Carolina’s Best Historical Martial Arts

Have you ever wanted to learn the art of Historical Swordsmanship? Look no further! Carolina Historical Fencing Association is dedicated to the preservation of Historical Swordsmanship and Martial Arts. We study systems of combat from all ages of history, with a strong focus on Medieval and Renaissance systems of fighting.

Emblem featuring crossed swords, a palm tree, and "Carolina Historical Fencing Association" on a blue ribbon background.
People wearing protective fencing gear practicing with swords outdoors.
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Two people practicing fencing in protective gear inside a sports hall.

Through the study of HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), we help people to find courage and respect in themselves and others. Through our practice, we provide people with more than just martial training and self-defense. We stimulate physical and mental growth as well. Our sport is just as much academically challenging as it is physically demanding.

Group of people in medieval armor holding swords inside a martial arts gym.

Meet our Instructors

  • Person in medieval combat gear holding a sword and wearing a fur hat on an indoor sports field with others in the background.

    Bo Davis

    Columbia CHFA
    Trained under Dan Bernardo in childhood and teen years. Background in Italian Longsword (Fiore Dei Liberi), Iaido (Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu), Bastone (Italian Stick Fighting), Armored Combat, BJJ, Judo, and Ringen

  • A shirtless person holding two swords in a crossed position, with fencing posters and various swords in the background.

    Daniel Mclaurin

    Charleston CHFA
    Taught by JC Conway, Instructtore Maggiore. Holds rank in Schola St George as Scolaro Minore. Background in Fiore Dei Liberi (Fior di Battaglia, Flos Duellatorum), Bolognese Sidesword (Giovanni dall’Agocchie), BJJ, and Ringen

  • Two men wearing padded armor-like clothing hold fencing swords in an indoor setting.

    Sean Gruber

    Charleston CHFA
    Taught by JC Conway, Instructtore Maggiore. Holds rank in Schola St George as Scolaro Minore. Background in Fiore Dei Liberi (Fior di Battaglia, Flos Duellatorum), BJJ, and Ringen

 FAQs

  • HEMA is the focus on Historical Martial Arts from Europe during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. It’s the study and interpretation of historical sources and manuals on warfare. HEMA is very much academically challenging as well as it is physically taxing.

  • If you want to get started, first find your local HEMA club. You can use resources like the HEMA Alliance Club Finder. If you don’t have a club near you, you can always check out the Wiktenauer for resources to study. A quick YouTube search on the subject could take you a long way as well.

  • We use a variety of protective equipment. Starting with your own personal groin protection, gorget, fencing mask with back of head protection, padded fencing jacket, rigid arm and elbow guards, rigid shin and knee guards, and a blunted HEMA regulated weapon.

  • You can choose to spend how much money you want. HEMA has a lot of resources online you can look at to save yourself the money on books. As for classes, whatever your local club charges is the fee you pay. At CHFA we always offer a free practice day that we partake in with the SCA. Equipment can be as cheap or expensive as you like, with economy options available from Supfen and standard to more high-end options from Purpleheart Armory.

See it for yourself!