Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) / Western Martial Arts (WMA)

Karl Jacobs is the owner of the Milwaukee Swordplay Academy, the head instructor for Armizare (medieval knightly martial arts) and is an instructor for Renaissance weapons.  With a foundation from aikido and jujutsu, Karl has participated in various forms of historically-inspired combat sports for nearly 30 years.  An inquisitive student of historical treatises since 1996, he has brought the material from the treatises into the combative sports where possible.  He  joined the Chicago Swordplay Guild in 2004, became a Scholar of Armizare and co-founded the Milwaukee chapter of the Chicago Swordplay Guild in 2006.  Karl continues to develop his skills through continued study and progression with the International Armizare Society, the Chicago Swordplay Guild, and with Razmafzar Historical Persian Martial Arts.

Sean Newton is the head instructor for rapier, smarra, foil, epee, and saber.  Sean is a long-time instructor with the Classical Fencing Society, and has nearly two decades of experience as a classical fencer. He is certified as an Instructor at Arms through the Fencing Masters program in California..  "If classical fencing is like classical music, then historical fencing with the rapier is like playing improvisational jazz."  

Introduction to Knightly Longsword

No prior experience necessary, and you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy this mix of history, exercise, technique and strategy. This 8-week introductory course are good for the curious beginner and are required to advance into other classes.  All fencing equipment provided. 

Introduction to Renaissance Rapier

No prior experience necessary, and you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy this mix of history, exercise, technique and strategy.  Beginners can join a mixed class where the instructor presents training for a variety of levels of experience.  All fencing equipment provided.