HEMA Alliance

The HEMA Alliance (HEMAA) is a martial arts federation dedicated to the study of Historical European Martial Arts. It is organized as a United States nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Utah.

One of the alliance's stated goals is to connect HEMA groups from all over the country.

Programs and services

Programs and Services provided by the HEMA Alliance include:

  • Mentoring new HEMA clubs
  • Sponsoring HEMA-related training events and symposia.
  • Developing and publishing curricula and original research.
  • Forging bonds with educational institutions.
  • Providing an optional ranking and instructor certification system.
  • Development of HEMA training equipment.
  • Support of HEMA research, teaching, and equipment services as professions.
  • Services for teachers and clubs, including insurance.

The Wiktenauer

The Wiktenauer is a Wiki database dedicated to the masters, manuals, and techniques of Historical European Martial Arts. The Wiktenauer is an open-source service provided by the HEMA Alliance for its members and the general public; contributors need not be members of the HEMA Alliance. “Where we lack the oral tradition of Asian martial arts, handed down from teacher to teacher over centuries, what the original masters left us might be more valuable: their original words and instructions,” says Jake Norwood, president of the HEMA Alliance.

Michael Chidester has provided extensive concordances of a number of manual groups on the Wiktenauer.

Governance

The Alliance is directed by three counterbalanced bodies: a Board of Directors, a Governing Council, and a Curriculum Council. The Board of Directors is responsible for oversight and strategic direction, the Governing Council manages the daily operations, and the Curriculum Council is responsible for research and training programs. The Governing Council is democratically elected by the Alliance membership while the Curriculum Council appoints its own councilors. The Governing Council has veto power over Curriculum Council appointments, and also recommends nominees to the Board of Directors.

Operating philosophy

As stated on the Alliance website, "The Alliance is dedicated to excellence as well as freedom and variety in the pursuit of Historical European Martial Arts. The Freedom of Study Policy built in to the bylaws guarantees that the membership will always have freedom of association in their training and that the product of the Curriculum Council will never be presented as a mandate. The Financial Policies guarantee that member dues will serve the full membership and not select individuals or clubs. The HEMAA is an all-volunteer organization..."

HEMA Alliance member-written literature

The following is a partial list of books written or contributed to by members of the HEMA Alliance.

  • Knight, David James & Brian Hunt. Polearms of Paulus Hector Mair. Paladin Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58160-644-7
  • Reich, Steven. Docciolini Transcription Lulu, 2009.
  • Reich, Steven. Falloppia Transcription Lulu, 2009.
  • Reich, Steven. Manciolino Transcription Lulu, 2009.
  • Vail, Jason. Medieval and Renaissance Dagger Combat. Paladin Press, 2006. ISBN 978-1-58160-517-4

See Also

Medieval European Martial Arts Guild

The Medieval European Martial Arts Guild is a modern-day fechtschule (fencing-school) devoted to...

Academy of Historical Fencing

The Academy of Historical Fencing is a British western martial arts group. The aim of the group is...