Georgian Khridoli sword and buckler fencing

**DdlR** · Posted On: 6/29/2009 9:07pm

http://www.gfmstudio.com/productions/lostcrusaders

Promo. clip for an upcoming documentary about the few remaining Khevsur fencers in the Caucasus mountains. A persistent rumor/legend has it that they are the descendants of a lost Crusader regiment ... anyway, their sword and buckler style (briefly shown in action during this clip) is really interesting in comparison with some of the earliest recorded German fencing material (I.33).

**A.M.** · Posted On: 6/30/2009 8:47pm

Yes Georgian Martial arts are very interesting but I kind of doubt the crusaders made there way to the Caucasus mountains. I think a more likely explanation is that the techniques might have come from German or Swiss 15th century mercenaries who made there way east (a lot of them ended up working for the tsars) or it could simply be a indigenious form of sword fighting.
I find unarmed Georgian martial arts to be very interesting and I always wondered if there might be a connection to kampfringen.

**Capo Ferro** · Posted On: 7/23/2009 5:34am

I agree with A.M. Buckler styles that I know are very similar to this. Maybe it can be one of the last Crusades (you know... 7th or 8th- those less important). I woudn't make it any special than any western buckler style (Czech falchion - Český Tesák) uses the same technique. Light, short weapon in combination with buckler.

**DdlR** · Posted On: 7/23/2009 1:13pm

Is Český Tesák still practiced today via a living teacher-student lineage, or has it been revived from books?

There are also Turkish sword and buckler styles that are similar to Georgian sword/buckler fencing.