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Swordplay Symposium International (SSI) is an interdisciplinary colloquium of historical fencing specialists dedicated to promoting and advancing the martial study of Western swords and swordsmanship.

Swordplay Symposium 2000

The year 2000 marked the historic Swordplay Symposium inaugural conference and was the first symposium of the new organization that was capably organized by the SSI directors in conjunction with HACA, the Historical Armed Combat Association in Houston, Texas over Memorial Day weekend, May 27-29th 2000. Many of the advisors supported the event by preparing workshops, practicums, sparring sessions and lectures.

Many of the combatants have since commented favorably on the mix of historical, philosophical and practical material; indeed it was attended by members of the HACA School, by talented instructors from Italy, Scotland, Australia and the US.

A vast majority of the combatants at the conference emphasized swordplay after 1500; and all discovered a shared fraternity in the sword arts regardless of period, a camaraderie that the Symposium can count as a major success.

Swordplay Symposium History

Our Advisory Council consists of some of the most eminent historians, scholars, researchers, sword smiths, armourers, practitioners, Western martial artists, and fencing Masters in the world today. Their expertise covers the area of military and civilian blades from ancient Greco-Roman, to Medieval, Renaissance, and 18th-19th century Europe 

SSI has conducted a bi-annual conference of historical Western Martial Arts. The Conferences offer an open, neutral, professional event allowing members and guests the opportunity to present papers; give demonstrations; and share insights, discoveries, theories, and information on all aspects of Western swords, swordsmanship and related historical European martial arts.