, if people are interested.

Saturday Night Dinner: We will be serving a medieval-style dinner on Saturday night, during which we anticipate an open forum discussion on chivalry, the tournament and the medieval martial arts. Tickets for this dinner are $12.50; there is a limit of 70 spaces. Remaining tickets the day of the event will be $15.00. This dinner will also serve as the "close" for the pas d'armes, during which specific deeds worthy or renown are generally discussed.

Lodging: Several hotels are located close to the site, within reasonable walking distance. Click here to see a list of local hotels.

We have negotiated a discounted rate at the nearby Hampton Inn, which runs a free shuttle service around the Tri-City valley area, including to the Symposium. The rate is only $69 per night (including continental breakfast), but you'll need to mention that you're with the Schola St. George to get this rate. It is good from the 6th to the evening of the 10th; reservations must be placed no later than the 24th of May.

  Hampton Inn Livermore
2850 Constitution Drive
Livermore, CA 94550
1-925-606-6400 tel.
Map and Transportation
 

Transportation: The closest airport is Oakland International, but inexpensive flights might also be obtained for San Francisco International (SFO) or San Jose International (be sure you select the one in California...). Transport to Livermore is easily handled by shuttle or rental car.

Vendors: Space has been allotted to allow vendors to sell products of interest to Medieval or Renaissance martial artists. Vendors will be provided with a 2' x 8' table; a vendor reservation includes one full conference entry and 1/4 page advertisement in the event's Proceedings. Vendors must be registered no later than April 17th, so sign up now!.