Team
Meet the instructors
Instructors with the Order are trained to deliver the core material of the Primus Syllabus at Chapter sessions, but also specialists of their own fields of interest. All of our instructors are trained to analyse the technique and performance of each member and consider the application of each action in combat, layering in the intent of the student and giving appropriate advice.
Founder
Instructor
Telford & Wolverhampton Chapters
Richard Hughes
He/Him
Battlefield and Great-Weapon Specialist
Richard founded the Order of the Blade and created the primary syllabus of instruction for the Chapter, thus his work is focused on the teaching of core fundamentals and overseeing the team of instructors at each Chapter, and aiding them in developmental projects.
His personal specialty lies in the Battlefield practice of Historical Combat, developing both the individual practices and the tactics for skirmish and formation fighting. While capable with many of the weapons seen within the Order, his preference is for greatswords and polearms, particularly the Naginata.
Richard draws from many martial traditions and lineages in his training and seeks to elevate the study of martial arts within the Order by pioneering methods of training that allows for each person studying and training to achieve their best and in a way that suits them.
Instructor
Loughborough Chapter
He/Him
Fred Hopkins
Dark age-mid medieval, shield and sword/axe/spear
5 years of training and instruction with OTB.
1000+ ish bouts with sword and shield.
Got into this becuase I read a lot of king Arthur and various fantasy as a kid and reeeeeally wanted to be a knight.
Specializing in board and *weapon of choice*
Full on nerd.
Sometimes ponder the meaning of the lesser used buttons on the remote.
Instructor
Loughborough Chapter
Rob Newton
Axe and Viking Weapons Specialist
Rob’s approach to weapons linked with the Viking era has allowed him to develop a direct and effective approach to combat with them. Axes, Dual Axes, Round Shields, Dane Axes, all of them get to see play under Robs tutelage.
Joining the Order and initially working the Longsword, he quickly took to training and developing his particular approach to combat, a patient but no less formidable approach, which lends itself perfectly to his choice of weapons.
Rob has applied his study of the Viking weapons against all manner of typical weapons found within Historical Fencing and has demonstrated their effectiveness, both within Chapter training, and against other schools of training.
Assistant Instructor
Nottingham Chapter
Conor Brady
Armoured Longsword
Conor has always thought that knights are cool. Throughout his early life, he’s always tried to chase the dream of being a knight, taking up Kendo, and Sports Fencing, and in any role playing game, being a human fighter.
It took until Covid and Lockdowns for Conor to finally bite the bullet, and buy a full set of Plate Armour and wear it on runs for fitness. This led him to seek out The Order of the Blade and start to really specialise in longsword, and armour. He dove in to the Primus syllabus with enthusiasm and became an aggressive and offensively minded fighter with his longsword. Since becoming an assistant instructor, has begun work on refining an armoured fighting module that works within the confines of Historic Martial Combat.
Conor has a (non sword) background in teaching and training and passionately believes in making sure his students get the most out of their time and sessions with him, and will endeavour to ensure they get the best personalised experience.
Instructor
Exeter Chapter
Edmund Withnell
Longsword, lance, poleaxe
Edmund is a practitioner of swords going back to starting Kendo at the age of 15. From trying Kendo and modern olympic fencing, he moved into HEMA where he excelled in using a longsword at a competitive level. After being invited into the Order, he has taken to an eclectic mix of enthusiasms, such as the lance on foot, the mace, and other “knightly” weapons, driven by a love of Arthurian stories from his childhood. Despite varied interests, his keen interest in longsword as a holistic weapon art has never changed, being the “quintessential knightly weapon” of the mid-to-late middle ages.
Assistant Instructor
Loughborough Chapter
He/Him
Ross Gilbert
Uncommon/Specialist Weapons
Books on Myth and Legend were a major part of Ross’ childhood, and he’s tried a few different ways of swordfighting in the past. None of them were fully satisfying – often feeling artificial and over-regulated. Then he found the Order!
Ross is a creative combatant, revelling in the unexpected and non-traditional. Some of his weapons include Trident and Net, the Bat’leth, Khopesh and Greatswords. He’s also perfectly at home with more typical weapons such as Longswords, single-handed weapons and shields.
Having worked in Education his entire professional career as an outdoor instructor, classroom teacher, and now learning designer, Ross brings a wealth of experience to the theory and practice of running sessions at Loughborough and sharing knowledge between Chapters.
Instructor
Derby Chapter
Wesley Simms
Will fight with anything, but mostly Sabre
Certified SwordClown, Wes has been with the Order since 2022 after attending a Sword and Shield Seminar run by Fred and Rob. Before the swords, Wes has a background in Boxing and Muay Thai as well as various dance styles. Footwork and fundamentals is his game.
Wes is passionate about helping people develop a unique style of their own and become equally irritating as they are hard to kill.
Instructor
Plymouth Chapter
He/They
Erant Flitcroft
Dual swords and daggers
Erant’s weapons practice originates from their interest in classical antiquity and the legends surrounding this time. After re-reading the Greek legends, they decided it was finally time to learn swordplay and joined the order.
Having joined with an idea of weapon preference, they began learning sword and board before transitioning to dual swords. This led to the development of a system focusing on all kinds of dual weapons: axes, daggers and, of course, swords are all utilised.
Using this system, Erant has developed a fighting style meant to deal with the vast array of weapons used within the order and finding itself useful in battlefield situations.
Instructor
Derby Chapter
Steve Sprange
He/Him
Sword and shield
Steve joined the Order in 2020, inspired by a love of classical and early medieval history. He quickly found a love for strapped shields, and can usually be spotted wielding his aspis.
Having started without any martial arts background, Steve is particularly devoted to welcoming new students of all ability levels and leading an inclusive and friendly culture at the Derby Chapter.
He also doubles as the order scribe, reviewing and editing the syllabus material written by the other instructors.
Come Along
Try out the Order – no membership needed! Sign up for your first session for just £7.50 with our introductory offer! Simply choose a chapter and come along to a training session. You don’t need any equipment; just bring yourself and wear comfortable clothing. Come and give it a go!