Training with the NESG –
Welcome to the Nebraska Swordfighters Guild, the home for historical european martial arts in the capital city! We train on Mondays at Easterday Recreation Center, 6130 Adams St, Lincoln, NE 68507. Occasionally we will also train during guild events, in preparation for specific tournaments, or because we feel like it.
Below you’ll find a complete description of our curriculum, our focus within that curriculum, and best of all, how you can become a part of our studies. If the info below doesn’t quite answer your questions, you can find out a great deal more about the specific martial arts we study under the Tradition, and if you have additional questions, feel free to contact us.
Our Curriculum:
The NESG’s focus is on Medieval Swordsmanship, or Armizare, and focuses on the weapons of the European ‘knightly class’ used during the 13th – 15th centuries. The medieval material includes both armoured and unarmoured applications.
The Nebraska Swordfighters Guild is a daughter school of the Chicago Swordplay Guild, and utilizes their curriculum and traditions in our instruction. The Chicago Swordplay Guild is one of the highest regarded schools of modern european martial arts in the world and have developed their curriculum over 18 years of dedicated scholarship. Students will find that the underlying principles of movement, timing, distance, body mechanics, etc., that are applicable to the first weapon they learn, will largely carry over to all of the others. Our methodology is to focus on the underlying principles and body mechanics common to all of these weapons. Understanding of how a particular weapon’s morphology affects these core principles are then taught through a study of the individual weapons themselves
Newcomers are required to begin training at one of the outside introductory classes (described below) to ensure safety and proper use of a longsword, as well as give them the general structure of how we operate in the guild. After successful completion of one of these courses, the student may be invited to join the Guild as a Novice.
Introduction to the Longsword – A Taste of the Knightly Arts
Learn an actual historical style of medieval European swordsmanship, based entirely on the documented methods of 14th and 15th century Italian masters of defense! This introductory course provides the basics of medieval swordsmanship training as a foundation for more advanced practice, including stances, posture, movement, methods of striking and defending with the medieval “hand and a half” sword, and most importantly, how to handle longswords safely for you and those around you. The course will include demonstrations, drills, and free-play with safety gear and simulated weapons. Beginners welcome, no prior experience, or equipment required.
Introductory classes are held quarterly through Southeast Community College. You can find their classes at: https://www.southeast.edu/business-and-community/community/personal-interest/sports-recreation-and-fitness.php.
If you scroll down that page to the ‘4 Ways to Register’ and click on ‘online’ you can search for the next class session by searching for ‘swordplay’. The classes DO sell out fast so as soon as that SCC catalog comes out you’d want to register.
Guild Membership – Continuing Education
Membership in the Nebraska Swordfighters Guild is by invitation only, and may be offered to students who have completed at least one course of the introductory longsword classes. Visitors are welcome to come and observe. However, participation is restricted to Guild members.
Host the Guild – Demos and seminars
As a 501 (c)3 educational organization part of our mission is educating the public on the history and artistry of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA.) We have performed demos for local conventions, VFW and school groups. Performed for a negotiable fee, we are currently accepting inquiries for the 2022 season, see contact us for more information.
[Daniel Cadenbach and Joe Loder demonstrate longsword techniques during Constellation 11 – 2022 ]
Do you have an existing martial arts/fitness group? Are you curious about how our art works or, how its teachings could fit in your own studies? Our head instructor has over 14 years experience studying, training, and teaching Fiore’s art as well as 9 years as a fitness professional. He is able to tailor a seminar to the fitness, combative, or historical perspectives of Fiore’s art, which ever you feel pairs the best with your own art. Seminar fees vary depending on travel distance as well as duration and desired topic.