Ethos and Community

Find out about our values, who we are, and why Black Boar might just be the historical fencing school you’ve been looking for.

Our Values

We’re a friendly, supportive and inclusive fencing school, committed to the safe teaching and practice of swordplay. Regardless of whether someone is a complete beginner or has previous experience, we aim to make historical fencing accessible and believe strongly in treating everyone fairly and equally. We’re committed to engagement with neurodiverse and LGBTQ+ communities, and individuals with additional support needs.

Students will benefit from the years of experience our instructors and members have acquired, alongside our culture of respect, openness and encouragement. In return, all that we ask is adherence to our principles and a willingness to learn.

Image of Black Boar members shaking hands after a duel.

Who We Are

We have an amazing community of both new and established fencers, from all backgrounds and walks of life. Some of our members have been with us for many years, others for just a term, but despite varying levels of experience within our ranks, everyone supports and learns from each other in order to develop their sword skills. Historical fencing provides personal challenges to overcome and competitiveness, but at Black Boar there is also motivation, camaraderie and celebration of achievements.

We’re part of the wider historical fencing and HEMA scene with whom we regularly interact, so you’ll get the chance to meet and fence with many lovely people from across the UK, and even the world.

Image of Black Boar members at a social event.

Social Scene

Black Boar students often enjoy socialising after class, whether going for drinks or a bite to eat. We organise regular social events too, including summer BBQs, movie nights, trips, meals out, and an annual Christmas party!

There’s no expectation or pressure for anyone to participate in social events, but students are always welcome to come along.

Image of a class at Black Boar.

Ready to Fence with Us?

Whether you’re an established fencer or just getting started, we’d be pleased to welcome you in class. You don’t need to attend from the start of term and can come along at any point, so why not give it a go? You can book a class via our online shop.

If you’ve got any questions, visit our FAQs page or please contact us.