By the Sword
The modern study of the ancient art of swordplay is brought to life each week where we talk to a different member of the historical European martial arts, or HEMA, community. Whether it’s the medieval longsword, Elizabethan rapier, the regency smallsword or Victorian sabre that interest you, join us for a series of fascinating interviews with instructors, competitors and experts from all around the globe.
Follow us on Instagram @swordwomen
- Update frequency
- every 5 days
- Average duration
- 61 minutes
- Episodes
- 127
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2023
Heather McLarty: Artist Blacksmith and Mandalorian consultant
In this episode, Fran meets artist blacksmith, Heather McLarty of Los Angeles, California, USA. We talk about her journey in the craft and her involvement in the popular TV series, the Mandalorian. T…
00:50:16 |
Sun 11 Jun 2023
Ugo Serrano
In this episode, we meet artisan, armourer, production designer, and prop maker, Ugo Serrano, who has worked on films such as Planet of the Apes, GI Joe: the Rise of Cobra, and the Chronicles of Ridd…
00:53:35 |
Mon 10 Apr 2023
Aaron - Semimyth Productions: A Lion’s Age
In this episode, we meet Aaron of semi miss productions, USA. We hear about his maiden project: A Lion’s Age, an immersive strategy game, featuring breathtaking artwork and characters, set in mediaev…
00:46:40 |
Tue 28 Mar 2023
Sydney Schwindt True Edge Art & Fight director
In this episode Fran talks to fight director and artist Sydney Schwindt of True Edge Art in California, USA. We discuss how stage combat and theatre links historical fighting to modern veterans in fa…
00:52:17 |
Thu 16 Feb 2023
Veronica Young Cryptid Combatwear Chest protection
For the first episode of 2023 Fran meets designer Veronica Young of Cryptid Combatwear in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. We discuss her tournament experience, as well as the chest protector that she has desi…
00:43:54 |
Thu 02 Feb 2023
Ellen Lavery - Artist and performer
In this episode Fran talks to artist, larper, puppeteer and performer Ellen Lavery about her varied talents and career paths. We talk about growing up in a fantastical family, and training to be a st…
00:48:53 |
Tue 03 Jan 2023
Dr Chassica Kirchoff Arms and Armour Historian
In this episode Fran talks to historian Dr Chassica Kirchhoff, arms and armour scholar and assistant curator of European sculpture and decorative arts at the Detroit Institute of arts USA.
We discus…
00:55:31 |
Thu 27 Oct 2022
Meg & Evie, Armoured Combat Nashville
In this episode of the podcast Fran meets armoured combat team captains Meg and Evie of Nashville Armoured Combat USA.
We learn how they got into this growing sport, all about the women’s Armoured Co…
00:57:58 |
Sat 08 Oct 2022
Shoshana Shellans Armoured Combat Duellist USA
In this episode Fran talks to Armored Combat duellist Shoshana Shellans of the USA.
We discuss the realities of armoured combat and how to get into it, as well as the intersection between armoured co…
00:52:59 |
Sat 03 Sep 2022
SAMH: catch up and special announcement
In this episode of Swords and Mental Health, Fran invites Janna on the show to talk about her tournament experience at combat con 2022, following their discussions in the episode “the toll of tournam…
01:22:05 |
Sun 31 Jul 2022
Katie Zold: Neurodiversity in HEMA
I talk to special education teacher and fencer Katie Zold about neurodivergence in the HEMA community. We talk about how we can help each other better, both as students and instructors. The episode w…
01:04:23 |
Tue 26 Jul 2022
Knights of Wakanda Armoured Combat Team USA
In this episode of the podcast I speak to Fran, Charles, and Spencer of the Knights of Wakanda armoured combat team, USA.
I learn about how the group formed, the challenges of the sport, and the pas…
00:49:31 |
Tue 28 Jun 2022
Masculinity in HEMA
Fran talks to Dan Halliday and Graham Meyer on the topic of masculinity in the historical European martial arts community. The episode was recorded 20 June 2022.
02:13:48 |
Tue 21 Jun 2022
Justin Kostelecky, Grizzly House Forge & Forged in Fire finalist
In this episode I talk to Justin Kostelecky, owner of Grizzly House Forge in Utah USA.
We discuss the challenges of sword smithing, how to handle disparities in stature, and his experience as a fina…
00:48:01 |
Tue 31 May 2022
AMA with Fran
Today’s episode is an AMA with your host Fran Lacuata. Answering questions on life/training balance, getting started in Bolognese fencing, and much more. The episode was recorded live 31 April 2022.
00:59:01 |
Tue 03 May 2022
Live Panel discussion at By the Sword 2022
This podcast episode is a panel discussion before a live audience at By the Sword 2022, a historical fencing convention for women and gender minorities. The panellists are all instructors who taught …
00:56:15 |
Mon 11 Apr 2022
Kerri Kerz V McArthur - UK
In this episode Fran speaks to Kerry Kerz V McArthur of London Historical Fencing Club. We talk about the journey from Scotland to England, as well as the journey of becoming a HEMA instructor.
The …
00:42:31 |
Thu 07 Apr 2022
Antique sword collectors
In today’s episode of the podcast I talk to antique weapon dealers Thierry Flekier-Wathen and Matthew Forde. We discuss a wide array of weapons as well as how to get started in antique Swords collect…
01:52:33 |
Tue 29 Mar 2022
Swords & Mental Health: The Toll of Tournament
Fran hosts Kimberleigh Roseblade and Janna Datahan in a discussion about the benefits and mental costs of taking part in historical fencing tournaments. The episode was recorded 7 March 2022.
01:48:10 |
Tue 08 Mar 2022
Graham Meyer, USA
I am your host Fran Lacuata, and in today’s episode I talk to Graham Meyer of Moose Historical Fencing in Maine, USA.
Graham is also the founder of Philadelphia Common fencers guild, and we discuss …
01:02:54 |
Tue 08 Feb 2022
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