A beginners questions...

[Sebastian Liem]

Hi forum users,

I'm on the verge of beginning to study WMA, but first I will, if I may, mine these forums of knowledge. As for previous experience I've tried some techniques from Ringeck and trained the basics of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.

I’ve done some homework and I'm getting a long sword waster from Little Raven, they seem to be good, and Guy Windsor's The Swordsman’s Companion. For a primary source I'm planning to use an online version Fiore's Fior di Battaglia, I would rather have a physical copy but I haven’t been able to find one. Any other works you might suggest, and if you do why?

As for the physical side of things it seems that I'm a quite bit from any fellow student of WMA, I live in Lysekil, Sweden. But I might be able to spar once a month, if I'm lucky, with a friend of mine in Stockholm. But it will be much solo training for me, if not my exercise spark an interest in someone.

I'm planning to do 30 minutes of solo training, 10 minutes of 'jumping the rope' and 5 minutes of stretching everyday. Sounds good, any suggestions? I'm looking into constructing a pell for some pellwork, 15 minutes a day?

As for ARMA membership I understand that you must be 18 or older, alas I'm only 16 years old. Nonetheless I want to ask if ARMA in Sweden have anything that might help me, such as if they have any seminars open for the public.

Thank you for your time,
Sebastian

[Jaron Bernstein]

You might want to contact Svard and Lindholm of ARMA Sweden. They are probably closer to you and have literally written a (very good) book on Ringeck.

[Douglas S]

For a primary source I'm planning to use an online version Fiore's Fior di Battaglia, I would rather have a physical copy but I haven’t been able to find one.

The document is also called Flos Duellatorum, you might google under that:
http://www.thearma.org/Manuals/Liberi.htm
You're on the right track!

[Shane Smith]

Welcome to the forum Sabastian. A good translation of Fiore is available here; http://www.varmouries.com/wildrose/fiore/fiore.html

Also,we do have an ARMA youth program so membership is not necessarily out of reach for you. You can find more info here; http://www.thearma.org/Youth/Youth.htm

We have a few ARMA youth members aged 16 to perhaps 17 here at ARMA~VAB.We also have alot of guys in Sweden. Have alook on this page and try contacting one nearest to you.

Good luck. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Shawn Cathcart]

For longsword I would personally recommend either Ringeck or Codex Wallerstein manuals before Fiore. The main difference between Fiore and Ringeck is that they both explain how to get into the bind, Fiore concentrates on mainly on grappling and trapping with the blade from the bind, Ringeck has a lot explaining how to work with the blade from the bind as well as grappling and trapping. Ringeck also has a more complete explanation of the basic cuts and concepts in my opinion.

I'd also recommend that while starting with one manual is good, I would start cross referencing manuals before too long. All the masters had slightly different ways of explaining or illustrating techniques and they also concentrated on different aspects of fencing. I think you'll get a more complete understanding by looking at many manuals rather than concentrating on just one.

Sounds like you've got everything else ready to go. Good luck, and don't be afraid to come back with questions. There's plenty of knowledgable people on here.

[J.Amiel_Angeles]

Hmmm... good that this was brought up. Would any of you advise solo training in an area where I have absolutely no hope of finding an established group or teacher to train with? I am currently buying up all the manuals and books that I can. I already have the two commercial Ringeck translations and Mr. Clements' book. What does the ARMA think of Guy Windsor's book, or Christian Tobler's upcoming work on the German sword?

[JeffGentry]

Hey Guy's

I realy like the way Meyer explain's thing's i have been cross refrencing his teaching with Ringeck since they are both of the Lichtenaure tradition and have found that to be very helpful, i think it will be more difficult to learn some of the more subtle aspect's of feeling and binding and winding alot on here have proven it can be done with success, it might take a little longer.

Jeff

[Sebastian Liem]

Forgive me for not responding earlier but I had some problem of a personal nature to ponder upon.

Jaron Bernstein: Could you point me to any contact information to Svard and Lindholm, and indeed ARMA Sweden. I've at least partial access to their translation. The friend I could spar with owns it.

Shane Smith: Thank you for your link, I've begun studing it. And thank you again for pointing me towards the Youth program, it might take a while to fire away an application as I'm not living at home. All the way to Houston, eh?

Closest ARMA is, sadly, about 500 km away.

Shawn Cathcart: I see, as I mentioned I have partial access to Ringeck. But I rather have full access to it as my friend is rather 'protective' about it. So I add C.H. Tobler's Secrets of German Medieval Swordmanship and Fighting
with the German Longsword to the shopping list. Sounds good?

Don't worry I shall probably have an horde of questions when I get my hand on the material.

Thank you all for responding and being constructive. And thank you for your help.

[BengtAbrahamsson]

Göteborgs Historiska Fäktskola
These guy's seems to be nearest to you.
Bengt
EHCG

[Jaron Bernstein]

Hello,

Well it appears that there are 4 ARMA study groups in Sweden:

http://www.thearma.org/Practice/partners.htm

It looks like David Lindholm is with the Malmo study group and his email is listed on the contacts page.

You might want to start with them and see if any are in travelling distance. The other thing to remember is that it has to start somewhere if you are the lone WMA practicioner in your area. Our study group started with Jeff the Elder and me talking at work about the ARMA thing that looked kind of interesting.

Good luck! <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Joachim Nilsson]

Well it appears that there are 4 ARMA study groups in Sweden:

Actually we have six separate study groups. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Joachim Nilsson]

Sebastian, I sent you a PM some time ago. Did you get it?

[Joachim Nilsson]

I might as well guide towards our new Swedish forum while I'm at it.

http://arma.se/phpBB2/index.php

Register there and we'll hopefully be able to answer any, and all, questions you might have.

[M Wallgren]

Soon to be seven I hope <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Joachim Nilsson]

Yes, hopefully. I'm delighted to see ARMA expand on a national level here in Sweden and I truly hope you'll make it now that you've struck out on your own. Here's to you finding new and loyal members whom to train with!

Oh, another thing: you might want to consider re-registering on the forum since we'd rather see you use your full name (even though you have included it in your signature).