Welcome to the home of the Renaissance re-enactment guild the Trayn'd Bande of the Blackfriars!

Our Guild's History

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 it was 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)
• longsword
• unique period items (such as lantern, cape, and cane)

What We Bring To Faire

Our guild not only provides fencing lessons and various forms of entertainment, but we also have a more intimate story about who we are and why we would be travelling Europe--a back story that enables us to play with other Renaissance guilds and provide a different aspect of period life to your event. In short, we are an upper merchant/lower noble class Venetian family with an "entourage" of equal and lower class students, friends, instructors, their families, and patrons who, originating in Blackfriars, England, have been traveling all over Europe for years teaching the arte of defence to merchants, nobles, and all else who can afford our lessons.

As an actively trained fencing group, each member is schooled not only in period fencing techniques, but also theatrical swordplay. We have performed at many Renaissance Faires and various other events including weddings, school productions, Celtic games, et cetera; so we have a unique understanding of what people want when they request our appearance, and we train hard to offer our "employers" the best quality entertainment in the field of fencing and theatrics.

Listed below are different types of performances that we offer, ranging from Shakespeare fencing spoofs, full-on plays, to street gigs such as Rat Pucking and slightly improvisational duels. For further information beyond what this page offers on our available performances, and any requests for specific performances that you may have, please contact our Guildmaster on the contacts page. On a final note, we also participate in many of the goings on at faire, including--but not limited to--processions, royal court, Sunday mass, knightings, jousts, et cetera, and we make it a point to play with other guilds as well, arranging games and acts to be played out through the weekend(s).

• Weapons Showcasing and Education of Period Fencing
• Street Duels
• Fencing Tournaments & Pick-up Fighting: Scenarios, To The Pain
• Rat Pucking
• Shakespeare Spoof Fights
• Fencing Lessons
• Historical Training & Weapons Testing
• Bocci Ball