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Heydenwall
Who we are
(version one)
Heydenwall is a community interested in living history. Members from Heydenwall meet for weekly fighting practice, visit medieval and viking events and are crafting in common.
(version two)
We are fighters who enjoy weekly practice. We host a bimonthly training which is attended by a number of other groups and takes place in a forested area.
We are craftspeople displaying a variety of viking and medival handcrafts. We trade experiences as well as handcrafted goods.
We have fun with living history, but we are always up for facts and discussion as well.
Our Name
In the beginning there was none. Asked who we are, we explained „Well, we are a group of people who practice in Oldenburg…“ But this will not do if you want to sign up for events.
So a name was needed. We wanted a name that had something to do with our kind of fighting. A name which represents us and so for a time we called ourselfs „Schildwall“. After a while we learned another group was using that name too. We decided to search for a new name.
Just at this time the so called "Heydenwall" was found at an excavation in Oldenburg. The small circular rampart has probably given our hometown its name. We named ourselves after this fortification.
And so today we are „Der Heydenwall“
The wall of the heathens in the viking period and the wall against the heathens in high medieval times.
Anyway, as long as it incorporates battling, tinkering and good food and drinking. 
Heydenwalls Nature
„Keen nich will dieken, de mutt wieken“
(Who doesn't want to build a dike, has to leave.)
Who wants to be with Heydenwall, must be Heydenwall!
Periods
Our group is not limited to one special era. Everyone decides for herself to which extent she commits herself to a certain representation. At the moment most recreations are military, in the early medieval setting viking and frisian in the high-medieval german citizens.
Quality Standard
At Heydenwall everyone is allowed to choose his or her own degree of accuracy when it comes to historical recreations of equipment.
However, to visit events with Heydenwall the quality of personal equipment should at least meet that of the event in question.
Heydenwall and the Armed Encounter
At Heydenwall the medieval armed encounter - the fencing with medieval and early modern weapons - is something that is practiced in many different styles and trained under different aspects. We have many interests and like it that they add up to each other.
It is clear that it isn't possible to meet the requirements, but we strive to get near them!
Fencing as Sport
Mostly realized through Codex Belli 2003, 2010 and Western Style.
Medieval fencing as sport as we understand it is a team sport with undefined group size that needs no referee, because the game is characterized by mutual respect and the own claim to improve oneself. The main goals are physical fitness, being active for fun and the tactical aspects of group fighting.
Fencing as Martial Art
Mostly realized through Huskarl and Eastern Style.
Medieval fencing as martial arts as we understand it covers the right flow and balance of movement in tempo, position and strength und their elegant execution. The main focus is to perfect one's technique and style and the social and mental aspects of fighting.
fencing as Historical Renconstruction
Mostly realized through HEMA and historical fencing.
Medieval fencing as historical renconstruction from our perspective is an attempt to recreate techniques from historical sources and revive them through practical trial as useable techniques in sparring. This way we hope to gain insights into historical fighting methods and their systems to finally fill them with live again.
Fencing as Full Contact
Mostly realized through Buhurt and Vollkontakt.
Medieval fencing as full contact fight as we understand it is the concious omission of Rules, though not of common sense. It is obvious that this causes an expansion of the protective gear beyond historical correct and that levers, stact and blows exist, which cannot be carried out without injury. Nonetheles does full contact combat give an opportunity to experience fighting in another dimension thus opening another perspective.
Fencing as Showfight / Stage Combat
Mostly realized through showfighting and re-enactment.
Medieval fencing as showfight as we understand it is a concpet of showing contemporary and historical fencing styles, reenacting historical events and recreating stories that fit into the historical context. This can happen as a rehearsed show or as a free spontaneous combination from a repertoire. One goal is to keep the performance interesting for the audience and the actors alike in duels and bigger battles. In this we like to show non deadly solutions for conflicts.
Fencing as Play
Medieval fencing as play as we understand it is an important part of all styles and one of the core ideas of Heydenwall. As a means of training as well as form of playful fighting style.
A playful fighting style implies to expand one's on requirments beyond the rule. This means to restrain yourself in the used repertoire or to increase the wanted level of precision and thus changing your own fighting and improve your skills and find your own joy in playing.
The use of games to concentrate on certain aspects of fighting helps to train the right reaction to these situations in the bigger context. This broadens the repertoire, the communication and the ability to make decisions. Best of all: Games are fun and motivating!