Where the Heck is GALLOWGLASS ACADEMY?

..and where can I stay once I get there?

Training, Tradition, Defence

Gallowglass Academy, Inc., provides an eclectic variety of short classes and seminars to the Student of Defence.  
     Law Enforcement Officers and their Agencies will find a range of Police Combatives and Firearms Training Seminars.  
    Civilians also may choose among Martial Arts and Firearms-related classes.  
    The Scholar of Western Martial Arts will find classes on Rapier, Sidesword, and a variety of 19th-century styles, as well as workshops with guest instructors expert in other historical combat styles.

Gallowglass Academy, Inc., is happy to work with Writers, Actors, Book Groups, and Convention Planners to tailor special seminars and demos to your needs.

C. Allen Reed  
Bringing over 25 years experience in law enforcement, Oriental and Western martial arts, Gallowglass Academy's Head Instructor is a firearms, baton and police combatives instructor for a Federal agency. He is a State of Illinois certified defensive tactics instructor, certified TASERtm instructor, and certified Pepperballtm instructor. He belongs to the American Society of Law Enforcement Instructors, the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, the Illinois Tactical Officers Association, and the National Tactical Officers Association.
     Allen also holds the rank of Kaiden (equivalent of 7th dan) in Paracombatives Jujutsu, which he has taught at the Northwestern University Jujutsu Club for over 17 years. 
     Allen studies and recreates the sword arts of Medieval and Renaissance Europe.  He is a past member of the Chicago Swordplay Guild, and has taught the Western Martial Arts for more than 10 years.  He teaches the Rapier at Highland Community College in Freeport, IL. 
     Allen is an American Red Cross Authorized Provider/Instructor in First Aid, including CPR and AED.  Complete resume and references available on request.

Jeannette Acosta-Martínez is a professional restorer of antique furniture who specializes in works of the 17th and 18th centuries. This, together with her interest in antique weapons, led her to the study of fencing.  She began under the tutelage of Mâitre d'Armes Frederick Rohdes, and after his death in 1984, continued with his protégé Maestro Ramón Martínez. In all, Maestro Acosta-Martínez has spent a total of 20 years studying traditional fencing, both classical and historical. In 1995, she became an instructor at Martínez Academy of Arms, as well as the Academy's business manager. She also became Maestro Martínez' assistant at all his demonstrations and seminars.

Gary M. Chelak began studying historical fencing in 1994 while attending college. He served as both assistant and primary historical fencing instructor. Mr. Chelak earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Northern Arizona University with an extended major in Visual Communication. A nationally recognized designer, in 2001 he refocused to full time graphic arts instruction at a private college. Since then he has received multiple awards, including Outstanding MultiMedia Instructor.
     As a vice president of Tattershall Academy, Gary heads the Southern California branch of TSD, bringing a unique mix of competitive experience, academic research and creative padagogy. Instruction is available in the Italian systems of rapier, sidesword & longsword, with classes also available in Germanic swordplay and French smallsword. Additional studies include Italian & Germanic unarmed arts. Gary is currently completing his translation and interpretation of Nicolettó Giganti’s 1606 rapier text, due for publication in September 2004. His next project, focusing on Camillo Agrippa’s 1553 sidesword text, is also underway.
     Known as Giacomo Cavalli da Treviso in the Society for Creative Anachronism, Gary is a member of the Defenders of the White Scarf, the organization's highest award for fence. Heavily involved with program & curriculum development in all three venues, Gary is currently seeking entry into the Cal. State M.F.A. program.

