Welcome
to the home of the Renaissance re-enactment guild the Trayn'd Bande of the Blackfriars!
to the home of the Renaissance re-enactment guild the Trayn'd Bande of the Blackfriars!
Some of the most accomplished swordsmen in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth could be found
in a place called the Blackfriars. Once a Dominican monastery, the estates of the priory came to be commonly
known as "Blackfriars" due to the black vestments of the Dominican monks. The friars had gained permission
from the London City authorities to have the whole of the Blackfriars precinct be named a "liberty", and
therefore outside City jurisdiction, even though within the City walls.
In the Blackfriars, many swordsmen found the freedom to practice swordsmanship outside the regulations
set down by the London masters of defence. It was quite common to see Italian, German or Spanish styles of
swordplay being practiced in the Blackfriars along with traditional English swordsmanship .
Because of the renown of the swordsmen who frequent the Blackfriars, the Queen has tasked them with the
responsibility of testing the capabilities of the militia and introducing the militia to the latest fighting
techniques and weapons forms.
Thus was born "The Trayn'd Bande of the Blackfriars". During the course of testing the Blackfriars can be
seen using such weapons forms as the following:
in a place called the Blackfriars. Once a Dominican monastery, the estates of the priory came to be commonly
known as "Blackfriars" due to the black vestments of the Dominican monks. The friars had gained permission
from the London City authorities to have the whole of the Blackfriars precinct be named a "liberty", and
therefore outside City jurisdiction, even though within the City walls.
In the Blackfriars, many swordsmen found the freedom to practice swordsmanship outside the regulations
set down by the London masters of defence. It was quite common to see Italian, German or Spanish styles of
swordplay being practiced in the Blackfriars along with traditional English swordsmanship .
Because of the renown of the swordsmen who frequent the Blackfriars, the Queen has tasked them with the
responsibility of testing the capabilities of the militia and introducing the militia to the latest fighting
techniques and weapons forms.
Thus was born "The Trayn'd Bande of the Blackfriars". During the course of testing the Blackfriars can be
seen using such weapons forms as the following:
sword and buckler (a common battlefield combination),
rapier and dagger (common with civil attire),
and maybe even longsword.
The Trayn'd Bande of the Blackfriars is a Renaissance martial arts re-enactment group based in Carson City
Nevada. We are committed to the study and practice of life during the 16th century in western Europe.
With our main emphasis being period swordplay, The Trayn'd Bande of the Blackfriars use manuscripts from
master swordsmen of the period, such as Salvator Fabris, Jochim Meyer and Giovanni Dall'Agocchie,
employing their methods and philosophy into our swordplay for tournament and stage combat. Using replica
weapons of the period combined with modern face and body protection, we are able to fight in a safe and
historically accurate fashion. The Blackfriars may be found at many California Renaissance Faires, Celtic
events, and even a wedding or two.
Nevada. We are committed to the study and practice of life during the 16th century in western Europe.
With our main emphasis being period swordplay, The Trayn'd Bande of the Blackfriars use manuscripts from
master swordsmen of the period, such as Salvator Fabris, Jochim Meyer and Giovanni Dall'Agocchie,
employing their methods and philosophy into our swordplay for tournament and stage combat. Using replica
weapons of the period combined with modern face and body protection, we are able to fight in a safe and
historically accurate fashion. The Blackfriars may be found at many California Renaissance Faires, Celtic
events, and even a wedding or two.
If you are interested in more information about the schooling of our students and/or how to become a
Blackfriar yourself, please visit the contacts page and email one of our captains.
Blackfriar yourself, please visit the contacts page and email one of our captains.
This site was last updated on January 24, 2008