According to their Web site, "Swordplay Symposium International is a not-for-profit organization, created to encourage appreciation of European military and civilian hand weapons and to promote historical knowledge of their related martial usage. The symposium will host a biannual conference of historical Western sword arts. The Conference will provide a forum for members and guests to present papers: give demonstrations: and share insights, discoveries, theories, and information among colleagues and fellows in a cordial and positive environment."

SSI is composed of four directors and a council of advisors, composed of distinguished scholars, researchers, practitioners and teachers of the sword. Four of the SSI advisors are also members of the AHF board: Maestro Ramón Martínez, AHF president, David Cvet, AEMMA, Maestro Andrea Lupo Sinclair, FISAS, and Maestro Paul Macdonald, BFHS.

On the weekend of May 27th-29th, SSI held its first biannual symposium. The conference was hosted in Houston, Texas, by the Historical Armed Combat Association. Mr. and Mrs. Christian Darce' acted as site directors, and their efforts in coordinating the event facilitated the smooth running of this first meeting. This organization is in its infancy and no doubt we will see many changes to come. Only nine of the 23 members of the advisory council were able to make it to the meeting, but those that did made a genuine effort to build bridges in support of their role in SSI and its mission. It was, however, certainly disappointing not to have members such as David Edge of the Wallace Collection and Dr. Jeffery Singman of the Higgins Armoury in attendance.

During meetings of the Council of Advisors and Directorate, SSI's future direction was discussed. However, it is clear that SSI itself is not sure of what it wants to be. It was my understanding that they wish to act as source for disseminating information and promote scholarship, facilitate communication between researchers, practitioners, and teachers, and, as a main focus, establish a scholarly journal.

The need for scholarship and communication is, obviously, very important. This type of organization would certainly benefit the fencing community. However, I found other issues that were addressed, such as marketing SSI, recruiting member groups, and establishing standards for training and practice equipment, to be problematic. To be more specific, my concerns were: What are they marketing? What would be the purpose of recruiting member groups be? Would there be a conflict of interest, since some of the council members are involved in manufacturing and selling training and practice equipment?

It was also pointed out that a didactical approach to training that stresses proper methodology and control is of paramount importance. It was concluded that there is need for a variety and improved standards for all practice weapons, as well as all appropriate safety equipment. It was also pointed out that the historical fencing community should be using the same type of practice weapons that were used during the periods being studied. This is a very good approach and well worth discussing. SSI should be involved in this type of discussion but getting involved in the actual design, handling production, etc., should not be in the organization's domain.

Another issue addressed was creating a lexicon of fencing terms. While the intent is to facilitate communication, the idea has certain problems. A common terminology in historical fencing does not, and never did, exist. The same term in different periods might have totally different meanings. It is not until well into the 19th century that we find a commonality in fencing terms, and it seems presumptuous for a group of modern individuals to all of a sudden want to create a new language for fencing. Certainly, this is contrary to proper scholarship and proper understanding of period weapons and methods.

In this first initial meeting of SSI, I believe the most valuable accomplishment was the actual face-to-face meeting of the advisors and directors. The personal interaction, discussions, demonstrations and training sessions shed much light on each advisor's work. The willingness of these advisors to participate and share their time and knowledge is an important and positive step for the future of the historical fencing community.

The AHF will be monitoring the efforts of SSI and its director, Greg Mele, and the board will be meeting to discuss whether we will support and/or have some form of association with SSI.

Jeannette Acosta-Martínez
Vice-President