Southern Knights Event - New Orleans

[John_Clements]

Our Southern Knights event in New Orleans this past weekend went very well. The no-frills “eye of the tiger” style location fit perfectly in with ARMA’s complete lack of pretense and our committed adversarial focus on combat effective techniques. The camaraderie I again saw expressed by more than 30 of our members coming together is always refreshing. Though this was an open regional event, we had four members come down from the NY/NJ area. The progress in skill I witnessed among many was also very reassuring and made me proud. Hollowearth Swordworks was even able to stop by to offer a few of their fine wasters.

The excitement in exploring this subject, discovering still more insights and revelations from the historical sources continues to amaze me. We had seven instructors at this event I was also blown away by the exceptional quality of Jake Norwood’s Meisterhau and Joachim Meyer longsword classes. To me, these were two of the very best presentations I have yet seen in this subject ever. Logical, martially sound, physically impressive. I was very impressed with our rising star (and ‘senior’ Senior Free-Scholar), Jake. The compliments and reactions I heard expressed told me others felt similarly about them.

The diversity of the instructors and the complimentary nature of their material was very cool. It was a real pleasure to have Stacey Clifford and Jay Vail finally have instruct after having been on the receiving end for so long. Stacy’s brief staff class on Meyer’s teachings as well as Silver and Swetnam was very well received. Jay managed to modify his class to cover unarmed versus dagger that then fit perfectly in between Ron Harris’ dagger fighting and Erich and Gene’s unarmed class. As always Ron’s and his wife’s smooth yet brutal knife-work was self-evident. Gene and Erich’s utilitarian techniques on tumbling and arm locks were presented with clarity and finesse.

On the down side, difficulties and complications unfortunately resulted in the cancellation of my sword & dagger class, as well as my rapier class and my historical fencing presentation. I apologize to anyone disappointed, but with the lack of equipment it was not catastrophic. Additionally, laptop problems converted by concise presentations on longsword stances and fighting stances from historical art into a bit of a jumble. However, I was able to work with a number of people individually in a way that’s very valuable. Also, time constraints and schedule changes forced us to have to cut out the group free play and bouting, to some disappointment. But, given the tiring nature of the day’s events and emphasis on physical exercise, I didn't hear anyone really complaining.

Personally, enduring a light-sensitivity induced migraine by the first afternoon, and then a residual headache on the second day, precluded me from enjoying things as readily as I would have (oddly, drinking 4 Redbulls in 5 hours did not help matters). And the lost opportunity for me to teach something other than more longsword yet again once more, was a shame. But, the chance to meet new people, see friends, and note the undeniable advancement in knowledge and understanding of this craft we are acquiring was for me sincerely inspiring. The validation and confirmation that occurs when historical techniques are mutual recognized and comprehended independently by so many practitioners around the country continues to fascinate me.

Finally, I am pleased to announce we had General Free Scholar ratings conferred upon Jay Vail, Patrick Hardin, Mike Cartier, and Louis Leibowits. Congrats guys.

Thanks to everyone for attending. And thanks also to Andy Antippas for use of his art gallery space and Jeanry Chandler for hooking us up with him and providing assistance.

A full report and photos will be put up soon.

John C.

p.s.
“I need buckler for my sword hole…
Are you fencing me!? Are you fencing!?”
- ‘Swordholio’

[Jamie Fellrath]

Sounds like a great event... and congrats to all the new General Free Scholars!

[Webmaster]

It most certainly was an excellent event, and "intense training" turned out to be quite an accurate description. The variety of material covered was refreshing, even if we missed out on a couple of classes, and even the usual longsword training sessions turned up some intriguing new insights thanks to Jake's inspiring research into Joachim Meyer's teachings. We will definitely be practicing the newly revised meisterhau here in Houston. It was also great to work with Ron Harris again for the first time in too long, both seeing his unique perspective on dagger fighting and of course experiencing firsthand his extensive experience in wrestling. Jay Vail did an excellent job building on Ron's material with his class on armlocks versus dagger, but I missed out on Gene and Erich's kampfringen due to conducting my own class for a change, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Fortunately I can catch those two here in town to make up for it. <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" /> I want to thank the guys who did staff with me for the positive feedback, and I hope it's something you guys can take home and build on for next time. For those who couldn't catch it this time, I'll be glad to do it again when the chance arises, with even more and better material. I've already found some of Jake's insights on Meyer helpful in looking at his staff section, and the well is deep and full to draw from. In the meantime, get thee some staves, people!!! Of course the best part was getting to see some familiar faces again and making new friends to beat on, strangle and dump (pleasure to meet you, Dave and Chris <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> ). Congrats to our new Free Scholars, and thanks to John for getting us all together again for another great gathering. I can't wait for the next one!

