In the last week of November we locked up the forge behind us, our breaths pluming in the early winter air, and set our sights on the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, and a very special fortress in its midst.
Thus began the latest of our remarkable annual pilgrimages to the island nation of Malta, anchored as ever by the excellent Malta International Fencing Association International Event.
This gathering always holds a special place in our hearts, combining fellowship and free play with world-class workshops and lectures, amidst splendid surroundings. This time, however, our journey was highlighted with opportunities that made it truly unforgettable.
The Grand Master's Palace
Before the event began, we were honoured to attend the Grand Master's Palace Armoury as guests of Raymond Howard, a curator at the musum and fellow fencer. Under his watchful eye we attended the Armoury to study the rapiers and sidesword housed in its stunningly conserved collection. Armed with sketchbooks and cameras, we delved into the rich history of the armoury's collection, focusing particularly on their distinctive grooved grips and historic manufacturing techniques.
One of the highlights of our time at the Armoury was a chance to examine broken hilts, which offered invaluable insights into 16th-century forge welding. This exploration extended to handling three unusual rapiers and an orphaned hilt, the latter of which validated Chris’s theories on historical manufacturing methods. We spent a day sequestered in one of the study rooms at the palace, taking measurements, photographs, and detailed sketches, which Chris will use as inspiration for his own original yet historically accurate designs and crafting methods.
Our visit also included unexpected bonuses, such as a conversation with the Head of Object Conservation about the intricacies of wire-wrapped grips, and a behind-the-scenes tour of areas of the palace still under conservation, where we witnessed world-class experts restoring Malta’s heritage. It was a privilege to see the preservation of history in action, and to understand our place as part of this incredible mission.
Fencing at Fort St. Angelo
After three days of research, we were raring to swing some swords on the very ramparts where knights once wielded the rapiers we had studied. The Malta International Fencing Association International Event answered this call in spades. An annual highlight for us both professionally and socially, the event always reminds us why we love the work we do, and this year was no exception.
The magnificent setting of Fort St. Angelo is a dream come true for any historical fencer, from the gondola journey across the harbour, to the imposing yellow stone walls and shallow horse steps. Swordfighting with friends atop the fortress's bell tower, with the Mediterranean Sea glistening below and flocks of doves flying over domes and spires beyond, we felt our every romanticised childhood notion of knightly adventure fulfilled.
The event brought together world-class instructors and intrepid historical fencers from across the globe, offering unparalleled opportunities for learning and friendly sparring. Over the weekend, we attended an enlightening lecture on documenting original swords by Florian Fortner, Julian Schrattenecker and Stefan Feichtinger, and learned about the burgeoning Naval-style game of Skirmish from our friends at the 1595. Mostly, we spent our time on the fort's top tower, fencing with talented martial artists from across Europe and beyond.
We were thrilled to bring our little market stall back to the Fort, where we sold stickers, gorgets, baldrics, and daggers, and offered attendees a chance to handle our replica of Malta's prized de Valette sword.
A Gift of Gratitude
Sunday brought an extraordinary moment in our journey as craftspeople: walking in Grand Master Jean de Vallette’s footsteps, we carried our replica sword from Fort St. Angelo to the Parish Museum of St. Lawrence. This was once the site of the Church of Our Lady of Damascus, where de Vallette laid his sword and hat on the altar on the last night of the Great Siege.
In a moving ceremony under the icon of Our Lady of Damascus, we too placed our sword on the altar. This act of gratitude was a tribute to our generous Maltese hosts, and to the St Lawrence Parish Museum for granting us the honour of handling, measuring, and photographing the original sword two years ago. This once-in-a-lifetime experience led to our publication of a pamphlet on the sword, and to an increased understanding of knightly sideswords of the time.
Our accurate replica, based on the measurements we took, will remain in the church, allowing visitors to feel the weight and balance of a 16th-century knightly sword. The replica will also serve ceremonial purposes across Malta while the original stays safely preserved.
The presentation ceremony was intimate and meaningful, presided over by the Parish Archpriest and enriched by speeches from Gorg Agius of the Parish Museum, Andrei Xuereb of the Malta Historical Fencing Association, and Chris himself, who impressed the audience with a sentence in Maltese he had been practising for weeks.
A Chapter Complete & New Paths Ahead
This year’s trip to Malta was one we will never forget. From bringing our journey with the de Valette sword full-circle at the St Lawrence Parish Museum to discovering new areas of research at the Grand Master’s Palace, it was a journey of both reflection and discovery.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Malta Historical Fencing Association, the St Lawrence Parish Museum, and the Grand Master's Palace Armoury for making our time so extraordinary, with special acknowledgements to Raymond Howard and Noel Demicoli for taking excellent care of us.
We're already looking forward to returning to Malta next year, and we encourage anyone with a passion for historical fencing, collegiate sparring, and European history to join us for a fight atop the fortress.