BAUERNWEHR
BAUERNWEHR
The Peasant's Defense
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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 Tire Machèt, 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 (ver-ha-ft), a defensive approach aiming to minimize the damage taken to one’s own body.
Gotham Bauernwehr is an official Haitian Fencing Project Training Group led by Certified Tire Machèt Instructors.
Students will learn various exercises to strengthen the muscles and mechanics needed for swordplay. Class materials would include:
Bodyweight exercises (ex. Pushups, crunches, planks, squats)
Plyometrics
Yoga
Weighted trainers
Footwork and balance
Limbering exercises and stretches
The class will focus on building strength and stamina for better fencing in our other class offerings. Everything in this class will carry over into any GEMAC class!
Beginners will be introduced to fundamentals of wrestling and machete fencing while Intermediate and Advanced students will work on conditioning and honing of skills. Our focus includes:
Short Knife
Machete
The Peasant's Stick
and Associated Wrestling Techniques.
Students of all levels are given the opportunity to take turns working one-on-one with instructors to further refine the principles and techniques.
Getting Started
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:
Important To Know:
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the Gotham Swords Code of Conduct.
No shoes are allowed on the training floor — students are encouraged to practice barefoot, or use grippy gym socks.
If you decide to stay:
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 and/or Tire Machèt Shirt.
We recommend you pick up a copy of Haitian Machete Fencing: The Avril Family Method, the training manual for Tire Machèt.
Contact
Contact
Have Bauernwehr-related questions? E-mail us directly at bauernwehr@gmail.com.
Join the Gotham Swords Discord and chat with us.
Bauernwehr on Instagram.
Bauernwehr Media on Archive.org: 2026 Videos
For inquiries regarding HEMA/other disciplines visit GEMAC: Gotham Swords.
Members
Members
PETER HAAS
PETER HAAS
Instructor
Instructor
PETER HAAS is the co-founder of the Bauernwehr program at Gotham Swords, which primarily focuses on the tradition of Tire Machèt. A historical fencing instructor since 2018, he currently offers classes at Gotham Swords in New York, White Tiger Karate in New Hampshire, as well as workshops throughout the US and Canada. A writer and filmmaker by trade, Peter is also an enthusiastic Pinochle player and a ranked member of New York’s Byakkokan Dojo.
KAT HAMILTON
KAT HAMILTON
Instructor
Instructor
KAT HAMILTON is a musician, artist, and educator currently working in arts administration in NYC's nonprofit off-Broadway theatre scene. She has been a practitioner of historical fencing since 2016 and is a founding member of Gotham Swords where she currently teaches a fitness class focused on fencers and co-teaches the Bauernwehr program which has Tire Machèt as the core and heart of the practice. Kat also studies at Byakkokan Dojo and holds sandan rank in Toyama Ryū battodō.
DR. JOSH WICKMAN
DR. JOSH WICKMAN
Instructor
Instructor
JOSH WICKMAN began his sword practice in 2016 with historical fencing. He is a co-founder of Gotham Swords in New York and has served as a club leader and instructor. Josh currently co-teaches Gotham’s Bauernwehr program, whose practice and methodology are centered on the Avril family method of Tire Machèt. He actively trains Toyama Ryū battodō and is a ranked member of Byakkokan Dojo. Dr. Wickman holds a PhD in physics and works as a software engineer.
PATRICK BRADY
PATRICK BRADY
JEREMY BERNSTEIN
JEREMY BERNSTEIN
ALEXA CAMILLERI
ALEXA CAMILLERI
ALAN EILAND
ALAN EILAND
JASON GOLFINOS
JASON GOLFINOS
KIT GOODE
KIT GOODE
RON IGILOV
RON IGILOV
DEANNA KOVALCIN
DEANNA KOVALCIN
ARZANG KASIRI
ARZANG KASIRI
JUSTIN MINGO
JUSTIN MINGO
ZACH SCHOENBROT
ZACH SCHOENBROT
MAX WELLINGTON
MAX WELLINGTON
Our Friends & Collaborators
Our Friends & Collaborators
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