Messer Fest

MesserFest is so proud that last year we were accidentally the catalyst event that made one of our attendees realise their true self and soon after they made the decision to live their life as a trans woman. We wholeheartedly support her and all our trans and non-binary siblings. Please reach out to us if there's anything we can do to help and support you.

Regarding this ridiculous new guidance, York School of Defence has put this more eloquently than we can, so we're shamelessly sharing their post.

All we will say is fight for your rights and demand the respect and basic human rights you're entitled to and deserve.

EHRC "guidance" is just that... ignore it if you feel able to do so. Submit and file harassment reports if you encouter any problems. This isn't an option for everyone but if you're comfortable doing so please make a fuss, make yourselves heard. If you need help, just ask.

And to all of the non-trans folk reading this page... They're likely coming for you next. All eyes may be focusing on the "T" but they'll be heading right for the LGB next. Cis women's rights will also be on the chopping block... Cis men who aren't stereotypical in their demeanour or appearance? They're coming for you as well. Unless you're a middle class cis white male stereotype you're in the firing line whether you realise it or not.

Support maginalised groups in society, and if you can't bring yourself to do it because morally it's the right thing to do and should be the default for decent human behaviour, do it because they're coming for you at some point in the future unless we work together to stop this.

Everyone benefits from a fair, equal, and unbiased society. Do your bit to make it happen.

Meet the 2026 MesserFest Champion!
For the Fechtschule, voted by their fellow fencers based on how technically brilliant they were and how freaking delightful the experience of fencing them was, we ended up with the following winners:

Gold - Kelly Anderton ( KJ Andreton ) from Medieval Combat Group in Belfast
Silver - Eilidh Pottinger from The Vanguard Centre in Glasgow
Bronze - Hadrian Fergusson-Tyrrell from Oxford Sword and Staff in Oxford.

Although they were the official winners, we were utterly overjoyed at the spread of votes across the board. Out of 40 competitors, 31 of them received at least one vote, meaning our Fechtschule was filled with awesome people and fencers!

Our coveted "Spirit of the Event"was awarded to:

Claire Bear (a.k.a. Claire Hodges) from Academy of Steel in Cardiff.

Claire received more than twice as many votes as anyone else. Given that over 20 people received votes, it demonstrates just how much of an impression Claire Bear made but also how fantastic our attendees are. We knew we loved Messerists for a reason!

If you're sad MesserFest is over and you don't know when you're going to be able to meet all your new Messer friends again, then I can totally recommend FightCamp, I know at least half the MesserFest attendees will be there too. https://fightcampevents.com/?fbclid=IwVERDUATFn0FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7mj0M5Dk54_ULYrIArUjqdYMVXORpU_TDmJRIEkwKoktd_fkJn_U9LhR869w_aem_KnJNhhR8d3K4CbZxd2NB_w

Although they only have one official Messer class on the schedule, it'll be worth going to because it's being taught by Ross Bailey , who is a delightful and wonderful person, and just as much of a Messer geek as the rest of us!
It's also another chance for you to check out what else our instructors can do when we're not forcing them to just do Messer. I think Dr Fabrice Cognot, Phd, Bladesmith Page is teaching rapier, Jo York doing Longsword, Chris Halpin is teaching stick grappling and Lauren Ireland is hosting an Edwardian tea party..... With Jujutsu. Kindred Willow will also be there showing you how to throw massive weapons about without killing yourself. It's not Messer, but it's going to be great!

Hopefully we'll see some of you there. 😁

The main bit of MesserFest may be finished, but the fun hasn't fully finished. For a lucky and generous few, they get to let the epic geekdom continue as they drop a new album with our epic Bladesmiths, Dr Fabrice Cognot, Phd, Bladesmith Page and James G Elmslie, Historical Cutler .

We’re incredibly lucky to have a last minute addition to our MesserFest timetable this year.

Jeff Tsay!

Jeff has been doing HEMA pretty much since modern HEMA started around 25 years ago. As such, he’s a man who likely needs no introduction, especially not in the Longsword world. But, you may be surprised to hear, he also has a lot of deep and interesting thoughts on Messer, specifically Leckuchner. (this seems very relevant to our interests….)

Although Jeff is based with his club, Forte Swordplay, in America, he gets booked to travel all over the world, imparting his wisdom and skills to eager history fans and HEMAists alike. So, when we heard that one of the places he is sharing his vast knowledge is the International Medieval Congress in Leeds, we couldn’t let him leave Yorkshire without stopping by and teaching for us all at MesserFest!

Sadly, he can only be with us for a few hours, so we recommend picking his brains while you can. (Respectfully of course, don’t make me call Christophe over with the sack…..)

