HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) is the practical study and revival of European fighting systems from the Middle Ages through the early 20th century. Rather than being a modern invention, HEMA is based directly on historical treatises written by the masters themselves — figures like Johannes Liechtenauer, Fiore dei Liberi, and George Silver.
Practitioners train with a range of historical weapons — including longsword, rapier, sabre, and dagger — as well as unarmed grappling, combining technical drills with full-contact sparring in protective gear.
Today, HEMA is a fast-growing global movement bringing together historians, athletes, and enthusiasts dedicated to reconstructing and practicing these martial traditions.