Keystone Academy of Dueling and Swordsmanship
Scholars and practitioners of Historical European Swordsmanship and Martial Arts
Located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
KADS 2025-2026 Calendar
KADS Calendar 2025-2026All scheduled classes at Sholter Hall unless otherwise noted-- Schedule constantly evolving and subject to change
--Dec 11th – Fight Before Christmas / Reindeer Games
----(-- 2025 ---)--------------------
--Jan 4th (2025) - Twelfth Night Dinner
Jan 22nd - Rapier review & practice session
Jan 29th - Rapier Review and Practice session
Feb 5th – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Feb 12th – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Feb 19th – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Feb 26th – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Mar 5th – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Mar 12th – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Mar 19th – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Mar 26th – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Apr 2nd – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Apr 9th – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Apr 12th - (1:00-10:00pm) KERNOOZER DAY
Apr 16th – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Apr 23rd – (7:30-9:30pm) English Rapier
Apr 30th – (7:30-9:30pm) Rapier Review
May 7th - – (7:30-9:30pm) Mair's Sickle combat workshop
May 14th – (7:30-9:30pm) Mair's Sickle combat workshop
May 21st – (7:30-9:30pm) Sword Cane exploration
May 28th – (7:30-9:30pm) Sword Cane exploration
NEW MEMBERSHIP INTAKE
Jun 4th - (7:30-9:30 pm) English Longsword
Jun 11th - (7:30-9:30 pm) English Longsword
Jun 18th - (7:30-9:30 pm) English Longsword
Jun 24th - (7:30-9:30 pm)English Longsword
Jul 2nd - (7:30-9:30 pm) English Longsword
Jul 9th - (7:30-9:30 pm) English Longsword
Jul 16th - (7:30-9:30 pm) English Longsword
Jul 23rd - (7:30-9:30 pm) English Longsword
Jul 30th - (7:30-9:30 pm) English Longsword
Jul 31-Aug 03 COMBATCON - LAS VEGAS
Aug 6th - (7:30-9:30 pm) English Longsword
Aug 13th - (7:30-9:30 pm) English Longsword
Aug 20th - (7:30-9:30 pm) English Longsword
Aug 27th - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Sep 3rd - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Sep 10th - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Sep 17th - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Sep 24th - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Oct 1st - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Oct 8th - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Oct 15th - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Oct 22nd - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Oct 29th - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Nov 5th - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Nov 12th - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Nov 19th - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Nov 26th - (7:30-9:30 pm) German Longsword
Dec 3rd - (7:30-9:30 pm) Longsword Review
Dec 10th - (7:30-9:30 pm) Fight Before Xmas / Reindeer Games
----(-- 2026 ---)----------------------
Jan 14th (7:30-9:30 pm) Longsword Review
Jan 21st - (7:30-9:30 pm) Italian Longsword
Jan 24th - KADS BURNS SUPPER
Jan 28th - (7:30-9:30 pm) Italian Longsword
Feb 4th - (7:30-9:30 pm) Italian Longsword
Feb 11th - (7:30-9:30 pm) Italian Longsword
Feb 18th - (7:30-9:30 pm) Italian Longsword
Feb 25th - (7:30-9:30 pm) Italian Longsword
Mar 4th - (7:30-9:30) Italian Longsword
Mar 11th - (7:30-9:30) Italian Longsword
Mar 18th - (7:30-9:30) Italian Longsword
Mar 25th - (7:30-9:30) Italian Longsword
Apr 1st - (7:30-9:30) Italian Longsword
Apr 8th - (7:30-9:30) Italian Longsword
Apr 15th - (7:30-9:30) Italian Longsword
Apr 22nd - (7:30-9:30) Italian Longsword
Apr 29th - (7:30-9:30) Italian Longsword
May 6th - (7:30-9:30) Italian Longsword
May13th - (7:30-9:30) Italian Longsword
May 20th - No Class
May 21-25 - KADSCAMP VI - KADECATHALON
May 27th - Longsword Review and Assessments
Jun 3rd - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Jun 10th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Jun 17th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Jun 24th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Jul 1st - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Jul 8th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Jul 15th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Jul 22nd - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Jul 29th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Aug 5th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Aug 12th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Aug 19th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Aug 26th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Sep 2nd - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Sep 9th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Sep 16th - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Sep 23rd - (7:30-9:30) Infantry Saber
