Midlands Muster XXVI – Rallying Call
Founder and Lead Instuctor Richard Hughes will deliver a lesson on Battlefield Skills; Setter and Striker
Date and Time
Sat 20th September 2025 12:00 - 17:00 GMT
About this event
Mobile e-Ticket
Five Hours of Open Sparring!
The day is an open hall for all fencers to partake in open practice against other fencers in the room, get your fights in and compete against your friends. Or, even better, make new friends and then fight them!
Instructor seminars and team games will feature within the day, but if these do not interest you, there will be room to continue sparring in the hall.
Guest Instructor – Order of the Blade Founder Richard Hughes
Richard Hughes is the Founder and an Instructor at the Order of the Blade, specializing in battlefield combat and great weapons. He developed the Order’s core “Primus Syllabus” and leads its instructor team. With a focus on skirmish and formation tactics, Richard draws from diverse martial traditions and favors weapons like greatswords and the Naginata. His teaching emphasizes adaptable, personalized approaches to martial training.
Battlefields are chaotic environments, where a mix of weapons are in play and threats come in from all angles. Being able to form an effective line is critical to any unit’s success. The roles of “Setter” and “Striker” are designed to take advantage of the inherent advantages of particular weapons and use a formation that will allow you to control your position in the line. This work will focused on a paired approach to combat and take advantage of polearms and greatswords, in conjunction with swords and shields.
This lessons will be taught in two parts, one for the “Setter”, using swords, shield and another other personal weapon you choose, one for the “Striker”, using polearms and greatswords. You may drill one or both of those parts, depending on your preference and armament.
Required equipment: Sparring Gloves, Mask, Gorget, Weapon of choice.
Admin Bits
The day is open to all those who have valid insurance for the practice of Historical Fencing. Please be prepared to present evidence of such if asked by a member of staff. Those who do not have insurance will be required to purchase it through the Order for the day, for a £5 surcharge.
After Party
A fter the day of sparring, we will be heading up the road to a pub called the Boat Inn, address below. There we will swap exploits of the day and grab some food and drinks before the drive home!
Boat Inn, 31 Shilton Ln, Coventry CV2 2AB
Buy Tickets
Tickets
Sparring Pass
£30.00
Availability: 48 in stock
Location
Agenda
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12:00 - 12:20Introductions and BriefingsArrivals and kit-drops. Gather in at the Admin Desk for a group briefing, covering all elements safety and expected conduct. First aiders will be pointed out as well as actions on.
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13:30 - 14:15Instructor Seminar - Guest Instructor - Order of the Blade Founder Richard HughesThis lesson will focus on the division of responsibility for the battlefields roles known in our syllabus "setters" and "strikers", and how to co-ordinate your actions to support each other. Setters hold the frontline and position while the Strikers take advantage of the established position. Setters can be wielding any weapon that is of interest to them, where Strikers are advised to wield Polearms or Greatswords. Required equipment: Sparring Gloves, Mask, Gorget, Weapon of choice.
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14:20Group PhotoGather up for the big group photo and a chance to snag extra photos with your clubmates!
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16:15 - 17:00Combat GamesA hour of combat scenarios and games to test your skills in larger melees. Large scale scraps, scenario games and challenges to enjoy.
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17:00After Party SocialOnce you have cleaned down, we will be heading to the local pub, the Boat Inn, for a drink and meal and swap exploits of the day!