This FAQ pertains mostly to questions about our Swordplay Academy.
For a more general FAQ, please visit the Knights of Veritas homepage.

• What is Western Martial Arts? Does it involve cowboys?

No cowboys here. Western Martial Arts, or WMA for short, are the historical combat traditions of Western cultures, namely Europe. This is a matter of distinction from Eastern Martial Arts, popularly known in the form of such traditions as Karate, Kung Fu, etc., originating from Eastern cultures. Unfortunately, when people think "martial arts," the tendency is to immediately think of Eastern forms to the exclusion of all else. The fact is that there are dozens of surviving manuals from the middle ages and renaissance that are instructional in the combat forms popular in their day. Despite the abundance of such documentation, it is only in the last 10 years or so that WMA has begun experiencing a renaissance of it's own, with avid historians and practical-minded fighters alike attempting to re-create the historical combat arts of Europe.

• Are Western Martial Arts similar to Eastern Martial Arts?

In some ways, yes. The end result of any martial art grounded in effectiveness is to dispatch a foe quickly and simply, and those Eastern Martial Arts that retain these traits also share them with Western Martial Arts. The human body only has so many ways it can move, and those who were determined to hurt one another were very skilled at finding the very best ways of doing so, no matter what continent they came from. Possibly the largest difference may be that, since some Eastern Martial Arts have been passed down over so many generations, in some cases they have become a sport or fitness activity rather than a way of fighting effectively. Since Western Martial Arts is relatively untouched ground, those involved in interpreting them have the benefit of seeing them through fresh eyes rather than through traditional filters. Ultimately, what has been revealed is that the combat traditions of the European medieval and renaissance periods are easily on par with those of the East. Effective fighting is universal.

• Are Western Martial Arts similar to the fencing I've seen on the Olympics?

Only in a very limited way. Olympic style fencing is a modern sport that came about as a result of 19th Century duellists needing a safe way to train for duels. At that time, known as the "Classical" era of fencing, it was still about actually using the weapon for one's defense in a real encounter, and for that reason Classical fencing is considered a genuine martial art. Since modern fencing derived from Classical fencing, it has inherited a connection to an actual practical combat art. However, like some Eastern Martial Arts, modern fencing is not about defending one's life in a real fight with a real sword, but rather about technical form and scoring points during a bout. It's connection to an effective fighting art isn't all that far back in it's past, but it is a very long, broken line to try to trace modern fencing back to anything actually resembling medieval combat.

• Are Western Martial Arts similar to what we see in movies?

Very little of what is seen in movies bears any resemblance to actual historical combat. It must be remembered at all times that movies, television, games, and other forms of entertainment are just that- entertainment. Most moves seen in stage or theatrical combat would get a person killed quickly if defending their life against someone skilled in historical combat arts. This is a distinction that we emphasize to both the theatrical and historical students who study in our Academy.

• Weren't medieval swords big, heavy, and awkward to use?

Not in the way that television and movies would have you believe. A longsword, which is approximately 48" in overall length, had a weight range of about 3.5 to 4 lbs. An average single-handed sword, with an overall length of about 38", weighed in at about 2.5 to 3 lbs. Even the largest swords ever meant for battlefield use, sometimes at a towering 72", averaged only 6 lbs., with 8 lbs. being considered the very top end of acceptable weight for that type. As with any tool, to appreciate the characteristics of a weapon, one must know how to effectively use it and train with it often. The result is that the weapon becomes an extension of your body, facilitating deliberate and efficient movements, rather than brutish chopping as most people are accustomed to thinking.

• Do you train with real swords?

We use a variety of training tools. For test cutting and solo drill, we use sharp replica swords which closely approximate the real thing. For much of our paired training, our primary training tool is a realistically proportioned wooden sword called a waster. Qualified students use padded weapons and wear safety gear when doing "focus" drills and competitive bouting, because of the inherent risks involved when using accurate technique. We only use real swords in our educational presentations.

• How do I join?

If you are local to Eastern Washington State, our Academy is open to those who are interested in studying with us in Moses Lake. We also take our training on the road when asked to do workshops.