Rocket City HEMA

06/18/2026

Today is a very special day. Ten years ago, at 9 AM to beat the heat, Rocket City HEMA hosted its first ever class. It was a group of my friends from Thursday Night Swing, we used wooden swords, I had a bag of loaner masks gifted by my old school the VAF and we worked in my parent's driveway. Within half a year we had a Church gym we could borrow for one class a week. Before finally going all in and finding the space we've called home for what seems like forever.
I don't have a picture of that day, but these old photos can show just how small it used to be. Happy Birthday RCH, here's to another decade and more.

06/01/2026

Happy June folks, we've been quiet on the Ye'H.A.W. front for a bit but I am happy to reconfirm that it is indeed happening this year and that early bird registration will open on August 1st.
Our location has changed to right in the middle of downtown Huntsville, just a stones throw from RCH. No more marching up hills, but also no more woods. As such our day 1 is going to focus heavily on pikes & crossbows, which for the first time will be permitted to semi-self deploy and shoot at each other. More information on all of that to come over the next two months. I am quite excited to tire you all out at Ye'H.A.W. #5.

01/26/2026

Reminder that the school is closed today as well due to icey conditions. Stay safe everyone.

01/24/2026

The School is closed for Saturday due to incoming storm. Sunday-Monday depending.

10/24/2025

Reminder to all, the school is closed for the weekend due to Florence Ren Faire.

09/02/2025

07/28/2025

We ran a special Combatives Longsword event for our KDF and FdB Classes utalizing the sharp sims from Black Fencer. Video to follow, but it went very well and we had some solid exchanges.

07/28/2025

Early Bird Discounted Registration closes this Friday, if you've not yet signed on for the two days of melees in November, this is your last opportunity to do so for less.

https://rocketcityhema.org/yehaw/

06/02/2025

Ye’H.A.W. 2025 Huntsville Armored Weekend November 7th – 9th, 2025 About This Event Ye’H.A.W. (Huntsville Armored Weekend) aims to bring armored and unarmored fencing to…

05/26/2025

Early Registration opens one week from today. On top of our various scenarios on Day 1, for Day 2 we shall host three niche scenarios that folks can look forward to.

Dark Age Raid: Participants will be equipped with Centergrip shields (some strapped may be allowed.) and Spears, with some boasting Dane Axes. The maximum armor will be maille shirts and open faced helmets. Casting of the spears will be permitted during certain parts of the melee as the two formations clash over a steady series of engagements. Shields are required to partake, outside of our designated Huscarls.

Combat of the 30: For nothing less than 90% armor, our combatants shall form two sides and have it out until a winner is apparent. The rules for Armor as Worn have been modified to keep fighters in the lyst for longer and encourage having to deploy multiple weapons over the course of the engagement. Approved Maces shall be permitted in this scenario.

Pike & Shot: Our most ambitious scenario, we wish to bring the full extent of a combined arms formation to bear. Each block shall be made up of pikemen with at least 12 ft pikes, designated Rodellero's, Halberdiers, Greatsword weilders, and the Crossbows shall cycle into each block to allow for some shooting. This boasts the most specialized roles which must be applied for during registration. Armor to be limited to that of the 16th century or late 15th.

Remember though, you do not need armor to partake in our event. We look forward to having folks down to Huntsville AL in November. More info to come.