[Maurice Booij]

For those who like not only to collect arms, but also like to wield them;
There's a new kid on the block in HEMA. Well, kind of.

Allow me to introduce MARS – Vechtschool voor middeleeuwse krijgskunsten Noord-Nederland
(MARS – Fight school for medieval martial arts North-Netherlands), a new school in Groningen, the Netherlands, called into life in August of this year. And now the English translation of the website is finished: www.mars-swordfighting.com

Classes started immediately in September, focussing on three main subjects; longsword, dagger and knife fighting, and unarmed combat, but with the ambition to add to that. Focus lies predominantly with the German tradition, taking Ringeck as basis for longsword, complemented with other masters.

It's a diverse and ambitious group of people, aiming for knowledge and martial soundness, but also looking to produce competitive tournament fighters. Another aim is to further the promotion and professionalisation of the medieval martial arts, in North-Netherlands (the collective name for the three provinces in the north-east of the country.)

How did it start?
In the 2010-2011 season a group of like-minded people met for the first time in Groningen, with one common interest; medieval sword fighting, forming a study group. That season the group enjoyed several seminars, taught by Mishaël Lopes Cardozo. The sword fighters in Groningen were enthused and agreed to becoming a satellite school of the AMEK next season.

After having sailed under AMEK colours for one season, the group reached the conclusion that, however fun and friendly, being part of the organisation, so distant from the main body, was not as beneficiary as thought initially. After a long meeting, the group opted for autonomy. (Needs to be said; with no hard feelings.)

And so MARS was born. Luckily the instructor who'd taught the group the previous year, agreed to keep doing so.

On behalf of MARS; pleased to make your acquaintance!