This is Blade and Swords.
Blades and Swords combines my passion for artwork, reenactment, and Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) — with a touch of medieval bunny madness.
My name is Bettina Miriam Sehner, and my lifelong passions are history, art, historical reenactment, and HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts).
I’m fascinated by uncovering and studying old manuscripts and historical sources, bringing forgotten techniques and past eras back to life, and expressing them through painting, reenactment (medieval and prehistoric), illustration, book projects and other projects.
As my passion for prehistoric reenactment continues to grow, I am becoming increasingly active in this field. Follow my journey on Instagram: prehistoric.betty.
I also thrive on collaborating with fellow HEMA and history enthusiasts who share the same spark of curiosity. And of course, I can’t resist medieval rabbits - medieval rabbits are just awesome. ;-)
Important Announcement:
Sales of Ultima Custodia are currently paused until further notice due to internal restructuring.
However, a waitlist is open. If you would like to be notified as soon as sales resume, you can sign up to secure priority access. Thank you for your understanding, continued interest, and support. Updates will be shared as soon as they become available.
If you would like to secure your spot, you can write an email here:
Ultima Custodia -
Translation, Fencing treatise and Artbook
Ultima Custodia is a combination of a new translation of the Ms. 1.33 Towerfechtbuch from latin to German or English, an Interpretation of the techniques and the content and an Artbook. The illustations that support the content are painted in way that it is easily understandable, others are to please your eyes. I interpreted the three protagonists of the Towerfechtbuch as comic and more realistic painted figures. Also medieval rabbits found their way into this book.
Why buy this book?
If you are interested in a new translation and interpretation of the Towerfechtbuch, loving medieval rabbits and nice Artwork, want to see the techniques explained and painted in a very good undertandable way, interested in Sword and Buckler or just want to see the oldest known fencing treatise about european martial arts and find it cool that it even has a fencing woman in it - this book is probably for you!
Reviews about the book
Greetings! I have just received my Ultima Custodia book, and it is AMAZING! I am absolutely in love with it! It looks fantastic, the drawings are nice and also very clear, I think it's a good and understandable interpretation... in other words: a masterpiece! 😀
Sebastaan P.
Ich bin kürzlich aus dem Urlaub zurückgekommen und hab mich gleich gefreut - eurer Werk war in der Post!
Es ist ja echt der Wahnsinn geworden!!
Ich bin total begeistert. Man merkt, wie viel Arbeit und Liebe da drin steckt - und Humor 🙂
Man bekommt auch sofort Lust, doch mal Schild+Buckler auszuprobieren - vor allem weil man anhand eurer Erklärungen und Grafiken die Techniken versteht.
Ganz ganz großes Lob von mir und vielen herzlichen Dank für euer tolles Projekt!
Und Gratulation dazu, dass es so toll geworden ist! Das gelingt nicht jedem 🙂
M.K
Skim through the book and it’s well made. Content are well organized and easy to follow through. The added hand draw art work added an interesting touch to it. Also, the first person view on some of the techniques is well thought out and every one should copy this method in my opinion.
Overall a much recommend book for anyone looking for sword&buckler book to read and collect.
Thitiwut P.
Bankok Historical Fencing
Habe soeben das wunderbare "Ultima Custodia" von
Blade and Swords erhalten!
vom ersten Eindruck her in allen Punkten sehr durchdacht aufgebaut: Facsimilies und Erläuterungen in Kapitel 1, gefolgt von Interpretation mit vielen richtig guten Hilfestellungen in Kapitel 2.
Das ganze mit fabelhaften Illustrationen (Hasen! ), großartig, Bettina Miriam !
Ich freue mich darauf, das durchzuarbeiten!
L.L
We have just received our copy of this magnificent work! Thank you @bladenswords_hema ! Ultima Custodia is a beautiful book full of details and useful info together with amazing and detailed pictures.
Acabamos de recibir nuestra copia de este estupendo trabajo! Gracias @bladenswords_hema ! Ultima Custodia es un libro precioso, repleto de detalles e información útil junto a unas maravillosas y detalladas imágenes.
