CKDF Newsletter October 2019
Welcome New Members!
Thursday, September 12th marked the first day of our newest beginner cycle in Gemeinesfechten. John Durish lead an amazingly informative class focusing on the broad foundation movements and guards that comprise the art of HEMA.

As a reminder, dues are paid through our CKDF TidyHQ and HEMA Alliance Insurance is mandatory.
Go to HEMA Alliance TidyHQ and set up an account. Select "In-Network Discount Alliance Membership," in the field "Other club or school" write in "Capital KDF." Your HEMA Alliance Membership expiration date will be one year, minus one day after you have joined HEMA Alliance. Example, if you joined 9/13/2019 your expiration will be 9/12/2020.
Supplemental Reading
We strive to keep our study of HEMA authentic and that requires research as we practice. For those just getting started, we have a list of resources below.

Websites:
  • Wiktenauer
  • The free library of Historical European Martial Arts books and manuscripts.
  • HEMA Alliance
  • A service organization for the Historical European Martial Arts community. The HEMA Alliance is incorporated an an educational non-profit in order to provide a wide range of services from a stable core whose educational mission is legally bound by open bylaws and democracy.
Books:
  • German Longsword Study Guide
  • The Recital of the Chivalric Art of Fencing of the Grand Master Johannes Leichtenauer
  • The Martial Ethic in Early Modern Germany: Civic Duty and Rightful Arms
  • Cutting with the Medieval Sword: Theory and Application
  • The Art of Swordsmanship by Hans Lecküchner
  • Codex Wallerstein
  • The Flower Battle: MS Ludwig XV13
  • Die RingerKunst des Fabian von Auerswald
  • The Art of Sword Combat: A 1568 German Treatise on Swordmanship
  • Masters of Medieval & Renaissance Martial Arts: Rediscovering the Western Combat Heritage

For those looking to diversify their collections HEMA Roundtables is acting as a Book Club and hosting podcast discussions with members in the HEMA community.
Gear - What to Buy and When: The Basics
Swords
As tempting as it may be to immediately invest in a steel feder it is recommended that new HEMA-ists use the Type III Pentti Longsword 50" Grey Nylon when starting out. CKDF has plenty of synthetic loaners available for use during class. The synthetics are perfect for building and correcting structure and body mechanics as the blade thickness makes it easier to assess edge alignment during movements.

First Purchases
Typically the first purchase for a new HEMA participant includes a mask, gloves, and pelvic protection. Gentlemen, cups are required for most classes. The only exception being Wednesday's Ringen class. Ladies, pelvic protection is optional, though accidental hits can occur.

Masks
HEMA approved fencing masks are rated CE Level 1 (350N), do not purchase used masks.
Mask liners are recommended, but back of the head protection is mandatory. Some fencers prefer gel lined caps while others are satisfied using a rugby scrum cap. The extra padding helps absorb strikes and reduces mask rattle. Back of the head protection styles are based on fencer preference. Purple Heart Armory offers approved back of the head protection for fencers. It bears stating the AF Deluxe HEMA Fencing Mask is an unnecessary investment. You will most likely need to replace the mask before you will need to replace the back of the head protection. Better to purchase these as separate pieces than an integrated item. CKDF offers loaner masks in various sizes to use while in class, so no rush to immediately purchase these.

Hand Protection
On to the topic of gloves and hand protection. Depending on the weapons you will be studying there are different levels of hand protection that are recommended. If you are just starting out with Longsword or Polearms basic lacrosse gloves are enough protection when drilling. Note, lacrosse gloves are for drilling only. Do not spar at full speed with this limited level of protection. CKDF offers loaner gloves of various sizes for class, most of these are the SPES Heavy Gauntlets.

Rapier, Single Stick, Smallsword, Broadsword, and Dagger allow for lighter hand protection due to the nature of the weapon. Typically the Rapier and Singlestick or the Padded Leather Gloves are sufficient for these classes. Plastrons are also required for Rapier due to the thinner quality of the fencing jackets.

In the event the HEMA fever is raging and you are willing to invest in heavier duty gloves for Longsword because you already know you will be full speed sparring: St. Mark's Koning Glove, SPES Heavy, and when available the ProGauntlet are all approved for full speed and tournament sparring.
  • Koning Gloves offer a good bit of mobility and are designed for experienced fencers. They do not offer a small size and their lead times are very long.
  • ProGauntlet is in development and is projected to release in 2020 if all goes according to plan. This glove will be new on the HEMA scene and will need to undergo extensive testing to ensure fingers and hands are truly safe.
  • SPES Heavy is the tried and true glove of the HEMA community at present. Small and Extra Small sizes are available. Lead time is that of standard shipping. It is recommended to supplement these gloves with extra finger tip protection just in case.
Upcoming Events
Historic Knightly Physical Training
Sunday 10/13/2019 10:00AM - 6:00PM
11331 Waples Mill Rd, Oakton, VA 22124
Charles Lin will be putting on quite the event at our own Montante Farms in Oakton, VA. This event is focusing on knightly training sessions described in 13th-15th century knightly sources.

