Brighton Midsummer Fencing Festival – 2026 – Instructors – Mark Donnelly

Professor Donnelly has been studying European armed combat in various incarnations since 1982.  After years of research and training in the disparate disciplines of western martial arts, sport fencing, stage combat, tournament fighting and eastern martial disciplines, he moved from the US to England in 1996 to undertake a PhD in Medieval Archaeology through York and Oxford Universities.  While in England, he was one of the founding fathers of the British Federation of Historical Swordplay (BFHS) while teaching full time for 13 years with the Society for the Study of Swordsmanship (S.S.S.) and the Edenhill Academy of Arms.

With Edenhill Academy (enjoying both a Bishop and a Royal Prince as patrons), he has worked with HM Royal Monuments, English Heritage, the National Trust, National Maritime museum at Greenwich, Sandhurst Military Academy, as well as the HMS Trincomalee HMS Victory, the Grand Turk, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Yorkshire Constabulary, more reenactment societies than he can list, and the legendary fight choreographer William Hobbs.  It was due to his work with the S.S.S., E.A.A. and the B.F.H.S. that he was awarded the title of Professor of Arms in 2002.

Prof. Donnelly has instructed at major national and international events such as: F.I.S.A.S. in Italy; H.E.M.A.C. in France; A.E.E.M.A. in Madrid; A.R.G.O. in Prague; B.F.H.S. AGMs and Instructor Certifications, H.H.F.A in Malta; S.W.A.S.H. at HM Royal Armouries as well as many others. He is a life-time research associate with HM Royal Armouries with The Tower of London, and with the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich. He is additionally a member of the HEMA Alliance, The Victorian Martial Art Association, The Historical Maritime Combat Association, the Bartitsu Society and more.

Since returning to the States in late 2008 he has taught at numerous universities, festivals, fairs and conventions.  He currently lives in Dillsburg, PA where he has run the Keystone Academy of Dueling and Swordsmanship (K.A.D.S.) and the Keystone Academy Bartitsu Club since 2009.