Prima Spada School Syllabus

Prima Spada, the foremost and longest established historic fencing school in Queensland, offers students from all levels of ability, classes in historic European weaponry.

Starting from beginners, right through to advanced and competent swordsmen, Prima Spada can train you in a variety of weapons codes in a friendly, structured and safe environment.

In addition to the structured training syllabus, Prima Spada also offers casual combat nights open for people to train in a variety of specialist codes, such as polearms, staff, hand and half, sword and shield, long sword with and without buckler.

Classes are kept to a small number to allow for personal tuition, but private classes are also available.

Our instructors have over 20 years of combined experience in tuition and are all experienced combatants. The Chief Intructor, Keith Beattie, is a qualified fencing coach with veteran experience in combat and tuition. All instructors have been trained and are qualified to teach in the Prima Spada fencing syllabus.

Beginner classes run for 8 weeks, and introduce the student to single handed renaissance rapier. In small classes, we will teach basic combat skills safely and effectively ensuring period accurate techniques, for the enjoyment of historic swordplay.

In joining Prima Spada, the students move through the grades at their own pace, learning new and advanced techniques, which build upon previous classes. In advanced classes the students adopt their techniques in use of companion weapons such as rapier and dagger, rapier and cape, sword and buckler, and two handed sword.

For those who enjoy the highest challenge and privilege, Prima Spada will teach students the complex and highly specialised Case of Rapier and multiple opponents combat. As well students will be given the opportunity to combat with mixed weapon codes, such as rapier verses two handed sword, polearms verse two handed sword and long sword against sword and buckler.

Syllabus and School Grading

Beginners Classes

8 Weeks (Single Rapier)

Novice

(Rapier and Sword Combat)

Scholar

(Rapier, Sword and Two-handed Sword Combat)

Free Scholar

(Rapier, Sword, Two-handed Sword, Advanced Free Combat)

Provost

(Rapier, Sword, Two-handed Sword, Rapier and Dagger, Sword and Buckler, Rapier and Cape, Advanced Free Combat)

Swordsman

(Rapier, Sword, Two-handed Sword, Companion Weapons, Case of Rapier, Multiple Opponents, Mixed Multiple Weapons, Hand-and-a-half Sword, Grappling, Unarmed Combat - Very Advanced Combat)