european martial arts hema calendarcsg north milwaukee wirocky mountain swordplay guild denver coloradosusquehanna valley eastern palonestar swordplay guild austin & houston txtraining with the csgour curriculum what we teach and how we do itgrades and prize playingour traditionsthe italian masters at armsarmizare knightly combatbolognese swordsmanship the dardi schoolthe art of the duel early 17th century rapier fencingthe weaponsthe longsword spada a dui mani the arming sword spada spada d un mano the rapier spada spada da lato a striscia the dagger daga pugnale spear lanza the poleaxe azza eventswestern martial arts workshop wmaw galleryinstructional videosparring videophotosjoin members areacontact us search for training with the csg welcome to the chicago swordplay guild where the art of the sword is undergoing a second renaissance we train four times a week at our home studio forteza fitness physical culture & martial arts . located in the beautiful ravenswood neighborhood on chicago s near northside forteza is an almost 5000 sf facility that was designed and built specifically for the study of western martial arts . the guild also offers introductory classes in the suburbs . in chicago you can find introductory classes at forteza in the popular ravenswood neighborhood . outside of chicago training in armizare medieval swordsmanship is available via our milwaukee training group through our daughter school the rocky mountain swordplay guild in denver colorado and via small study groups in eastern pennsylvania and both austin and houston texas . below you ll find a complete description of where we train sub pages on our curriculum and ranking system and best of all how you can become a part of it . you can find out a great deal more about the specific martial arts we study under the tradition and if you have additional questions feel free to contact us . introductory classes two exciting options do you feel the song of the sword calling to you our introductory classes are designed to give students a basic overview of the style of swordsmanship and methods of practice used by the guild . introduction to the longsword a taste of the knightly arts learn an actual historical style of medieval european swordsmanship based entirely on the documented methods of 14th and 15th century italian masters of defense this introductory and continuing course provides the basics of medieval swordsmanship training as a foundation for more advanced practice including stances posture movement and methods of striking and defending with the medieval hand and a half sword . the course will include demonstrations drills and free play with safety gear and simulated weapons . beginners welcome . no prior martial arts experience is required . introduction to the rapier a taste of the renaissance the rapier was the dueling weapon of the renaissance the sword of shakespeare cyrano de bergerac and the three musketeers this class surveys 16th century fencing texts to teach the basic use of this elegant and deadly weapon which many a gentleman used to defend his life and honor . through drills and free fencing using weapons with flexible blades students will learn the basics of the rapier fight balance and footwork blade control time distance attack and defense . fencing equipment is provided . beginners welcome . no prior experience is necessary . introductory classes at forteza are 125 for a 12 class session payable by cash check credit card or money order . no equipment fee . you will fill out the registration form on the first day of class . join now on going classes guild members only . membership in the chicago swordplay guild is by invitation only and may be offered to students who have completed at least one session of either the introductory rapier or longsword classes . visitors are welcome to come and observe . however participation is restricted to guild members . interested students should begin by enrolling in one of the introductory classes . in chicago the guild trains four days a week at forteza fitness physical culture & martial arts 4437 n. ravenswood ave chicago il 60640 . monday 6 00 7 30 pm introductory classes taste of the knightly arts 6 00 7 30 pm introductory classes taste of the renaissance 7 30 8 30 pm italian rapier & armizare concurrent classes for all levels of student 8 30 10 00 pm bolognese swordsmanship advanced students only tuesday no classes wednesday 6 00 7 30 pm introductory classes taste of the knightly arts 6 00 7 30 pm introductory classes taste of the renaissance 7 30 8 30 pm abrazare medieval grappling and dagger combat all student levels 8 30 10 00 pm rapier and longsword foundations concurrent classes for novice students thursday no classes friday 7 30 9 30 pm the first friday of each month we proudly host our friday night fights coached sparring open mat training and in house competitions saturday 10 00 11 30 am introductory classes 11 30 am 1 30 pm foundations rapier longsword and abrazare classes for novice students 1 30 3 00 pm scholar s class advanced student training sunday no classes membership fees association fee 40 per year . all active csg members members of daughter schools and inactive members who wish to remain a part of the larger guild family . associate members who live more than 60 miles from chicago or study with a daughter school may attend intro classes in chicago as time allows and may train in appropriate level on going classes by paying a simple mat fee at forteza . inactive members are those who are not attending classes but still want to maintain a relationship with the guild . guild membership is required for all students to progress beyond the taster classes but provides students with a number of benefits including access to rank testing within the guild discounted admission to related workshops and seminars at forteza ; discounted admission to the guild sponsored western martial arts workshop the world s premier seminar for the study of european swordplay and fighting traditions . monthly tuition on going tuition is not paid to the chicago swordplay guild but rather to forteza fitness physical culture & martial arts . tuition rates are based on a sliding scale depending on how often students wish to train ; from a casual drop in fee to an all inclusive package . depending on your interest and activity monthly tuition ranges from 60 150 month . discounts for family members active military police and full time students are available . armour and sparring gear revival clothing chicago illinois u.s.a. that guy s products illinois u.s.a. triplette competition arms elkin north carolina u.s.a. windrose armoury phoenix arizona usa associations chivalric fighting arts association research hroarr resources for historical european swordsmanship journal of western martial arts toronto ontario canada the international hoplology society inc. the oakeshott institute minneapolis minnesota u.s.a. wiktenauer the premier resource for renaissance fight books sister schools les maitres des armes ottawa ontario northwest academy of arms eugene oregon u.s.a. order of the seven hearts alexandria virginia u.s.a. selohaar fechtschule connecticut alaska virginia georgia u.s.a. weapon suppliers albion swords new glarus wisconsin u.s.a. arms and armor minneapolis minnesota u.s.a. danelli armouries darkwood armouries laurel mississippi u.s.a. manning imperial victoria australia purpleheart armoury conroe texas u.s.a. spes historical fencing gear learn swordfighting introductory classes are available at forteza fitness physical culture and martial arts 4437 n. ravenswood ave chicago il 60640 . sign up for 6 week sessions in longsword or the rapier mon & wed evenings from 6 00p 7 30p ; or join us for the next 12 week saturday mornings session from 10 00 a 11 30 a. to register for classes and to see when the next session begins click read more . friday night fights coached fencing open mat training and in house competitions on the first friday of the month 7 00 9 30 pm recent posts midwinter armizare open a tournament of arms october 4 2016 using viggiani s perfect schermo as a bolongese fencing primer july 12 2016 our first renaissance free scholar and first ever provost february 11 2016 announcing a playing of the prize for free scholar february 1 2016 viva italia celebrating 600 years of italian martial arts sept 16 18 2016 january 12 2016 proudly powered by wordpress