On Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 2:00pm, Luke Kramer will give a special presentation on “The Sword in Motion: An Overview of Fight Books from the Late Middle Ages and Early Renaissance” at Castlerock Museum in Alma, Wisconsin.
Looking at swords is fascinating, but what would that same artifact on the wall be capable of in the hands of one who knows how to use it? Fortunately, our ancestors have left us a glimpse of the past; combat manuals that allow us to envision the sword as it was used in its heyday. Join Luke Kramer, instructor at Driftless HEMA, for a look at these fight books over the ages, starting with the earliest known depiction of sword and buckler, up through the rise of the rapier. Come and see how the changes in weapon technology (and social customs) necessitated the adaptation of new forms of martial art.
After the brief overview, members of Driftless HEMA will demonstrate the combat system of notable fencing masters Johannes Liechtenauer and Nicoletto Giganti in the museum courtyard, weather permitting. We hope to see you leave with renewed admiration for a martial art that is much more than Hollywood would have you believe!
Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for students. Museum members receive a 50% discount. Castlerock Museum will be open at 1:00pm for visitors that would like to see the exhibits beforehand. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged. Contact the museum at 608.685.4231 or
info@castlerockmuseum.com for more details.
Castlerock Museum is an arms and armor museum; our exhibits include arms and armor from many points in European history. A visit offers the chance to view and learn about authentic armor spanning many periods; the collection begins with ancient Greece, and concludes in the early modern period. To provide a better sense of the many different cultures our arms and armor originates from, we enrich our displays by using art prints to show the arms and armor in their historical context.
The Alma Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center is located in the Wings Over Alma Building on Main Street. Let us know if you have any questions or comments. We are happy to provide more details. Please email us 24/7 or call us to learn more.
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