About the Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts
Studying Historical European Medieval Martial Arts since 1998
AEMMA’s not “just another HEMA club.” We’ve been studying, teaching and fighting since May 1998. We do things “by the book” – tying everything we do to historical manuscripts. Our goal is to figure out ‘how it was really done.”
25+
Years of Study
4
Locations
3
Historical Masters
Our Mission
The mission of AEMMA is to resurrect, research, study, practice and instruct in the combat skills, philosophies and principles of accomplished European Mediaeval martial artists and to achieve a state which would be consistent with that of a mediaeval combatant in both technology and ideal.
The Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts or AEMMA (pronounced “ehma”) is focused on the research, reconstruction and resurrection of authentic medieval combative systems – armed, unarmed, armoured and unarmoured. The focus of AEMMA’s main study efforts are the works of the late 14th century Friulian swordsmaster by the name of Fiore dei Liberi. The four extant works attributed to him reveal a deadly, practical, and effective martial arts system articulated by a man who relied on it throughout his life and professional career.
01
Historical Basis
We research and study historical sources in the form of treatises, manuscripts, illuminations, etc. as well as the physical examination of artifacts from the period including arms and armour
02
Learning & Teaching
We provide a training and research environment to permit the application of research into practice and their later inclusion into the relevant training programs, and to enable the instruction and training of these fighting arts in order to develop the students’ personal defensive and offensive skills.
03
Pressure Testing
We put our knowledge and skills to practice, testing if they work under the pressure of an uncooperative opponent in ‘Fight Nights’ and the occasional tournament.
AEMMA Teaches its Students How to Fight
The medieval swordmaster Fiore dei Liberi stated that a fighter must be well-rounded, skilled with various weapons, both armed and unarmed. He called his system l’arte dell’armizare (the art of arms)
AEMMA’s curriculum focuses on Fiore’s three main pillars:
- Unarmed combat
- Close-quarters fighting with short weapons
- Combat with long weapons
These skills form the foundation of what Fiore regarded as a well-rounded fighter.
After achieving the rank of Scholar, a student will begin their study of spear, poleaxe, armour, sword & buckler and bolognese sidesword.
Each location boasts a variety of instructors with years of experience studying and teaching their arts. Many boast decades of study in both Eastern and Western martial arts.
Ranking System
- Recruit is the rank of all students after having completed the intake class. These students learn abrazare (wrestling), daga (dagger) and spada (sword, usually longsword).
- Scholar is awarded after an oral examination and physical demonstration of the foundations of armizare, including free fencing. It typically takes 1-2 years for a student to achieve this rank.
- Free Scholar requires a thorough understanding and demonstration of Fiore’s entire system, from unarmoured wrestling through to fighting in a fully 15th century suit of armour. This rank also permits the Free Scholar to open their own Chapter.
- Provost is the rank achieved when a Free Scholar has been the principal instructor of a student from Recruit to Free Scholar
Realistic Tools and Techniques
Learning a historical medieval martial art requires accurate tools to learn with. Our students may start with aluminum longswords and wooden daggers, but they quickly graduate to steel.
Using period-appropriate training weapons, shields and armour lets us get a deeper understanding of what it was really like and why exactly the masters have to teach us.
It takes time and money to acquire the necessary equipment, but you only need a fencing mask and light leather gloves to start.
Code of Conduct
Studying a martial art can be a dangerous activity and involves coming into contact with others in a very different way than our day-to-day lives. This requires trust, respect, consent and a willingness to check your ego at the door. All members of AEMMA are required to read, understand and comply with the Code of Conduct.