BAUERNWEHR

The Peasant's Defense

Our Fechtverein (Fencing Association) focuses on two distinctive, although greatly analogous, lineages: BAUERNWEHR, [bow•en ver], "Peasant's Defense", a style of martial arts originating from the German-speaking farming population of medieval Europe and the Avril Family Method of Tiré Machét, a living tradition of Haitian martial arts which serves as the heart of our practice.

This program invites students to experience a unique historical fencing system of Ringen (wrestling), Messer (machete), and Stock (Long Stick) outside the context of the “noble” historical duel; favoring a spirit of Wehrhaft, a defensive approach aiming to minimizes the damage taken to one’s own body.

Bauernwehr classes take a holistic approach to the physical, mental, and emotional disciplines of a centuries old art form!

Our Classes

Sword Fitness

Students will learn various exercises that focus on building strength and stamina for better fencing.

Fundamentals + Skills

Beginners will be introduced to fundamentals of wrestling and machete fencing while Intermediate and Advanced students will work on conditioning and honing of skills.

Applications

Students of all levels are given the opportunity to take turns working one-on-one with instructors to further refine the principles and techniques they practiced in the first session.

All Bauernwehr classes are beginner friendly and open to students of any level of experience!

While not required, students are encouraged to participate in all three classes whenever possible.

Schedule

SATURDAYS

11:30 AM — Sword Fitness

12:30 PM — Fundamentals & Skills

1:30 PM — Applications

Details available on BookWhen »

Contact

Have Bauernwehr-related questions? E-mail us directly at bauernwehr@gmail.com.

Join the Gotham Swords Discord and chat with us.

For inquiries regarding HEMA/other disciplines visit GEMAC: Gotham Swords.

Getting Started

We aim to make getting started as easy as possible for new students:

Check out our schedule over at the BookWhen platform and Sign Up for a Class, then just show up!
You only need comfortable athletic clothing, no specialized gear required!

Important To Know:

Make sure to familiarize yourself with the Gotham Swords Code of Conduct & Notes on Etiquette.
No shoes are allowed on the training floor — students are encouraged to practice barefoot, or use grippy gym socks.

If you decide to stay:

There will be periods of floor-work involved, we highly recommend protective knee pads.
If you wish to incorporate additional protective eye-wear, we suggest a pair of standard safety-goggles.
As you progress we encourage you to purchase a Gotham Swords Uniform shirt, and 3/4 Athletic Pants.
We recommend you pick up a copy of Haitian Machete Fencing: The Avril Family Method, the training manual for Tire Machèt.

Members

New York City

PETER HAAS

Instructor

PETER HAAS is a founding member and a Senior Instructor at Gotham Swords where he co-manages the Bauernwehr Program. A passionate and dedicated mentor since 2018, Peter engages in a holistic approach to training historical martial arts; promoting perpetual learning, refinement, and growth.

Outside the HEMA-sphere Peter is an award-winning filmmaker, enthusiastic Pinochle player, and a ranked member of New York’s Byakkokan Dojo (白虎館) where he studies Toyama Ryū Batto Jutsu (戸山流).

KAT HAMILTON

Instructor

KAT HAMILTON has been a practitioner of historical swords since 2016, joined Kollektiv des Messerfechtens in 2018, and is a founding member of Gotham Swords. She currently teaches a fitness class focused on fencers and co-teaches the Bauernwehr program. Kat also studies Toyama Ryū battodō.

DR. JOSH WICKMAN

Instructor

JOSH WICKMAN began his sword practice in 2016 with historical fencing. He is a co-founder of Gotham Swords and has served as a club leader and instructor, currently assisting the Bauernwehr program. He actively trains Toyama Ryū battodō and is a ranked member of Byakkokan Dojo.

Dr. Wickman holds a PhD in physics and currently works as a software engineer.