Maxime started training HEMA and kenjutsu in 2002, and has been teaching since 2009. He now teaches sabre and Irish stick at BAHFF, in Ottawa, Canada. He has taught workshops and seminars in Canada, USA, Ireland, Mexico, France, and Norway, mainly in Antrim Bata and sabre fencing. He also publishes regular articles on his blog Hema misfits on the history and practice of martial arts and antique swords.

In his daily life, Maxime works for Parks Canada, where he supervises the national collection of artifacts. He holds a BA in Archaeology from Laval University, and a Master's in Cultural Heritage from Deakin University, and is trained as a Historical Weapons Supervisor with Parks Canada. He has also worked with several other museums on sword-related projects, including the Musée de l'Armée in Paris.

In today's live stream, host Gabriele Culot and Maxime discuss a topic that is part of Maxime's interest, and a little-known branch of the international sword taxonomy, and historical martial arts: Medieval Irish swords.

So join us as we explore the fields of heather and get to know the Irish Kerns, and their role in the context of medieval politics and warfare.