We are a Seattle-based group of martial artists who practice historical European combat systems. We are hosting weekly practice sessions in the fighting arts of the medieval knight, and in an eclectic martial and exercise culture, often referred to as Bartitsu or Defense dans la rue, that flourished in Victorian England and France. Both groups have availability for newcomers.

Monday and Wednesday evenings, our medieval group works on techniques and concepts drawn from Fiore dei Liberi’s Flower of Battle. We work with the medieval longsword, rondel dagger, and with empty-hand.

The Nineteenth Century Combatives Group meets on Tuesday evenings. This group, which is called BWAHAHAHA, emphasizes physical conditioning using Indian clubs and medicine balls, and practices period martial arts, both empty-hand (pugilism, savate) and weapon-based (stick, heavy saber, etc.)

Various groups do forms of European historical combat. These groups have varying qualities, interests and focus. Ours are as follows:

• Authentic: We study original sources, such as the Flower of Battle. To the extent possible, we work to replicate techniques and tactics depicted therein, using similar training equipment.
• Martial: We seek to build martial prowess. This training was meant for survival during duels, on the battlefield, and in desperate back-alley encounters. It is real life-and-death stuff.
• Chivalric: We are a group of ladies and gentlemen. Our interactions are carried out with a spirit of cooperation, chivalry and respect.
• Fitness: We all have day jobs, spouses, families, etc., so we respect our time together, training intensively, getting fit, and avoiding injuries and other stupidity.
• Coaching: Our group lacks an authoritarian hierarchy. Some of us organize workouts.
• Avocation: We do this for enjoyment, not profit.