Stephen Hand was one of the founders of Stoccata in 1998, along with Andrew Brew, and since his return to Tasmania in 2004 has run a school there specialising in the teachings of George Silver, which he has been studying since the early 1990s. Stephen also teaches the Italo-Spanish rapier system of Vincentio Saviolo, the German sword and buckler system from the thirteenth century MS I.33 and sword and shield based on German and Italian sources from the renaissance.

Since the formation of Stoccata in 1998 Stephen has taught private seminars and at international symposia in six different countries. Details of Stephen's teaching can be found here. He is the author of nearly twenty books and papers on the history of fencing. Details of Stephen's publications can be found here.

Classes are held on Wednesday nights from 6.30PM in the St James Church Hall Main Road New Town (near the corner of Augusta Road).

6.30-7.30 Beginner’s Sword
7.30-8.30 Intermediate Sword
8.30-9.30 Advanced Class (Advanced Sword, Basic Rapier, Sword and Buckler or Sword and Shield)

Tuition Costs (per month):
$20 for beginner’s classes only ($15 for students/unemployed)
$40 for all classes ($30 for students/unemployed)

For further details, contact Stephen Hand

Course Outlines