Historical European Martial Art a crossroad between academic research, martial heritage re-creation and martial sport practices

Abstract

Historical European martial arts (HEMA) have to be considered an important part of our common European cultural heritage. Studies within this field of research have the potential to enlighten the puzzle posed by past societies, for example in the field of history, history of science and technology, or fields related to material culture. The military aspects of history are still to be considered among the most popular themes of modern times, generating huge public interest. In the last few decades, serious HEMA study groups have started appearing all over the world – focusing on re-creating a lost martial art. The terminology “Historical European Martial Arts” therefore also refers to modem-day practices of ancient martial arts. Many of these groups focus on a “hands-on” approach, thus bringing practical experience and observation to enlighten their interpretation of the source material. However, most of the time, they do not establish inquiries based on scientific research, nor do they follow methodologies that allow for a critical analysis of the findings or observations. This paper will therefore propose and discuss, ideas on how to bridge the gap between enthusiasts and scholars; since their embodied knowledge, acquired by practice, is of tremendous value for scientific inquiries and scientific experimentation. It will also address HEMA practices in the context of modern day acceptance of experimental (or experiential) processes and their value for research purposes and restoration of an historical praxis. The goal is therefore to sketch relevant methodological and theoretical elements, suitable for a multidisciplinary approach, to HEMA, where the “H” for “historical” matters.

Reconstruct the unknown, replicate the uncontrollable. Current issues in the experimental archaeology of combat

“…In the experimental campaigns discussed in this article, the dialogue with experts was instrumental to the creation of the proper layout and in adopting all the necessary safety measures. To some extent, it can be argued that wearing modern protective gear could influence the gesture and range of movements available to the practitioners as well as altering their confidence and approach, ultimately at the expenses of analogy towards the situation one wants to replicate (Jaquet et al 2015). Although this is plausible, the possibility that such discrepancies could play a substantial role in the wear formation processes remains to be demonstrated (provided that contact with modern protective gear should be avoided and thoroughly documented should it occur).…”

Radical Intangibles: Materializing the Ephemeral

“…While Hong Kong remains an active centre for elite kung fu practitioners, home to some of the most prominent martial artists in the world, the aging of the masters and the lack of means to record or transmit their expertise in their absence, threaten the total disappearance of the core traditions of kung fu. 9 Furthermore, as martial arts scholars underscore, embodied practices cannot be learned from a book (Jaquet et al 2015).…”

“…In academic contexts, the term reconstruction is sometimes used instead of reenactment, for example in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), where it distinguishes rigorous, scientific reproduction of performed cultures from the popular activity of reenactment (Jaquet et al 2015). Reconstruction also connotes the fabrication of reality based on tangible evidence, as in forensic architecture (Gallanti 2020: 80), or forensic crime scene investigation, a field that also differentiates the involvement of human actors as reenactment.…”