Brian Stokes

Brian Stokes has been a stalwart in the sword world for over 50 years, beginning his journey in fencing with foil and epee in 1972. His passion for martial arts led him to add 'iaido' in 1980, which later evolved into training under the Suio Ryu, a Japanese school founded in the 1630s. In 2000, he visited the Getty for the first time to study from the original manuscript of Fiore dei Liberi's early 1400s work, which inspired him to found the Schola San Marco. His dedication to preserving historical martial arts led him to obtain an original copy of Gerard Thibault's 'The Academy of the Sword' in 2010, a significant addition to his extensive 'Princess Bride' library, now comprising over 50 original works, including Capo Ferro, Fabris, Alfieri, and Agrippa. He also owns the only color copy of Fiore's 'Flos Duellatorum.' Brian's commitment to sharing his knowledge has made him a sought-after instructor, and he continues to inspire new generations of martial artists.