About Us
Gladius et Codex is…
Our Club
Gladius et Codex is a club that practices historical fencing in Basel and Zurich. We offer volunteer-led trainings conducted by experienced instructors, as well as a platform for self-directed training, the interpretation of historical fencing manuals, and the reconstruction of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA).
Objectives
Our club is democratically structured and open to anyone with serious interest in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA).
Purpose:
to practice and establish historical combat techniques as a martial art or sport,
to further develop historical martial arts,
to enable free fencing, and
to make historical European martial arts accessible to the public.
Our Approach
Gladius et Codex pursues the modern reconstruction of historical fencing techniques based on ancient fencing manuscripts. We safely and responsibly practice these techniques. Gladius et Codex understands itself as a learning organization of volunteers who respectfully take up Historical European Martial Arts without involvement in historical reenactment.
Gladius et Codex is part of an international community of clubs and enthusiasts dedicated to reviving techniques from historical fencing books.
We apply a modern interpretation of what we can reconstruct from the scriptures of historic fencing masters in our trainings and competitive fencing. We are aware that an exact reconstruction is impossible, as the original context for the application of these martial arts is no longer present in our modern lives.
We use modern training equipment and try to connect respectfully with traditions of the past. Our primary interest lies in understanding and applying techniques in a way that ensures safety for everyone involved. The training and its intensity is adapted to the needs of those involved respecting their input.
We do not practice historical reenactment in the sense of a medieval reenactment company, nor do we aim to faithfully replicate historical Fechtschulen.
Gladius et Codex is a learning organization of volunteers. It is thanks to the dedication and hard work of our members that our knowledge, methodology, and club life continuously evolve.
