Peter Smallridge, instructor Feb 02, 2017 16:00 GMT Historical European Martial Arts taster day comes to Thanet A new historical European martial arts (HEMA) club, the Thanet Fecht Schule (Thanet Fight School) is being launched in Thanet at the St Georges School, Broadstairs at a special taster workshop on Sunday 26th March instructed by Peter Smallridge of the KDF (Kunst Des Fechtens) Tonbridge group. Jason Hulott, Event Organiser, says: "There has been a huge surge in interest in western historical martial arts over the last number of years, as books have been discovered documenting actual fighting techniques of medieval knights from across Europe. While it has been a long standing understanding that the Far East had martial arts schools and tradition, until recently it was not widely thought this was the same in Europe. "However, German and Italian schools of swordsmanship have existed for hundreds of years and these documents now provide practitioners with the ability to learn and fight in the same way the knights of old did across Europe in the 14th and 15th Century." The Thanet group will follow the German tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer’s Longsword, based on documents dating back to the 1400s. This tradition includes a range of possible study from Longsword, Dagger, Polearms and even unarmed wrestling or Ringen. Jason adds: "The hope is that the workshop will lead to a study group being established in Thanet to offer medieval sword training for over 18s. It is a great way to get into shape and take part in a living history of our ancestors". For more information or to book a place at the initial workshop please visit: https://www.facebook.com/thanetfechtschule/ Limited spaces are available so it is advisable to book early! Contact: Jason Hulott [email protected] or call: 07940 521056 About Us The Thanet Fecht Schule (Thanet Fight School) is a historical european martial arts (HEMA) group based in Broadstairs. The group studies Medieval German Swordsmanship. New members are welcome but due the nature of the study and training, we are an only over 18s group..