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This couple started a medieval sword-fighting school in S’pore
Bastion is a Historical European Martial Arts academy reviving the fighting arts of medieval times
Inside a quiet industrial estate along Jalan Pemimpin, a group of Singaporeans spend their evenings studying centuries-old combat manuals and crossing swords in full protective gear.
They train at Bastion, a Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) academy dedicated to “reviving the fighting systems” of medieval Europe.
Founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife duo Lucien Lee and Langley Qu, the academy has grown from a small Reddit meet-up into what they say is the largest full-time HEMA school in Southeast Asia, with about 150 active students today.
Four people showed up to their first session
Unlike modern fencing, HEMA seeks to reconstruct historical combat from surviving manuscripts dating back hundreds of years. At Bastion, most lessons draw from German-speaking regions of the Holy Roman Empire between the 14th and 16th centuries.
“The techniques we use come from historical treatises, fighting manuals and manuscripts left behind by medieval masters,” said Lucien, 36.
On a nearby table sits a facsimile of one such manuscript, its pages filled with illustrations and handwritten Middle High German text. Beside it lies a translated English version used by instructors and students.
“The historical aspect is a huge part of what we do,” said Langley, 42. “For us, this is almost like a time machine to bring history back to life.”
The couple first discovered HEMA in Swansea, Wales, more than a decade ago. Lucien, who had long been interested in martial arts, found a local HEMA club while the two of them were studying there. Langley initially intended only to observe, but their instructor had other plans.
“The instructor basically told me, ‘It’s free if you sit and watch, and it’s free if you try, so why wouldn’t you try?’” she said.
When the pair returned to Singapore after completing their studies three years later, they wanted to continue training but found only a small local HEMA scene. So Lucien turned to Reddit, posting an invitation for anyone interested to try the sport at a void deck.
Four people showed up.
“That was basically our trial run,” said Langley. “We wanted to create the kind of community that we ourselves would have wanted.”
The pair later incorporated Bastion and promoted trial sessions on Facebook, attracting about 30 participants in the first intake.
For the first year, training sessions were still held at void decks and other makeshift spaces before they eventually secured their dedicated premises at Jalan Pemimpin. Over the years, several hundred people have trained at the academy, with some students from the original Reddit sessions still attending classes today.
The tools of the trade
Training at Bastion uses a range of weapons for Historical European Martial Arts, including foam, nylon and steel swords. The steel blades used for sparring are blunted, with flattened tips.
Participants are also required to wear full protective gear, including fencing masks, padded jackets, heavy gloves, and limb protection, depending on the intensity and material of the weapon used. Safety, the founders said, is built into every layer of training, from compulsory basics classes to structured drills that teach control before free sparring is introduced.
Much of Bastion’s equipment is imported from specialist makers in Europe, where HEMA has a longer-established supply ecosystem. But bringing those weapons into Singapore was not always straightforward.
On their return from the UK, the couple brought back 11 swords in their luggage, prompting a lengthy inspection at Changi Airport. Officers from the Singapore Police Force were brought in to assess what exactly they were dealing with.
“They all came down and we explained what we do,” said Lucien. “After about two hours of discussion, they cleared everything.”
At the time, the weapons required careful handling under Singapore’s regulations for controlled items, meaning every import had to be justified as training equipment rather than offensive weapons. The couple said transparency with authorities was key from the start.
“There’s no reason to hide what we do,” Lucien added. “These are training tools. They’re blunt, flexible, and designed for sport.”
More recently, Langley shared that the rules have become clearer. Training swords used for martial arts and sporting purposes are now generally allowed as long as they meet safety requirements and are used in controlled environments.
This change also brings HEMA equipment in line with other martial arts weapons, including those used in disciplines such as wushu, which are treated under similar conditions. While imports have become smoother, the academy said all equipment is still subject to customs checks and must comply with existing rules.
Building something that lasts
Running a full-time HEMA academy in Singapore, however, comes with challenges beyond importing equipment.
For Lucien and Langley, one of the biggest constraints is space. Because students train with long weapons that require a safe striking distance, the academy needs a large, open hall with high ceilings—a rare setup in land-scarce Singapore.
“You can’t just do this anywhere,” said Lucien. “The space really determines what you can or cannot run.”
At their current location, running the academy costs around S$30,000 to S$40,000 a month, with rent forming a significant portion of that.
Today, Bastion operates around 50 classes a week, with sessions held on weekday evenings and throughout the weekends. Each class typically has eight to 10 students.
Despite the scale, Bastion remains highly structured in its teaching approach. Students advance through a structured curriculum, and those who stay long enough may eventually find themselves on the other side—teaching the very classes they once started in.
“We need them to understand how we teach before they can teach,” said Langley.
The academy’s student base is diverse, though working adults under 40 make up the largest group. Others include National Servicemen, university students and older hobbyists. Some are drawn in by martial arts or fencing, while others discover HEMA through fantasy media such as The Lord Of The Rings, Game Of Thrones or role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons.
What keeps many of them returning, the founders said, is not just the sport itself, but the community built around it.
Beyond training, Bastion regularly organises social events such as movie nights, holiday gatherings and post-training meals. The founders said this helps create a space where students can bond outside of sparring.
“People come in for many reasons,” said Langley. “But they stay because they feel part of something.”
That sense of belonging has also shaped how the academy approaches competition. While some students do take part in local and overseas tournaments, Bastion does not position itself as competition-focused.
“We always tell them it’s not about winning at all costs,” said Lucien. “It’s about learning, testing yourself and engaging with others in the same space.”
Looking ahead, the couple hope to expand Bastion as interest grows, though space remains a limiting factor. A second location is something they are exploring, but not rushing into.
In the meantime, the academy has been reaching beyond its walls—running workshops in schools and youth organisations, where students get their first taste of HEMA and its historical roots.
For Lucien and Langley, the wider ambition is to shift how Singaporeans think about martial arts altogether.
“When people think of martial arts, they usually think of Asia,” said Langley. “But every culture had its own fighting traditions.”
For the founders, Bastion is not just about swords or sparring, but about reviving a lesser-known part of history—and building a community around it.
“As long as people are curious,” said Lucien, “there will always be something to discover in it.”
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Featured Image Credit: @bastionhema, @bai_ren via Instagram
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