Brisbane School of Iberian Swordsmanship

The primary change to rules of Carranza Cup this year is the introduction of the Simplified Clean Hit rule.

Any time only one fencer is awarded a scoring action, an additional point will be allocated.

Check out the video for some more details:
https://youtu.be/uv03f6a-leE

Registration will open 10th April at 9am

https://www.bsis.club/carranza-cup/

Our 10th beginner-friendly tournament, the Carranza Cup, is returning in May.
Mark your calendar; full details to follow.
We want all skill levels represented, so fencers new to tournaments can experience that range.

Happy New Year to all swordy people! We'll be back fresh and ready for a new fencing year next week on the 7th January. There's lots of information on when and where on our website FAQ.
⚔️Bring some point to your life in 2026⚔️

If you know someone who loves The Witcher, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, The Three Musketeers or Zorro, give them a gift that’s right on target: an e-gift card for sword lessons with The Brisbane School of Iberian Swordsmanship!
Support a local club and surprise your favourite adventurer with real historical martial arts training.
We welcome students aged 16+, with members currently ranging from 18 to 61.
⚔️Make their Christmas a cut above with the gift of sword skills!⚔️

Brisbane School of Iberian Swordsmanship Historical European Martial Arts study centred on La Verdadera Destreza and its Iberian predecessors

Don't forget our open night on Wednesday 10th December 7:00-9:30pm.
In the meantime here's some photos of our birthday celebrations - there was cake, a speech, blindfold donkey-stabbing (no donkeys were harmed), sparring, and a two-headed competition with bonus extreme marshal-heckling.

Free Open Night! Join us on Wednesday 10th December 7:00-9:30pm for our last night of 2025, for an evening of sparring. Open to all HEMA club members.

Sean’s speech at the 10th birthday celebrations of the Brisbane School of Iberian Swordsmanship:

Thank you for coming along tonight to help celebrate our 10yrs.
It’s wild to think that so long ago, Sharon and I had a meeting with Henry to flesh out how we might progress La Verdadera Destreza in Brisbane, and by the end of it we had a club name and Sharon had sketched what went on to be the logo and colour branding we all recognise so easily now. This was also the start of Sharon being the public interface for the Brisbane School of Iberian Swordsmanship, not just with the general public like at multicultural festivals and local politicians, but also the HEMA community, running things bringing all the groups together such as Hema at History alive and yearly at BrisCon and recently staffing the information desk at the Southern Realms Festival. She also organised the community to purchase what are possibly Australia’s only HEMA combined assets, being the banners that are now iconic at every Queensland HEMA event.
Then Kate came on board and that started to solidify our timelines, and her willingness to re-train in a new style made a team of instructors possible. We used Hannah’s skills as a teacher to help get what we wanted Brisbane School of Iberian Swordsmanship to be onto paper, resulting in our instructor principles that make the core of the school’s philosophy in creating a safe place for all to enjoy history through swords.
We deliberately chose to run as a not-for-profit so that anyone can contribute their skills or time without being exploited. And people really have. Notably with Lois producing some of the first English translations and bringing BSIS to the world’s attention. We run, I’m going to say, the most instructor-heavy and admin-accurate HEMA club in Australia. This is only possible through the volunteered time of our instructor and admin teams, pivotally Kate. The team has grown and shrunk over the years with people contributing as their life lets them and, as BSIS brightens their life, in turn they brighten the lives of others. This extends beyond BSIS with many members organising community events, such as Eddie for the Montante mile, Aidan’s St Patrica’s day single stick, Ryan & Aidan starting the Sword Work event, Mike’s Dussac in the park, Ryan and now Julian the Rapier ladder. Almost all these things with the support of Kate, Sharon and myself.
It is the bonds of the people and our shared love of swords that keeps me coming back, and I feel is the key to why, today, we get to celebrate 10 years.
Thank-you to everyone that has been a part of the school’s journey. I’m excited to see where this all goes in at least the next 10 more!
Lets have cake!

🎉 It's the 10th Birthday of the Brisbane School of Iberian Swordsmanship! Come to the party!🎉
December 2025 marks a full decade of study, community, and joyful swordplay and we couldn’t be prouder.
Over the past ten years we’ve:
• Run nine Carranza Cups, with a unique rule-set aimed at introducing new HEMAists to the tournament scene;
• Supported research from our Free Scholars and Provosts, helping grow the understanding of Iberian swordsmanship in Australia and beyond;
• Survived the COVID years thanks to the support of our members and the generosity of Stafford State School, who helped keep us on our feet;
• And perhaps dearest to our hearts, we are part of the amazing HEMA community, from friends in other clubs to our own members. 13 of our first-year members are still with us today… we’re looking forward to seeing how many current members are still with us in 2035!
To everyone who has trained with us, cheered for us, shared swords with us, or simply believed in what we do: thank you. You are the reason we’ve grown, thrived, and reached this milestone.
Join us to celebrate!
We’re hosting our 10th Birthday Party on 3 December, complete with cake, swordy games, and plenty of good company.
Whether you're a member past or present or from another HEMA club, we’d love to see you there.⚔️

Q: How do I get the chance to make a balloon sword at BSIS’ 10th birthday party on 3rd December?
A: Just rock up to the balloon desk. This event won’t be running all night so make sure you check the whiteboard for the timetable. Wave your balloon sword to encourage the Ettins in the fight to avenge their kin.
The night is free of charge, open to all of HEMA and to former BSIS members.

Q: How do I stab the ass at BSIS’ 10th birthday party on 3rd December?
A: Wearing the Safety-Glasses-That-Aren’t, you will have to rely on memory and skill to mark Don Key-Oatey with a pen-tipped rapier. Closest to the ass’s ass wins. This event won’t be running all night so make sure you drop over to the Ass Area (check the whiteboard for our timetable).
The night is free of charge, open to all of HEMA and to former BSIS members.

Q: How will the Ettin-hard Cup run at BSIS’ 10th birthday party on 3rd December?
A: Throw your arm across the shoulders of a friend to become an Ettin, two-headed giant of Norse legend, and compete against other Ettins in an elimination tournament to find the most fierce or cunning! This event is an evolution of our traditional three-legged competition, won in 2016 by Adam and Eddie.
Make Francisco Antonio de Ettenhard y Abarca proud.
Masks and gorgets required. Loaners available. Any two of, single-handed sword, dagger, buckler, rodela, cape or gauntlet allowed. Check the whiteboard for our timetable and to sign up (latecomers welcome to join until first round is complete).
The night is free of charge, open to all of HEMA and to former BSIS members.