Schildwache Potsdam

TOMORROW IS THE DAY!

Swords of the Renaissance VII starts tomorrow — and here is our final timetable for the entire weekend!

We’ve split the programme into Saturday & Sunday, morning & afternoon, so you can easily plan your weekend.

Main Workshops: Ground 1 & Ground 2
Breakout Sessions: Grounds 1–4, the Lecture Hall & the Open Space
Plenty of open space and time: for free fencing, discussions, exchanging ideas, taking a break — or simply meeting other fencers.

The programme is deliberately staggered, so even with parallel sessions there is plenty of room to explore, fence and connect beyond the workshops.

After all, SotR is not a competition. It’s a weekend of fencing, knowledge, community & exchange.

Pack your swords, check the timetable, and we’ll see you tomorrow at the Neues Palais in Potsdam!

Swords of the Renaissance VII
29–30 August 2026

More information & full programme:
schildwache-potsdam.de/swords-of-the-renaissance-2026

THIS WEEK — Swords of the Renaissance VII is almost here!

Meet our 23 Breakout Instructors, bringing an incredible range of topics to Potsdam this weekend!

From lectures and discussions to training & coaching, sickles and really big swords, historical dance, and much more — the Breakout Sessions are all about trying something new, exchanging ideas and discovering the diversity of HEMA.

23 Breakout Sessions. 23 Instructors. One weekend of knowledge, community & exchange.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the Neues Palais in Potsdam this weekend.

Secure one of the last tickets and join us!

https://schildwache-potsdam.de/swords-of-the-renaissance-2026

"Our Fencer’s Toolbox brings together three very different but useful aspects of historical fencing.

– Chris Lee-Becker – “The Montante: Symbol and Weapon of the Iberian Fencing Master”
– Dr. Emilia Skirmuntt – “Solo Fencing Drills”
– Tobias Prüwer – “Dirty Little Fingers: Fine Motor Skills in Weapon Handling”

From imposing two-handed swords to independent training and precise weapon control—there is something here for every curious fencer.

A few places are still available:
https://schildwache-potsdam.de/swords-of-the-renaissance-2026

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"Tactics matter both in fencing and in the communities we build around it.

– Fran Lacuata – “Safe Spaces and Friendly Spaces: Building Strong Communities in HEMA”
– Viktoria Chudinov – “Four Humours of Fencing”
– Jesse Gerdes – “The Four Archetypes of Fencing, Now and in the Past”

Explore strong club culture, different fencing personalities and tactical frameworks connecting historical practice with modern HEMA.

A few places are still available:
https://schildwache-potsdam.de/swords-of-the-renaissance-2026

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"Not every HEMA session needs full protective equipment. This track focuses on movement, historical understanding and safe practice.

– Sarina Wagner – “Introduction to Renaissance Dance”
– Robin Vogelei – “Fencing in the Tradition of Joachim Meyer’s 1570 Bookprint”
– Ralf Gutzeit – “Sicheres Blossfechten”

Discover how historical movement informs fencing and how technical ideas can be explored safely and thoughtfully.

A few spots are still available:
https://schildwache-potsdam.de/swords-of-the-renaissance-2026

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"Explore the weapons, guards and traditions of historical German fencing.

– Franziska Müller – “Sickle and Dagger - same but different?"
– Bjarne Kortmann – “Lecküchner’s Legacy in Meyer’s Dussack and Sidesword”
– Marina Hertlein – “Alber: A Little-Used Guard and Its Practical Application”

Three sessions covering short weapons, Lecküchner and Meyer, and an often-overlooked longsword guard.

A few spots remain:
https://schildwache-potsdam.de/swords-of-the-renaissance-2026

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A typical rapier track: three instructors, three traditions and plenty of ways to rethink your movement.

– Nadja von Cieminski – “The Destreza Kick”
– Leonardo Salomão Dos Reis – “Deadly Rapier Spins: The Girata in Practice”
– Radek Duszyński – “Non-Linear Movement in Fabris’ Proceeding with Resolution”

Explore Spanish Destreza, the Italian girata and Fabris-inspired non-linear movement in three focused sessions.

Join us on 29–30 August in Potsdam. A few spots remain:
https://schildwache-potsdam.de/swords-of-the-renaissance-2026

"Our Thrusty Timecourse explores thrust-oriented fencing from rapier to smallsword.

– John Quang Lam – “Tired of Dealing with the Rapier’s Length?”
– Rui Ferreira – “Senese’s Perspective”
– Guy Windsor – “Move Like Angelo and Salute Like It’s 1763!”

Learn how to manage reach, explore later Italian rapier and move with the elegance and precision of historical smallsword fencing.

Join us in Potsdam on 29–30 August. A few spots remain:
https://schildwache-potsdam.de/swords-of-the-renaissance-2026

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ONE WEEK TO GO!

Swords of the Renaissance VII is almost here!

On 29 & 30 August, we’ll meet at the Neues Palais in Potsdam for a full weekend dedicated to knowledge, community & exchange.

⚔ 31 Workshops & Lectures: From Sickle to Montante, Coaching to Safe Spaces & even Dancing
⚔ 25 Instructors from across Europe: Bringing different traditions, approaches & perspectives
⚔ Historic Outdoor Setting: Right at the Neues Palais in Potsdam
⚔ Exceptional Catering: Some of the best food you’ll find at any HEMA event

And at the heart of it all: our four Main Instructors Fran Lacuata, Diana Matthess, Guy Windsor & David Rawlings, each bringing two full workshops to the weekend.

No competition. Just two days of learning, fencing, experimenting, exchanging ideas and meeting people from across the HEMA community.

There’s still time to join us!

29–30 August 2026 | Potsdam, Germany

Full programme & registration:
https://schildwache-potsdam.de/swords-of-the-renaissance-2026

"Our sidesword track connects Bolognese fencing with Pietro Monte’s broader martial system.

– Vesa Pihlajaniemi – “The Many Faces of the Tramazzone in Bolognese Sidesword”
– Mike Prendergast – “Fencing as a System in Pietro Monte”

Explore the many applications of the tramazzone and discover how Monte connects sidesword with two-handed sword fundamentals.

A few registration spots are still available:
https://schildwache-potsdam.de/swords-of-the-renaissance-2026

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