A unique hobby which combines exercise, martial skills, historical study, sporting competition, and plenty of fun.
This page is hosted by the Brisbane School of Iberian Swordsmanship on behalf of the Queensland HEMA community.
Welcome to HEMA — choose your weapon!
Historical European Martial Arts is the study and practice of martial arts of European origin from source texts written by masters from as early as 1300 through to the 1800s.
Queensland has a very active HEMA community, with different groups offering training in weapons including longsword, rapier, sidesword, sabre and smallsword, from different “national styles”, such as German, Italian, French, Spanish and English.
We use accurately replicated period weapons, which are blunted and have extra tip protection for safety.
We wear specialised protective equipment that is tested and rated to modern safety standards, usually a combination of rigid and padded gear.
Groups offer weekly training sessions, and come together regularly to hold tournaments and workshops — both locally and interstate.
We are an inclusive community that values good fencing, good sportsmanship, and good scholarship.
For more general information about HEMA, see What is HEMA?
For more information about the competitive side of HEMA tournaments, visit the Australian Historical Fencing League website.
To have a look at some examples of historical European fencing texts, visit the Wiktenauer website, a free library of HEMA books and manuscripts.
Which is the right HEMA group for me?
Finding the right HEMA group is a matter of weighing up your preferences, priorities and practicalities.
Do you have a favourite weapon? Time period? Nationality?
Are you looking for something close to home or would you drive across town for the right group?
What evenings are you free?
Have a look through this comprehensive list detailing Queensland HEMA groups, or download it in pdf form:
Where can I learn HEMA swordfighting in Queensland?
| Brisbane School of Iberian Swordsmanship (BSIS) | Weapon/Style: | Renaissance Spanish/Portuguese (Destreza); Rapier; Sidesword; 2-handed replica 3-headed flail | |
| Day, Time and Location: | Wednesday, 7pm to 9.30pm | Stafford State School Hall Cnr Stafford and Webster Roads, STAFFORD |
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| Saturday, 8am to 10.30am | Keong Park, Quandeine Street, STAFFORD | ||
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| Brisbane Swords | Weapon/Style: | Italian medieval longsword from Fiore and Vadi; Sword and buckler — Early German from i33 Tower Fechtbuch; Unarmed, dagger, single sword, spear and polearms | |
| Day and Time: | Private classes by appointment | ||
| Location: | REDLAND BAY | ||
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| Collegium In Armis (CIA)
Northside |
Weapon/Style: | 13th to 16th century German 2-handed weapons, e.g., longsword and staff | |
| Day and Time: | Thursday, 7pm to 9pm | ||
| Location: | Sandgate Town Hall Cnr Cliff and Seymour Streets, SANDGATE |
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| Fellowship of the Sword | Weapon/Style: | Exhibition and artistic fencing — Renaissance rapier, sidesword and two-handed sword; Enlightenment smallsword | |
| Day and Time: | Monday,6.45pm to 10.30pm Thursday,7.30pm to 10.30pm |
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| Location: | Pine Mountain Hall, 840 Pine Mountain Road, PINE MOUNTAIN (IPSWICH) | ||
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| Fitzroy River College of Arms | Weapon/Style: | Variety of historical weapons, including longsword, sidesword, rapier, sabre, and smallsword | |
| Day and Time: | Wednesday, 6.30pm to 8.30pm | ||
| Location: | Rockhampton Pipe Band Hall 36 Gladstone Road, ROCKHAMPTON |
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| Gemeiner Academy of Savate | Weapon/Style: | Savate — self-defence (Defense dans la Rue), kickboxing, weaponry; Women’s self defence; Fencing; French, late 1700s onwards | |
| Day and Time: | Monday, 6.45pm to 8pm Wednesday, 6.45pm to 8pm |
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| Location: | Gold Coast PCYC Club 180 Monaco Street, BROADBEACH WATERS |
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| The Historical School of Defence Toowoomba | Weapon/Style: | German 15th and 16th century including longsword, pollaxe, wrestling and dagger | |
| Day and Time: | Sunday,10am to 11am | ||
| Location: | Toowoomba East State School Centenary Hall Arthur Street, TOOWOOMBA |
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| Invicta Fencing Academy | Weapon/Style: | Exhibition fencing — Spanish and Italian 16th and 17th century rapier, sidesword and greatsword Competitive HEMA — Spanish and Italian 16th and 17th century rapier, 19th century British sabre |
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| Day and Time: | Wednesday, 6.30pm to 9.30pm Thursday, 6.30pm to 9.30pm |
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| Location: | Hamlyn-Harris Pavilion, Mt Gravatt Showgrounds 1644 Logan Road, MT GRAVATT |
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| Kampfkunst-Gilde Brisbane (KGB)
(Collegium In Armis Southside) |
Weapon/Style: | German one-handed weapons, e.g. messer and rapier | |
| Day and Time: | Tuesday, 7.15pm to 9.15pm | ||
| Location: | Forest Lake House 3 Alpine Place, FOREST LAKE |
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| Kunst des Fechten Australia | Weapon/Style: | Medieval and renaissance German Leichtenauer longsword, arming sword and polearms | |
| Day and Time: | Tuesday, 6pm | ||
| Location: | Community Gro Garbutt 4 Hugh Street, Garbutt, TOWNSVILLE |
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| LongEdge Fencing | Weapon/Style: | French 16th–17th century rapier and 19th century sabre | |
| Day and Time: | Monday, 7.30pm to 9.30pm | ||
| Location: | Moorooka Community Centre 40 Gainsborough Street, MOOROOKA |
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| Prima Spada School of Fence (PSSF) | Weapon/Style: |
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| Day, Time and Location: | Monday, 6.30pm to 9pm
Thursday,6.30pm to 9pm |
Wilston Presbyterian Church Hall
28 Macgregor Street, WILSTON |
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| Tuesday, 6.30pm to 10.30pm | Mt Gravatt East State School Community Hall Newnham Road, MOUNT GRAVATT EAST |
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| Friday, 6.30pm to 8pm | Ipswich Uniting Church and Hall 75 Limestone Street, IPSWICH CENTRAL |
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| Spada di Bolognese | Weapon/Style: | Late medieval/renaissance Italian-Bolognese longsword, cut and thrust sword, rapier and wrestling | |
| Day and Time: | Thursday, 6.30pm to 9.30pm | ||
| Location: | Forest Lake House 3 Alpine Place, FOREST LAKE |
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| Sword Fighter
(Gold Coast) |
Weapon/Style: | Renaissance Italian rapier and sidesword; Medieval German longsword | |
| Day,Time and Location: | Thursday, 6pm to 9pm | Elanora High School Hall 261 Nineteenth Avenue, ELANORA |
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| Friday, 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Sunday, 8.30am to 10am |
Gold Coast Fencing Academy
2/24 Ereton Drive, ARUNDEL |
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| Vanguard Swordsmanship Academy (VSA) | Weapon/Style: | Longsword; sword and dagger; sabre | |
| Day and Time: | Monday, 7.00pm to 9.00pm Wednesday, 7.00pm to 9pm |
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| Location: | Oakleigh State School 49 Buxton Street, ASHGROVE |
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| Vera Guardia Academy of the Sword | Weapon/Style: | Exhibition fencing — rapier, sidesword, greatsword; Competitive HEMA — rapier, sabre, smallsword, halberd; Modern foil, epee, sabre | |
| Day and Time: | Monday, 6.30pm to 8.30pm Wednesday, 5.30pm to 7.30pm |
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| Location: | 438 Flinders St, Floor 2, Townsville City, TOWNSVILLE | ||
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