Instructors

Mike Roth is the Head coach and operator of Heartland HEMA. He has been fencing for fifteen years. Currently, he is ranked first in America (thirteenth in the world) in saber and second (seventh in the world) in rapier, and top 50 for all other categories, among other historical fencers on HEMA ratings.

He regularly competes in local, regional, and international tournaments, as well as travel to give seminars and lectures to other clubs and schools. This year he is privileged to be on the coordination comity for Combat Con, which is an international level tournament held in Las Vegas.

James has been involved in the study of swords and swordplay in some manner for over twenty years.

A natural outgrowth of his training as a historian, his main interests lie with the Scottish broadsword, smallsword and various styles European military saber.

Bryce’s interest in historical fencing started when he found a book about the use of tomahawk and bowie knife in the 18th and 19th-century American frontier.

Bryce has since studied numerous other weapon systems. His favorites include Scottish broadsword, rapier and buckler, singlestick, smallsword, and dueling saber. He also continues to experiment with the use of tomahawk and hand axe.

Bryce also can be seen competing and often medaling in tournaments.