St. Michael’s Salle d’Armes is a group of people devoted to historically accurate presentations of European Martial arts; our efforts began with researching fencing salles/schools of the period. We were also looking for a country that had not been represented at faire to avoid competition with well-established groups in the California independent faire circuit. Through extensive research and process of elimination, we determined that the Salle of St. Michael’s would be based on the actual Guild of St. Michael’s, which is the oldest fencing club in the world and the largest fencing club in Belgium still active today.
Historically, this group began in 1042, but became official in 1613 when recognized by Duke Albrecht and Duchess Isabella. One hundred men would be relieved from duty to form this elite corps to support the town government in case of major skirmishes. The two-handed sword and rapier were their sport weapons. Muskets and guns were their arms of duty. The Archangel Michael is the guild’s patron saint and thus was called the “guild of St. Michael”. The motto of the guild during this period was “pro patria et honore” (for father and honor). Yearly fencing competitions were held with three weapons -- the two handed sword, single rapier, and rapier with dagger -- on September 29th, St. Michael’s patron’s day (Michelmas), The best fencer became king of the guild for one year.
After 1846, the guild changed its name to the “Royal and Knightly Main Guild of Saint Michael”. Later it would host the first meeting of the International Fencer’s Federation (the FIE) and it’s chairman, Albert Feyerick would become the first president of the FIE essentially giving birth to modern sport fencing competition that we are familiar with today. The fencing salle of St. Michael’s has a bar and a museum, which can be visited today. Interested individuals can go their web site for a glimpse of their salle, museum, and pictures of the founders in historical dress.
While at Faire, we actively engage the public, giving free lessons, informational presentations of the arms and armor of the time, organizing tournaments from various fencing salles and fencing to exhaustion to entertain and most importantly educate the general public as to the martial aspects of swordplay that are woefully lost in most theatrical and entertainment venues.
St. Michael’s Salle d’Armes is a recognized nonprofit educational corporation in the State of California.
