Bartholomew Bramble's Schoole of Defence

INTRODUCTION

Then said the maister of Defence: "Sir I have a schoole of Defence in the town, will it please you to go thither?"
"Thy school", said maister Vincentio, "What shall I do at thy schoole? "
"Play with me",  said the maister, " at the rapier and dagger, if it please you."

Bartholomew Bramble, speaking to Vincentio Saviolo, as reported in Paradoxes of Defence (1599)

Welcome to "Bartholomew Bramble's Schoole of Defence and the Arts Mylitarie", or, at least, the website dedicated to it!  Allow me to explain what this group is, and how it was started -

Perhaps you have been to a renaissance festival and have seen fighting or fencing demonstrations.  Sometimes they involve people engaging in a fighting sport, sparring with set rules and protective armor.  At other times you might see people performing a choreographed fight:  Two men hurl insults at each other - they fight - one falls over 'dead' - then both bow and the crowd applauds.

Both of these can be entertaining, but I felt that this might not be giving people a realistic picture of how weapon skills were practiced at the time, nor how these skills and activities related to the general culture of the times.  If a potter or blacksmith at a living history event can accurately show people how their skills were practiced over 400 years ago, with period tools and techniques, then why can't a fencer, pikeman, or musketeer accurately demonstrate his "art"?

Chances are, if you were walking through an english town during the Elizabethan era, you probably wouldn't see people dueling.  Instead, you might see the towns Master of Defense teaching his students in an inn yard, or perhaps you would see members of the local "trained band" militia practicing their pike and musket drill, preparing for the expected spanish invasion while demonstrating their dedication to their community.  Indeed, the practice of the "martial" arts had a definite role in late Tudor society.

Another problem with many displays at renaissance festivals is historical accuracy.  Usually, the performers have a lot of experience in modern stage combat, fencing, or the rules of a particular organization, but only a little knowledge of the actual fighting manuals of the period.  This is unfortunate, because these manuals are more available today than ever before!

That's why, in 1999, we formed a demonstration team called "Bramble's Schoole of Defence".  We have two goals:

First - We hope to learn as much as we can about the culture and military skills of the renaissance through hard work and the earnest study of primary historical sources.

Second - We aim to take this knowledge to renaissance festivals and other community events and display these skills in a historically accurate and honest fashion.

We invite you to follow our 'work in progress'.

Best wishes,
    Scott Crawford