FAQs

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions!

New Students

Not sure what to expect when you come along? We’ve got you covered:

  • It’s always a bit daunting showing up to a new activity or club, and it’s perfectly normal to feel a little anxious. Try not to worry and let nerves put you off, every Black Boar student felt the same way when they first came along! We’ll be pleased to meet you and introduce you to the amazing world of historical fencing. You’ll feel at ease with us in no time.

  • Our Black Boar members come from all backgrounds and walks of life, and we’re a friendly and social bunch. Some of us have been fencing for years, others have recently joined us, and we’re always pleased to greet new students and make them feel welcomed. We foster a supportive culture in our school, and students are given encouragement throughout their fencing journey from instructors and fellow members alike.

  • You’ll be welcomed by our instructors and students before getting a brief safety induction and joining the class for warmup exercises. We’ll introduce you to the fundamentals of historical fencing, typically focusing on footwork. And yes, you’ll get to use a sword on your first day!

  • You don’t need any expensive or fancy kit to start fencing with us. All that’s required to get started is some comfortable sports wear (plain black jogging bottoms or similar, plain white t-shirt and comfortable trainers). The only stipulation we have is no branded sports kit such as football tops, etc, and no black soled footwear as this isn’t permitted at our training venue. All the safety equipment and weapons will initially be provided for you, until you’re ready to start purchasing your own fencing gear. Please don’t bring any weapons to class - whilst we love your enthusiasm, samurai swords, replica longswords, fantasy blades, knives, etc, are not appropriate and you won’t be allowed to use them.

  • Unfortunately, for safety and insurance purposes, all participants at Black Boar must be aged 18 years or over.

  • We realise it can be comforting to have someone with you, especially if it’s your first class. However, unless your companion is participating in the class, they won’t be able to stay in the fencing hall to spectate. This is for safety and insurance reasons.

  • Black Boar is committed to making fencing accessible for everyone as far as reasonably possible. If you have any additional needs to support your involvement, please contact us in advance of attending, or have a confidential chat with our instructors at the start of the class.

  • Yes, it’s safe to practice historical fencing. At Black Boar, our experienced instructors and provosts supervise all classes, and students are required to wear special safety equipment and conduct themselves in accordance with our rules. The weapons we use are blunted. There are always risks associated with martial arts and physical activity, but we mitigate these risks as far as reasonably possible.

  • Historical fencing shares some similarities with modern sport fencing, but rather than focusing on scoring points, the fencing we do at Black Boar is primarily concerned with defence and offence according to real historical techniques. In addition, we don’t use electronic ‘wired’ weapons or equipment, as is common in sports fencing.

  • No, you don’t need to have an academic interest or previous knowledge of historical fencing and treatises to join us. Many of our members enjoy exploring the academic side of historical fencing, and you may wish to take up studies yourself after you’ve been with us for a while, but it’s not a requirement and you’re welcome to come along just for the love of swordplay.

  • Tournaments and competitions are not the focus of our school. However, once you’ve completed your weapon assessments at Black Boar you’re free to participate in official historical fencing and HEMA events which are held all over the UK, should you choose to do so.

Experienced Fencers

If you have some experience already and / or you’re a member of other fencing schools, you may be wondering:

  • At Black Boar, we focus on smallsword and military sabre weaponry. Those attending our classes will be expected to follow the curriculum. However, approved students are permitted to study other weapon styles when there is the opportunity to do so, should they choose.

  • Yes, but at the sole discretion of our instructors / provosts. When you first join Black Boar, they must be satisfied that you practice swordplay safely and responsibly, and in accordance with our rules. Free play is only available when structured class lessons have finished.

  • Typically, yes. If you use standard fencing gear from the likes of Leon Paul or similar, it’ll likely be suitable for use at Black Boar. If you have your own fencing mask, it must be clearly rated to CEN Level 2 and in good condition. Weapon wise, a smallsword simulator such as a No. 2 epee blade with a blunt tip, and a blunt Hutton style sabre would be appropriate. However, please contact us first to check that your gear is suitable, just to be sure. If there are any issues, we have school kit available for use.

  • We’re a member of the British Federation for Historical Swordplay, and maintain relationships with many historical fencing schools and the wider HEMA community. Additionally, we frequently arrange and participate in historical fencing events, in the UK and globally, so there’s a chance you’ve met us before!

Booking and Payment

Information about our booking and payment processes. Full details are available in our terms of use.

  • You’ll need to setup either a monthly membership subscription or purchase a class / event ticket in advance of attending. This can be done easily and conveniently through our online shop using a debit or credit card.

  • No, we don’t accept card or cash payments in-person, or payment in arrears. Please make sure you purchase either a monthly membership subscription or class ticket through our online shop before attending any classes. We reserve the right to request proof of purchase, and won’t allow you access to classes if you haven’t paid.

  • No, we require the person who’ll be attending our classes to purchase the monthly membership subscription or class ticket. We recommend buying a gift voucher from our online shop if you'd like to provide someone else with access to our classes (just remember that the recipient must be aged 18 years or over to participate).