Bob Charron received his Bachelor of Science and Education from the University of Arkansas in 1985, then spent twenty years participating in Historical Reenactment of the Medieval era. His personal research and training in education led him to teach classes in topics ranging from Vegetius’ De Rei Militari to Government and Law in 12^th- and 13^th-Century Jerusalem. 
     Always seeking after primary source material in the use and instruction of arms, he acquired a copy of the Getty-Ludwig manuscript of the Fior di Bataglia, a treatise written by Fiore Dei Liberi, the early 15^th century instructor at arms to the court of Nicolo d’Este, Marquise da Ferrara. This master work includes an extensive prologue describing Fiore’s personal experience and advice to the combatant, a complete explanation of the structure of the treatise, and a list of his famous students and their opponents. Following this introduction are hundreds of illustrations and accompanying paragraphs of text explaining this complete martial arts system and its concepts as it moves from hand-to-hand combat, knife fighting, swordplay, the use of the spear and the pollaxe, and ends with techniques for the mounted combatant.
     Bob has spent the last several years translating the text, interpreting the techniques, and further researching the scientific principles on which the art is based and the biographies of the men who employed it. He teaches weekly classes and private lessons through St. Martins Academy of Medieval Arms, a martial arts academy using the Fior di Bataglia as its curriculum for instruction. He has traveled the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe teaching the material from the treatise, and a book project is underway in cooperation with the Getty Museum and Chivalry Bookshelf publishers. He has presented two papers at the Kalamazoo Medieval Conference on Fiore’s work, with a third scheduled for the 2004 session.

Pete Kautz is the Director of Alliance Martial Arts and the Founder of the American Heritage Fighting Arts Association. Mr. Kautz is well known in the Western arts community for his work in researching and teaching the 15^th century German and 19^th century American fighting methods in seminars worldwide. With over 25 years experience in the martial arts, he is a respected instructor and recognized by such diverse groups as the International Master at Arms Federation, Hock Hochheim’s Scientific Fighting Congress, and James Keating’s Combat Technologies. Visit Alliance Martial Arts and the American Heritage Fighting Arts Association online at AllianceMartialArts.com and AHFAA.org for articles, photo techniques, links, reviews, and more.

James Loriega began his formal edged weapons training in 1967 when he embarked on a lifelong study of martial arts with Ronald Duncan. In the mid-70s, after achieving various instructor-level ranks in Asian systems, Loriega gained his first exposure to the Western martial traditions under the tutelage of Maitre Michel Alaux, a former coach to the US Olympic Fencing Team. It was from Maitre Alaux, and his assistant at the time, Ms. Julia Jones, that Loriega learned the rudiments of epee and saber. 
     In September of 1980, Loriega founded the New York Ninpokai, the city’s premiere training academy for the traditional arts of ninjutsu. In 1990, while conducting ninjutsu seminars in Spain, Loriega discovered the acero sevillano knife arts of Andalusia. These arts include the use of the cuchillo (knife), puñal (stiletto), bastón de estoque (sword cane), bastón de paseo (walking stick), and navaja (clasp knife). His summers from 1991 to 1996 were spent in Seville learning the intricacies of these Andalusian arts. 
     In August of 1996, Loriega received certification as an instructor de Armas Blancas Sevillanas under Maestro de Armas Santiago Rivera, then headmaster of the Escuela Sevillana de Armas Blancas. At this time he also completed his first translation of Manual del Baratero. 
     Since 1996, he has operated a recognized branch of the Escuela Sevillana in New York City known as the Raven Arts Institute. 
     In September of 2000, following the publication of Sevillian Steel, Loriega was formally acknowledged as a Maestro de Armas Blancas Sevillanas. 
     In January of 2002, Loriega was inducted into the International Masters-at-Arms Federation (IMAF), where he is recognized for his mastery of the navaja and other Andalusian edged weapons. Based in Milan, Italy, the mission of the IMAF is "to preserve, study, practice and teach the martial Arts of the western world heritage. Furthermore, it is the intention of the IMAF to function as a guild of professional teachers in keeping with the tradition and heritage of arms." 
     Loriega’s extensive writings have appeared in mainstream martial arts publications such as Black Belt, Warriors, Ninja, and Tactical Knives. His first book, Sevillian Steel: The Traditional Knife-Fighting Arts of Spain, (1999 Paladin Press) presents an overview of the edged weapons culture, styles, and strategies of this western martial tradition.   
     A second book, Scourge of the Dark Continent, (1999 Loompanics) outlines the history and martial applications of the African sjambok (a rod-like whip made from rhinoceros hide.) Following the present annotated English-language translation of the 19^th century Manual del Baratero, Loriega plans to complete a sequel to Sevillian Steel, detailing the technical intricacies of using the navaja.    
     Loriega continues to travel and to train, in addition to offering instruction at the Raven Arts Institute, where courses are available in the use of the folding knife, stiletto, sword-cane, walking stick, improvised weaponry, and unarmed combatives.

