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Winter Course: Standard Level - Single Sword & Baton - Stage & Screen Combat Training Course - Jan 2026
Royal Armouries Leeds, and Leeds City Centre
16th - 21st Jan 2026
The Crown in the North for Training, Sword & Scoundrel, in partnership with Jack of All Blades, present the Winter course in the North, at the illustrious Royal Armouries in Leeds. This course is the only one of its kind in the country, offering access to the archives to allow depth of study in the history and culture of weaponry, supporting the skills learnt in performance combat.
The Winter Course is a six day course, focusing on a variety of weapon styles which can be taken separately, or all together as an intensive course:
16th (optional) - Royal Armouries, Leeds. Includes a library access and research session. There is also the option of taking an archive tour, to get your hands on the real thing! This costs an additional £45, payable in advance or on the day, and has very limited space. Note - attendance of the research day is not a requirement of the examination
17th-18th - Single Sword - Leeds City Centre
19th-20th - Baton - Leeds City Centre
21st - Examinations
Standard level courses are suitable for those with no prior experience, although there is a level of physical intensity involved.
This is a two weapon course, with two examinations for two separate standard level qualifications. This listing is to book BOTH COURSES TOGETHER - the individual courses are also listed for purchase.
Taught by two Equity Fight Directors, teachers, and apprentice teachers from the ACTT, this six-day intensive training course is designed with actors and performers in mind; you will learn and develop your ability to learn and perform combat and violent actions safely and effectively.
At standard level, we will be using our research to take motifs and techniques from historical fighting manuscripts, and perform them in a safe and convincing way.
Examined by ACTT; all qualifications earned are Spotlight accredited
Discounts are available at checkout for Sword & Scoundrel members, ACTT members, and Equity members
Royal Armouries Leeds, and Leeds City Centre
16th - 21st Jan 2026
The Crown in the North for Training, Sword & Scoundrel, in partnership with Jack of All Blades, present the Winter course in the North, at the illustrious Royal Armouries in Leeds. This course is the only one of its kind in the country, offering access to the archives to allow depth of study in the history and culture of weaponry, supporting the skills learnt in performance combat.
The Winter Course is a six day course, focusing on a variety of weapon styles which can be taken separately, or all together as an intensive course:
16th (optional) - Royal Armouries, Leeds. Includes a library access and research session. There is also the option of taking an archive tour, to get your hands on the real thing! This costs an additional £45, payable in advance or on the day, and has very limited space. Note - attendance of the research day is not a requirement of the examination
17th-18th - Single Sword - Leeds City Centre
19th-20th - Baton - Leeds City Centre
21st - Examinations
Standard level courses are suitable for those with no prior experience, although there is a level of physical intensity involved.
This is a two weapon course, with two examinations for two separate standard level qualifications. This listing is to book BOTH COURSES TOGETHER - the individual courses are also listed for purchase.
Taught by two Equity Fight Directors, teachers, and apprentice teachers from the ACTT, this six-day intensive training course is designed with actors and performers in mind; you will learn and develop your ability to learn and perform combat and violent actions safely and effectively.
At standard level, we will be using our research to take motifs and techniques from historical fighting manuscripts, and perform them in a safe and convincing way.
Examined by ACTT; all qualifications earned are Spotlight accredited
Discounts are available at checkout for Sword & Scoundrel members, ACTT members, and Equity members
This training and examination course will involve physically intense work - please come prepared; wear suitable clothing and footwear, bring water and snacks, and bring something to make notes with. While we tailor our training to the learning styles of the students present, the running order of the days will follow this plan:
Day 1:
Archive tours, library research, gallery visit and discussion of research at the Royal Armouries Museum
Day 2: (Sword)
Warm-up
Technical classes
Learn bulk of choreography
Start thinking about scene/script choices
Cool-down
Day 3: (Sword)
Warm-up
Learn remaining choreography
Add scenes/scripts around the fight
Mock exam
Feedback
Polishing and directing scenes
Cool-down
Day 4: (Baton)
Warm-up
Technical classes
Learn bulk of choreography
Start thinking about scene/script choices
Cool-down
Day 5: (Baton)
Warm-up
Learn remaining choreography
Add scenes/scripts around the fight
Mock exam
Feedback
Polishing and directing scenes
Cool-down
Exam Day:
Warm-up
Rehearsal, polishing and directing
Examination (performance)
Examination (workshop)
Feedback
Pub social (optional)