Come for the sword, stay for the fun.
Ludolph van Ceulen – Schermschoole
Welcome
Welcome to the official page of “Ludolph van Ceulen” Schermschoole. We give lessons in Historical European Martial arts based on historical sources and archeological research. Although our club has been founded by students of Leiden University, our club is open to everyone over the age of 18.
What weapons do we focus on?
- Langes Messer
- Dagger
- British Military Swordsmanship (Sabre, Spadroon & Broadsword)
- Pikes, Halberds and other Polearms
Do you wish to join or come take a look? Press the button above to find our contact form!
What is HEMA?
Europe has a long standing tradition of martial arts which is in no way less impressive than the popular oriental martial arts. The arts practised in Europe have been used for many different purposes- such as fighting battles, settling personal disputes, self- protection or as a part of education of a well- born citizen.
Parts of those traditions has unfortunately been forgotten over the course of time, however, several manuscripts and books have been handed down to us. These works were written by the masters of their disciplines, and here at Ludolph van Ceulen, we aim to revive those traditions and practise side to side with the spirits of the long- gone masters of fencing.
Even though H.E.M.A. is based on historical sources, it has a modern spirit. Our training is based on historical sources and we fight using historically accurate steel weapons (with blunt edges) and their safe training replicas. Practitioners wear protective clothing which meet contemporary standards, and use a modern version of the pre-1950 CE weapons. This is the reason why H.E.M.A differs from re-enactment; the latter is not only focused on historically accurate, yet safe weapons, but also on historically accurate clothing and gear.
Training
We train every Monday and Thursday between 8 pm and 10 pm. Training sessions start with a common warm-up and a guided class by our instructors, after which there is a free hour in which you are free to study and practise whatever source you’d like. Besides sparring with our club’s main weapons, we practise and spar with other weapons too like spear, montante, rapier, sword and shield, and much more under the supervision of our instructors. Additionally, a lot of members take individual initiative to organise their own study groups for weapons they are interested in.
The training sessions are conducted in Dutch and English.
The address is as follows:
Basisschool Lucas van Leyden
Sint Ursulasteeg 28
2312 XA Leiden
First training is for free!
If you would like to join us, send us an email to info@ludolphvanceulen.com
or use the contact form on the website.
Routebeschrijving
Ingang Gebouw
Ingang Steeg
Workshops
Since 2024, Ludolph van Ceulen has been visited by several other associations and organisations for various workshops. From learning how to be a Level1 Rogue, or becoming a noble knight, there is something for everyone at our club. With all of our instructors having a drive to share their passion of the art of HEMA, this quickly became a great way for us to show the world what fun things our hobby has in store.
Let’s get in contact!
Interested in a workshop? Send us an email to info@ludolphvanceulen.com
or use the contact form on the website to ask for more information!
Our amazing Instructors
Alette Farzad
Langes Messer
Alette joined Ludolph van Ceulen in late 2020, never having done HEMA before. Ever since, however, she has been extremely passionate about being engaged in both the sport and the club, and since 2021 until 2025 had been functioning as the club’s Treasurer. Since 2024, she expanded her portofolio to teach Langes Messer as an instructor as well. While her main weapons of choice are the Langes Messer and dagger, she doesn’t shy away from branching out to other weapons.
Dirk Schut
Dagger
Dirk started doing HEMA in 2017, swinging longsword and doing stuns. He would eventually go on to join HSSV Ludolph van Ceulen where he started doing dagger and grappling. These days, Dirk teaches inventive old ways to stab and bend people into pretzels, as Fiore dei Liberi has shown in Fior di Battaglia. Dirk considers the most important thing in fencing to be: having fun.
Our Board Members
Stijn Bekker
Praeses
Stijn has been with Ludolph van Ceulen since 2024. Being used to modern fencing it took him some time to adjust, but under the careful guidance of wonderful instructors he started making strides soon enough. Stijn also enjoys dagger, but his biggest HEMA love, with all of its elegance and rhythm, is the British infantry sabre.
Yvonne Dijksterhuis
Secretary
Yvonne has been a member of Ludolph van Ceulen since 2022, and joined us as a member of the board in August 2023. Whilst still finding her footing in the HEMA world, she’s so far thoroughly been enjoying practising with both Dagger and Langes Messer, amongst other weapons.
Alex
Co-Treasurer
Alex joined the schermschoole in 2024. Starting with no prior experience in HEMA, they quickly became a large fan with dagger as their favourite weapon. Additionally, spear and sabre also hold a sacred place in his heart. Since 2026, he has started helping out the club as a co-treasurer.
Karin Kriššáková
Co-Treasurer
Karin first came into closer contact with medieval re-enactment from the 14th and 15th century before stepping towards longsword in HEMA in 2021 when she finally found a place to join. Additionally, she picked up archery, rapier, polearms and sword&buckler. In 2024 she joined Ludolph van Ceulen with a lot of excitement to explore the art of Dagger and Langes Messer, and quickly falling in love with both. Since 2025, they stepped up to the role of co-treasurer.
Our wonderful other Volunteers
Roam Langevin
Trust Team
Roam joined Ludolph van Ceulen in 2025 after having been interested in trying HEMA for several years. They quickly found that they have a deep passion for the sport and began self-studying saber and longsword. They have since become a member of the club’s trust team and are always around to help at the club. Roam is always happy to learn more and continue their HEMA journey, especially if that means delving into the manuscripts.
Alette Farzad
Website Management
Beyond stabbing people, Alette happens to hold a lot of passion for helping out the club beyond her usual duties as instructor. Therefore, despite leaving behind her duties as treasurer in 2025, she decided to help out as website manager for LvC. You can always let her know if you want something updated on this page!
William Harrison
Photographer
William has loved sword fighting since 2005 when he started fencing saber. He joined Ludolph briefly in 2020 and returned for real 2025. As club photographer, he is happy to document the lessons and duels. He’s always happy to give baked treats, paleontology facts, or a good fight.
LUDOLPH VAN CEULEN
Master of mathematics and fencing: Ludolph van Ceulen
Ludolph van Ceulen was born in the year 1540 and moved from Delft to Leiden around 1594, where he
submitted a request to establish a fencing school on 9 June 1594. The city consented and granted him
permission to establish it in the Faliedenbegeinkerk (what is now Rapenburg 70-74).
Unfortunately, there are only a few remains of this building and no manuscripts left of his school in our
time. In addition, most people would associate van Ceulen with his book Vanden Circkel. This work shows his
recalculation of pi (which was also the inspiration for his memorial in the Pieterskerk in Leiden).
Contact info
Email:
info@ludolphvanceulen.com
Come fence with us! The first fencing class is always free. Fill out the contact form and we’ll be in touch to plan your introduction.