A quiet night tonight in the Crystal Palace Longsword class (not so quiet, some are hiding from the swing!), so I brought some toys along for the night. Montante rules from Figueyredo and Godinho. #hema #learnswordfighting #schlachtschwert #zweihander #londonlongswordacademy

Excellent end to the day. Verdadera Destreza Sabre from Frias. With a hint of Paulus Hector Mair and Joachim Meyer, because there was a pertinent place. Excellent work from all! #hema #learnswordfighting #davidrawlings #community #londonlongswordacademy

Thr Verdadera Destreza class, and a lesson of glowering at the movement of conclusion. Deeply fun we spent the entirety of the freeplay that followed trying to close to conclude. Utterly excellent. #hema #learnswordfighting #londonlongswordacademy #community #davidrawlings

I’ll post more of these exchanges over the next few days. These two were wonderful to watch. The whole smallsword session yesterday was freeplay with everyone bringing something new and improved to the table. #hema #learnswordfighting #davidrawlings #community #londonlongswordacademy

A lesson on spins with the staff from Joachim Meyer and Paulus Hector Mair polearms work. #hema #londonlongswordacademy #learnswordfighting #accidentallyrenaissance #community

Cracking session in the both the Longsword and sword in one hand fundamentals classes. #hema #londonlongswordacademy #achillemarozzo #liechtenauer #learnswordfighting

“It’s a smallsword, it’s elegant” From the back of the hall “IT’S A F*cking SHANK!”* I’m so glad my descriptors as slipping on. #hema #fencing #londonlongswordacademy *to be used elegantly for shanking

Sabre and Dussack from Paulus Hector Mair and Joachim Meyer, in the Crystal Palace mixed weapons class.❤️⚔️❤️ #hema #learnswordfighting #davidrawlings #londonlongswordacademy #community

I.33 in the sword and buckler class. Lots of tempo work, lots to be proud of.☺️⚔️☺️ #hema #learnswordfighting #davidrawlings #community #londonlongswordacademy

I’m not going to make this about a few choice photos of women in the classes. I’m going to use this as my reminder that we need to work harder for equality. Happy women’s day. #hema #fencing #community #learnswordfighting #londonlongswordacademy

Last lesson going awesome 😂 verdadera destreza Sabre at Sword Saturday. #hema #learnswordfighting #londonlongswordacademy #friassabre #community

Which Lucini are you? #learnswordfighting #hema #londonlongswordacademy #londonlongswordfamily

“The lives of American heroes may be lost” but not yours eh Bonespurtacus?

Krucke! I.33 work in the sword and buckler class. Such a clinical dissection of this play and everyone was superb. And I LOVE Sally’s excellent covering placement in the freeplay. #hema #anonimobolognese #learnswordfighting #londonlongswordacademy #community

Can we cut to the chase and call it ADaveDHD?!? #adhd

I’ve been Labour all my voting life, and much apologise to the poor representative of uk Labour who came to the door. I hadn’t realised my fury the party’s support of genocide and anti trans policies. It got expletive, and as they said “I understand, I will put you down as no longer voting for us”.

From my personal research collection. An original page from Academie de l’Espée the beautiful masterwork of verdadera destreza by Girard Thibault d’Anvers. #hema #learnswordfighting #gerardthibault #londonlongswordacademy #davidrawlings

I.33 in the sword and buckler class. A lot of work on the circular footwork that makes the system function properly. And a lot of discussion of parallel actions elsewhere from Frias sabre to the anonimo bolognese and others. #hema #learnswordfighting #community #londonlongswordacademy #davidrawlings

Politicians should strengthen communities, build a sense of pride and nationhood defined not by skin colour, accent or singular language, but a shared desire to build together to become a stronger whole. How they elevate the weakest, or how they empower the powerful should show you their worth.

If you want a longer sword, step closer! I think Robyn needs a tank! #hema #learnswordfighting #warhammer #londonlongswordacademy #londonlongswordfamily

The sword in two hands. Achille Marozzo form work in the a Crystal Palace class. #londonlongswordacademy #learnswordfighting #community #hema #davidrawlings

Find a crew that elevates each other❤️⚔️❤️ Swords, Spears, Sickles, RAVE! #hema #londonlongswordacademy #learnswordfighting #londonlongswordfamily

I’ve been asked to explain this a lot and I always end up trying to do so inside ten minutes, post freeplay when folks are exhausted after trying their best and where it might be taken as criticism, rather than “here is the thing we should remind ourselves of constantly. #hema #learnswordfighting

The face of the teacher who nipped to the loo mid class to find that the door has locked behind him, who walked around the entire church to find that helpful students have barred the gates but, it will not hold me for long. The ground shakes... drums, drums in the deep.😂

My opinion of what Reform will offer, look to the states. They will pick minority after to minority to turn you against, will enrich themselves and destroy your rights, the economy and offer nothing but more hate and hurt in return. Embodying corruption and grift, wealth for them and pain for you.