Sep 30th - (7:30-9:30) Dueling Saber
Oct 7th - (7:30-9:30) Dueling Saber
Oct 14th - (7:30-9:30) Dueling Saber
Oct 21st - (7:30-9:30) Dueling Saber
Oct 28th - (7:30-9:30) Dueling Saber
Nov 4th - (7:30-9:30) Dueling Saber
Nov 11th - (7:30-9:30) Dueling Saber
Nov 18th - (7:30-9:30) Dueling Saber
Nov 25th - (7:30-9:30) Dueling Saber
Dec 2nd - (7:30-9:30) Dueling Saber
Dec 9th - (7:30-9:30 pm) Fight Before Xmas / Reindeer Games
Curricula
K.A.D.S. studies a wide range of combat systems and weapons derived from a diverse selection of historical sources. Naturally, we cannot cover everything simultaneously so we rotate through a series of topics on a roughly trimester basis. To give you some idea of the subjects we address here is a list of some of the curricula we have offered: (for upcoming curricula, please see calendar above)
Curricula Covered in KADS
- 13thC. broadsword & buckler (I.33)
- 15th-16thC. Medieval Dagger
- 15thC. Italian Longsword
- 15thC. German Longsword
- 15th-16thC. Rossfechten
- 15-16thC Harnischfecten
- 15thC. German Dussack
- 16thC. German Messer
- 15thC. Italian Spear
- 16thC. Bolognese Sidesword
- 17thC. Italian Rapier
- 17thC. Spanish Rapier
- 16thC. Renaissance Backsword
- 17thC. Renaissance Dagger
- 18thC. Civilian French Smallsword
- 18thC. Scottish (Highland) Backsword
- 18thC. Highland Scottish Dirk
- 18thC. Naval Boarding Cutlass
- 18th-19thC. Infantry Saber
- 16th-19thC. Singlestick
- 19thC. Constable’s Truncheon
- 16th-19thC. Quarterstaff & Half-staff
- 18th-19thC. Fixed Bayonet
- 18th-19thC. Bowie Knife & Tomahawk
- 19thC. Grand Baton & Bastone
- 19thC. Classical Fencing
- 19thC Bartitsu / Antagonistics
- 19thC. Canne,/Defense Dans la Rue
- 19thC Irish Bataireacht (Shillelagh)
- 18th-20thC Bare-knuckle pugilism
- 19th-20th C Dueling/gymnasium Saber
- WWI Trench Knife
Instructor Bios
Mark P. Donnelly- Professor of Arms
Inst. Alexander Stuart - Instructor Level 1
Inst. Alexander Stuart - Instructor Level 1
- The Historian -
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 (SAFD and BADC), tournament fighting and eastern martial disciplines, he moved from the US to England in
- The Historian -
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 (SAFD and BADC), tournament fighting and eastern martial disciplines, he moved from the US to England in 1996 to undertake a PhD in Medieval Archaeology. While in England, he was one of the founding fathers of the British Federation of Historical Swordplay (BFHS) while running 7 Academies with the Society for the Study of Swordsmanship (S.S.S.) and the Edenhill Academy of Arms for nearly 14 years. 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.
With Edenhill Academy (enjoying both a Bishop and a Royal Prince as patrons), he has worked with HM Royal Monuments, The Wallace Collection, English Heritage, the National Trust, National Maritime Museum, Sandhurst Military Academy, as well as the HMS Trincomalee, HMS Victory, the Grand Turk, the Royal Shakespeare Company (with the legendary William Hobbs), the Yorkshire Constabulary, and more reenactment societies than he can list.
Prof. Donnelly has instructed at major national and international events such as: F.I.S.A.S. in Verbania, Italy; H.E.M.A.C. at Dijon in France; A.E.E.M.A. in Madrid; A.R.G.O. in Prague; B.F.H.S. AGMs and Instructor Certifications; S.W.A.S.H. at HM Royal Armouries, The Original Smallsword Symposium, The American Smallsword Symposium, The International Saber Symposium, The MIM (Malta International meeting) as well as many others.
He is a life-time research associate with HM Royal Armouries, as well as with The Tower of London, and with the National Maritime Museum, at Greenwich. Professor Donnelly was honored to be repeatedly listed among the top instructors in Europe.
Since returning to the States in late 2008 he has taught at numerous universities, festivals, fairs and conventions. He currently lives in Harrisburg, PA where he runs the Keystone Academy of Dueling and Swordsmanship (K.A.D.S.) and is additionally a member of the HEMA Alliance, The Victorian Martial Art Association, the Historical Maritime Combat Association, the Bartitsu Society and more.
