Tempus Fugitives is a professional HEMA school based in London, with training in King’s Cross and Woodford. We study European martial arts from surviving manuscripts and printed fighting manuals, and put those systems into practice through structured training, drilling and sparring.
Whether you’ve been looking for a HEMA club in London, historical swordsmanship, or simply a more interesting way to work out, you’re welcome to come and see what we do.
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What is HEMA?
HEMA stands for Historical European Martial Arts.
It is the study and practical reconstruction of European fighting systems preserved in historical manuscripts written by real masters of the time.
These sources describe much more than individual sword techniques. They contain systems of footwork, guards, attacks, defence, wrestling, timing, distance and tactical decision-making.
At Tempus Fugitives, we work from those sources and test their instructions through practical martial training.
Our main focus is on European systems from the 15th to 17th centuries, with particular expertise in Italian and German traditions.
You don’t need previous experience to begin.
HEMA training in London
Tempus Fugitives currently has training locations in King’s Cross and Woodford, giving students options in Central and North-East London.
King’s Cross
Our King’s Cross training is conveniently located in Central London and provides access to HEMA for students travelling from across London.
Woodford
Our Woodford chapter serves students from East London, North-East London and neighbouring parts of Essex.
What do you learn?
Our training covers a broad range of historical European weapons and martial systems.
Sword & Buckler
One-handed sword combined with the small buckler, developing coordination, timing and close defensive work.
Longsword
Two-handed swordsmanship, incorporating flowing movement between guards, cuts, thrusts and close combat.
Sidesword
The single-handed swords used across Renaissance Europe, including systems employing the dagger, buckler, cape and other companion weapons.
Rapier & Dagger
The sophisticated Italian traditions of rapier fencing and the use of the dagger as an accompanying weapon.
Polearms
Spear, partisan, halberd and related weapons, including their use at close quarters.
Wrestling & Close Combat
Historical European martial arts were not limited to weapons. Our training also includes grips, trips, dirty tricks, throws and close-quarter techniques.
For students interested in weapons outside the foundational curriculum, we also offer more specialised training through private classes and advanced work. The existing private-class programme includes weapons such as dagger, sidesword, rapier, spadone, pollaxe, glaive, spear, partisan and halberd.
New to HEMA?
You don’t need to arrive knowing how to fence.
Our Foundational Classes are designed to teach the fundamental movements and principles of European martial systems and are suitable for different levels of ability. More experienced students also continue to attend them as part of their regular training.
Training develops coordination, movement, timing, distance and physical control. Sparring is a regular part of the school, but it is not compulsory for students who are not ready for it or simply don’t want to spar.
You also don’t need to arrive with your own equipment. Club equipment is available, with kit prioritised for newer members.
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Why Tempus Fugitives?
Tempus Fugitives was established in 2019 by Jay Maxwell, who has practised HEMA since 2004.
Jay’s background combines competitive HEMA, historical research and professional teaching. During his competitive career he achieved high-level international results in Sword & Buckler, Sidesword and Rapier & Dagger, represented the UK HEMA community at the 2019 European Games, and was inducted into the UK Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2023.
Today, Tempus Fugitives is a professional HEMA organisation with a network of schools and instructors across London.
The emphasis is not simply on learning a collection of techniques. Training is grounded in the historical sources and in understanding the martial principles behind them.
More than a way to exercise
People come to HEMA for very different reasons.
Some are fascinated by history. Others want to learn a martial art, improve their fitness and coordination, or simply find something more engaging than a conventional gym.
Some of our students are interested in historical reconstruction and research. Others go on to compete internationally, teach, perform or work professionally in related fields.
You don’t have to fit a particular type of person to train with us.
If you’re curious, come and try it.
HEMA, historical fencing or sword fighting?
If you arrived here searching for sword fighting in London, you have probably found one of the more unusual ways of learning it.
HEMA isn’t a modern fencing sport dressed up with historical weapons. The systems we study come from historical sources, and training is concerned with how those systems actually work as martial arts.
At the same time, you don’t need to be a historian to enjoy it.
You can come simply because you want to learn something difficult, physical and unusual.
Where we train
Tempus Fugitives currently trains at locations in:
King’s Cross, Central London
Mile End, East London
Woodford, North London
South Woodford, North London
These are training locations rather than postal addresses. Please don’t send correspondence to them.
Ready to try HEMA?
You don’t need to know exactly which weapon you want to learn before you contact us.
Tell us a little about yourself and we’ll point you towards the most appropriate class.
Or, if you have a question first: