An inclusive sword fighting
community teaching people
how to safely hit their
friends since 2016
Historical Weapons Guild
Art by Pure_Poet
What is HEMA?
HEMA stands for Historical European Martial Arts. As a whole,
the community to focus on recreating martial arts systems used
roughly from the 14th through the 18th century across many
weapon systems. Historical manuals are the main source of
information and go into varying levels of detail. These are used
as a basis for understanding practices and their applications in
the historical context in which they were created.
At the Historical Weapons Guild schools specifically, we treat the
historical sources as a guideline for recreating a martial art. We
pull heavily from Lichtenauer and Meyer though are not limited to
those sources as we believe in a holistic approach to training that
employs shared concepts across all weapon systems.
Whether you are just starting your sword journey, looking for a place to continue your training or maybe you want to swing swords for a fun date night or event, we can help!
Offerings
BEGINNERS
AUSTIN
TRAVERSE CITY
6-week intro course
Cost: $215
During this 6-week course, students aged 16 and up will learn the basics of longsword, dagger, rapier, and single sword techniques that will prepare them for the exciting world of sword fighting. Once this course has been completed, students will be able to take part in our regular classes as well as open sparring.
What's included:
- A longsword trainer from Purple Heart Armory
- A study/training guide
Every Tuesday
Cost per class: $30
During this 6-week course, students aged 16 and up will learn the basics of longsword, dagger, rapier, and single sword techniques that will prepare them for the exciting world of sword fighting. Once this course has been completed, students will be able to take part in our regular classes as well as open sparring.
What's included:
- A longsword trainer from Purple Heart Armory
- A study/training guide
2419 Sybrandt Rd Suite B, Traverse City, MI 49684
12112 Anderson Mill Rd Building 9 - Unit B, Austin, TX 78726
- Drop In $30 per class
BASIC
- 5 Pack $130
- 10 Pack $250
PREMIUM
UNLIMITED
$125 Monthly
$175 Monthly
$250 Monthly
8 classes
add’l classes $15
15 classes
add’l classes $15
Unlimited
Workshops 1/2
price
PRICING
AUSTIN
TRAVERSE CITY
2419 Sybrandt Rd Suite B, Traverse City, MI 49684
12112 Anderson Mill Rd Building 9 - Unit B, Austin, TX 78726
- Drop In $25 per class
BASIC
- 5 Pack $110
- 10 Pack $200
PREMIUM
SUPER +
$80 Monthly
$140 Monthly
$180 Monthly
5 classes
add’l classes $15
10 classes
add’l classes $15
15 classes
add’l classes $15
SCHEDULE
AUSTIN
TRAVERSE CITY
12112 Anderson Mill Rd Building 9 - Unit B, Austin, TX 78726
2419 Sybrandt Rd Suite B, Traverse City, MI 49684
Owners
Anthony has been studying HEMA since 2014 though his
martial arts training begins much before that with Eastern
Martial Arts. He brings a passion to teaching HEMA that
pulls from both scholarly and movement sensibilities to
create an empowering experience for students. He
founded AHWG on the idea that anyone can swordfight.
Anna Beard
Co-Owner/Instructor
Anthony Buonomo
Founder/Instructor
Anna has been a sword nerd since 2018 when she took
her first class at AHWG. Now she partners in the
operations of the school as well as guides the teacher
training, teaches a technique drilling class, and has
brought dance into the mix. With over twenty years of
dance teaching experience, she is always looking for
ways to connect her two movement loves.
Instructors
Jon Garcia
Senior Instructor
Jon started his HEMA training with
AHWG back in 2021 after leading a
life of a D&D nerd, ren faire visitor,
and boffer enthusiast. He brings a
great eye for detail to teaching as
well as a great big enthusiasm
aimed at helping others discover
what they love about sword
fighting.
James Cooper
Senior Instructor
Drawn to HEMA as a dual pursuit of
academic knowledge and physical
discipline, James started studying
the art with AHWG in 2016. With a
professional background in
education, James loves to share
this passion and his knowledge with
others while continuing to learn
himself.
Andreas Fabis
Senior Instructor
Andreas started his sword journey
with the AHWG in 2018 and has
been excited about hitting friends
safely ever since. He enjoys
teaching and seeing students get
hooked on a fun and exciting
martial art. As a native German he
can pronounce "Schlüssel"
correctly.
Morgan Sinko
Senior Instructor
Morgan has been training with
AHWG since 2017, but has been a
lover of fencing long before. His
positive attitude and desire to
facilitate learning makes him a great
asset to our team. He assists with our
adult Beginner Courses and helps
new grackles on their sword journey!
Instructors
Kaitlin
McClendon
Junior Instructor
Kaitlin joined HEMA in
2021, where she started
training at AHWG. As a
sword and fighting
enthusiast, she loves
helping students
navigate the
fundamentals while
hyping up both new and
veteran Grackles alike!
Eric Schweinsberg
Asst Instructor
Purveyor of swift
moulinets, narrow
voids, and dumb
jokes. Eric has been
studying HEMA since
2022, focusing on
singlesword combat
as well as the
intersection of form
and function.
Jessica
Bloodgood
Asst Instructor
Jessica was lured in with
twords and history when
she started HEMA in
2022. She is a self-
proclaimed "museum
nerd" who reads too
many fantasy novels and
loves to welcome new
grackles into the flock
Giovanni
Hinojosa
Asst Instructor
Giovanni is a history nerd
who has wanted to fight
since quite young; Since
starting HEMA 3 years
ago, he’s enjoyed working
in multiple weapon
systems and helping
students grow in their
personal fighting goals
Lenore
Hellman
Junior Instructor
Lenore, a movement-
enthusiast, started HEMA
in 2022. She loves
exploring the motion and
quality of body
mechanics with a sword,
influenced by her years
of yoga and social dance
instruction.
Press
The Austin Chronicle was nice enough to chat with us about swords and what makes hitting your friends so special.
More swords in more states! We were pleased to chat with Northern Express about bringing HEMA to northern Michigan.
9 & 10 News
We had fun showing how swords are accessible to anyone and everyone! We appreciate the local news taking the plunge with us.
There have been many weapons explored on this show over the years from longword to pop can flail vs ham.
If you’re new to the WEIRD Open or events in general, check out this short docu-style video from last year to get a feel for our vibe and why holding an event like this is important to us. We hope you choose to come be WEIRD with us in Austin 2026!
Video and art by Pure_Poet
WEIRD OPEN
2026