An incredibly focussed sword and buckler class yesterday, working varied measures in I.33, from entering from half shield, to crutch (with added Yoda, cos it helps). Fantastic work from everyone ☺️ #hema #community #learnswordfighting #davidrawlings #londonlongswordacademy

The bonus of breakdowns of why the new Wuthering Heights is so painfully awful. Is that I’ve had the pleasure to learn how and why the original literature is so important, I have never read it. And now I am, see you on the other side.

There is something special in a sudden storm, when you find yourself at a crossing. And that slow realisation from the person in front of you that they aren’t as wet as they should be. And maybe a short walk where you make a momentary friend.

Due to the contentious comments on yesterday’s video, Robyn felt it necessary to address Posture of the Straight Line gate. #hema #girardthibault #cats #learnswordfighting #verdaderadestreza

Robyn, our resident expert on La Verdadera Destreza, offers some valuable insight into the works of Girard Thibault. #davidrawlings #hema #learnswordfighting #cats #londonlongswordacademy

What’s everyone listening to today? I bet a lot of Bad Bunny😊 Also this is why the mopping might have hit a bit high on the walls😂

I wonder if there is some interdenominational chat that knows me as, Dave who introduces himself as “did you know our earliest fencing manual is a priest teaching swordfighting, and is the first treatise to show a woman fencing and men fencing?”😂

Sometimes the shot doesn’t land, but it’s sooooo fun learning from the misses! Then hitting ☺️⚔️☺️ Freeplay in the smallsword class. #hema #learnswordfighting #domenicoangelo #londonlongswordacademy #community

I.33 and working the Schutzen against 2nd ward and its plays in the sword and buckler class. #hema #learnswordfighting #davidrawlings #londonlongswordacademy #community

Polearms in the mixed weapons class. Partisan, staff, halberd and poleaxe all on the same night. Achille Marozzo, Joachim Meyer, and a metric ton of stabbiness. #hema #fencing #londonlongswordacademy #community #davidrawlings

So, looking at our options, we have: Reform, the same old Tories and worse. Green Party, not Nazis, and nice. Hmmm🤔

Achille Marozzo and flowing through some Joachim Meyer. Lovely work from everyone and caught this moment of poise from these three. #hema #londonlongswordacademy #accidentallyrenaissance #learnswordfighting #community #davidrawlings

Another beautiful Sword Saturday. Polearms, Longsword and the invisible sabre class (I forgot to take pics) Our incredible community!❤️⚔️❤️ #hema #learnswordfighting #londonlongswordacademy #davidrawlings #fencing

Today I saw a friend and thought of another who isn’t here but brings me love with stupid 2 am texts. I saw people across the world trying to make things better for others in the face of unbelievable odds. Look beneath the infected wounds of the world you can see so many cells rushing to heal it.

How much do I love this sword?!? Updated reviews coming soon #hema #londonlongswordfamily #londonlongswordacademy #verdaderadestreza

A beautiful day and a private lesson just before the rain came in. A birthday party with a few Dungeons and Dragons friends who decided to pit rogue against fighter and Druid against cleric as Bruce watched on! #londonlongswordacademy #learnswordfighting #hema #davidrawlings

Warm up in the smallsword class is a debonair affair. #londonlongswordacademy #rapier #hemauk #community #learnswordfighting

Jenrick joining reform was as predictable as a sh*t after cigarettes and coffee.

A fecking great session, for me a lot of work on proceeding with resolution, And everyone having an access of what we did and what we can do better. #londonlongswordacademy #community #salvatorefabris #rapier #learnswordfighting

Almost everyone up to dance. Freeplay in the sword and buckler class. Work to be proud of, after a good hard session of Achille Marozzo and the Anonimo Bolognese! #hema #londonlongswordacademy #learnswordfighting #davidrawlings #community

I’m often asked what treatises we work from, so here are a few. If you want more lists like this, let me know. #londonlongswordacademy #londonlongswordfamily #learnswordfighting #hema #davidrawlings

What is best in life? (Tuesday edition). Tuesday nights are awesome. Missed the feeeplay, but I was doing the freeplay. #londonlongswordacademy #londonlongswordfamily #communiy #hema #learnswordfighting

There is no way this is going to start a trend. #londonlongswordfamily #londonlongswordacademy #shieldsaint

One of the best things about having a really sharp partisan is that you get to spin it in the manner of Pascha, while grinning on the inside. Polearms are fun. #londonlongswordacademy #londonlongswordfamily #hemauk #davidrwalings #spear

Ever wanted to sword fight? Our beginner’s classes are the most excellent place to start, in an inclusive and fun environment, with people who know what they are doing and love to show you how. We provide all the equipment you need, and the perfect, safe environment to start.