About UsPrima Spada School of Fence, established in 1995, is a fencing school with training Salles operating in south-east Queensland, Australia and one Salle in Tasmania, Australia.
Based on the work of European masters of the 16th and 17th centuries, Prima Spada endeavours to promote the art of Renaissance European swordplay as a modern sport from an ancient art. |
Prima Spada is more than simply a school name; it is a teaching system and style of modern Renaissance swordplay. Our system has been developed along a period-accurate basis, utilising both ancient and modern mechanics, concepts, and weapons.
Swordplay as taught by Prima Spada is a full body activity that builds good posture and bearing, middle-body strength and flexibility, and exercises the mind to think tactically and strategically. To ensure that the enjoyment of this art form may be accessible to as many people as possible Prima Spada offers instruction in four forms of fencing.
First among these is Prima Spada's Exhibition Combat Syllabus in which students learn a myriad of period-accurate techniques that are applied against an opponent as a show of skill, rather than as a means by which to defeat an adversary.
It is a great way to display historical swordplay without the need to wear heavy protective armour.
Swordplay as taught by Prima Spada is a full body activity that builds good posture and bearing, middle-body strength and flexibility, and exercises the mind to think tactically and strategically. To ensure that the enjoyment of this art form may be accessible to as many people as possible Prima Spada offers instruction in four forms of fencing.
First among these is Prima Spada's Exhibition Combat Syllabus in which students learn a myriad of period-accurate techniques that are applied against an opponent as a show of skill, rather than as a means by which to defeat an adversary.
It is a great way to display historical swordplay without the need to wear heavy protective armour.
The second form of training that is offered by Prima Spada is instruction in a category of combat known as Historic European Martial Arts (HEMA). This style of fencing is vigorously competitive in nature, with students learning to apply skills and techniques with the sole aim of striking an opponent without themselves being struck, in order to gain victory in a fencing bout. HEMA is a great way to display historical swordplay competitively, which requires the need to wear heavy protective armour.
Finally, Prima Spada offers instruction in Artistic Fencing. Artistic Fencing, taught and performed at Prima Spada, is a discipline based on the execution of coordinated fight choreographies embedded in small theatrical plays, using weapons and techniques from European history associated with the European cultural sphere. It is the art of creating and performing a pre-prepared choreographed fight using weapons based on Western European traditions incorporating theatrical elements e.g. dialogue, music and props. |
The underlying techniques and philosophies for Prima Spada have been derived from selected European Masters of Defence of the sixteenth century, such as Giacomo Di Grassi, Vincentio Saviolo and Achille Morozzo. While incorporating the teachings of these Masters, Prima Spada holds in particular regard the unique philosophies and techniques of Gérard Thibault d’Anvers, as laid down in his Academie de l’Espée, published in 1628.
Prima Spada, School of Fence is proud to adopt, promote, and operate with the spirit of the Renaissance, ensuring that students are aware of the philosophies behind the art that they practice and seeking always to promote the practice of respectful and honourable conduct. This vision is evident through the motto of Prima Spada, “Honourable in Victory, Gracious in Defeat”.
Prima Spada is a member of the Queensland Living History Federation (QLHF), a founding member of the Australian Historic Swordplay Federation, now known as Western Martial Academies of Australia (WMAA), and a registered member of the Australian Academy of Fencing (AAF).
Prima Spada, School of Fence is proud to adopt, promote, and operate with the spirit of the Renaissance, ensuring that students are aware of the philosophies behind the art that they practice and seeking always to promote the practice of respectful and honourable conduct. This vision is evident through the motto of Prima Spada, “Honourable in Victory, Gracious in Defeat”.
Prima Spada is a member of the Queensland Living History Federation (QLHF), a founding member of the Australian Historic Swordplay Federation, now known as Western Martial Academies of Australia (WMAA), and a registered member of the Australian Academy of Fencing (AAF).