We're taking a new approach to teaching historical martial arts at the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, MA, USA. This new approach was jointly developed by the Higgins Armory Sword Guild, Hurstwic, and Dr. William R. Short.

We use a series of drills, games, and exercises to teach martial fundamentals to novices, and then use expanded versions of the exercises to research and to build our knowledge of Viking fighting moves. The work is physically vigorous, mentally challenging, and above all, fun.

Training:

We offer these programs at Higgins Armory Museum:

• A one-hour workshop to give you a sampling of the combat skills and battle tactics of the Vikings.

• A two-hour workshop offering a deeper introduction to the use of the Viking sword and shield.

• An introductory course on Viking sword and shield combat, consisting of four two-hour sessions.

• And, for those who have mastered the fundamentals, regular weekly practice sessions.

No experience is required for the class or the workshop, and all needed equipment is supplied. For more information, please visit the Higgins Armory Sword Guild website, or contact us directly via e-mail.

Videos showing a sample of some of the drills we use in our weekly practice session are available on YouTube, Viking Combat Training 1, Viking Combat Training 2, and Viking Combat Training 3.

Alternatively, we can bring a training workshop to your site, as we have done for groups in North America and in Iceland in recent years.

While the cameras were rolling, we taught the two hosts of the new show American Treasures some fundamentals of Viking combat. The show premieres in spring, 2011 on the Discovery Channel.

We regularly demonstrate Viking fighting styles at the Higgins Armory Museum. The 45 minute presentation introduces our guests to Viking history, culture, and society, and to the weapons of the Vikings. We conclude with a demonstration of some of the ways in which Vikings used their weapons. We usually demonstrate once or twice each month, on Saturday afternoons. Watch our short promotional video.

In addition, we can bring our combat demonstration or other Viking-age presentation to your site. We have presented at universities, libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions in North America, and in Iceland.

We are in the process of creating a series of videos demonstrating Viking combat based on fighting moves described in the Sagas of Icelanders.

• Sword and shield versus two-handed axe

• Sword and shield versus sword and spear

• Two swords versus improvised weapons

• Sax and shield versus one-handed axe and improvised weapons

• Sax and shield versus spear

• Surprise attack with a one-handed axe

• Spear versus sword and shield

• Spear throw with grappling

• Axes with grappling

Dr. Short has also written several books on Viking topics.

Viking Weapons and Combat Techniques is a history of the arms, armor, and individual fighting strategies of medieval Europe's most feared warriors. Published by Westholme Publishing in 2009, the book is available from Amazon or your favorite bookseller.

Icelanders in the Viking Age is a companion to the Sagas of Icelanders and is an introduction to the people of the sagas. The book was published by McFarland & Company in 2010 and is available from Amazon or your favorite bookseller.

The first in a series of Viking combat training videos will be released in March, 2012. Volume 1 is an introduction to the fighting moves of the Vikings and introduces the student to the drills, exercises, tools, and games we use in our research and practice of Viking-age combat.

The disc includes 11 chapters that cover:

• Introduction

• Weapons of the Viking age

• Sagas and other sources

• Stance and movement

• Cutting and angles

• Padwork

• Shield defense

• Combining sword and shield

• Grappling

• Sparring

• Concluding remarks

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced fighter, this DVD can help you grow to become a stronger Viking fighter.

A short promotional video can be seen here.