Kai Aché entered the world of historical martial arts an odd seven or so years ago at the young age of 14 (he jokes that he’s being historically accurate since this is the age a noble boy would enter squirehood) with the goal of becoming a knight. His primary work and practice pertains to the 14th century knight and fencing master Fiore de’i Liberi’s Armizare, the practice and interpretation of which he fuels through his academic training and historiographical knowledge, particularly in regards to Medieval chivalry, which forms of backbone of his academic research.

Kai’s areas of expertise are the Italian Longsword, Dagger, Wrestling, Pollax, and Spear, as well as Armoured Combat, which is his primary focus. However, he also has experience with the German Longsword, Dagger, and Pollax, as well as the Langesmesser, among others.

Beyond HEMA and Armoured Combat, Kai is also interested in horsemanship and equestrian sports, particularly in Armour, as well as Medieval Studies, Tabletop Roleplaying Games, and Historical Fiction. He also holds a French Knighthood, but does not appreciate the address of ‘sir’, and holds Christian Cameron’s Chivalry series as his favourite novels.

He is readily identified by the sound of clanking metal, his calls for a squire, his simultaneous desire for a bout and for a book, and for his inability to stop talking.

Kai is the current President of EUHS, as well as an Instructor of EUHS. For president/admin inquiries or instruction inquiries, feel free to contact him at [email protected].

Kat Ferguson, Instructor and Acting Social Secretary, started their journey into swordfighting at the age of 8 with homemade foam swords in their back garden with friends. At 18 they graduated to reenactment combat with steel swords, spears, shields, axes and daggers and after a year and a half of running around muddy fields in the rain, sleet, snow and sun, decided to hang up their historical kit in favour of the solid floors and central heated rooms of a HEMA club.

Kat has been practicing HEMA now for 7 years, with brief stints practicing Kendo, they can, and will, fence with just about anything you hand them, but their most practiced weapon systems are German Longsword and Hutton Sabre. They have been instructing at their regular club for the last year and a half. They have been praised by their peers and counterparts from other clubs in Scotland for their students technical abilities and fencing prowess at various events and competitions around the country.

They are extremely excited to be teaching, and discovering in the process, the many intricacies and techniques of Fiore de’i Liberi and bringing it to the students of Edinburgh University along with Kai Aché, who will be helping them walk the true path of Fiore’s art!

You can contact Kat at [email protected] where they will be happy to answer questions/queries about anything and everything sword related.

Jaye is the Secretary, and Acting Wellbeing and Inclusion Officer.

She has been a HEMA practitioner for the past few months and has practiced kendo (another sword based martial art) for over 3 years. She studies Immunology and enjoys, chess, cooking, reading and all things sword related!

Feel free to contact Jaye about any admin enquiries as well as complaints and/or sensitive subjects by email at [email protected]

Connor Finlay is a squire, studying Earth Sciences.

When not lugging the swords about or looking at rocks, he can intermittently be found crawling through soggy holes in the ground.

Emily began HEMA this year and is already obsessed with it! She has always been fascinated with swords, due in part to her exposure to various reenactment camps from a young age. Her hope is to support the society as a squire for as long as time allows!

As a final year Mathematics student, she enjoys doing anything aside from her coursework, especially Ballroom dancing, D&D and spending as much time as possible around cats!

Vladimir, Vlad, use whatever is easier. One of the Social Secretaries and an active member of EUHS. He has a past in other martial arts such as BJJ and Muay Thai and is great at chess. A current medical student at University.

For any queries and post suggestions please contact [email protected]

Jackdaw A. Gaspar is a 2nd year Archaeology student, active EUHS member, and a c̶o̶u̶r̶t̶ ̶j̶e̶s̶t̶e̶r̶ social secretary. Aside from sillies, scheming and swinging swords about, other forays include sewing, music, gallivanting about on tallships and dinghies, as well as trying not to die in moshpits.