Bastion is a Historical European Martial Arts academy that revives the martial arts of ancient times
Inside a quiet industrial area along Jalan Pemimpin, a group of Singaporeans spend their evenings reading centuries-old martial arts books and cutting swords in full armor.
They practice e The Bastiona school of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) dedicated to “reviving the fighting systems” of ancient Europe.
Founded in 2017 by husband and wife duo Lucien Lee and Langley Qu, the academy has grown from a small Reddit meeting into what they claim is the largest full-time HEMA school in Southeast Asia, with about 150 active students today.
Four people came to their first session
Unlike modern fencing, HEMA seeks to reconstruct historical combat from surviving manuscripts dating back centuries. At Bastion, many of the subjects are from the German-speaking regions of the Holy Roman Empire between the 14th and 16th centuries.
“The methods we use come from history books, battle books and manuscripts left by medieval experts,” said Lucien, 36.
On a nearby table sits a facsimile of one such manuscript, its pages filled with illustrations and Middle High German handwriting. Next to it is a translated English version for use by teachers and students.
“The historical aspect is a big 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 found HEMA in Swansea, Wales, more than ten years ago. Lucien, who had been interested in martial arts for a long time, discovered the local HEMA club while they were both studying there. Langley had originally only intended to watch, but their teacher had other plans.
“The teacher told me, ‘It’s free if you keep watching, and it’s free if you try, why don’t you try?'” he said.
When the two returned to Singapore after completing their studies three years later, they wanted to continue their training but found a small local HEMA facility. So Lucien turned to Reddit, sending out an invitation to anyone interested in trying the sport out in the open.
Four people came.
“That was our trial plan,” Langley said. “We wanted to create the kind of community that we would want for ourselves.”
The two later co-founded Bastion and promoted trial sessions on Facebook, attracting about 30 participants in the first intake.
In the first year, training sessions were held in vacant lots and other temporary spaces before they finally secured their dedicated premises in Jalan Pemimpin. Over the years, several hundred people have been trained at this school, some students from the first Reddit sessions are still taking classes today.
Tools of the trade
Training at Bastion uses many weapons from Historical European Martial Arts, including foam, nylon and steel swords. The steel blades used for sparring are blunt, with flat tips.
Participants are also required to wear full protective gear, including fencing masks, padded jackets, heavy gloves, and leg protection, depending on the size and material of the weapon used. Safety, the founders say, is built into every layer of training, from mandatory basic classes to structured training that teaches control before free sparring is introduced.
Most of Bastion’s equipment is imported from specialist manufacturers in Europe, where HEMA has a proven track record. But bringing those weapons to Singapore was not always straightforward.
On their return from the UK, the couple brought back 11 swords in their luggage, prompting a lengthy search at Changi Airport. Officials from the Singapore Police Force were brought in to investigate what exactly he was up against.
“They all came down and we explained what we were doing,” said Lucien. “After about two hours of discussion, they removed everything.”
At the time, the weapons needed to be handled carefully under Singapore’s controlled substance laws, meaning all imports had to be justified as training equipment rather than offensive weapons. The couple said transparency with authorities was important from the start.
“There is no reason to hide what we are doing,” added Lucien. These are training tools. They’re soft, flexible, and designed for sports.”
Recently, Langley shared that the rules have become clearer. Training swords used for martial arts and sporting purposes are now generally permitted as long as they meet safety requirements and are used in controlled areas.
This change also brings HEMA equipment in line with other martial arts, including those used in disciplines such as wushu, which are treated under similar conditions. Although the importation of goods is going well, the institute of higher learning said that all equipment is still subject to import inspection and must comply with existing laws.
To create something that lasts
Running a full HEMA school in Singapore, however, comes with challenges beyond importing equipment.
For Lucien and Langley, one of the biggest constraints is space. Because the students train with long weapons that require a safe distance, the school needs a large, open hall with high ceilings—a unique set-up in Singapore that is lacking in the world.
“You can’t do this anywhere,” said Lucien. “Space determines what you can and cannot run.”
In their current location, running a school costs about S$30,000 to S$40,000 a month, with rent making up a large part of that.
Today, Bastion runs about 50 classes a week, with sessions held on weekday evenings and every weekend. Each class usually has eight to 10 students.
Despite the scale, Bastion is still very structured in its approach to teaching. Students progress through a structured curriculum, and those who stay long enough may find themselves on the other side—teaching the very classes they started in.
“We need them to understand how we teach before they teach,” said Langley.
The institution’s student base is diverse, although working adults under the age of 40 make up the largest group. Others include National Servicemen, university students and elderly hobbyists. Some are drawn to martial arts or fencing, while others experience HEMA through fantasy media such as The Lord Of The Rings, Game Of Thrones or role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons.
What keeps many coming back, the founders said, is not just the game itself, but the community that has built it.
Besides training, Bastion regularly organizes social events such as movie nights, holiday gatherings and post-training dinners. The founders said this helps create a space where students can bond without sparring.
“People come in for a lot of reasons,” Langley said. “But they stay because they feel they are part of something.”
That sense of belonging has shaped the way the institution deals with competition. Although some students participate in local and international competitions, Bastion does not position itself as a competition focus.
“We always tell them that it’s not just about winning,” said Lucien. “It’s about learning, exploring and connecting with others in the same environment.”
Looking ahead, the couple hopes to expand Bastion as interest grows, although space remains a limiting factor. The second place is something they explore, but they don’t rush into it.
Meanwhile, the academy has been reaching beyond its walls – conducting workshops in schools and youth organizations, where students get their first taste of HEMA and its historical roots.
For Lucien and Langley, the overarching ambition is to change the way Singaporeans think about martial arts altogether.
“When people think of martial arts, they often think of Asia,” Langley said. “But every culture had its own fighting traditions.”
For the founders, Bastion isn’t just about swords or sparring, it’s about reviving a little-known part of history—and building a community around it.
“As long as people are still curious,” said Lucien, “there will always be something for them to find.”
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Featured Image Credit: @bastionhema, @bai_ren via Instagram
