Rapier Class Location: Frimley Community Centre, Balmoral Drive, Frimley, Camberley, Surrey GU16 9AR
Day: Thursdays
Time: 20:00 – 22:00
Contact: [email protected]
Rapier Instructor: Dr Rob Runacres
Rob is the founder of the Renaissance Sword Club. His main passions are for sword disciplines, with an emphasis on forms found mainly in Early Modern France.
The main historical masters he studies are Pedro De Heredia; Girolamo Cavalcabo, Charles Besnard and François Dancie. He has translated a number of French treatises, including Livre des Leçons (attrib. Pedro De Heredia, early to mid seventeenth century); L’Espée de Combat (Dancie, 1623); Traite ou Instruction pour Tirer des Armes (Hieronyme Cavalcabo 1595), and Le Maistre D’Arme Liberal (Besnard, 1653).
Rob completed his PhD at Winchester University. His thesis is titled “Fencing masters, fightbooks and princely education in early modern Europe: the role of the fencing master in the education of Louis XIII of France.” Rob researches Italian fencing masters, undertaking onsite archival work in Rome and Bologna and regularly presents at academic conferences. Much of his work can be found on his Academia page, including the transcription of the sword and buckler lessons from the Viridario of Gioanne Philotheo Achillini [or Achillino], published in Bologna in 1513, though written in 1504.
Rob has been active on the international tournament scene, both as a competitor and organiser, winning golds at Copenhagen and Houston for rapier and dagger. In addition, he was Tournament Manager for the international HEMA competition, “Swordfish” in Sweden and was a selector for the UK and Ireland HEMA team at the European Games in 2019.
Above all, Rob’s main passion remains teaching rapier. He regularly gives workshops and lectures at martial arts conferences and conventions in Europe and the United States.
© The Renaissance Sword Club
The Renaissance Sword Club is a martial arts club teaching sword fighting and historical fencing classes and lessons in Surrey and Berkshire.