International Rapier Seminar 2026

18–19 July 2026 | The Swan School, Oxford

Join us for two days of high-level rapier fencing, scholarship, and community in the historic city of Oxford.

Hosted at The Swan School, this international weekend brings together leading instructors and researchers from across Europe for an intensive programme of practical workshops, academic lectures, competitive fencing, and social exchange.

Whether you are a tournament fighter, a historically-minded practitioner, or simply passionate about the art of the rapier, this event is designed to immerse you in both the theory and practice of Historical European Martial Arts.

What to Expect

16 practical workshops delivered across two training spaces, covering:

• Verdadera Destreza and Iberian traditions
• Portuguese rapier systems
• Cloak and lantern
• Off-hand control
• Tactical development
• Conditioning and training methodology
• Historical interpretation and application
• And more

6 specialist lectures exploring:

• Early modern rapier culture
• Interpreting historical treatises for practitioners
• Fencing lineage and historiography
• Gender representation in HEMA
• And more

Two tournaments on Sunday:

• Single Rapier
• Rapier & Companion

The programme is structured to allow participants to attend a substantial number of both workshops and lectures, while still competing if they wish.

In addition to the scheduled sessions, there will be dedicated space for free fencing throughout the event.

We will gather in local Oxford pubs on both evenings for informal socials — an opportunity to continue discussions, meet fellow fencers, reconnect with old friends, and enjoy the atmosphere of one of England’s most historic cities.

Location

The event will take place at The Swan School, Oxford, offering:

• Two large training areas in the sports hall
• Dedicated lecture classroom space
• On-site facilities
• Easy access from Oxford city centre

Oxford in July offers long evenings, historic streets, and excellent food and accommodation options within easy reach.

Equipment

Full protective kit suitable for steel rapier fencing is required for workshops and tournaments. Detailed equipment standards will be circulated to participants in advance.

Early Bird Tickets

Early bird tickets will be available in limited numbers.

We strongly encourage early booking — places are capped to maintain training quality and hall capacity, and Oxford events historically fill quickly. Once early bird tickets are sold out, standard pricing will apply.

If you are planning to attend, secure your place sooner rather than later.

Our Ethos

We are committed to creating a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants. This event supports diversity within HEMA and aims to foster a culture of mutual respect, curiosity, and generosity in learning.

Harassment, discrimination, or unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated. We expect all attendees to contribute to a positive training atmosphere — competitive where appropriate, collaborative at all times.

We want this weekend to be a space where people can fence seriously, think deeply, and feel comfortable doing both.