St. Louis' Center for Swordplay
Authentic Historical Swordsmanship
At the St. Louis School of Arms, our mission is to provide instruction in authentic 500-year-old swordplay and close-quarter combat, based on original Italian writings. Born on the battlefield, this is a martial art developed from actual experiences in battle, when survival depended on skill and cunning.
Our School
Our climate-controlled 1500 square-foot training facility is equipped with everything you need to take your study of the sword to the next level, whether it's for the thrill of competition or for personal development. We provide free loaner weapons and gear.
Not just swords - its a system
Our instruction is based entirely on historical Italian sources. In addition to one-handed and two-handed swords, we teach a variety of spears, daggers and other weaponry. We also focus on empty-handed combat. Our practice emphasizes safety, control and competence. Your membership includes online instructional videos and student handbooks.
No Contracts / No Rank Fees / No Children
No Kids in Your Class
At the St. Louis School of Arms, our mission is to provide the highest quality training in a safe and supportive environment. Training with weapons requires personal responsibility. It would not be practical to have a child drill or spar with an adult; both would be inconvenienced, and neither would find it useful. This is a serious undertaking that requires a mature mind. Therefore, we limit our membership to those 16 years of age or older.
About the St. Louis School of Arms
Our History
Chief instructor Ken Harding has taught marital arts in St. Louis for more than 35 years. In 2010 he founded the St. Louis School of Arms to focus on the teaching of HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), specializing in Bolognese Fencing-- one of the few schools in the world to do so. Since then, he is regarded as a leader in the field and teaches worldwide.
Our Classes
At the St. Louis School of Arms, we offer a variety of classes to meet the interests of every student, from beginner to advanced. We have weekly classes on different topics, such as the one-handed sword, two-handed sword, dual swords, sword and shield, capes, spear, poleaxe, dagger, grappling, and more. Want to spar? We can do that! Don't want to spar? That's OK too, it's not for everybody.
Weekly Topics
- Tuesdays 7 PM: Open Floor / Sparring
- Wednesday 7PM: Sword and Buckler
- Thursday 7PM: One-handed Sword (Anonimo)
- Friday 7PM: Open Floor / Sparring
- Saturday 10AM: Daggers and Grappling
- Sunday 11AM: One-Handed Sword Fundamentals
- Sunday 12:30PM: The Two-Handed Sword
Learn at Home
Learn the Art of the Sword in the comfort of your own home
The St. Louis School of Arms is home to the world's largest collection of instructional videos about the Bolognese martial arts tradition. We have recorded the entirety of the historical texts - something that's never been done before. Dive into the world of the Art of Arms and master the techniques of the one-handed sword, the two-handed sword, the spear, and even the elegant dance of dual swords. Immerse yourself in the historical teachings of Marozzo, dall'Agocchie, Manciolino, Viggiani and Anonimo Bolognese, all at your own pace, ensuring a comprehensive and dynamic learning experience.