historical european martial arts · cape girardeau, missouri
Learn the longsword from the old masters.
We study and spar with the fighting arts written down in Renaissance and medieval manuals. No experience or gear is needed to get started.
historical european martial arts · cape girardeau, missouri
We study and spar with the fighting arts written down in Renaissance and medieval manuals. No experience or gear is needed to get started.
come train with us
New members are always welcome, and no experience or gear is needed to start. Reach out any of these ways and we'll tell you when and where to come for your first class.
Tell us a little about yourself and we'll reply with class details.
Announcements, photos, and a place to ask questions.
Sparring clips and club life.
Class days and times are managed in Spond. Once you've joined, we'll add you to the club's Spond group so you can see the schedule and sign up for sessions.
on the calendar
Intro nights, sparring days, demonstrations and other club events. Weekly practice is scheduled in Spond.
Can't see the calendar? Open the calendar full screen.
the art
HEMA stands for Historical European Martial Arts. It is the study of fighting systems recorded in European manuals, called fechtbücher, written between roughly the 14th and 19th centuries.
Practitioners reconstruct those techniques from the original texts and illustrations, then test them through drills and sparring. The longsword is the most popular weapon, but clubs also study sword and buckler, messer, rapier, sabre, wrestling and more.
Modern HEMA is a real, full-contact sport. We spar with blunt steel or synthetic swords, fencing masks, padded jackets and gloves, and safety comes first in every class.
who we are
Cape Girardeau HEMA is a non-profit club, founded in 2026, organized for educational and recreational purposes. Under our constitution, the club exists:
We don't have a permanent home yet, so practice times and locations are posted in our Spond group. Get in touch and we'll add you.
club records
Read the safety policy and sign the waivers before your first practice. Files open as PDFs.
The HEMA Alliance Safety Policy (v.11.2023) our club follows: protective gear, sparring and drilling rules, and what insurance covers.
How the club is organized, membership, officers and voting.
Everyone signs this before their first practice. A parent or guardian signs for participants under 18.
Needed for HEMA Alliance insurance coverage. Sign it too if you aren't a HEMA Alliance member.
with thanks to
Cape Girardeau HEMA is an affiliate club of the HEMA Alliance. We follow its safety policy for our practices and events.
hemaalliance.com