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The
Exiles is a company of Western Martial Artists concentrating
on the hand-to-hand fighting techniques of Western Europe
during the medieval and early renaissance periods. We are
active participants in the growing international Fechtbuch
community, interpreting a variety of surviving historical
manuals and intensively practicing the techniques we uncover.
Whilst our main focus is on a period running roughly from
the mid-fourteenth to the late-fifteenth century, an era that
saw the increasing reproduction of such martial manuals, we
also attempt to learn from other periods and practice their
styles. The forms that we concentrate on include unarmed striking
and grappling, pole-arms (staff, spear, poleaxe, etc.), longsword,
sword & shield, and sword & buckler.
Our aim is to learn to fight just as trained men of the period,
well enough that we could rely upon our skills to defend ourselves
in both historic and modern-day situations. We are not a show
or reenactment group. However, we do take part in recreational
events for fun and to promote our study.
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The
techniques we practice have been researched not only by
members of our group but also by members of many other groups
and societies, with whom we often work to further our common
goal of recreating Western European Martial Arts. Although
it is a relatively recent development, this community of
like-minded groups is growing rapidly, encompassing members
from Oriental martial arts, sport fencing, historical reenactment
and other backgrounds.
Although we attend a varied cross-section of events including
occasional reenactment shows, these are not compulsory and
our main emphasis is on our weekly practice sessions. If
you are interested in finding out more about this field
of martial arts, why not contact us.
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Primoris Book
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Western Martial Arts Illustrated
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Members
of the British Federation of Historical Swordplay
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Friends
of the Company of Maisters
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Affiliate
of the Academy of European Martial Arts
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Affiliated
with the Medieval Fencing Academy
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