I promise you, in the real world, fights were just as much of a shield shoving match while trying to slash your opponents ankle as they were in Europe.
The idea of a one-on-one sword fight decided by individual skill is much more of a romantic idea.
HEMA is not combat. It’s tournament fighting. In combat you’ve got a thousand spearmen on either side looking to stick you with a sharp stick wherever they can.
I promise you, in the real world, fights were just as much of a shield shoving match while trying to slash your opponents ankle as they were in Europe.
The idea of a one-on-one sword fight decided by individual skill is much more of a romantic idea.
lolwut? Try that leg-targetting shit with a HEMA fighter and see how fast you’ll bleed out.
HEMA is not combat. It’s tournament fighting. In combat you’ve got a thousand spearmen on either side looking to stick you with a sharp stick wherever they can.