True Edge Academy of Swordsmanship

The True Edge Academy of Swordsmanship is a martial arts club dedicated to the study of Historical European Martial Arts. True Edge Academy has chapters and individual practitioners scattered across the United States and is an affiliate member of the HEMA Alliance.
History
True Edge Academy is one of the oldest historical fencing groups in the United States. The largest True Edge Academy chapter is located in Provo, Utah and was formerly a flagship study group of the HACA (Historical Armed Combat Association) and later known as ARMA Provo (a part of the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts and sponsored by BYU’s College of Military Science and Army ROTC).
The Wiktenauer
The Wiktenauer is a Wiki database dedicated to the masters, manuals, and techniques of Historical European Martial Arts. The Wiktenauer is an open-source service provided by the HEMA Alliance for its members and the general public. Michael Chidester, True Edge Academy's Senior Researcher, has provided extensive concordances of a number of manual groups on the Wiktenauer.
Areas of Study
True Edge Academy students begin their training with the longsword, the same weapon that held a place of supremacy historically. In the course of this study, they begin to internalize the fundamentals that underlie all martial arts, such as proper balance and footwork, effective use of offensive and defensive actions in a self-defense situation, and the ability to feel into an opponent and react appropriately to his movements. Once scholars have built a basic foundation with the longsword, the curriculum begins to branch out into other weapons, including single-hand sword styles (such as sword & empty hand, sword & buckler, and sword & dagger), dagger fighting, rapier, polearms, and the complex unarmed art of Kampfringen (combat grappling). Scholars also begin a more detailed study of the ancient manuscripts themselves, to gain an appreciation of their importance and to learn directly from the teachings of the masters.
Masters studied include: Johannes Liechtenauer, Hanko Doebringer, Fiore dei Liberi, Sigmund Ringeck, Peter von Danzig, Hans Talhoffer, Philippo Vadi, Pietro Monte, Albrecht Duerer, Joerg Wilhalm, Achille Marozzo, Paulus Hector Mair, Joachim Meyer, Giacomo Di Grassi, Vincentio Saviolo, Sir George Silver, Joseph Swetnam, Salvator Fabris, Ridolfo Capo Ferro, and others.
True Edge Academy member-written literature
The following is a partial list of books written or contributed to by members of True Edge Academy.
*Knight, David James & Brian Hunt. Polearms of Paulus Hector Mair. Paladin Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58160-644-7
*Robert Hyatt & Devin Wilson. Single Sword of Henry de Sainct Didier. Paladin Press, 2009.
*Various authors. Masters Of Medieval And Renaissance Martial Arts: Rediscovering the Western Combat Heritage. Paladin Press, 2008.
True Edge Academy in the News
*A news story about True Edge Academy when it was still ARMA Provo
*ARMA Provo thanked in the Press notes of the Reclaiming the Blade documentary
*Article about ARMA Provo hosting the Western Martial Arts Student Symposium
*"Martial arts combines with Renaissance influence"
*"Martial arts puts 'kick' in Spring Fling"
*"Groups Search for Balance of Fun Medieval History"

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