Medieval battle arts are experiencing a revival in Edmonton

The clanging of steel fills the air as the sparring begins. Aman, sword in hand, plunges his blade towards his enemy's chest.

A few metres away, a woman twists her daggeras she latches onto her opponent's arm, bringing him to the ground.

This isn't a battle field just a regular weeknight for members of the Academy of European Swordsmanship in Edmonton.

The grouppractices weekly at St. George's Greek Orthodox Church in Westmount, training in hand-to-hand combat, dagger fightingand long swordsmanship.

The ancient forms of combat, passed down from the medieval times, are enjoying a bit of a revival here in the city,says Edmonton AM fitness columnist Chris Tse.

''Ever since we started seeing this conversation around shows like Game of Thrones and other kinds of medieval battles, we're seeing uan prising of people that want to take on this art form."

Swords prove to be a battle physically

9 years ago

Duration 1:22

Edmonton AM fitness columnist Chris Tse headed down to the Academy of European Swordsmanship for a lesson in broadsword fighting, daggers and grappling.

Tse says instructorJohanus Haidner founded the academy in 1994, usingancient texts to develop his technique and lesson plan.

"They took a couple of old tomesand revived them, and started working on what a sword would have actually looked like in combat."

Tse channeled his inner warrior and took a trip down to the academy for a lesson in battle strategy, and without the benefit of armorhis body took a bit of a beating.

The academy used to duel with swords made out of wooden dowels, but have since stepped up their game with three-and-half-pound steel blades.

"They're blunt on both sides, but they can definitely hurt," reported Tse, adding thatthe workshops isan epicway to get in shapewithout ever having to step foot in the gym.

"It was an experience. It was a totally new realm for me," said Tse."I got schooled in sword-fighting, but it was great."