What you need to get started with historical sword fighting.

Materials for studying the techniques taught by Medieval / Renaissance fencing masters:
- 01:17 Books (e.g. The Swordsman's Companion by Guy Windsor, Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Art of the Longsword by David Lindholm and Peter Svard)
http://www.amazon.com/Sigmund-Ringecks-Knightly-Art-Longsword/dp/1581606885/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388111539&sr=8-1&keywords=ringeck
http://www.amazon.com/Sigmund-Ringecks-Knightly-Art-Longsword/dp/1581606885/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388111539&sr=8-1&keywords=ringeck
- Youtube videos (e.g. search "longsword footwork" or "sword buckler technique")
- DVD's (e.g. The Longsword of Johannes Liechtenauer by Agilitas.TV)
http://www.the-exiles.org.uk/comersus7f/store/comersus_listItems.asp?idCategory=54
http://www.freelanceacademypress.com/videos.aspx
- 04:00 Original historical manuals (e.g. Codex Wallerstein, Fiore Dei Liberi, Joachim Meyer, the I.33 Tower treatise, etc)
http://www.hroarr.com/manuals-books/

Equipment:
- 04:25 Helmet / fencing mask (e.g. Absolute Force HEMA mask)
http://www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
- 06:28 Gloves / gauntlets (e.g. Lacrosse gloves, Ensifer sparring gauntlets, steel gauntlets)
http://www.sparringglove.com/offer.php
http://fabri-armorum.com/english/?id=rukavice.php
- Throat guard / gorget
- Groin protector (e.g. Shock Doctor cup)
- Knee and elbow pads or greaves / bracers that cover the joints

09:39 Sparring swords:
- Rawlings synthetic swords
http://www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
- Realistic Sparring Weapons (RSW)
http://www.rsw.com.hk/index.htm
- http://www.theknightshop.co.uk/catalog/hema-synthetic-waster-sparring-swords-c-857_563_573.html
- Blunt steel swords
http://ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kultofathena.com&afid=28632&tm=14&im=1
http://armor.com/sword205.html
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/swords-albion-mark-maestro.htm

Hopefully this introduction will serve as a first orientation guide for people who are interested in learning Medieval / Renaissance sword fighting techniques, especially those who may be on a budget.