Ramón Martínez studied classical fencing with the late Maître d'Armes Frederick Rohdes in New York for ten years. Maître Rohdes was one of the last fencing masters to teach fencing as a martial art. During that time Mr. Martínez became assistant and protégé of Maître Rohdes and was the only one of his pupils permitted to teach with full authorization at the Rohdes Academy. In late 1982, shortly before his death, Maître Rohdes conferred the rank of Fencing Master on Mr. Martínez.  Mr. Martínez is well known for his instruction in La Destreza, the art of the Spanish rapier.

Sue Michaelsen is an authorized Jin Shin Do® Acupressure teacher with extensive training in Internal Martial Arts and Sports Massage Therapy. She is certified in Orthorpedic Massage Therapy as well.  She has trained in swordwork with Anthony De Longis and Master Helen Wu.  Sue is the first U.S. citizen to earn Master Helen Wu Teaching Certification for Internal Martial Arts for Health and Healing.  See www.SueMichaelsen.com for more information.

William Wilson is the President of the Tattershall School of Defence, which is devoted to the study and practise of the Art of Defense of the 15th, 16th and early 17th Centuries, including wrestling and the use of the dagger as well as fencing.  He is also the advisor and coach for the fencing club at Northern Arizona University, and serves on the advisory board for Swordplay Symposium International.
     Within the Society for Creative Anachronism, Bill is known as Barwn Meistr Gwylym ab Owain, OL OP DWS, the premiere member of the Order of the White Scarf of Atenveldt, the highest award for fencing in the Kingdom.  In the SCA he has also been awarded masters level status for his research in historical swordplay and study of lifestyle of the Elizabethan period.  
  Bill has been fencing for 29 years, beginning his instruction under Master Bella from Canada and Mr. Silverberg in Buffalo, NY. Further instruction included training with Maestro Sean Hayes of Eugene, OR, and Dr, Rita Ashcraft of Northern Arizona University.
    A prominent researcher in historical swordplay, he teaches seminars internationally on the use of the Italian rapier and the Italian 16th century civilian spada da filo (edged sword/sidesword).  An expert in the use of rapier, he has written and published the book The Art of Defense. He has studied many original texts and is in the process of working on translations of Italian fencing manuals.   
     Bill specializes in teaching beginners either classical foil, epee or saber and teaches beginning and advanced students the art of defence with rapier and sword.  He also teaches beginning longsword and backsword.  Bill currently teaches beginning Italian foil for the PE department at Northern Arizona University.
     Send e-mail to gwylym@infomagic.net to reach William Wilson directly.

 

  Where the heck is Gallowglass Academy?

Big Picture: Relative to the well-known landmark of Chicago, it's about 100 miles northwest -- south and west of Rockford, north of I-88.

Electronically:  Here's the general idea of Leaf River, courtesy of Mapquest.com  

"You can get here, but you have to work at it"

• There is no Amtrak (passenger rail) service to Ogle County.
• There is no public bus service to, or in, Ogle County.
• A taxi company is listed in Mount Morris IL (5 miles away), but I have yet to check on their rates.
• As of Summer 2005, there is commercial airline service to Rockford from Orlando FL, Las Vegas NV, Denver CO, Detroit MI, and Cancun.  If that helps any.

Driving directions to the area: 

• Take your best route to I-39 south of Rockford Illinois and north of I-88 (Rochelle); exit at Route 64, mile marker 104.
• Head west roughly 20 miles, through the breadbasket of the nation, to Route 2, in Oregon Illinois -- our county seat. 

1)  to RIVER VALLEY COMPLEX (our favored training venue): 

• Turn right (north) on Route 2, enjoy a pretty drive along the ramblin' Rock River...
• Turn left (west, and the only logical choice, the other being Quite Damp) at Route 72 towards Leaf River and Forreston.
• In "downtown" Leaf River, turn left (south) at Main Street.  There's a green sign for the Library, which is just beyond RVC at 605 Main St.

