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Fencing
Our Fort George reenactment will offer at least three, and perhaps as many as five separate fencing events. Fencing — with period equipment, the smallsword, and in a period style — is a relatively new component of the hobby. It requires to be practiced with care for safety as well as care for authenticity — like any martial art, 
including the staging of the black powder military engagements.
For this reason, the Northern Brigade maestro, Ian Brackley, with support from the Brigadier (Captain Cameron), and any visiting Maestros will function as both directors and safety officers, and reserve the right to limit the participation of any person on the grounds of inadequate safety practices, modern techniques, or inadequate protection.
Lest this seem too draconian, some authentic protective gear will be provided, as well as instruction for beginners and experienced fencers with no practice of the 18th century art. All are welcome!
The Silver Cup: This will mark the third running of the silver cup prize. Captain Cameron offers a silver cup to the man or woman who can longest and best hold the field against all comers. Scoring will be by touch,
and will include scoring for presentation as a period swordsman/woman and will include safety and turnout; so, for example, a woman fighting in woman’s clothes will receive a compensatory score. (Saturday, after the promenade)
The Prize Fight: At least one fight will be staged between agreeable gentlemen with point d’arret for the enjoyment of the crowd and the best wagering in the Western Hemisphere. 18th century coinage only, please. (Saturday night, immediately after the opening of the Tavern)
Heavy Sword on Horseback: No guarantees. We have a pair of proper backsword simulators — we’d need to make sure to have enough mounted swordsmen and protective gear, but at this time this seems realistic. (TBD)
The Regimental Fencing Master: All of the regiments that came to Canada from Ireland — the 9th, 20th, 21st, 24th, 31st, 34th, 53rd, and 62nd regiments — all had a fencing master. We will offer a public instruction in smallsword by our own Brigade Fencing Master, Ian Brackley, with his assistants, Captain Sandford, Captain Cameron, et al. The “Public” for this instruction must be properly kitted reenactors. Soldiers welcome, women welcome. Women did fence in the 18th century, in public. (Saturday AM, in the fort)
The Regimental Fencing Master — Angelo Singlestick: It is possible that regimental fencing masters taught private soldiers the use of the single stick — a weapon easily used in garrison, and not unlike the hangars carried by sergeants and grenadiers. The Brigade Master will teach singlestick, again as a “public” demonstration. (Sunday AM in the fort)