Destrezania
Just want to comment, this is an outstanding production. My copy arrived this week, and it's really well done. The fist 2/3 of the book is just a very high quality print and translation of what we all have seen before, with the pages and plays from the tower fechtbuch, but it's the last 3rd of the book that really shines. The new illustrations are wonderful, the text very easy to understand. Additionally, not in the photos here, the first person view illustrations are something I've never seen before in a manual, everyone I've shown them to has said something along the lines of "wow...why doesn't anyone else do this, that's awesome!
A.S
I bought ULTIMA CUSTODIA because I really like swords and bucklers. I found much more than a book. The work done by the authors is truly fantastic. Not only do they present the original manuscript, but what makes ULTIMA CUSTODIA so beautiful is the work done with the illustrations. The perspectives presented in the book make it interesting and help you understand how to move. Highly recommended not only for beginners but also for those who want to see a new perspective.
Matteo Campestri
Scherma Storica Firenze
Medieval Rabbits
When I first discovered medieval rabbits in old marginalia, I instantly fell in love. There’s something wonderfully ridiculous about them — funny, expressive, and at the same time dangerously fluffy.
I love placing these rabbits in HEMA-inspired settings, dressing them in historical clothing, or even turning friends into medieval bunnies. My rabbits appear in the Ultima Custodia book, showcasing their sword and buckler skills, as well as on shirt designs, card games, postcards, stickers, and more.
And if you like, I can even paint you as a medieval rabbit — or have me and my bunny gang contribute to your next project.
What does Blade and Swords offer?
I create a wide range of artwork inspired by medieval, prehistoric, and Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) themes.
At heart, I’m a medieval rabbit painter, creating unique and custom bunny illustrations alongside a variety of historical and creative work:
- Medieval Rabbit Art: Original and custom bunny illustrations with a historical twist
- Heraldry: Repainting and designing coats of arms
- Design & Merchandise: HEMA- and history-inspired designs for apparel and products
- Books & Illustration: Author, conceptualist, and illustrator of Ultima Custodia, with additional contributions to publications and personal projects
- Historical Art: Tempera painting, wall painting, and reconstructions rooted in medieval and prehistoric contexts
- Reenactment & Portrayals: Creative work for medieval and prehistoric reenactment
Shops of Blade and Swords
I offer HEMA and history related Shirt designs and accessoires.
You can also always contact me if you are interested in a commission work.
Prehistoric reenactment:
I love bringing the Past to Life
I’m also deeply passionate about prehistoric reenactment.
I’ve begun learning archaeotechnic skills, creating and sewing prehistoric replicas, and putting them to the test in real-life situations.
As my passion for this field grows, I’m working to improve my skills in prehistoric reenactment and have begun sharing my creations and experiences testing them on my Instagram -prehistoric.betty
I’ve begun practicing flintknapping, fire-making, leather sewing, and hide tanning—and there’s so much more to explore. My work is grounded in careful research from archaeological papers and books.
Part of book teaser for "Shroud of Ice"
Shroud of Ice, written by Sharon Krasny, has been shaped by many who influenced this journey. I’m honored to be part of the teaser for the second book, portraying the character Mara. Check out the teaser for a glimpse into the past and the world of ‘Shroud of Ice.’
I can’t thank Sharon enough for this honor.
Interview about my work with tempera painting with Jason Hutt
I had the honor to be interviewed by Jason Hutt for his blog on Medieval Sword School. If you are interested you can take a look here:
https://medievalswordschool.co.uk/interview-with-bettina-at-bladenswords/
This is me.
Bettina Miriam (Betty)
My.ArtWork
Discover Paintings, Digital Artwork, Photography and Designs
My.Shops
Shirts and Merchandise with my Hema.Designs are available on Spreadshirt and Amazon Germany. Artprints or originals of traditionally (not digital) painted Artwork will be available on FineArtAmerica (shipping worldwide).
Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.
(unknown)