NorthPort Historical Fencing Academy
Satisfy your desire to play with Swords…
Study the martial arts of medieval and renaissance Europe — rapier, longsword, and beyond — in a welcoming training environment built for every level.
Ancient weapons. Real history.
Real training.
Fencing from the old masters — the people who had to use fencing in duels, street fights, and the battlefield — was thought to be lost to time forever. However, through the hard work of scholars, historians, and athletes, the actual manuscripts of old fencing masters have not just been discovered, but deciphered and practiced.
Historical fencing has become one of the fastest growing combat sports in the world. You can now learn and participate in the fencing schools of the renaissance and medieval periods as they were intended, all while in a safe, controlled environment.
Join us!
Our Disciplines
The civilian dueling sword of the Renaissance — precise, technical, and devastatingly effective. The rapier was the weapon of the street, the duel, and polite society. Our curriculum draws from masters like Girard Thibault d'Anvers, Nicoletto Giganti, and Salvator Fabris, who wrote some of the most detailed and practical fencing manuals ever produced.
The addition of the dagger in the off-hand creates a rich two-weapon system with its own set of principles, entries, and counters that keeps training endlessly interesting.
- Point control and precision thrusting
- Footwork — the foundation of rapier fencing
- Line and angle — how to control the fight spatially
- Off-hand dagger technique: parries, counters, and presence
- Period-accurate voiding and evasion
The two-handed sword of the medieval battlefield and tournament ground. Our longsword curriculum is drawn from the manuscripts of masters like Johannes Liechtenauer and Fiore dei Liberi — fighters who developed these techniques for real combat. You'll learn not just how to swing a sword, but how to think and move like a historical fighter.
Longsword is an excellent first discipline. The weapon teaches measure, structure, and timing in a way that transfers to nearly every other system.
- Fundamental cutting and thrusting mechanics
- Guards, transitions, and controlling the centerline
- Blade binding — wrestling at the sword's edge
- Measure, timing, and reading your opponent
- Safe sparring fundamentals once ready
What to expect at your first class.
No experience, no equipment, and no athletic background required. Our beginner program is built for people who've never touched a sword — and for experienced martial artists looking for something new. Here's how it works.
Wear comfortable athletic clothing you can move in. Loaner training equipment is available for new students — you don't need to buy anything before your first class. Just bring water and an open mind.
Beginner classes focus on footwork, structure, and the basic vocabulary of historical fencing — the concepts that every technique is built from. We go slow and make sure everyone understands before moving on.
When you're ready, you'll start light technical sparring — structured partner work that applies what you've learned. Full free sparring comes once you have the tools to do it safely and effectively.
Something for every level.
From complete beginners to returning martial artists — our classes are structured to meet you where you are. We offer ongoing training in Longsword and Rapier & Dagger for adults throughout the week.
View Schedule →Find your fit.
Whether you want to try a single class or commit to a training program, we have an option for you.
- One beginner class, any discipline
- Loaner equipment provided
- No commitment required
- Q&A with the instructor after class
- Unlimited classes in your discipline
- Access to open training sessions
- Loaner equipment available
- HEMA Alliance membership discount
- Unlimited classes, all disciplines
- Priority enrollment in workshops
- Access to competition prep sessions
- Best per-month value
"Now since everyone thinks differently from everyone else, so he behaves differently in combat; and so I have thought it best to consider the cuts in every way, both how one shall deliver them and how one shall send away those that are delivered against him, so that everyone, be he strong, weak, quick or slow, will have something useful to learn from this."
— Joachim Meÿer, 1570Upcoming Events & Workshops
Find Us
[Facility Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
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[Day] [Start time] – [End time]
[Day] [Start time] – [End time]
[Day] [Start time] – [End time]
Classes are closed to drop-ins. Please contact us before your first visit.
Ready to pick up a sword?
Questions about classes, gear, or HEMA? We'd love to hear from you.
Contact Us or email us at info@nhfa.org