Name: Anya Reid
Course: BSc(Hons) Forensic Sciences
Year: 4th
What made you choose to join RMAS?
I first went to RMAS because swords are cool. I stayed because they’re some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and swords are cool.
Do you have a favourite historical weapon or fighting style within HEMA and why does it appeal to you?
I personally really like the longsword. I’ve only really done German longsword but I want to study more of the Italian stuff as well. It’s such a versatile weapon which I really like - there’s other weapons that are better for more specific purposes and situations, but it’s a good all rounder.
Have you ever participated in an RMA (HEMA) and what was the most enjoyable part of the experience?
I’ve been in 3 HEMA tournaments with RMAS and I love them. I think the best part is getting to see your own progression throughout the day. It’s a really nice feeling when you catch yourself using errors made in previous fights to do better in the situation you’re put in. Plus, the final fight is always incredible to watch.
If you could travel back in time and train with a legendary historical swordsman or martial artist, who would you choose and why?
I would go back and train with Fiore, partly to see how accurate the accounts of him repeatedly knocking out exactly four teeth actually are, and also because I think he’d be a right laugh if you were on his good side.
If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future, and why?
I think I would go to the past for the sole purpose of getting to wear fun historical clothing from different time periods out and about - I’m a big history fan so I think getting to live in some of those eras and experience them would be incredibly cool
If you could have a dinner party with any three celebrities, who would you invite and why?
Adele, Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Garfield - I think it would be the most chaotic dinner party ever to exist, which is exactly the kind of legacy I want to leave on this earth.
What's your favourite cheesy joke or pun?
What’s the richest country in the world? Ireland - because it’s capital is always Dublin.
