Oxford Sword and Staff

Attention, women/trans/non-binary folks! If you've ever wanted to learn how to sword fight, then we have an event for you!

On 20 June 2026 from 1pm-4pm, we'll be running A Sword in the Hand, an event aimed at promoting women, non-binary and trans folks in HEMA. Our very own Hadrian will be giving a workshop on fighting with the longsword. The event is ticketed via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/a-sword-in-the-hand

Tickets are free, but there is a limit on numbers based on kit, so do sign up! If you've got kit, please feel free to also turn up.

We interrupt your Bank holiday weekend with some Midsummer Fight's Dream updates (taking place Sunday, 2 August at Radley College, Oxfordshire):

We still have plenty of spaces left for the women and underrepresented genders (WURG) longsword tournament. Unlike the beginner's open, there's no ratings cap and you can still enter if you've won a medal, so WURG fencers of all experiences can compete! Sign up by going to our ticket page: https://events.humanitix.com/a-midsummer-fight-s-dream-2026

Also, given recent events, we want to reiterate that this is a trans and non-binary inclusive event. If that's something you have an issue with, then this isn't the event for you.

The beginner's open and Meyer Tetrathlon are now full, but you can join the waitlist! Again, visit The Holy Ticket Page of Antioch.

We hope you are all having a sword-filled holiday weekend and we look forward to seeing you for sword-filled fun in 10 weeks!

A Sword in the Hand let's anyone show their skill in arms.

Our yearly introductory workshop for women, trans, and non-binary folks is happening again this year. Come along for a introduction to fencing with the longsword by our very own Hadrian. All equipment needed is provided.

When - 1pm-4pm, 20th June 2026
Where - The Swan School sports hall
Attendance is free, but we do ask attendees to book a ticket as equipment is limited

A Sword in the Hand A introductory workshop for historical fencing for women, non-binary and trans folks.

𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘋𝘢𝘺, 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘋𝘢𝘺,
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺,
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘢𝘺,
𝘍𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺.

We’re about three months away from the sixth edition of A Midsummer Fight’s Dream! We only have ONE spot left for the Beginners Open, so sign up right away at the link below if you don't want to miss out!

There are plenty of spots available for the underrepresented (URG) tourney. As a reminder, there is no HEMA Ratings cutoff for the URG tourney and you can enter even if you have won a medal before. So if you are an URG fencer, sign up and tell a friend (or enemy) to sign up!

We also have 1 space available for the Meyer Tetrathlon. It is free to enter, but in exchange you are expected to volunteer for the rest of the event and you can ONLY enter the Tetrathlon (you cannot enter the open or URG). Apologies if this wasn't clear in earlier communication.

Any questions, please get in touch at [email protected]. We're looking forward to some swordy fun this August!

A Midsummer Fight's Dream 2026 A Midsummer Fight's Dream returns for 2026! A low-stress, medium intensity tournament intended for those wanting to try HEMA tournaments,

There is no joy quite like a sword,
In single duels, or with a big horde,
Quick like a cat snatching a cord,
With a sword in the hand, you're never bored.

A Midsummer Fight's Dream 2026!

Tickets will go on sale on the 12pm (midday) 21st March 2026 - https://events.humanitix.com/a-midsummer-fight-s-dream-2026

Just to reiterate the events
• A beginner's open longsword tournament
• An Underrepresented genders (URG) longsword tournament (N.B. Not beginner's only)
• The Meyer Tetrathlon - new for this year, get ready to truly embrace the spirit of Joachim Meyer with 4x2 minute bouts each of longsword, dusack, dagger, and rappier/sidesword
• The Bar Brawl, scheduled early so it actually happens (and because I want to see that flail fly)

Rules available here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vS5caugnusoutp8yrTaRKz49QT6OCf9vjCAW3ESiXINaF9CLZ1k2r1XA-ycv6O3rcWvuUP9ETJp9Ghe/pub

A Midsummer Fight's Dream 2026 A Midsummer Fight's Dream returns for 2026! A low-stress, medium intensity tournament intended for those wanting to try HEMA tournaments,

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘢 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦,
𝘖𝘧 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦,
𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬,
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬.

Friends, hobbits, swordfolks, lend me your ears - AMFD tickets will go on sale 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟮𝟭 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟮𝗽𝗺!

The event details
When - Sunday, 2nd August 2026
Where - Radley College Sports Centre
What - This year, A Midsummer Fight's Dream will feature:

• A beginner's open longsword tournament
• An Underrepresented genders (URG) longsword tournament
• The Meyer Tetrathlon - new for this year, get ready to truly embrace the spirit of Joachim Meyer with 4x2 minute bouts each of longsword, dusack, dagger, and rappier/sidesword (no polearms/quarterstaff, we would prefer that no one actually die)
• The Bar Brawl, which will definitely, absolutely happen (trust us this time!)
• Open sparring for anyone that doesn’t want to enter the tournament

A few special notes:

+ The URG tournament and Meyer Tetrathlon are not beginners only - fencers of any experience level can enter!
+ The Tetrathlon will be free of charge BUT in exchange, you must volunteer for the open and/or URG tournament(s).
+ To ensure that the beginners open is truly for beginners only, this year we are also implementing a HEMA Ratings limit. For the sixth edition of AMFD, you cannot enter the beginners open tournament if EITHER of the following apply:
* You have won a medal at a HEMA scorecard registered event using any weapon, OR
* You have a weighted rating of 950 or higher in longsword on HEMA Ratings.

Further details will be on our website, where we will post the ticketing page, the updated rules, and potentially more bad puns (as we desire). We are very much looking forward to seeing you in Radley for summer sword swinging!

https://www.oxfordhema.co.uk/amfd

We are exactly 6 months away from A Midsummer Fight's Dream, so we'd like to share our new AMFD webpage! We will post further details (including ticket information) on this webpage around March/April time.

AMFD | OxfordHEMA AMFD is back for its sixth edition! We are excited to announce that AMFD 2026 will be on Sunday, 2 August, 2026 at Radley College Sports Centre (OX14 2HR). Tickets will likely go on sale March/April 2026, and we will announce more details closer to the time.

2026 started with a bang (or a clash)! Strong attendance at the first two sessions this year.
Currently running a dussack class, smaller study on sidesword, and usual sparring on the other side of the hall with coaches available for 1-1 development.
In February there'll be guest seminars with more classes, some tournament preps.
March looking strong with beginners longsword intake for newcomers and some sabre shenanigans with

Follow us for more! 🩵🤺

The low light winkles across the frost morn, icicles cracking off a frosty thorn. Though the days are dark and the contrast is stark,
in the depths of Winter Midsummer is reborn.

In what is I believe called planning and getting a head of ourselves we can happily announce A Midsummer Fight's Dream will be taking place on the 2nd August 2026 next year (in seemingly the home of BBO HEMA Radley college, because where else). Further details forthcoming, expect entries to open in March/April 2026

This past weekend, OSS represented at Wessex Oxford! Several of our members competed, some volunteered, some came to impart their incredible wisdom (aka coach), and others came to just enjoy the atmosphere of consensual violence.

We'd also like to highlight that we came 13th in the overall club standings! Unlucky for some, but in this case only Cambridge. Dark Blue triumphed over Light.

Here are a few of our fearless members! Photo courtesy of Krzysztof.