I do historical reenactment and HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), so essentially a lot of combat arts/training. Both hobbies have research and interpretation of history at heart, and there certainly is a lot of crossover between the two.
As far as reenactment goes the periods/eras I'm currently involved in is mainly Dark Ages (Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Franks, Slavs, Gaels, Normans etc) and a bit high medieval (so around the 11th to 13th centuries). In contrast to other periods the combat in Dark Ages reenactment is mainly competitive in nature and as such most of the battles seen at shows/events is entirely unscripted - bar the shows that are centered around specific battles of course. There's battles with armies, and also wargames and duelling. It's pretty fun.
I also had the opportunity to visit Denmark and take part in Moesgård Vikingtræf, the biggest event in Western Europe (bar the Battle of Hastings 950th Anniversary). Five days of training, with three large-scale battles at the weekend. There's hundreds of people here, so good luck with trying to find me - I'm not giving any clues to avoid power-levelling.
Torrential downpour on the Sunday, where I got absolutely soaked and covered in mud.
I took part in one of the UK's biggest (and longest running) events last year, Jorvik Viking Festival - 2016 was the 1000 year anniversary of Cnut's invasion of England and the battle of Ashingdon. I got to play a Welshman/Cambrian under the command of the Anglo-Saxon King, Edmund Ironsides (all the Saxon groups had their colours as red+blue).
Interview with my line commander/king at 7.20.
Here is how it is done in Eastern Europe at the continent's biggest show, Wolin (in Poland). I'd like to go to Wolin in the future, so I guess it's something for me to work towards.
Note that the fighting here is far more aggressive - eastern European shows allow headshots and techniques that are seen a unsafe in Western European shows.
Us reenactors tend to make of our own kit, ranging from shields right down to our costumes (as well as buy it from traders within the community), and the vast majority of it is made with authentic materials and crafts. There are a few things we have change slightly for safety and convenience of course.
As for HEMA I mainly practice with spears (seeing as they're my primary weapon on the field), sword and shield/buckler and a bit of Polish Sabre. I'm looking to branch out into longsword in the near future.
I do enjoy the occasional game of DnD/tabletop role-playing (it's amazing to do when you're drunk or high), and go to a weekly poetry club. Other than that it's stuff like reading, drinking and watching films on Netflix.
