The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe

The martial arts of Renaissance Europe, often referred to as Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), encompass the combat techniques used in the late Middle Ages through the Renaissance (roughly 1400-1600). These included various forms of armed and unarmed fighting, featuring swords, polearms, and grappling. Prominent masters like Johannes Liechtenauer and Sigmund Ringeck codified techniques in manuals, blending military training with civilian self-defense. The practices emphasized principles of timing, distance, and strategy, reflecting the era’s advancements in weaponry and combat philosophy, with influences from earlier medieval techniques and contemporary Italian fencing schools.