Rose & Thorns Historical Fencing Symposium 2026

Experience the art of the sword. A historical fencing event featuring distinguished instructors, prize tournaments, demonstrations and more.

Experience the art of the sword. Diamond Rose Academie D'Armes proudly presents Rose & Thorns Historical Fencing Symposium; the premier Late Period historical fencing event on the West Coast. A full weekend featuring distinguished fencing instructors, prize tournaments, vendors, demonstrations and more in the beautiful Sierra Foothills.
Northern California has a high density of exceptionally talented practitioners of western martial arts, and Rose & Thorns hopes to create an opportunity for that talent to be displayed and shared. This event offers an entire weekend of historical fencing tournaments and workshops for all experience levels, as well as opportunity for spectation and introductory classes for anyone with a new interest in the art of the sword.

This event is held at the Gold Country Fairgrounds & Event Center. The 11,000 sq ft. former National Guard venue known as 'The Armory' features athletic floors, easy access, and free parking.

Whether you’re picking up a blade for the very first time, or dueling your way to the top of one of our prize tournaments, this event has a role for you. Fencers from HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), independent organizations, and classical fencing schools will all be represented to test their skill at arms, teach lessons in their areas of expertise, and forge new connections. The event is open to all fencers and to the general public.

If you are competing, please read the

Registration Instructions :
Both Saturday and Sunday will feature classes and tournaments, with Saturday Open Rapier & Dagger being our main competition. Sunday will feature a series of smaller tournaments with limited availability and an emphasis on classes.

• Register for Open Rapier & Daggeror Beginner's Smallsword on Saturday if competing. Participants may not register for both.

• Register for only (1) tournament in each of the Sunday tournament blocks. You can choose to compete in a morning tournament, an afternoon tournament, or both.

Schedule for Saturday, February 28th:

8:00 am Doors Open

9:00 am Last call tournament check-in. Event start/Announcements/Gear check

10:00 am Open Rapier & Dagger tournament start

11:00 am Classes Begin

1:00 pm Lunch

2:00 pm Beginner's Smallsword tournament start

2:30 pm Open Rapier & Dagger tournament (Continued)

4:00 pm First Blood Rapier

6:00 pm Finals for all tournaments, prizes awarded

Schedule for Sunday, March 1st:

8:00 am Doors Open

9:00 am Last call tournament check-in. Announcements/Gear check

10:00 am Classes begin - Rapier & Cloak Tournament Start - Single Rapier Tournament Start

1:00 pm Lunch

2:00 pm Classical Foil Tournament

2:00 pm Smallsword Vs Shearing Sword

6:00 pm Finals for all tournaments, prizes awarded

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Host or Publisher Diamond Rose Academie D'Armes