Rotary Club of Marlin hosts Historical European Martial Arts Specialist

Guest Speaker at the Rotary Club of Marlin meeting on October 8, 2025, was Kurt M. Rutz of the Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) group. HEMA is incorporated as an educational non-profit organization, which aligns with Rotary’s focus on education and community engagement. Kurt M. Rutz is son of Rotarian Kurt Rutz.

Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) is a martial arts discipline built upon translating and interpreting historical fighting manuals and treatises, which often date from the 15th to 17th centuries.

These arts include a wide range of weapon-based systems. While the longsword is a central weapon, HEMA also covers many other systems, including Italian and German longsword, Italian and Dutch rapier, saber, sword and buckler, and polearms. Participants train to use the long sword, buckler, rapier, montante / zweihänder, British military sabres and more swords! Special- designed apparel and head gear and gloves are a must! HEMA provides guides covering historical European martial arts from the Late Middle Ages to the Renaissance, to the Early Modern period, using materials available in those periods.

Modern HEMA groups and clubs reconstruct these ancient arts by studying the sources, creating teaching structures, and engaging in sparring to test their interpretations.

To make the practice safer, practitioners use modern safety equipment and synthetic or blunted steel sparring swords to test techniques in a competitive and controlled environment.

Some HEMA programs integrate aspects beyond weapon fighting, such as grappling and wrestling, as they are found in historical sources and add another layer of practical application.

Organizations like the HEMA Alliance provide resources, a club finder, and an events calendar to help those interested in joining the community.