The class we have asked him to teach (there were so many to choose from, and they all sounded amazing, but sadly, there’s only time for one) is something we think everyone can benefit from, no matter what their skill or knowledge level. I’m also curious to see if it alters how the Fechschule fencing looks this year.

“Frequens Motus”
For anyone who doesn’t remember their latin, or hasn’t come across this before, it is the concept of perpetual motion while fencing. Jeff has incorporated this into
a training methodology for universal principles. Specifically how this can improve how we fence as well as shed some light on the physics and base principles around attacking, defending and movement in general.

Aside from ensuring you’ve had your morning cup of coffee, the only kit requirements for this class are:
Messer
Mask
Light gloves
Groin protection if anatomically required.

As if improving your physical prowess and enlightening your minds isn’t enough, the endlessly talented Diana Matthess will also be broadening your cultural horizons. Diana will be bringing along some of her linocut art prints. She will even be using this fascinating art style to create something especially for MesserFest!
So, alongside all the weapons and HEMA-related paraphernalia on sale at MesserFest, you also have the opportunity to purchase some fantastic and unique art! Is there anything Diana can’t do!?

For your chance to train with and be inspired by this marvelous lady, get yourself to MesserFest on 11th - 12th of July, 2026: https://messerfest.co.uk/details-and-booking/

Kindred Willow , the Caledonian Craftsman , has been a sponsor, vendor, and valued attendee at MesserFest since we first started, so of course he’s back again.

All weekend you’ll be able to purchase his beautiful silver jewellery (you can never have too many Messer necklaces) and wonderfully crafted wooden and leather goods, including Dussacks (FYI, these are totally allowed in the fechtschule…..). If you don’t see him behind his stall, don’t worry, he will be back once he’s finished his current Dussack duel. He seems to have those quite often, supposedly testing out how good his wears are, but we think it’s all a ploy. He must know people won’t be able to resist buying one of his Dussaks as soon as they realise it’s some of the most fun fencing you can ever do. And then when you see how he can customise them to suit your personality (ask Diana Matthess for a perfect example), you really won’t be able to say no!

We’re so grateful that Kindred is not only making a custom Dussack as one of our Fechtschule prizes, but will also be providing us with the coveted MesserFest pendant to be awarded to the attendee voted Spirit of the Event.

There are still a few places left if you want to attend: https://messerfest.co.uk/details-and-booking/

To see more, and possibly to purchase in advance for collection at the event, you can go to his website: https://caledoniancraftsman.com/

We know how hard it is to buy HEMA Messers and get them shipped in from Europe or America, this is why we’re so happy that we finally got Paul Binns Swords to agree to come to MesserFest. This man is one of the few people currently making them in the UK, and, as he is in conversation with so many in the Messer community, he is constantly tweaking and changing what he creates so there is a Messer for everyone, no matter what their preferences are.

He will have a collection of Messers, Ruggers, Bauernwehrs and, if you’re really lucky, even a “Messerwehr” or two for sale. All his items are hand forged, so each one of them is a little bit different. We encourage everyone to peruse his stall, not just to look, but to pick up and handle everything too. Trust us when we say that when you pick up the one meant for you, you’ll know because it will feel so right in your hand, you’ll just have to purchase it so you can fence with it immediately. (Luckily you’ll be surrounded by people more than happy to accommodate you in this. :-) )

Paul will also be available in Geek Corner on Saturday, where you can chat to him, as well as our other bladesmiths as part of our Meet the Makers Q&A.

To see what else Paul makes, and if you want to pre-order anything for collection at MesserFest, check out his website:
Paul Binns Swords https://share.google/QKGzJ4xBQES2e73Yk

The only way to see Paul Binns this far north (and not in a field) is to come to MesserFest. Tickets available here: https://messerfest.co.uk/details-and-booking/

We are positively giddy to have Joe's Sword Stuff back with us as an official sponsor and trader for the whole weekend at this year’s MesserFest.

We feel Joe is doing vital work, providing stylish solutions to the eternal problem of “how do I carry all my swords at once?”, while also filling HEMA with much appreciated colour and whimsy. Not only are his leather goods beautifully made and available in a complete rainbow of colours (including as an actual rainbow ), his plushie shields are the most adorable defence anyone could be heartless enough to wield. If you don’t already know what we’re talking about, check out his website: https://swordstuff.co.uk/

When you see what he has created as one of the fechtschule prizes, you’ll understand why us organisers had to have some serious discussions about how uncouth it would be to enter our own tournament, just so we could win it! If anyone remembers the t-shirts from the first ever MesserFest, you might be able to guess what it might be….. But the only way to see for yourself, and to have a chance of winning this, or any of the other spectacular prizes, is to get yourself to MesserFest next month.

https://messerfest.co.uk/details-and-booking/