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Fighting Bodies/Martial Minds: exploring a noble habitus through martial arts.

When: —
Venue: Birkbeck 43 Gordon Square

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A practical workshop on key principles of fourteenth and fifteenth century European martial arts including wrestling and swordplay, run by theatrical fight directors Craig Hambling and Kiel O’Shea. In-person.

A practical workshop on key principles of fourteenth and fifteenth-century European martial arts, including wrestling and swordplay. From the age of seven, young nobles and princes trained in wrestling and weapon usage alongside academic subjects. Embodied martial knowledge thus formed part of their habitus - the frame for their conceptualisation of society. Martial arts were not only practical, but part of an integrated pedagogy, where cognitive skills were impressed upon receptive bodies, already shaped by physical practice. Participants will be guided in exploring how these martial systems affect their own modes of perception and understanding of bodies, space, and time. The workshop will be run by Craig Hambling and Kiel O’Shea.  
 
Craig Hambling is currently writing his PhD at Birkbeck, applying a sensory methodology to the martial training and education described by Giles of Rome's De Regimine Principum (c.1280)   
 
Kiel O’Shea is the Stage Combat instructor at Bath Spa University, but also works as an Action Coordinator and performer for stage, screen and motion capture.  
 
Both are experienced stage combat teachers with the BADC, theatrical fight directors, and historic martial arts interpreters. 
About

This event takes place in-person at Birkbeck's School of Arts, as part of Arts Week 2022.  https://www.bbk.ac.uk/annual-events/arts-week/arts-week/arts-week-2022

Communication about this event will be sent from messenger@bbk.ac.uk. Do check your Spam/Junk/Other inbox if you are looking for emails from this address.

 

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