Second Napoleonic Era saber workshop!

October 27, 2018

First part only

PLN 80.00

Second Part Only

PLN 100.00

Both Parts -first time

PLN 120.00

Both parts - continuing wrokshops or being a regular KSF student.

PLN 100.00

We are proud to invite You to the second workshop accompanying our "to arms" exhibition in Jagiellonian University Museum. The French contre-pointe system, being a connection of two worlds of fencing, would be of great interest to both smallsword and sabre enthusiasts.

SYSTEM

In 18th century France becomes one of the most culturally prominent states in Europe. They dominated most of European continent fencing style with their revolutionary style of duelling fencing. Lots of their terminology and methods have been efficiently incorporated into many systems of the old continent. What is more due to a great turmoil within its borders mane elites have emigrated from the country, promoting their system of fencing abroad. Cavalier de Saint Martin, Augustin Grisier, Alexandre Valville were the most prominent examples of such "banished" masters.

Pointe, Espadon and contre pointe define three styles of fencing according to French standards of 18th and 19th century.

Pointe describes all the smallsword based fencing. Where most actions are based on thrusting or a ways to deliver proper thrusts.
Espadon (broadsword) means cut fencing in general, where cut is the major action - both in context of strong breaking hews and light wounding slices.
Contre-Pointe (przeciw-sztych) - a very unique French connection of two worlds of fencing - it is oriented on cutting yet the mechanics are fully based on thrusting system. The system tries to go for thrust to open ways for deadly cutting. Cuts are well transformed into thrusts and the other way around.

MAITRE VALVILLE AND HIS ART

Alexandre Valville (born before 1780) -a known French fencer of the Napoleonic Era, at the age of 30, he reaches Russian empire. After travelling through Scotland, Asutria, Prussia, Italy, North Africa and Hungary researching fencing wherever he was able to, he settled down in Sankt Petersburg. HE very often underlines that his experience allowed him to better understand his own fencing and incorporate lots of regional actions to his art. In 1812, during the strongest Franco Russian hostilities he becomes the master of Carskosielskiego Liceum, elite school for the most noble russian families, on e of his peers is Puszkin. In 1818 he becomes the General Master of the Guard, his system creates a standard we can see utilized even decades later. In 1840 he retires and returns to France.

Valville system was seen as very untypical, as in his contre-pointe there is more espadon than the pointe, which is much different than majority of systems of the Era.

PROGRAM

First Part - 2 hours

Our workshop will be divided into two parts - first focused on the French smallsword, based on the teachings of the Liancour family. IT is a developed form from the oldest French written smallsword systems. It is very intriguing as it bases its actions on a very high quality thrusts. The group will be divided according to the level of expertise to the less and more advanced, as we will be able to work through the system with appropriate skill.

Second Part - 3 hours

Part focused on the contre-pointe. For beginners we will introduce the basics of Espadon, for the more advanced we will be going through contre-pointe system and tactics.

Each parts can be attended separately.

PLACE

We would like to invite you to our training centre on Krolewska 51, Krakowska Szkoła Fechtunku has two entrances, but the easier access is from Kazimierza Wielkiego street, which is described by the map below.