HEMA
Historical European Martial Arts

At WHFA we practice Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), which is a subset of what is referred to more broadly as Western Martial Arts (WMA). These arts are the armed and unarmed martial traditions of Europe of the late Middle Ages and Renaissance as recorded in the Fechtbücher. The Fechtbücher are martial art manuals written by great masters such as Johannes Liechtenauer, Hans Döbringer, Hans Talhoffer, Fiore dei Liberi, Johannes Lecküchner, Peter von Danzig, Sigmund Ringeck, Jud Lew, Paulus Kal, Peter Falkner, Paulus Hector Mair and Joachim Meÿer.
What We Study
HEMA is an expansive art including
- Ringen (Unarmed Combat), Dagger
- Blossfechten (Unarmored Longsword)
- Harnischfechten (Armored Longsword)
- Polearms: Staff, Spear, Poleaxe
- Messer, Arming Sword and Buckler
- Rapier and Smallsword
- Practice cutting with sharps
Who We Are
Currently, we have four chapters
-
WHFA - Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton Chapter Website Appleton Chapter on Facebook Appleton Chapter Class Schedule -
WHFA - Kenosha-Racine, Wisconsin
Kenosha-Racine Chapter Website Kenosha-Racine Chapter Class Schedule -
WHFA - La Crosse, Wisconsin
Meets at our Hall (Galesville) or Myrick Park (in La Crosse) depending on weather (contact us on Facebook) Thursday 6:30 PM Sunday 6:00 PM -
WHFA - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee Chapter on Facebook -
Aaron Pynenberg
WHFA Principal Instructor
Bio
Jeremiah Backhaus
WHFA Provost & Instructor-At-Large
Bio
Scott Hanson
La Crosse Chapter Leader
James Reilly
Kenosha-Racine Chapter Leader
Bio