[david welch]

Being a fairly new member of ARMA, it feels a little useless for me to try and add something behind JC and Stacy, but still...

Even after having the pleasure of getting to be in Jake Norwoods classes, I was not prepared for this . I have been sent to big name professional seminars by the company I work for, and ARMA surpassed them in a garage in a rough neighborhood in New Orleans. If John wasn't feeling well, you would only have know it if he told you. The man never stopped moving the whole time, traveling the length of the class from end to end giving help and pointers. I was tired from watching him, and then at the end he apologized for not being able to help us enough!

I have had a chance to see bits and pieces of Jake Norwood’s Meisterhau and Joachim Meyer longsword in class, but after seeing it all together the only thing I can say for his presentations would be "professional".

The grappling and dagger classes went together seamlessly, and I can't tell you all how much I enjoyed them.

Stacy’s staff class was interesting. I have never seen any staff work and wasn't sure I would care for it, and now staff will need a harder look. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> (And Stacy, I'm sore, bruised, and very, very glad I got to meet and train with you also. <img src="/forum/images/icons/laugh.gif" alt="" /> )

If I have any complaints at all, it is just that I didn't have a chance to get to know everyone there. And if you missed Southern Knights, you really missed something.

[Jay Vail]

Southern Knights was a well done, comprehensive seminar as good as any I’ve gone to since joining ARMA (missed the International Event, though).

Jake’s Meyer classes were nothing short of extraordinary. There is no superlative good enough to describe the experience. It was comprehensive, thorough and well organized. He’s obviously done a lot of work on the subject and it showed. One final comment: although there wasn’t time for much bouting, some people, including Jake had a chance to spar a bit. In his moves and postures, Jake looked like he had stepped right out of a Meyer woodcut. Incredible.

Sorry I missed Stacy’s class on the staff, since that weapon is a long time favorite of mine. I’ll have to catch it next session. From the glimpses I got between moments of being thrown to the ground, it looked fascinating.

Ron’s dagger class, which drew its material from Codex Wallerstein, was great. Techniques which were unclear from the book are now comprehensible. I missed his second session on ringen because I took the half-swording class from JC, which ran at the same time in the afternoon. That was a really good comprehensive session as well.

Eric and Gene’s kampfringen class was first rate. They communicated the core principles of wrestling through carefully chosen illustrative techniques.

Thanks to Jeanry, who makes amazing padded sparring weapons, by the way, for securing us our training site. Jeanry swears he will post instructions on how to make his weapons. They are really nice. One of his rejects, which he graciously gave me (thanks again, Jeanry), is light years ahead of the crude thing I attempted. His weapons feel good, handle well, and actually look like the weapons they model. You have a potential business there, Jeanry.

Congrats to the new general free scholars who made their ratings. To my eyes, their flourishes were excellent. I’m not fighting any of them. I’d be lunch meat.

In a final note, for those of you who are interested in pursuing Fiore’s unarmed plays against the dagger, you can find them posted on the web at www.varmouries.com/wildrose/fiore/section2.html. Working through a couple at the start of your workout, would be a good way to warm up.

[Jay Vail]

PS, I left one of my fencing masks at the venue. Did anyone happen to pick it up?

[Gene Tausk]

The event in NO was fantastic. This is the last bit of travelling I will be doing for a while (baby on the way) so it was especially great being able to have this experience.

Jakes workshops, both of them but for me especially the Meyer workshop was, in the words of my friend Ned Flanders, "fan-diddly-astic." I have already put into use the exercises Jake gave to us from his interpretation of Meyer and it is like my eyes have been opened. NO was worth it simply for this.

A workshop with Ron is always first rate. Ron has forgotten more about martial arts than most of us will ever know.