  • No, classes must be booked and paid for by the individual(s) who will attend the session. We cannot accept bookings from a third party (agents, travel companies, tour groups, businesses, etc).

  • No, monthly membership subscriptions must be setup and maintained by the person who is a Black Boar member. Class tickets can only be redeemed by the person who purchased them, and can’t be transferred to someone else for use.

  • We require your date of birth during the checkout process to ensure that you’re aged 18 years or over. Additionally, if you’re purchasing a monthly membership subscription we need your date of birth to setup your student insurance policy.

  • We don’t offer discounts or concessions for our monthly membership subscription or class tickets. From time to time, we may offer promotional discounts for special events. Such discounts are typically available to subscribers only, as an exclusive benefit for maintaining a Black Boar membership.

  • A monthly subscription enables you to become a Black Boar member, and provides the best value for money if you’re attending classes regularly. You’ll get unlimited access to our standard classes and exclusive members only benefits including a student insurance policy and invitations to members only events. Subscriptions automatically renew each month.

  • When you setup a monthly membership subscription, you’ll be required to create an account on our website using your email address and a password of your choosing. To manage your subscription, simply visit our website and login.

  • If your address or payment details have changed, login to your account to update them. Its particularly important for monthly membership subscribers to keep their details up to date.

  • Monthly membership subscriptions automatically renew each month, on or around the original purchase date. If you wish to change the renewal date, we’re unable to do this for you. You’ll need to cancel your current subscription by logging into your account, and re-purchase it on the specific date you’d like it to renew going forward.

  • If you’re having difficulties logging into your account, please check first that you have actually created an account (this will require you to setup a password). New accounts need to be activated using a verification link that is sent to you by email. If you can’t find this verification email, remember to check your junk / spam folder. Once your account is successfully setup and verified, simply login with your email address and the password you chose. Forgotten your password? We’re unable to change this for you, but you can reset it by clicking the forgotten password link on the account login page.

  • Class tickets provide access for one person, to one standard Black Boar class. They are intended for new students or those who cannot attend regularly. Class tickets must be purchased in advance by the person attending. Class tickets are not linked to specific class dates and can be used at any time, but they must be redeemed within 3 months of purchase otherwise they will expire (e.g. if a class ticket was purchased on 15th January, it would need to be used by 15th April). You can purchase multiple tickets in one transaction. Please note, class tickets don’t entitle you to any of our members only benefits and they can be more expensive in the long-term if you’re attending classes regularly. If you’ve been fencing with us for over a month and frequently come to class, we recommend that you setup a monthly membership subscription.

  • Event tickets provide access for one person to the specific event advertised. They cannot be transferred to someone else. Event tickets must be purchased in advance. Please note, unless explicitly stated otherwise, tickets are for entry to the event only, and don’t include transport, accommodation or food costs, or any other expenses incurred in order to facilitate attendance.

  • Gift vouchers can be purchased as digital products, which can either be emailed directly to the recipient with a customised message, or emailed to the person making the purchase in order to print a physical copy. Gift vouchers have no expiry date, and can be redeemed towards the cost of standard class tickets or special event tickets (they can’t be used to purchase a monthly membership subscription). Please note, the recipient must be aged 18 years or over to use their gift voucher and attend classes or events.

  • If you’ve got a discount code, this must be applied during the checkout process on our online shop. Simply follow the steps to complete your purchase and enter the code when prompted. Please note, if you don’t apply the discount code during your initial purchase you won’t receive the discount. We cannot apply discounts retrospectively or provide any refunds for the difference in price.

  • Discount codes may have criteria and conditions attached to them, such as only being valid for a limited time, being restricted to one use per customer, only being redeemable by a specific audience or for specific products and services, or having a limited quantity available for redemption. If you’re trying to use a discount code but it isn’t working, this means it’s no longer available for use.

  • If you’ve purchased a monthly membership subscription, you can cancel it at any time by logging into your account. If you’ve purchased a class or event ticket and change your mind, remember that they cannot be transferred to someone else. We won’t provide any refunds if you’ve changed your mind, or for any unused or expired tickets, unless you’re within the cancellation period.

  • You may cancel any products or services you have purchased through our online shop within 14 days and receive a full or partial refund. You won’t receive a refund for any classes or events you’ve attended, whether in full or in part, during the 14 day cancellation period. All refunds will be processed back to the original debit or credit card used at the point of purchase. We cannot provide refunds by any other means. No refunds will be provided after the 14 day cancellation period.

Class Timetable

Information about when our classes take place.

  • We offer classes on the days and times as per our advertised timetable, which we’ll update periodically. Please check our timetable and booking page for details.

  • No, we cannot offer classes outwith the days and times advertised on our timetable unfortunately.

  • No, we cannot offer bespoke private sessions for individuals or groups unfortunately. Classes are only available on the days and times advertised on our timetable, and the sessions are open to anyone over the age of 18.