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.

Through the study of 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.

Meet our Instructors

  • 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

  • Connor Gibson

    Columbia CHFA
    Received tutelage in HEMA and the SCA from Caleb Hallgren of Tattershall School of Defense. Background in Northern Italian Rapier (Nicoletto Giganti and Ridolfo Capo Ferro), and Bolognese Sidesword (Antonio Manciolino and Giovanni dall'Agocchie)

  • 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

  • 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!