This message is to inform you of recent changes that have occurred at the Stoccata School of Defence. In December 2024, the Committee received a complaint regarding the ongoing behaviour of Mr Paul Wagner, who was the Head Provost for the Epping, Newtown, and Sydney (The Rocks) branches. This complaint was taken very seriously by … Continue reading Branch Closures
Hey Coach, My Sword is Rusty!
If you do historical fencing for long enough, it's inevitable that you'll end up with a sword going rusty. This usually happens when we stuff our sweaty fencing jacket into the kit bag, and forget to take it out when we get home. I get asked a lot by students how to clean their swords, … Continue reading Hey Coach, My Sword is Rusty!
System Highlight: Zack Wylde (1711)
A quick introduction of Zach Wylde's The English Master of Defence from 1711. What is remarkable about this particular fencing master's manual is his emphasis of being a well rounded fencer, wherein he covers smallsword, broadsword, quarter-staff, and wrestling. For this reason he has become a favourite text for Provost Matthew Boyd, head instructor for … Continue reading System Highlight: Zack Wylde (1711)
Recent Successful Prizes at Stoccata
Within Stoccata the "Playing of the Prize" is how we perform a grading for our students. This concept goes right back to the medieval fencing guilds, and was also used as a money making venture by them. We have recently had several students from our Sydney School of Arms branch and our Newtown branch successfully … Continue reading Recent Successful Prizes at Stoccata
Converting a Shinai Into a Spadone
Coming into 2015 we were looking at running classes on Spadone, and we needed a simple affordable simulator that students could train with. Whilst we could have used wooden batons, the ability to them in antagonistic drills would be limited. Enter the humble shinai which with a little bit of work can be turned into … Continue reading Converting a Shinai Into a Spadone
Stoccata School of Defence 