Fleur-de-Lis Fechtschule
November 21st & 22nd 2026
New Orleans, Louisiana
Join us for our second annual event!
Featuring:
- Workshops & classes
- Guest instructors will be leading classes focused on all aspects of HEMA & historical fencing, including (but not limited to): calibration & control, fitness/conditioning, interpreting HEMA source material (text & images), fencing tactics & strategy
- Vendors
- Buy HEMA gear, books, and art/gifts
- Lectures
- Guest lecturers will be giving talks and taking any question you could possibly have.
- Socializing
- Mingle and free fence with event guests and attendees! Your ticket price includes lunch on Saturday & Sunday and dinner Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Saturday evening’s reception will feature live music (with fencing!) and Sunday evening’s reception
- Historical competition
- Not your average HEMA tournament! Our experimental ruleset (our attempt to recreate the historical fechtschule) highlights fencers’ skills, technique, and tactics and encourages audience participation!
- Even though this is a blossfechten (lit. “open fencing,” meaning unarmored and “low gear”) Friday’s opening ceremonies will include an armored fencing event!
Guests & guest instructors:
- Chris VanSlambrouck (Living Meyer, Madison)
- Victor Rodriguez-Ros (Living Meyer, Miami)
- Jeanry Chandler (Codex Integrum)
- Michael Chidester (HEMA Bookshelf)
- Kendra Brown (independent researcher)
- Dr. Rebecca Garber (translator)
- Art by Amber Damare
NOTE: After you purchase your ticket, please fill out this form.
Schedule (subject to change)
Friday, November 20th
6:00 PM Doors & registration open, Group warm up
6:15 PM Opening ceremonies, Open/free fencing, Dinner (pizza)
7:15 PM Armored foot combats/mini-deed
9:30 PM End
Saturday, November 21st
10:00 AM Doors & registration open, Group warm up
11:00 AM Workshop
12:30 PM Lunch & Lecture
2:00 PM Workshop
3:30 PM Fechtschule: longsword
5:30 PM Fechtschule ends
7:00 PM After party/reception (including Lecture and live music!)
Sunday, November 22nd
10:00 AM Doors & registration open, Group warm up
11:00 AM Workshop
12:30 PM Lunch & Lecture
2:00 PM Workshop
3:30 PM Fechtschule: dusack & rappier
5:30 PM Fechtschule ends
7:00 PM After party/reception (including Lecture)
Location: Ridgelake gym
The primary event location (for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is at 315 Ridgelake Dr, Metairie, LA 70001
It is the church recreation center (to the side of the church) and parking is available in the parking lot and also on the street (watch the signs!)
Location: Saturday night
Saturday night’s reception will be at the Marigny Opera House 725 St Ferdinand St, New Orleans, LA 70117
FAQ
Q: What is a “fechtschule”?
A: Fechtschulen were competitive, evaluative, and training events held in the free cities of the Holy Roman Empire. Our fechtschule is in the spirit of these historical events–instead of the focus being purely on competition, there is training, learning, and socializing too!
For more in-depth information about the historical fechtschule, check out these articles.
Q: What kind of gear/protective equipment should I bring?
A: The only equipment required for this event is a fencing mask and gloves (of your preference). You may wear as much protection as you would at a standard HEMA event or as little as mask + gloves, or any level of gear in between.
You may use your personal sword(s) for the workshops. Swords will be provided for each fechtschule (including the armored combat).
NOTE: If you are interested in participating in the armored event on Friday, please bring your armor!
Q: I have questions about arranging lodging and transportation. Who can I ask?
A: Please feel free to reach out to us directly via email (systemedarmesnola@gmail.com) or join our Discord server. We are more than happy to give general tourist advice as well as answer any questions.
Q: What are the details of judging/competition? What is the ruleset?
A: Detailed explanation here. Feel free to inquire further via our discord linked above or via email systemedarmesnola@gmail.com
Q: Who did the amazing art for your event?
A: Local fencer and artist extraordinaire Amber Damare! She will be selling merch so bring your dollars!!