I missed Stacy's staff workshop since I was teaching one of my own at the time, but I will have a chance to see it soon. From what I hear, it was great.

Many thanks to Jay Vail for his class which was also first rate. Armlocks are nasty but extremely useful.

As always, one of the best things about these events is simply meeting fellow ARMA members.

Congrats to all the free scholars.

NO is a great place.


-------------&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;gene

[Belinda_Hertz]

Yes Jay we found it and bidding went very well on it! <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> I sent you an email regarding its location.

Belinda

[Jay Vail]

thanks, brenda!

[Erich Wagner]

I have to agree with everyone that this was a great weekend of intense training. Thank you Jake for some down right inspirational presentations. I love it when that "click" sound happens in your head as things just come together. By the way Jake, I got to spar against you during your prize playing. You were good then but you've gotten WAY better since.

One of the things that really impressed me happened during Ron Harris' presentation on dagger work from the CW. Some of the technique interpretations appeared problematic so alternative interpretations were worked out right there on the spot. No one's ego was damaged and everyone benefited. This may seem like a small thing but I think it demonstrates more than anything else what this organization is about.

It was also great to meet some of the people who's names I see on the forum all the time. I can't wait for the next time we can all get together.

By the way David, it's an honor to have your blood on my mat! <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Mike Cartier]

Jake did look like he jumped right off one of the Meyer woodcuts didn't he?
i agree with John that his Meyer presentations were simply the best prepared, researched and presented classes on the subject i have ever experienced.
I have been hobbying around with the Meyer longsword manual for about 6 months and jake tied the whole thing up in one weekend for me. All the stumbles and misunderstandings i had in my interpretation became clear in just 2 days. Now i feel like we are really delving into the meyer work witha clear concise understanding of his methods and training approach.

The whole event was great, thanks again to Jeanry for his help in getting to all together, he also gave our group a few of his most excellent paddeds. i highly recommend them to anyone.

Definately the best martial arts event i have ever attended.
Thanks to everyone who helped set up the event.

[John_Clements]

Yeah, Mike, Jake and I were talking and we're convinced, once you have the understanding that this is all about fighting and killing, not soft slow showy moves but vicious, brutal, quick, and physically powerful motions intended for instant action, then the whole bio-mechanics of it all just clicks and the longsword's nature is so freaking obvious you can’t help but love it. When your stances, your footwork, your stepping and leaping, and your cutting, binding, and parrying all resemble the images from the source and yet are still undeniably energetic and strong, you know you've got it.
I am convinced now that much of Lichtenauer's original teaching is almost identical to Meyer, that Meyer is not a 16th century "sportified" or classroom style at all, but the same essential art just much better explained and presented. As I like to say, the key to comprehension is in the application.

JC

[Webmaster]

Yes, I did forget to thank Jeanry for doing a good job on getting our facilities squared away, as well as our host. Our paths didn't cross much during the weekend, but from what I saw he was very friendly and eager to learn along with us. And those padded weapons looked a lot nicer than most of ours! I'll be interested to hear more performance reviews on them from the guys who took some home.

[JeanryChandler]

One of the things which struck me from Jakes Meyer class, was how he pointed out that Meyer says to make a flurry of 4 or 5 attacks, and then disengage. In a "sport" type of fencing this wouldn't be critical, but fighting life or death, I think it is hugely important. It is a method to prevent you from pushing your luck and getting killed in a real fight.

JR

[E. Perez]

I want to thank everyone for continuing the ARMA tradition of making these training events a great experience. It was good to see familiar faces from the International Gathering and to meet fellow scholars for the first time. Like someone said before it was like coming home.

Congrats to Jay, Patrick, Louis, and Mike on attaining your General Free Scholar rating. Well done.

The training was awesome. Eventho we didn't get to cover all the classes planned it was a full two days. Each instructor presented their classes with professionalism and enthusiasm. All I could do is echo previous comments on the great job they did so I will just add my humble thanks to Ron, Gene, Erich, Stacy, Jay, Jake, and of course John. I learned alot.

Thanks again to everyone for the camaraderie, willingness to share, and the opportunity to train with a fine group of people, I learned from everyone there. Finally, thanks to Jeanry for arranging for us to have the facility for our training.