This piece uses two main sources, Silkfencing’s discussion of Starzewski’s life and Daria Izdebska’s translation of the original manuscript. I recommend reading both if you’ve got the time. So, I’m not a historian, not formally anyway. All HEMA requires us to be historians though, half
This week we're going down a rabbit hole, because one of the world’s worst men has walked into my area of expertise – ladies, gentlemen, and those that lie betwixt, let’s talk about Andrew Tate’s dogshit sword. Okay first up, it looks cheap. Which is hilarious
Whoops, I'm late again, I've just stated my Masters and things have been a bit hectic, sorry about that. Jumping straight into swords, I've been asked about dual-wielding, and just how realistic it is. The answer is, as usual, it's complicated but
The world is getting darker, and I’m trying to hold onto my sense of frivolity and fun because I need to remember that I’m not just anger, not just desperately clawing out of a pit of despair, because when this is over I want to be more than
Today we're just opening with the swords, because what started as a short and simple newsletter has turned into a bit of a monster, so, without further ado: THE SWORDS BIT I've spent the last few days collecting funny and/or dirty tricks from various historical
Hope is a Verb Sorry it’s a little late this month – I’ve been struggling with my anxiety as the US election looms. It’s hard not to feel like the world is balancing yet again on a knife’s edge. I was paralyzed by anxiety in 2020 and
HEY DOLL WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE ENDSONG? The Sunforge has been out for a month! Except it's been out for two months, except where it hasn't. I don't think we planned a staggered international release but that's how it
Alright, here we are, inaugural newsletter. I have clambered out of the demon pit of launch week to spew hot messy thoughts everywhere. Let’s fucking goooooooooooooooooo. OH MY GOD I LOVED THE SUNFORGE Thank you! I was incredibly nervous about the launch, I worried it was too ambitious, too
This is The Trying Times , a brand new site by Alexandra Stronach that's just getting started. Things will be up and running here shortly, but you can subscribe in the meantime if you'd like to stay up to date and receive emails when new content is