Historical Fencing

Fencing has a history that stretches back centuries and at West End Swords we are dedicated to studying the evolution of the sword through the ages. In our Historical Fencing (HEMA) Programs, students will learn the art of sword fighting with an emphasis on application and technical proficiency in our rapier, smallsword, & longsword classes!

We are one of the original historical fencing clubs in the GTA with a lineage of studying rapier that stretches back 30 years and are proud to keep that tradition going.

Historical Fencing Schedule & Programs

German Medieval Longsword

  • Intro to Longsword: Tuesdays 6:30-8pm

  • The Art of Longsword : FALL 2025

Italian Renaissance Rapier

  • Intro to Rapier: Tuesdays 8-10pm

  • The Art of Rapier: Tuesdays 8-10pm

18th Century Smallsword

  • Intro to Smallsword: Sundays 6-7:30pm

  • The Art of Smallsword: Sundays 6-7:30pm

Longsword - 14-15th Century

West End Swords is happy to announce we are officially running a longsword fencing program led in partnership with Alina Boyden! She has been practicing historical fencing since 2002 and has been teaching longsword according to the Liechtenauer tradition since 2018. Her system, dubbed 'Ritterkunst' by her instructor, Jessica Finley, is derived from the 15th century manuscripts of the Liechtenauer tradition.

This program will have three components; Intro to Longsword (summer 2025), Art of Longsword (fall 2025), & Longsword Sparring (winter 2025).

Rapier - 16th-17th Century

Continuing with our tradition, our Historical Rapier class takes a unique approach to an old artform. In this class, students will learn from a handful of sources (beginning with Camillo Agrippa & Francesco Alfieri) to develop a deep understanding of how the rapier became the most popular weapon of renaissance Europe! With an emphasis on sparring, students will explore different ways to win and survive a swordfight. No prior experience necessary, but completion of our Intro to Foil class is helpful!

Smallsword - 18th Century

The art of the duel! Our Smallsword Fencing class is fast, explosive, and a fun time for historical and modern fencers alike. Students will be instructed in the art of the smallsword, a court sword all about precision and speed. Most notably popularized by masters like Domenico Angelo from the mid 17th to late 18th century. The smallsword marked one of the last eras of historical fencing before it became the sport we know and love. Would we be a foil club if we didn’t play with smallswords every week?