SSG
School of Chivalric Martial Arts
GROUPS
The SSG has two kinds of groups, plus resources for independent scholars.
BRANCHES have at least 10 paid members, an a certified SSG Instructor.
STUDY GROUPS have at least 3 paid members, and do not require an instructor.
Each branch and study group may choose for itself the kinds of simulators it prefers, structure of the practices, and what kinds of competitions they engage in. However, all groups share a common curriculum, anchored in the works of Fiore dei Liberi.
Many groups develop close relationships with local "sword" communities, exercising themselves in arms through the larger group. The American Combat League (ACL), the Society for Creative Anchronism (SCA), Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) all provide good additional places to test and improve our interpretations. We don't have the "one true way" a la Fiore, but we do feel our interpretation is solid.
Membership, which supports our insurance, web site maintenance, and other very low operating expenses (all Board members and staff are unpaid volunteers, is $35/yr. No one may spar before becoming a paid member and signing a waiver.
Branches and study groups may also have a small fee. Some groups work with a local community center, which gathers class fees directly. Details are included in each group's page.
Don't See a Group Near You?
Drop us a note and we'll help!
01.
Independent Scholars
Individuals studyng / teaching from the SSG curricula, but not currently affiliated with a group.
02.
SSG Atlanta (GA)
Est. in 2005 by SSG President Bryan Johnson. In Atlanta, we have a true mix of cstudents and combatants. Many of our companions compete in the HEMA tournaments in the Southeast, and we have a lot of contact with groups like Atlanta Freifechter, SSG Charleston and the Savannah Study Group.
03.
SSG Montgomery/Central Alabama
Established in early 2019, SSG Montgomery is oriented towards "chivalric" feats of arms. In the fall, SSG Montgomery took part in the re-establishment of the Company of Saint George, with a passage at arms, now our annual tournament, held in October. We have a great span of experience, from practically ancient to novice. Come join in the fun!
04.
SSG Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Est. in 2004 by Brian R. Price, the DFW group has a continued legacy of dynamic comraderie and hard fighting, and is now the second-oldest SSG group, after the Bay Area Study Group.
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05.
SSG Honolulu (Hawaii)
est. 2012, SSG Honolulu boasts perhaps the best environment, with lush green everywhere, AND both medieval and HEMA-style fighting.
06.
SSG Anchorage, Alaska
Est. 2018 by B.J. Tix, the group has grown steadily even through the COVID crisis. We have an indoor site for wintertime--which is much of the year--and we particupate with many local fellow travellers, HEMA schools and SCA.
07.
Albany, GA - Study Group
A small but dedicated group of armoured combat enthusiasts! We have an armoury, swords, spears and tons of passion.
09.
Charleston, South Carolina SSG Study Group
Focused on Fiore's longsword and dagger of the early fifteenth century. We welcome any and all interested in history or martial arts!
10.
Pensacola SSG Study Group
Est. 2018 by Josh Beck, the group grows even as Josh has deployed. Come join us for armoured fun!
11.
Portland, OR area SSG Study Group
Est. in 2018, the Portland group practices both armoured and unarmoured combat.
12.
Quito, Ecuador AFFILIATED CLUB
Originally founded by Daniel Leone, the group has transitioned now to Excalibur Academia, taught in Spanish.
13.
Savannah, GA - Study Group
One of our most vibrant groups, the Savnnah study group participates actively in HEMA events throughout the SE, as well as maintaining a unique emphasis on unarmed (abrazzare).
14.
Seattle Area, WA - Sequim
New group west of Seattle, in scenic Sequim, WA. We have fun with longsword but also are pretty serious about the daga!
14.
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield has a unique blend - an incipient student group on the campus of Evangel University, which introduces the arte d'armizare through unarmoured play, and an off-campus group that fights in harness and pursues chivalric deeds of arms as part of the Company of Saint George.
14.
Incipient: Birmingham, AL
Not far from the Schola branch in Montgomery, The Birmingham group is just starting under the leadership of Daniel W. Simmons, who studied with Dr. Price in Honolulu.
15.
INCIPIENT: Orlando, FL
Alex Cooley has begun bringing together a group based on his many years' SCA and rebated steel experience. Coming in 2022!
16.
INCIPIENT/INACTIVE: Santa Barbara
Starting in 2020, the group intended to connect the SSG arte d'armizare with the newly established rebated fighting team.
17.
INACTIVE: Little Rock, AR
Once one of the most active and contributory SSG groups, time has taken its toll and the group now meets alongside other HEMA practitioners, but with no regular SSG curriculum.
18.
On Hiatus: Mobile, AL
COVID and life have, hopefully in a temporary way, robbed our group of the time needed to practice. We hope to fix this soon! However, the Pensacola group is active and not too far away!
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