Bio Page

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GUY WINDSOR

Born in Cambridge, England in 1973, Mr Windsor received his first lessons in classical fencing at the age of nine from his grandfather. A long-time martial arts enthusiast, Mr Windsor took up karate in 1985 and sport fencing at school in 1986, specialising in the foil for four years before adding the sabre. Becoming disillusioned with the sporting approach, he began his studies in T'ai Chi Chuan, Okinawan Kobudo and Aikido in 1992. During his first year at Edinburgh University, Mr Windsor met Paul Macdonald and together they decidedin 1994 to form the Dawn Duellists Society.

Mr Windsor first came to Helsinki, Finland, on a student exchange in 1994-1995. After returning home, Mr Windsor taught fencing at the DDS until, in September 2000, he decided to teach swordsmanship full-time. In March 2001, he opened The School of European Swordsmanship in Helsinki. (see www.swordschool.com). Within a few months, the school grew to the point where it needed permanent premises; and within the next three years, four additional branches were opened; in Turku, Tampere, Lappeenranta and Linköping, Sweden.

His longsword method forms the basic programme for students at the School. It is largely based on Fiore, though Vadi is also influential. The emphasis in all his training is on the martial effectiveness and historical accuracy of the techniques.

Mr Windsor divides his time between his own training, teaching at his salle in Helsinki, and taking workshops across Finland and abroad.

When he has time to spare from research, teaching, training, and developing his didactic method, he is also a writer (his forthcoming The Swordsman's Companion will be published by Chivalry Bookshelf this summer), and enjoys traditional bowmaking, archery, riding, shooting, and fine ale.