Doubtless people have always grumbled about change but one hot topic in Shakespeare’s time was the best way to use a sword.

Englishman George Silver (gentleman) wrote a book called Paradoxes of Defence in 1599 to promote the benefits of the English style of fighting, in the face of the rising popularity of the Italian style.

“Fencing (right honorable) in this new fangled age, is like our fashions, every day a change,” George Silver complained.

Even Shakespeare refers to this controversy in Romeo and Juliet – when the young men of the Capulet and Montague families taunt each other about the two schools of fighting.

But 400 years later, one group of Swindonians know exactly where they stand in this debate. They meet once a week to practise ancient English martial arts with backsword, quarterstaff and even fist-fighting – all in a safe environment, of course.

Leon Flower, by day the Swindon Central Library’s lead librarian for outreach, is by night instructor for the Swindon branch of the Wessex School of Arms. While historical research and accuracy are a part of their pursuit of English martial arts, this is not simply re-enactment but a serious sport. They train hard, have skill levels and take part in contests.

“I love it!” Leon says. “It gives you confidence, it’s a way of keeping fit and a reason to keep fit. And who doesn’t want to practise fighting with a sword?”

Leon’s childhood reading of stories of knights fuelled his interest, and he has done plenty of research and reading. George Silver looked at martial arts from a different point of view. The principles behind it are designed to make you an effective and successful fighter.

“You can use these principles for any kind of fighting,” he said. “The human body only moves in certain sorts of ways, so these principles apply to every martial art there is.”

The group is interested in fighting with the English backsword – which is a relatively short, one-handed sword that is sharp on one edge only. Leon, who now lives in Swindon, began to learn historic English martial arts about 15 years ago, when he moved to Avebury. He explains that it was Terry Brown who introduced England’s indigenous fighting systems to modern audiences and coined the phrase English martial arts. There are various ranks among its practitioners – the lowest being the Scholler, before you graduate to being a Free Scholler, then after at least seven years practice, a Provost, and finally a Maister.

“We practise boxing too, in the style of the 1700s and 1800s, before the introduction of the Queensbury Rules. We wear gloves and head protection,” he said. “Each session we do some of that, then perhaps practise with the sword or quarterstaff.”

They also practise with a sword and buckler – which is a small, handheld shield – and the sword and dagger.

“For sparring we wear a fencing mask, and padded jackets with plastic plates, like armour, on the shoulders and arms.”

Nonetheless, they do come away with bruises and the occasional fractured finger. “We’ve had no major injuries, but like any sport, there is a risk of getting hurt,” he said. “We’re members of the British Federation of Historical Swordplay and have insurance through them.”

Leon said: “I had always wanted to learn a martial art, the eastern martial arts did not appeal to me so much. I always liked knights and jousts – since I was a kid. Knights would not have gone into battle without training, and every man of every class had to learn to fight in those days.”

The group in Swindon, which meets at the Christchurch Community Centre in Old Town, has about 10 members and a group in Bath has around 15. You need to be 18 plus to join, and both men and women are welcome – though currently women are in a minority.

The group gave a demonstration at the Old Town Festival last year and instituted an award called the Blackford Prize – in honour of Swindon resident Robert Blackford, who lived in the second half of the 18th century and was the most noted player of the day when it came to the art of English Country Backswording – when men would fight not with bladed swords but with wooden sticks. You won a bout by drawing blood from the head. This was apparently a popular sporting entertainment at country fairs.

“We had a descendant of Robert Blackford giving the prize,” Leon said. “And we’ll be returning to the Old Town Festival again this year.”

Leon is keen to encourage others to take up English martial arts and join the group. If you fancy a bout of pugilism, or a chance to learn how to fight with a backsword or a quarterstaff, visit the group’s Facebook page, WessexHEMA or email kaoscrow156@googlemail.com.