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Artwork for By the Sword

By the Sword

By the Sword
HEMA
Toxicity In HEMA Clubs
Historical European Martial Arts
Women In Martial Arts
Women In HEMA
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Gender Roles In Society
Leadership
Club Culture
Competition
Personal Growth
Coaching Philosophy
Community
Suit Of Swords
Esfingeres
Sexism In Martial Arts
Control Of Strikes
Self-Advocacy
Power Dynamics
Reporting Systems

The modern study of the ancient art of swordplay is brought to life each week where we talk to a different member of the historical European martial arts, or HEMA, community. Whether it’s the medieval longsword, Elizabethan rapier, the regency smallsword or Victorian sabre that interest you, join us for a series of fascinating interviews with instructors, competitors and experts from all around th... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes137Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureHobbies

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Artwork for By the Sword

Latest Episodes

Fran speaks to Janna Datahan in the US about why HEMA is political, and how world events affect our hobby and all the people who participate in it.

In this episode I rant about the frustrations of trying to change martial arts culture for the better, especially when the unwillingness to change hampers any progress from the outset. After sixteen years I am so very tired. If we genuinely want to i... more

Have you not been to class for a while? Do you miss swords? Whatever your hobby, I break down the steps and approach you need to make returning to the thing you love a pleasure not a pain.

Fran

URG centred HEMA events, coaching, content and podcast... more

I attended Scotland’s very first URG HEMA event in October 2025, and took the opportunity to interview the two organisers to gain an insight into the process and goals of this awesome historical fencing Weekender.

URG centred HEMA events, coaching, ... more

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Recent Guests

Janna Datahan
Episode: Why HEMA is political
Madeleine Thomson
Principal organizer of Suit of Swords; URG instructor and fencer
Suit of Swords
Episode: Suit of Swords 2025: interview with Rose Jones & Madeleine Thomson
Rose Jones
Principal organizer of Suit of Swords; URG instructor and fencer
Suit of Swords
Episode: Suit of Swords 2025: interview with Rose Jones & Madeleine Thomson

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • Great perspectives and information

    This podcast is a great source for experiences perspectives about modern hema training, with a focus on inclusivity and safety. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Will A. Lias
    United States4 years ago
  • Nice addition to hema podcasts

    Great to hear so many hema folks I haven’t met in person before!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    history-mom
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are often well-aligned with diverse perspectives and real-world experience in running clubs and events.
Positive coverage of women in HEMA and inclusive community-building comes through strongly.
Listeners value practical, compassionate takes on difficult topics like toxicity and inclusion within HEMA.
The show appears to balance advocacy with actionable guidance, making it useful for organizers and sponsors alike.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#155
South Africa/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#223
Sweden/Leisure/Hobbies

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Suit of Swords 2025: interview with Rose Jones & Madeleine Thomson
Q: What are your top three tips for someone thinking of organizing a URG event?
Book venues early for better deals, aim for a central location, and actively reach out for sponsorships while asking for help from willing volunteers.
Suit of Swords 2025: interview with Rose Jones & Madeleine Thomson
Q: What's the main benefit of having a URG-led event?
It builds confidence in URG fencers, provides role models who look like the attendees, and demonstrates that URG instructors can excel in tournaments, which can inspire others to participate.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About By the Sword

What is By the Sword about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful exploration of historical European martial arts (HEMA) culture, training, and community dynamics. Episodes cover topics from inclusivity and gender dynamics in martial arts to practical solo training, club leadership, and event organization, with a strong emphasis on sustainable practice, mentorship, and creating welcoming spaces for newcomers and underrepresented groups. Listeners can expect candid discussions about toxicity, culture change, and real-world steps clubs and organizers can take—from clear boundaries and reporting to sponsorship and community-building strategies. A notable strength is the blend of personal experiences with practical frameworks, making complex social topics accessible to practitioners, coaches, and... more

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Which podcasts are similar to By the Sword?

These podcasts share a similar audience with By the Sword:

1. The Sword Guy Podcast
2. Gone Medieval

How many episodes of By the Sword are there?

By the Sword launched 5 years ago and published 137 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on By the Sword?

Recent guests on By the Sword include:

1. Janna Datahan
2. Madeleine Thomson
3. Rose Jones

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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