Cloaktober 2026 Crew* Halfway through the month and class is bigger than ever. *minus a couple of folks who couldn’t make it this week —— #bostonfencing #cloaktober #massachusetts #somervillemassachusetts #belmontmassachusetts #rapier

When in doubt, a good beach towel works as a stand in for cloak training. At this point, it’s tradition! —— #cloaktober #bostonfencing #cambridgema #arlingtonma #walthamma #medfordma

Katie gets into the Cloaktober spirit, attacking with a flanconade and using her cape as backup defense. 👏👏👏

Yesterday we ran our first in-house coaching clinic. We had a range of folks show up, from our experienced coaching staff to brand new coaches in training. —— #bostonfencing #classicalfencing #somervillema #medfordma #massachusetts

Cloaktober continues! Our rapier team is warming up with some fundamental “core” actions. Here they’re attacking during their partner’s line change while remaining in measure. A bold attack that’s aided by the target denial and defense the cloak provides. #somervillemass #Massachusetts

Our Classical Team getting some tourney fighting and ref practice in recently.

Ready to learn the art of the duel with the iconic rapier? This class is perfect for anyone looking to live out their Musketeer or swashbuckling fantasies! It's also a great way to get some exercise that works both your mind and body. 🎟️ bookwhen.com/bostonacadem... #massachusetts #somervillema

Congrats to Rose and Jack for passing their rapier assessments! They now officially qualify for our intermediate rapier class. Rose and Jack were tested on fencing theory, technical skills, simple coaching cues, and a fight assessment (technical and tactical). 🧵🧵🧵 #boston #rapier #somervillema

Kicking off Cloaktober a day early since I’ll be on a plane for Rome tomorrow. This is an option drill working on a second guard from Fabris. 🧵🧵🧵 —— #cloaktober #rapier #swordandcloak #westernmartialarts #historicalfencing #historicaleuropeanmartialarts

Our classical and HEMA saber folks working on direct cuts to the head with an optional double tap — a fun way to make sure the grip is loose and we’re triggering with the fingers. Sundays in Cambridge www.bostonacademiedarmes.com #massachusetts #cambridgemassachusetts #classicalfencing

Congrats to Kate for getting her writ for the SCA's Order of Defense! This is the organization's highest award, giving out for superior fencing skill and leadership in the community.

POCKET SAND! 🏝️⚔️ Yes, pocket sand is a historical technique. Domingo Luis Godinho talks about it in his book “Arte de Esgrima” (On the Art of Fencing) in his section about defeating treachery. 🧵 #rapier #hema #historicalfencing #historicalfencer #mysca #boston #massachusetts

Also congratulations to Alexis for competing in her first SCA rapier tournament at Falling Leaves this month! —— #rapier #mysca #societyforcreativeanachronism #massachusetts #greaterboston #bostonfencing

Our Sunday crew exploring limited grappling and in-fighting solutions. When the duel gets in close, what are your options if a lot of the “dirty” solutions are off the table? 🧵🧵

Had a great time running a Renaissance Duel workshop at the Reading Public Library last week. We looked at posture and movement, basic offense and defensive actions, plus some fun, specialty actions. 📸 Jocelyn Gould

Italian Dueling Sword or smallsword or smarra or whathaveyou training video with Eli. First lesson back with Eli after a summer break. We did a lot of fundamentals and then started adding on some fun actions to one another. #medfordma #smallsword #classicalfencing #historicaleuropeanmartialarts

Huge thanks to the Reading Public Library for having us out last week! We worked with a fun crew on the basics of the Renaissance duel with the rapier. Folks got a crash course in stance, movement, offense & defense, and got to partake in their own duel. #readingma #massachusetts #boston

Little training game during saber training this week. One fencer attacks, the other defends and it can go into a parry-riposte volley until a good hit lands. —— #bostonfencing #cambridgemassachusetts #somervillemassachusetts #boston #Massachusetts

A great weekend for the Academie's SCA fencers this past weekend at Falling Leaves. Donovan won the the Round & Round Robin tournament, winning him a sweet new buckler from Heartsprung Steel. 📷 Lauren Dubois #mysca #societyforcreativeanachronism #boston #greaterboston #massachusetts

Gavin working on one of Fabris’s 2nd guard with rapier + dagger in a fun option drill. Lotta fun! 🧵🧵 —— #massachusetts #bostonfencjng #belmontma #arlingtonma #somervillemassachusetts

This past weekend at Falling Leaves (a local SCA event), Donovan and I hosted a sharp sword demo. The SCA talks A LOT about blow calibration and what would/wouldn't injure someone — but for 99.99% of folks, we’re making some sweeping assumptions. justinswordfit.com/2026/09/09/t... 🧵

Testing SCA Fencer's Perception of Calibration - Sharp Sword Demo - Justin Aucoin | Historical Swordsmanship & Classical Fencing

How hard do you need to attack to injure an opponent with a sharp sword? We tested SCA fencer's perception of calibration in this interactive experiment.

justinswordfit.com

If you've ever wanted to give fencing with the rapier a try, we're running a demo and crash course workshop tomorrow at the Reading Public Library! 6:30-8:30pm. Come play! readingpl.org/event/17093937 #readingmass #massachusetts #greaterboston #readingma #boston

Sunday Saber Squad working in their direct cuts to head and defense. One fencer attacks with a cut to the head, the other goes to parry & riposte. After that, the exchange flows into a back and forth “volley” until a void hit lands. Lotta fun! 📍 The Foundry #cambridgema #massachusetts #boston

Rose showing off a little thrust with angulation to the elbow. Nice targeting. We were super excited to see Rose compete in her first HEMA rapier tournament last month. 📸 Luke Newman ---- #bostonfencing #rapier #cambridgemassachusetts #somervillemass #massachusetts #bostonsports

Edvard is ready for action —— #bostonfencing #belmontma #massachusetts #somervillemassachusetts #medfordmass

Sunday Squad working through a couple of saber game variations. First one, a direct cut to the head vs defense of measure. Second one, same game but throw in a parry-riposte. Class is Sundays at Cambridge Foundry —— #bostonfencing #cambridgemassachusetts #somervillemass #medfordmass

Gavin and Scott working a little Fabris Gavin approaches in a dagger-extended 3rd, then transitions to a 2nd while stepping toward Scott’s outside. 🧵🧵 —— #bostonfencing #rapier #massachusetts #belmontma #somervillemassachusetts

Our beginner rapier crew working their offense and defense. Fencer A attacks direct with an advance-lunge. Fencer B parries with dagger and ripostes with the sword. Fencers were allowed to play around with various rapier + dagger guards they know. www.bostonacademiedarmes.com

According to the Internet, it's Jean de Gassion's birthday today. He was a French maréchal during the Thirty Year's War and was nicknamed la Guerre ("War") by Cardinal Richelieu. 🧵 ---- #17thcenturyfashion #musketeers #historicalfencer #reenactment #societyforcreativeanachronism

Been a couple of months, but nice to get back to work with this guy. A little dueling sword training with Eli on a beautiful afternoon. Got the inaugural New England Salon d’Armes in a few months. —— #smallsword #classicalfencing #medfordma #historicalfencing #duelingsword