Renaissance Martial Arts at UGA is a Study Group of the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts (ARMA). The ARMA is an international, non-profit, and educational organization whose goal is to reconstruct and rediscover the authentic martial arts of Medieval and Renaissance Europe. This focus does not include role-play or costume dress, nor other aspects of Medieval culture outside of their influence on combat.

As a part of ARMA, Renaissance Martial Arts at UGA uses historical documents to reconstruct the fighting systems of Medieval and Renaissance Europe. These texts date back to 1295 and come from a variety of locations: Germany, Italy, Spain, England, and France. These texts provide authentic historical insight to the use of a number of weapons:

• Longsword
• Sword and Buckler
• Sword and Dagger
• Dagger
• Rapier
• Staff
• Spear and Polearms
• Unarmed

To aid in the recreation of these arts, a four fold training system is used.

1. Wasters – Wasters are wooden replicas of swords that approximate their physical qualities (weight, balance, size). These relatively inexpensive tools allow individuals to learn the basics of the art without much investment. Interestingly enough, wasters were used historically by soldiers learning the arts of combat.





2. Blunt Steel – Blunt steel weapons are made especially for training in Western Martial arts. They capture the physical properties of an actual sword better than a waster because they are made of steel. Using these tools to practice is invaluable to developing the art.





3. Padded Weapons – Padded Weapons, like wasters, approximate as best as possible the physical properties of a real sword. However, these weapons may be used at full-speed and power without risk of causing injury, making them valuable for free-play (sparring).


4. Sharpened Steel – High quality sharpened steel swords are used only for test cutting and solo exercises by more advanced members. These exercises offer the individual the opportunity to practice with realism and historical accuracy.
   
   

If you’re a martial artist, a fencer, a beginner, a lover of the Middle Ages/Renaissance, or just a history buff, you are welcome to come out and see what it is we do. We would love to see you. For more information on visiting us, please see the Visiting and Joining page.

Sincerity of Effort

Integrity of Scholarship

Appreciation of Martial Spirit

Cultivation
of Self-Discipline