> Relocated to the Dahlonega GA area<
On Hiatus until Spring 2023
After 17 Years we have moved on from this Dallas
Thanks for the Memories!
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Historical
Fencing Instruction at the world's first modern "Schoole of Defence"
following the model of Renaissance Fight-Masters
Wholly devoted to authentic Renaissance
Martial Arts Teachings since 2005
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IDS (Iron Door School of Arms) is North America's only private free-standing facility built exclusively for
historical fencing practice. Over 930 sqft. of floor space with 16 ft.
ceiling clearance.
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Employing
a proven curriculum of historically accurate and martially sound
training in historical European sword combat and knightly fighting skills.
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Privately owned by noted expert instructor and authority, John Clements, the world's foremost instructor of the chivalric Art of Defense with over 30 years experience in the craft.
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Classes
and Workshops in Medieval and Renaissance sword training, Fighting
Skills, Self-defense for Homeschoolers, and Swordplay for Fun. Teens to
Seniors welcome. Special workshops offered for corporate team-building events and bachelor-party fun days. Couples-events for special occasion can also be scheduled.
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Longsword,
Great-sword, Bastard Sword, Arming Sword, Short-Sword & Buckler, Side-Sword &
Dagger, Langen Messer/Falchion, Polearms, Unarmed Skills, Rapier & Dagger fencing and more.
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The official Training Hall of ARMA - the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts.
Exploring our Western Martial Heritage through a dedicated research
center supported by one of the largest private libraries on historical
fencing in the USA, containing over 400 volumes.
- IDS is the only facility of its kind run by a professional instructor of historical European fighting arts, a leading restorer of the craft who has demonstrated proven mastery over its methods and techniques.
- Not a public commercial enterprise, IDS
acts as one-of-a-kind private think-tank for MARCA ("Medieval and Renaissance Combat Arts"), historical European
martial arts ("HEMA") and Marē (the martial arts of Renaissance Europe).
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Serving the
West Atlanta area.
Located in Dallas, Georgia.
Just 30-minutes west of Marietta and Cobb County in Paulding near Douglas
County.
Visits by Appointment Only.
Private tutoring and coaching available. Small group sessions welcome.
* Introductory
sessions, personal or group classes, and on-going private tutoring
* All lessons by appointment
* Our schedule is flexible and
open weekdays or weekends in the AM to early PM
* All equipment is provided and
instruction is catered to the evaluated needs and aptitude of the individual
student. No
experience is necessary
For
inquiries email: ARMAjohn@gmail.com
The
Iron Door studio is operated by an internationally recognized
professional swordsman
and leading researcher. It is the first fencing studio in
modern times designed specifically for studying Medieval and Renaissance
sword fighting and close-combat skills. This is the only permanent
structure of its kind in North America! Complete with weapon racks,
pells, striking targets, training diagrams, punching bags, test-cutting
stands, wall mirrors, exercise equipment, free-weights, and a
padded floor.
Iron
Door school of arms employs the ARMA System---a Study Approach and
Training Methodology for historical fencing practice using a 3-Tier
curriculum of exercises, drills, free-play, experiment, research,
and scholarship. Through reliance on historical source texts and
knowledge of the true handling and performance characteristics of real
arms and armor of the 13th to 17th centuries, the ARMA System
emphasizes understanding the violent nature of real personal combat,
appreciation for proper body mechanics and physical conditioning,
awareness of correct leverage and contact pressure, and the execution
of fighting actions in real time at effective range with proper energy
and speed.
The
Iron Door studio also acts as a hands-on experimental laboratory for
investigating historical European fighting arts and an
information-center for addressing the long-standing public
misconceptions and inaccuracies about Medieval and Renaissance combat.
It is dedicated to development of high-level understanding and personal
proficiency. The facility is also suited for production of multimedia training materials.
Devoted to prowess
not reenactment, Iron Door is committed to education and awareness
of Medieval and Renaissance fencing systems: no stunt fencing,
no theatrics, no role-play, no tap fighting sword-tag, no costumed
sporting game masquerading as martial art, and absolutely no pretense,
just serious learning of genuine European combatives from the
1200s to 1600s--over 400 hundred years of Western martial culture
and close-combat expertise.
Our
curriculum offers a revolutionary breakthrough and pioneering
advancement in reconstruction of Renaissance combatives. Centering on
the longsword it presents the modern era’s most complete revival of the
historical source teachings yet developed. Raising the credibility and
legitimacy of the subject to a higher level, the curriculum does not
allow studying the minutiae to be confused with learning “the fight.”
Style and form derive from function of action, not collections of mere
technique, while principles and concepts are approached holistically,
not re-structured into a modern mindset. The martial athleticism and
disciplined violence of the Renaissance Art of Defense can now be
learned from the historical sources as it once was—with brutal
simplicity and systematic elegance.
Being
a part of the old fighting guilds and studying under a master in a
Fechtschule was about much more than having the martial spirit and
physical conditioning to skillfully execute techniques. It was also
about shared values and issues of camaraderie, mutual respect, trust,
and loyalty. Experiencing these things is as much a part of exploring
and celebrating our Renaissance martial heritage as is learning
fighting techniques. It is no less an aspect to revive than the
skills themselves. Iron Door aims to be a modern living embodiment of this legacy.
John Clements -North America's foremost swordsman. Featured in the documentary film Reclaiming the Blade, National Geographic Medieval Fight Book,and the PBS Nova episode, Secrets of the Viking Sword.
He was a co-host and judge for the 2019 armored combat sport program Knight Fight on The History
Channel.
*We
also offer special crash courses for acting professionals in stunt
fencing, stage & theatrical swordplay, and armed combat performance. Learn how to fight like you're
acting, not act like you're fighting through the “SAFE” method (our
“Spontaneous Arranged Fight Exchange” system). “Fighting first, acting
second.” Inquire about rates and availability.
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Our Credo of Renaissance Martial Arts Studies:
Respect for History and Heritage
Sincerity of Effort
Integrity of Scholarship
Appreciation of Martial Spirit
Cultivation of Self-Discipline
Proper martial art training does not just build good character, its reveals character.
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"My lineage starts with me; For men are of more worth
Who establish a new line, Than those who ruin one
By earning ill-repute."
- 17th century Spanish poem on soldiering
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