Registration:
Registration opens on May 1st, 2026 at 8:00 pm CEST
When?
29. & 30. August 2026
Where?
Primary location: Am Neues Palais, Potsdam 14469
Alternative location (in case of weather): tba
What?
This event is dedicated to the diverse fighting styles and weapons of the Renaissance period. Our goal is to offer both an overview and a space for focused exchange, experimentation, and learning. Following the very positive reception in 2025, we are continuing with the new format, further refining the connection between experts and participants around specific topics.
Morning Sessions
We’re keeping the proven format: Four invited instructors will each offer two 90-minute workshops.
Each workshop will be held twice, so all participants can attend both without having to choose.
Afternoon Sessions – Break-Out Tracks
Instead of classic headliner workshops, the afternoons will feature themed tracks with specialized mini-workshops, talks, and demos in smaller groups.
Tracks may include Vadi, Destreza, Sidesword, Fabris, or other traditions.
Each track runs for around three hours and features multiple experts offering 20–30-minute sessions on their unique perspectives.
There’s time between sessions for hands-on practice, discussion, and free fencing.
Workshops remain individual, and participants are free to switch between tracks.
One example: the Fabris Track, where several instructors present short, focused takes on different aspects of Fabris’ fencing.
We aim to create an open and inclusive atmosphere that reflects both the diversity of historical martial arts between the 15th and 17th centuries and the diversity of today’s practitioners.
Prices and Options
Participation in the event costs 90 € for both days or 55 € for a single day. For 15 € per day, you can book the popular lunch buffet, and for 20 €, you can add an optional event shirt to your registration.
(Due to the general economic situation, we unfortunately had to slightly adjust the prices. However, we are offering a limited number of discounted spots for helpers. If you are interested, please contact us in advance at events@schildwache-potsdam.de. Please note that, depending on your role, you may not be able to participate in all workshops.)
The evening programme will be paid individually in cash at the location.
Food & Community
A lunch buffet (as popular as ever!) will be organized again this year. In the evening, we’ll head out to dinner together near the venue.
If the weather is good, the event will be held outdoors and open to spectators.
If it rains, we’ll move inside and keep it cozy and relaxed.
Important Note
There will be no tournament or competitive format. This event is all about shared learning in a cooperative and friendly environment.
Required Equipment
Minimum: mask, neck protection, and light gloves.
A fencing jacket is also recommended, especially for thrust-focused workshops. Additional protection based on your personal preference is welcome.
We’re looking forward to an inspiring and enjoyable weekend with you – filled with great fencing, great food, and great people.
See you in Potsdam at Swords of the Renaissance 2026!
Timetable:
| Saturday | Sunday | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground I | Ground II | Ground III | Ground I | Ground II | Ground III | |
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Registration | Waking-Up | Open-Ground | |||
| 9:30 – 10:00 | Welcome & Warm-Up* | Warm-Up* | ||||
| 10:00 – 11:30 | Guy Windsor „TBA“ | Fran Lacuata „TBA“ | Open-Ground | Diana Matthess „TBA“ | Guy Windsor „TBA“ | |
| 11:30 – 11:45 | breather | breather | ||||
| 11:45 – 13:15 | Diana Matthess „TBA“ | TBA „TBA“ | TBA „TBA“ | Fran Lacuata „TBA“ | ||
| 13:15 – 14:15 | Lunch | Lunch | ||||
| Breakout-Tracks | ||||||
| 14:15 – 14:45 | TBA „TBA“ | breather | TBA „TBA“ | TBA „TBA“ | breather | TBA „TBA“ |
| 14:45- 15:15 | breather | TBA „TBA“ | breather | breather | TBA „TBA“ | breather |
| 15:15- 15:45 | TBA „TBA“ | breather | TBA „TBA“ | TBA „TBA“ | breather | TBA „TBA“ |
| 15:45- 16:15 | breather | TBA „TBA“ | breather | breather | TBA „TBA“ | breather |
| 16:15- 16:45 | TBA „TBA“ | breather | TBA „TBA“ | TBA „TBA“ | breather | TBA „TBA“ |
| 16:45- 17:15 | breather | TBA „TBA“ | breather | breather | TBA „TBA“ | breather |
| 17:45- 19:00 | Open-Ground & Discussion | Farewell | ||||
| 19:30 | Social Event: Bar & Pizza | |||||
Our workshops (90 min):
About the instructor: Consulting Swordsman Dr. Guy Windsor is acclaimed and respected both as a teacher and a pioneering researcher of medieval and renaissance martial arts. He began his professional historical martial arts career when he founded The School of European Swordsmanship in Helsinki, Finland in 2001. Awarded a PhD by Edinburgh University for his seminal work recreating historical combat systems, Guy has written numerous books for historical martial artists, such as The Medieval Longsword, The Medieval Dagger, From Medieval Manuscript to Modern Practice: the longsword techniques of Fiore dei Liberi, The Art of Sword Fighting in Earnest, The Duellist’s Companion, The Swordsman’s Companion, The Theory and Practice of Historical Martial Arts, The Rapier Workbook series, and The Armizare Workbook. His latest book is From Medieval Manuscript to Modern Practice: the wrestling techniques of Fiore dei Liberi.
He has traveled the world as an in-demand teacher and lecturer, and even developed the card game Audatia – bringing the thrills of historic swordfighting to the modern gaming audience. He has also created a huge range of online courses, covering medieval knightly combat, sword and buckler, rapier, remedial training, and even how to train alone. Now, Guy splits his time between researching historical martial arts; writing books and creating online courses, teaching students all over the world; and working as a consulting expert. He runs the popular historical martial arts podcast The Sword Guy, interviewing historical martial artists and experts from a wide range of related disciplines.
You can find him and his work online at swordschool.com
Our break-out sessions (~30 min):
The Location:
