Historical Fencing
Intruction
at the world's first modern "Schoole of Defence"
wholly devoted to authentic Renaissance Martial Arts


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The
nation's only private free-standing facility built exclusively for
historical fencing practice. Over 930 sq ft. of floor space with 16 ft.
ceiling clearance.
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Employing
a proven curriculum of historically accurate and martially sound
training in historical European sword combat and fighting skills.
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Privately owned by noted expert instructor and authority, John Clements, the world's foremost practitioner of the chivalric Art of Defense with over 27 years experience in the craft.
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Classes
and Workshops in Medieval and Renaissance sword training, Fighting
Skills, Self-defense for Homeschoolers, and Swordplay for Fun. Teens to
Seniors welcome.
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Longsword,
Greatsword, Bastard Sword, Short-Sword & Buckler, Side-Sword &
Dagger, Falchion, Polearms, Grappling, and Rapier & Dagger fencing.
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The official Training Hall of ARMA - the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts.
Exploring our Western Martial Heritage through a dedicated research
center supported by one of the largest private libraries on historical
fencing in the USA, containing over 400 volumes.
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Located in Dallas, Georgia. Just 45-minutes Northwest of Atlanta.
Visits by Appointment Only.
For inquiries email: IronDoorStudio@comcast.net
The Iron Door studio is operated by an internationally recognized professional swordsman and leading researcher.
It is the first fencing studio in modern times designed specifically
for studying Medieval and Renaissance sword fighting and close-combat
skills. This is the only permanent structure of its kind in North
America! Complete with weapon racks, pells, striking targets, training
diagrams, punching bags, test-cutting stands, wall mirrors, exercise
equipment, free-weights, and a padded floor. It also features an additional 25x25 foot sand-covered outdoor sparring area.
Iron
Door school of arms employs the ARMA System---a Study Approach and
Training Methodology for historical fencing practice using a 3-Tier
curricula of exercises, drills, free-play, experiment, research,
and scholarship. Through reliance on historical source texts and
knowledge of the true handling and performance characteristics of real
arms and armor of the 13th to 17th centuries, the ARMA System
emphasizes understanding the violent nature of real personal combat,
appreciation for proper body mechanics and physical conditioning,
awareness of correct leverage and contact pressure, and the execution
of fighting actions in real time at effective range with proper energy
and speed.
The
Iron Door studio also acts as a hands-on experimental laboratory for
investigating historical European fighting arts and an
information-center for addressing the long-standing public
misconceptions and inaccuracies about Medieval and Renaissance combat.
It is dedicated to development of high-level understanding and personal
proficiency. The facility is also suited for production of multimedia training materials.
Devoted
to prowess not reenactment, Iron Door is committed to education and
awareness of Medieval and Renaissance fencing systems: no stunt
fencing, no theatrics, no role-play, no tap fighting sword-tag, no costumed sporting game masquerading as martial art, and absolutely no pretense, just
serious learning of genuine European combatives from the 1200s to
1600s--over 400 hundred years of Western martial culture and
close-combat expertise.
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Our Credo of Renaissance Martial Arts Studies:
Respect for History and Heritage
Sincerity of Effort
Integrity of Scholarship
Appreciation of Martial Spirit
Cultivation of Self-Discipline |


"My lineage starts with me; For men are of more worth
Who establish a new line, Than those who ruin one
By earning ill-repute."
- 17th century Spanish poem on soldiering
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