 2)  to Mount Morris Coliseum (an occasional training venue):

• Continue on Route 64 for 5 more miles to Mount Morris (home of the Freedom Bell -- personally bestowed, I believe, by St. Reagan). 
• Two blocks west of the in-town stop light, turn left (south), then go a block and a half, and cast your eyes to the left.  That's the back of the building.  Much easier to find than to describe how to find.

 3)  to Gallowglass Manor (our house*): 

• From Oregon IL, continue on Route 64 for 5 more miles to Mount Morris (home of the Freedom Bell -- personally bestowed, I believe, by St. Reagan). 
• At the in-town stop light, turn right (north) at McKendrie, which will turn into Mt. Morris Rd.  Four miles along, Gallowglass Manor will be on the left, at 6372 N. Mt. Morris Rd.
• If you get to the Baptist Church, you've overshot by a half-mile.

*By the way, Mapquest seems to think that "Gallowglass Manor" is north of Route 72, up on the gravel road.  It's not, it's SOUTH 1 MILE, ON THE BLACKTOP! but let's just let that stay our secret, eh?  We don't need to help the terrorists win, and the cows that graze that field can practice their social skills on the occasional visitor.  

under new management in 2004! 
Mount Morris Motel, Ridge Rd at Rt 64 east, Mt. Morris, IL 815-734-4114 ($36 single occupancy -- $41-51 double).  Rooms are smaller than the Big Chains, of course, but freshened up! and now they've got a WWWeb presence! http://home.insightbb.com/~mtmorrismotel/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html

White Pines Forest State Park (7 mi west of Oregon IL), 815-946-3817  (lodge $79 dbl occ)  www.whitepinesinn.com

Blackhawk's Trail Lodge (on the Rock River, Rt. 2, 4.5 mi north of Byron IL), 815-234-5544 (no pets!)  www.blackhawkstraillodge.com

Lake Louise, Byron IL (815-234-8483) www.lakelouisellc.com (cabins $70; hookups available)

Paddle Wheel Inn (Rt. 2 north of Oregon IL) 800-468-4222. "Standard" rooms $99 (incl 2 queen-size beds, contintental breakfast, mini-bar, use of spa & sauna) 

Chateau Lodge, 1326 N. IL Route 2, Oregon IL   815-732-6195

Pinehill Bed & Breakfast, 400 Mix St. Oregon IL  61061-1113
     $80-145 Phone:  (815)732-2067  Fax: (815)732-1348
     The property has 5 total guest accommodations with private bath, 3 with fireplaces.   http://www.pinehillbb.com/     

 

Self Defense Classes

Defend Yourself!
Everyone – from teenagers to senior citizens – has the right to defend themselves, their friends and their families from violence. This one-day class teaches one method of basic, unarmed self-defense that is easy to learn in a short time. This 8-hour class can be broken up into shorter sessions on request.

Dressed for Success
We must find ways to keep ourselves safe, particularly at a time when we all are concerned about urban crime and other threats to safety, and despite stringent security regulations. This one-day class focuses on the use for self-defense of everyday items that are legal to carry anywhere. This class can be broken up into shorter sessions on request.

First Aid / CPR Adult-Child-Infant
Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR, including AED.

Defensive Use of the Lockblade Knife
Many people carry a lockblade knife as an everyday tool, as well as a defensive weapon. In addition to tactics and techniques, this class will emphasize legal considerations for the defensive use of these knives.

"Some Like It Hot"  OC Spray Techniques
Pepper spray for effective, legal, and non-lethal personal defense.

"Hand Me Down My Walking Cane"
An ordinary cane, easily available at drug stores, is rarely challenged as a weapon, even at the airport.  Yet it can save your life in an assault.  We present some easily-learned strikes, deflections, and locks you can use -- even if you rely on a cane for ordinary walking. 

The Defender^TM
It's plastic, it fits in your hand (or pocket or purse), it does not look like a weapon, and it's not expensive.  But within a few hours, you can learn how to grip The Defender^TM and strike with it to control and repel even the largest attacker.  Class fee includes The Defender^TM and instructions.

Upon request, we will schedule any class for women only, or for seniors only.  Just ask – please!