Experience the Band of Iron Lions

Discover our exciting events, from immersive encampments to thrilling demonstrations. Join us and witness history come to life! Check out upcoming events and how to book us.

Upcoming events

Please see our Facebook events page for more details:

April 10-12, 2026: Bohemian Arts Fair @ Merle Hay Mall, Des Moines Iowa

April 18-19, 2026: Prairie Rose Renaissance Fair, Ames Iowa

May 16-17, 2026: Nebraska Renaissance Fair, Bellview Nebraska

May 23-25, 2026: Iowa Renaissance Fair, Amana Colonies Iowa

May 30-31, 2026: Iowa Renaissance Fair, Amana Colonies Iowa

Demonstrations

The Band of Iron Lions aims to showcase authentic sword fighting to audiences worldwide. While choreographed action is entertaining, our group focuses on rigorous training in genuine historical fencing techniques dating back to the 14th century. Through our demonstrations, we illustrate how these techniques would realistically interact in combat scenarios by skilled practitioners.

Although our swords are not sharpened, they are crafted from high-carbon steel capable of causing significant harm. Therefore, safety is paramount, and we employ heightened protective measures, particularly around the head and hands, surpassing historical norms.

Additionally, we enthusiastically introduce our guests to the foundational aspects of our techniques using synthetic training swords designed to replicate the weight and feel of real steel swords. The techniques showcased on-site represent the foundational teachings imparted to our students during their initial days at our sword school. These fundamentals form the cornerstone of understanding Historical European Martial Arts. Our demonstrations, meanwhile, highlight advanced skills that practitioners develop over time.

Encampments

During our on-site presentations, we meticulously recreate a comprehensive encampment typical of mercenary companies across various historical periods.

This immersive experience encompasses communal cooking spaces, individual tents, an armory, and dedicated areas for maintenance and sparring. Visitors and students are warmly invited to explore our encampment, inspect the displayed weapons and armor, and engage with our group to learn more about our equipment and setup.

Each member of our group portrays a distinct historical character spanning from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, equipped with authentic gear tailored to their specific roles and functions.

Get us involved at your event

Send us a message

Address

P.O. Box 13063
Des Moines, IA 50310

Contact

Contact@bandofironlions.org

Hours

Tues: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Thursday: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

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