Professionally, Prof. Donnelly has about 30 non fiction history titles in publication on a wide variety of subjects, as well as hundreds of hours as a writer and sometimes producer of historical documentaries for networks such as History Channel, Discovery Channel, PBS, BBC, National Geographic, and more. He is also an antique dealer specializing in walking sticks, canes, umbrellas, parasols, shillelaghs, and swordsticks. Whether in print, on air, in stock, in person, or en guard, Donnelly is teaching history.- The Scholar
Inst. Alexander Stuart - Instructor Level 1
Inst. Alexander Stuart - Instructor Level 1
Inst. Alexander Stuart - Instructor Level 1
- The Fighter -
Alexander Stuart has always been fascinated with swords in all their forms and types. The first blade he could call his own was made from a kit when he was six and this has set a pattern for his entire life. As a blacksmith he has specialized in blade creation. He soon found that an understanding of their use was a fun
- The Fighter -
Alexander Stuart has always been fascinated with swords in all their forms and types. The first blade he could call his own was made from a kit when he was six and this has set a pattern for his entire life. As a blacksmith he has specialized in blade creation. He soon found that an understanding of their use was a fundamental necessity to his education and development as a blade smith.
In 2000 Inst. Stuart joined the SCA Heavy list combat and became a squire in 2004. His SCA mentor stressed fair play in martial pursuits and taught a system based on singlestick. Over the next decade Inst. Stuart rose to local unit command, and marshal. From 2007 till 2010 he served as Southern Region Commander and was distinguished as the only combatant to serve two consecutive terms.
Furthermore, Inst. Stuart was honored to be the first ever to hold the position without being prior elevated to the rank of Chivalry. Inst. Stuart served as an unbelted kingdom champion from 2007 till 2011. In 2009 he was awarded the Order of the Gladiator for completing one thousand individual combats within a record time of five days. In 2010 he was inducted into the Order of the Tiger Combatant, an order of combat excellence.
In 2009 Inst. Stuart met Professor Mark P. Donnelly. In his own words, “I felt I had finally met the Teacher I was seeking. Professor Donnelly consented to begin my instruction, and KADS was born.” Since then Inst. Stuart has been a stalwart participant in almost every curriculum that KADS has offered and has successfully achieved the rank of Scholar in 17th C. Italian Rapier, 15th C. German Longsword, and 19th C. Light (infantry) Saber. He went on to successfully achieve the rank of Inst. in Achille Marozzo's Bolognese Partisan. Inst. Stuart has been invaluable as an assistant at workshops in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and here in Pennsylvania. He has, himself, organized or run workshops in Rapier, Sabre, Great stick, and Bartitsu.
Over the last few years Inst. Stuart has joined with Inst. Earhart’s joust company and has, though Inst. Earhart’s guidance and instruction begun an exploration of both mounted and unmounted armored combat. It is Inst. Stuart’s goal to eventually live up to George Silver’s definition of a true ‘master of defense’; and toward that goal he seeks to learn as much as he can, as often as he can, from as many different sources as he can.
Mr. Robert Earhart - Instructor Level 1
Inst. Alexander Stuart - Instructor Level 1
Mr. Robert Earhart - Instructor Level 1
- The Performer -
Robert ‘Achilles’ Earhart has been a student of arms his whole life, with training in many eastern and western traditions. He has decades of training and various belts in Shotokan Karate, Boxing, Kickboxing, Kendo, Judo, Toyama Ryu Batto Do and Aikido. His love of the sword started with Olympic Fencing which he compe
- The Performer -
Robert ‘Achilles’ Earhart has been a student of arms his whole life, with training in many eastern and western traditions. He has decades of training and various belts in Shotokan Karate, Boxing, Kickboxing, Kendo, Judo, Toyama Ryu Batto Do and Aikido. His love of the sword started with Olympic Fencing which he competed and trained in all three weapons for twelve years.
This love of swordsmanship and his passion for history led him to devour every European fighting treatise he could find; which in the late eighties and early nineties were few and hard to find. Translating treatises, then studying them and eventually working with rapier, longsword, arming sword, and polearms.
Professionally Inst . Earhart has worked in the entertainment industry as a professional stunt performer working with live-action stunt shows across the country. He worked with the Society of American Fight Directors attaining the certification as an Advanced Actor Combatant and Certified Teacher, working at theaters, in movies, and on television and at renaissance fairs.
As the owner of Round Table Productions Inst . Earhart has been a Professional Jouster for over a decade, jousting and fighting in armor at festivals from Maine to Oregon. Inst . Earhart is also a weapon-smith and blacksmith and for many years has been fashioning swords and armor for theater, movies and re-enactors.
Meeting Professor Donnelly in 2011, after a good talk and number of pints Robert joined KADS where he happily trains and causes mayhem to this day. For the last few years, Robert’s research has been focused on Rossfechten (15th century German Mounted Combat) and Kampfechten (Duel Fighting), as well as weekly training in Kendo, Judo, and Aikido and Meyer's Dussack. Roar!