Maître d’armes Michael Kňažko is an expert pedagogue at the Sports, Rehabilitation and Movement Centre of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and the Prague Conservatory. At the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague he teaches 19th century classical fencing with the French foil and Italian military sabre as well as 18th century fencing with the French smallsword. He started fencing in the 80s of the last century at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague under RnDr. Pavel Plch, whose aim was to combine stage fencing with real fencing, to gain authentic insight from duel fencing applicable in theatre practice. Mr. Kňažko gained further experience and knowledge under the tutelage of fencing master Jan Kostka, who studied fencing under the tutelage of the fencing masters of the TJ Lokomotiva club in Pilsen in the 70s of the last century. Mr. Kňažko is currently following fencing master Leonid Křížek, who teaches fencing at the Czech Lands Salle d’Armes, Prague, and is a certified fencing instructor at the Czech Fencing Club Riegel (est. 1902).
Under the tutelage of master Křížek, he is studying fencing with the Italian military sabre (maestro Luigi Barbasetti style), and the bayonet rifle.
He is Master of arms (Maître d’armes) at the Czech Lands Salle d’Armes, Prague, the home of the ARS DIMICATORIA school of historical fencing, and of the club of the BARBASETTI MILITARY SABRE (since 1895).
From the historical weapons he teaches fencing with the French foil and smallsword, military sabre, bayonet rifle, Polish sabre and Spanish rapier.
He is in charge of organisational and operational matters at the Czech Lands Salle d’Armes, Prague, the ARS DIMICATORIA school of historical fencing, and the club of the BARBASETTI MILITARY SABRE (since 1895).
Press – Articles in English and Czech:
“In honor of ancient swords masters”, Taipei Times, 5. 8. 2016, an article about Michael Kňažko and the instruction of historical fencing in Taiwan in the Taiwanese national newspaper.
“Duel to the Death… sort of”, Taipei Times, 10. 8. 2016, an article about Michael Kňažko and the instruction of historical fencing in Taiwan in the Taiwanese national newspaper.
“Boje samurajů”, webové stránky Militaria, 24. 2. 2017, článek Michaela Kňažka o vernisáži akvarelů s tematikou japonských samurajů a prezentace nové knihy maestra Wojciecha Zablockého.
“Ars Dimicatoria znamená umění šermu”, magazine Veleslavín39 (pages 16-17), an article with Michael Kňažko about the Ars Dimicatoria school of historical fencing.