ACSMMA National & Open Sword Fighting Championships 2013
Durban Sword and Shield Club in Durban, South Africa, will be hosting the first ACSMMA (The Affiliation for Contemporary Swordsmanship and Medieval Martial Arts) National and Open Swordfighting Championships 2013, and invites eligible fighters and teams from all parts of the world to attend and compete in this event. Below is a detailed listing of the events:
Venue: Hillcrest Scout Hall, Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal
Date: 09-11 August 2013
Events, Day one (Friday, 09 August):
Morning – Rapier (any combination of rapier and dagger, cloak, or case is permitted)
Afternoon – unarmoured longsword (weapon type to be decided upon)
Events, Day two (Saturday, 10 August):
Morning – Fully-armoured combat (sword and shield, longsword, greatsword and spear permitted) these will be steel, rebated weapons, & will be inspected for safety.
Afternoon – Dark Ages Holmganga (weapons chosen by chance and to include sword, shield, dagger, and spear)
At the end of Day Two, there will be a feast for all combatants and their guests. (more…)
Purists and Innovators: An Observation of Two Classifications of Western Martial Artists
Although there has been a rise in interest for roughly the last three decades in Renaissance and Medieval European Martial Arts, or what some refer to as Western Martial Arts, there appears to be surfacing what may be a level of contention between what the author of this article will refer to as “Purists” and “Innovators.” What is the matter of contention, or problem between these two classifications of martial artists and why does it exist? Furthermore, should there really be any issue in the first place? (more…)
Our Thanks on a Global Level
As the Founder of steelfighting.com and Grand Master of New Ulster Steel Fighting, I want to take the time to thank all of the visitors and loyal readers to steelfighting.com for taking such an interest in our blog site. We make every effort here to post interesting, informative, and well cited scholarly posting, and it makes me and the rest of the wonderful martial artists of New Ulster Steel Fighting extremely happy and appreciative for our global readers and loyal followers. We now have readers and regular visitors to our site from forty-four wonderful nations around the globe. I want to give recognition to them in the best way that I am able and list each of the nations from which we have visitors to steelfighting.com. Here they are:
United States, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Australia, Ireland, Norway, Slovakia, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Italy, Portugal, Philippines, Belgium, Denmark, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Netherlands, Spain, Netherlands Antilles, Guam, Georgia, Greece, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Croatia, Qatar, Switzerland, Mongolia, Montenegro, Argentina, Finland, Malta, Japan, Angola, Latvia, and New Zealand.
Again, thank you so very much for an outstanding first year here at steelfighting.com. We are excited about being into our second year now and hope that you continue to check back regularly for more informative and well supported scholarly, historical postings as well as martial arts information. Thanks again, and I pray that you and yours are blessed beyond all measure.
Sincerely,
Grand Master Webb
Global Image:
Gina Bianchini. ning.com,
http://www.ning.com/blog/2008/01/a_world_of_possibilities.html
. Accessed May 1, 2012.
Medieval Combat Studies in South Africa: An Interview With Grand Master Heinrich Jost
By: Jefferson P. Webb
This month’s piece introduces the readers of steelfighting.com and the membership of New Ulster Steel Fighting to the South African Guild for 
Medieval Combat Studies, and the organization’s founder, Grand Master Heinrich Jost. I am very blessed to have been able to engage in some excellent correspondences with Mr. Jost, and have found a number of parallels between the South African Guild for Medieval Combat Studies (SAGMCS) and New Ulster Steel Fighting (NUSF) here in Texas. I hope that you all enjoy this interview, and I am sure you will find it very informative. (more…)
2012 New Ulster Steel Fighting Recruiting Campaign
New Ulster Steel Fighting is launching a new recruiting campaign for the Heart of Texas area. Efforts will be made to more openly recruit in the hopes to recruit some new dedicated members who desire to train in what is one of the richest martial arts one can find. The range of weapons that we train with and teach are listed in the About section of our site. But just as importantly we desire people who are honest and trustworthy, and have a good sense of dedication. The training can be tough and demanding at times, and bumps and bruises are typically part of the territory,but the feeling of accomplishment you will feel when you pass your tests will bolster your self-confidence by leaps and bounds.
If you are interested, or know someone who is, you may contact me through our Contacts page or through twitter. Thank you so much and I pray for an outstanding year for you and yours, and the same for steelfighting.com and New Ulster Steel Fighting.
Sincerely,
Br. Jefferson Webb, Grand Master