The pace is meant to be vigorous however we will strive to include everyone. The event will conclude with a discussion centered around historic physical training sources and how knights may have approached their own training.

Lunch is included. The event is "rain or shine" with limited exceptions, see event details for full dress code and details of activities. Attendance is now full.
Meyer Heresy Workshop
Sunday 10/20/2019 10:00AM - 12:30PM
25 S Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314
Forget everything you think you’ve heard about the heretical nature of Joachim Meyer. Come learn the context around his methods and how they are directly descended from early Kunst des Fechtens.

Jess Rozek-Workman was first interested in becoming a knight due to a Tamora Pierce novel and Highlander. A long interest in swordsmanship and history led to looking into Olympic fencing, SCA, and aikido without really finding what she wanted to do. In 2011, she helped found the Grunberg Freifechter (MFFG-VT) group in Burlington, Vermont, where she started learning Joachim Meyer as a new fencer. The following year, she placed 4th in the Longpoint women’s longsword tournament. She moved to Maryland in 2013 and started studying at Maryland Kunst des Fechtens. Currently, she serves as lead instructor to the beginner’s class, treasurer, and webmaster.
AutumnFecht 2019
Saturday 11/2/2019 8:00AM - 5:00PM
MD Juniors Volleyball Club
8221 Preston Court #F, Jessup, MD 20794
Hosted by our sister club MKDF this event is local and always a ton of fun. You won't want to miss out!

This year marks AutumnFecht's 5th Anniversary. There will be 3 courts for sparring, wrestling, montante swinging, and classes.

Instructors so far include Mike Gilding (MKDF), Nicholas Schneider (MKDF), Connor Kemp-Cowell (Philadelphia Common Fencers), and Patrick Bratton (Sala della Spada). Mike Gilding's class will focus on Counter Fighting and Movement with St. Martin's French Dueling Saber. Nicholas Schneider with a class aptly named Im Schwert, Im Messer: Related Systems for Different Weapons is an exploration focused on the similarities between Messer and Longsword. Connor will be teaching Vadi's longsword system. More to come on Patrick's course.

More instructor announcements to follow, and of course, an optional dinner gathering post event.
Mid-Atlantic Historical Wrestling League
Sunday 11/17/2019 3:00PM - 7:00PM
Top Tier CrossFit Columbia
6570 Dobbin Rd, Columbia, MD 21045
Presented by the United States Historical Ringen Association. This marks the first Mid-Atlantic Historical Wrestling League! This winter league will serve to promote inter-club competition, the standardizing of rule sets and weight classes, as well as a way for participants to track their progress across multiple events.

CKDF's Ringen class is led by Timothy Hall, a world renown Ringen competitor and leading source on historical wrestling material. Class is held at the Capital Area Budokai Wednesdays at 8:30PM.

All three competitions are to be held at Top Teir Crossfit in Columbia the home of our sister club, MKDF. Cost is $40.00 per person, or $100.00 if you register for all three events by 11/1/2019.

Competition Dates:
11/17/2019
12/8/2019
1/5/2020
Class Schedule
Monday
Advanced Longsword: Kunst des Fechtens
8:00PM - 10:00PM at the Capital Area Budokai

Instructors: Joe Lilly, Charles Lin, Thomas Schratwieser
Recommended Reading: Liechtenauer Zettel
Recommended Kit: Tournament kit, including, but not limited to, feder (steel preferred), HEMA fencing mask, HEMA-approved jacket, HEMA gloves, throat protection, arm and leg protection.
Tuesday
Dagger, Knife, and Axe
7:30PM - 8:30PM behind the Capital Area Budokai

Instructors: Alex Bowe & William Buscher
Recommended Kit: Mask, Gloves, Pelvic Protection
Polearms
8:30PM - 10:00PM behind the Capital Area Budokai

Instructors: Alex Bowe & William Buscher
Recommended Kit: Mask, Gloves, Pelvic Protection
Wednesday
Ringen: Medieval Grappling
8:30PM - 10:00PM at the Capital Area Budokai
Instructor: Tim Hall
Recommended Reading: Fabian von Auerswald
Recommended Kit: Ringen Jacket , a thletic wear if no jacket available. Cups are optional, mouth guards recommended.
Thursday
Single-Handed Swords
6:00PM - 8:00PM at the Capital Area Budokai


Instructor: Chris Dyer
Recommended Kit: Athletic Wear, Masks, Lite Gloves, Pelvic Protection, Chest Protection recommended
Beginner Longsword: Gemeinesfechten
8:00PM - 9:30PM at the Capital Area Budokai

Instructors: William Buscher, Charles Lin, Joe Lilly, Marlene Hurst, Brent Wang, Justin Ziegler, John Durish
Recommended Kit: Athletic Wear, Masks, Gloves, Pelvic Protection
Sunday
Open Gym: Independent Study
8:00PM - 10:00PM at the Capital Area Budokai