The Bankeside Schoole of Defense treats our program like a martial art. Apprentice Scholars are first introduced to the concepts of balance, line, eye contact, distance and timing.

Bankeside Schoole of Defense

The Bankeside Schoole of Defense is a historical stage combat school, located in Southern California, that is dedicated to the study of European swordsmanship with an emphasis on Italian 16th century rapier and sidesword fighting. Members of Bankeside are involved with the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Southern California each spring, and bring to life a different aspect of renaissance living by staging daily fights and bouts on the streets of the faire. We train in regular classes using replica weapons and techniques learned from existing 16th century manuals to further our knowledge and expertise in this almost forgotten art.