The sun rises over the tournament grounds, casting golden light over the lists as fighters prepare for battle. The air hums with anticipation, supporters cheer, captains bark orders, and the sharp clash of steel fills the air. Smoke bombs burst into color, painting the tabards of teams from across the region. This is the heart of buhurt, where warriors step into the lists to test their mettle.
During one such event, we had the chance to meet two fighters who left a lasting impression: Jessie and Louise. One, a photographer-turned-fighter, capturing the sport through both lens and steel. The other, a fierce competitor and leader, shaping the battlefield with skill and determination. Their stories embody the passion, challenges, and camaraderie that define the world of medieval combat, making them standouts in a year filled with unforgettable fighters.
Who is hiding behind JESSIE! Is she a talented photographer? A fighter full of surprises? Peter Parker's cousin!? We will try to answer all of these questions through this short interview.
Q: Photographer or fighter? Who are you?
A: A bit of both but above all a photographer! Basically, I photographed architecture and landscapes as an amateur. I was asked to have fun during an interclub taking photos of these brutes and I loved the experience. To understand, I tried this sport and I immediately joined in but I think that the photographer takes precedence. If tomorrow I stop buhurt in competition, I won't stop going to tournaments to keep Zoom en lice alive!
Q: For how long have you been practicing buhurt?
A: I started at the end of January 2023, so it will almost be two years
Q: What club are you part of?
A: Grenoble Béhourd - Les Sangliers d’Isar
Q: Your favorite weapon or combination?
A: My dear two-handed axe.
Q: Is there an objective behind the sporting practice of women's buhurt?
A: My personal goal is to surpass myself. I'm not at all sporty in a first place, I had never found a sport in which I felt really good to the point of investing 100% in it. With the feminine buhurt it’s different. There is everything to build, wonderful personalities to meet and a need to get involved “for real”.
Q: How do one manage to do buhurt and photos at the same time?!
A: Being a bit crazy. I don't have my armor yet. My life is a bit chaotic and I can't afford to have one done for me. So in the meantime, I would like to support you by capturing your fights and bringing the sport to life in a different way. That said, nothing ever stops me from taking photos half in armor like at the Monaco tournament and the Coupe de France!
Q: What are your future buhurt events?
A: The Volpiano Tournament in Italy! I will be there on Saturday with la Confrérie des Loups to photograph the 5v5!
Q: See you in the future competing in 1vs1 duel categories, pure myth or possible reality?
A: Myth I think. The real "problem" is that I haven't yet given 1vs1 a chance. The category has its own tournaments, I've never seen one before!
Q: Do you prefer 3vs3 or 5vs5?
A: 5vs5. 3vs3 emphasizes personal skills but 5vs5 really emphasizes teamwork and that's what attracts me to this sport. I have only done it once in the women's category (Coupe de France 2024).
Q: Tell us about your physical preparation or your training?
A: Two training sessions per week with the Grenoble men's team, focusing on cardio, striking and technique. And personal work at home for reinforcement.
Q: A message for our young fighters? For your team? For Buhurt International?
A: We go for it girls and we smash everything! And thank you to Buhurt International for the work accomplished on highlighting our French fighters in the world of buhurt and more personally, for my work as a volunteer photographer! It helps me to give the best of myself in French and international tournaments!
Q: Tell us about the experience that was la Coupe de France de Béhourd 2024?
A: It was my second Coupe de France. The first one in 2023 was my first tournament in armor (thanks to this wonderful person who always lends me her armor). It was a great experience, in which I was able to see a clear physical and technical improvement which are sometimes difficult to notice when you train exclusively with men. It was also the first time that we had so many women's teams and I took it all in (and in the ribs!). In short? I can't wait to get back into the list with them!
But who is the formidable LOUISE? Female fighter of France, a captain of heart and mind!
Q: What does it mean to be a captain? How does one experience it during such a tournament?
A: Between the Lys of France and Tenebris this year, I newly discovered the captain's cap. Above all, I had the honor of being the unifying element of the fighters that I admire and respect: being a captain is about bringing forces together towards victory.
Q: For how long have you been practicing buhurt?
A: I have been practicing for 5 years, and in armor for 2 years!
Q: What club are you part of?
A: I have been fighting within Angoulême Béhourd (Charente) since its origins in 2019, alongside our Tallàe Fer.
Q: How to summarize this Coupe de France de Béhourd? Was the adventure in store?
A: It was the culmination of a long road with a finally official outing of our women's team for this season, with the objective of placing all our years of work on the French podium.
Q: How do you lead a team to victory?
A: You have to know each of the elements of a team by heart in order to combine them all together as best as possible. It requires a lot of preparation and cohesion, in order to find the best possible strategies adapted to the team as it stands!
Q: Tell us about your best action or of your team members?
A: The Coupe de France marked the return of our fighter Amandine Gauthier to the competition after 2 years of absence! Years ago her nickname was already "Lightning"...and she reminded everyone why when she hit Jessie (Les Griffonnes d'Auvergne) with such a violent axe blow in the stomach that it stopped her dead in her tracks! As if she were struck by lightning (she is fine).
Q: Tell us about your physical preparation or your training?
A: I have always done a little bodybuilding but this year it was my friend Jojo from Tenebris who gave me my specialized physical preparation adapted to my needs in buhurt, incorporating a lot of explosiveness and plyometrics. I train in parallel in armor and soft kit, and the bodybuilding/buhurt ratio varies depending on the progress of the sports season.
Q: It seems that you practice group fight but also 1vs1, tell us about that?
A: I accepted a profight. I won. Here I am, champion of France! More seriously, I invite everyone to do the same and get involved in dueling and profighting to benefit from all the advantages and strengths that this confers in group fight, just in terms of cardio for example.
Q: What are your future buhurt events?
A: I am aiming to return to profight in March 2025 before starting the summer melee season (with a focus on preparing for Way of Honor, a competition for which the Lys are now eagerly awaited...)! I'm also waiting for news from the Buhurt International World Championships.
Q: Your favorite weapon or combination?
A: In profight I never take off my falchion and bukler, in melee I favor a simple hatchet to fight in complete freedom. And lately I've been enjoying a lot hitting with two handed axe...
Q: Tell us about 3vs3 tactics, what works best?
A: I'm not sure there are viable tactics in 3vs3, and even if there are they don’t last long and end up in three 1vs1. It's not my favorite format, let's say.
Q: A message for our young fighters? For your team? For Buhurt International?
A: You have to come and be there! Get rid of harmful ideas that tell us that we are “not yet good enough”. It's by practicing buhurt that you become a buhurt fighter, and it was by watching women fight that I myself wanted to be a part of it. The goal is to pull us all up together!
Looking back at these interviews from last year, it’s inspiring to see how both Jessie and Louise have continued to grow within the sport. Louise’s dedication and leadership truly paid off, as her team went on to win gold at the Way of Honor tournament, an achievement that speaks for itself.
Meanwhile, Jessie remains a driving force in both buhurt and photography, capturing the heart of the sport in and out of the lists, supporting the Fédération France Béhourd's media side.
Their journeys are a testament to the passion, resilience, and camaraderie that define medieval combat, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for them both!
Article by Orphée Hagenstein and Aleksandra Lebdowicz Photos by The Medieval Things, Zoom en Lice, Lucas Xu