The local chapter of the Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts practises there twice a week.

“We’re not re-enactors, we’re not dramatic,” said instructor and chapter founder Dave Murphy. “It is a martial art.”

Murphy formed the local chapter in 2002, and he’s been a member of the academy for nine years.

“I found these guys online while doing research when I lived in Ottawa,” said the Erin high school history teacher. “I was just fascinated by it.”

Like most martial arts classes, much of the twice-weekly two-hour class focuses on practicing various techniques. Their fighting techniques come from a 600-year-old treatise by 14th century swordsmaster Fiore dei Liberi called “Flos Duellatorum.”

“We’ve spent a lot of years working on it and refining it,” he said.

The medieval martial art is called armizare, which means “the art of arms” in Italian, said Murphy.

University of Guelph student Russell Staughton has been a member of the local chapter for a year. Before that, he belonged to the Toronto chapter.

He originally found out about the group through an ad in a Royal Ontario Museum magazine. The academy partners with the ROM for medieval martial arts shows and workshops.

“It just seemed so strange and weird – and awesome – that I needed to get involved,” said Staughton as he did warm-up stretches before class last week.

Staughton said he soon plans to “challenge” to increase his rank in the academy from the first level, called recruit, to scholler.

Murphy, who is at the third level, called free scholler, said there are several steps to increasing in level.

First, Staughton will face an oral test of his knowledge and a physical test of his technique.

Then he’ll have to duel with the schollers who have shown up to challenge him. He doesn’t have to win, said Murphy. He just has to show he’s capable of the scholler techniques.

The Toronto chapter shares space with other martial arts clubs, said Murphy, so members get to experience other martial arts as well.

The local chapter welcomes new members, said Murphy. The classes are split into two five-month sessions. Classes don’t run in July and August. Murphy added the academy is not-for-profit and he teaches the classes on a volunteer basis. Anyone interested can e-mail Murphy at david.murphy@aemma.org or visit the academy’s website at www.aemma.org .