One of the many attractions at Strathmore's Medieval Faire & Artisan Market involved historically accurate soldiers engaging in combat.
Hosted by the Historical Armored Combat Sports Association (HACSA), the entire festival weekend featured armored fighters entering a ring where they tested their mettle among a packed crowd of spectators.
"We'll travel to seven faires in total this year, and we travel for international tournaments for Team Canada. We just came back from Mexico last year, and this year we're planning on going down to Houston," said Ryan Neilson, one of the members of HACSA's Foothills branch.
Neilson was one of the fighters as they faced off against the Calgary branch of HASCA, with their equipment built for the sport while staying historically accurate. This includes dulling the weapons to keep them from penetrating armor.
"Back in medieval times, they did revert more into warhammers and maces. It's kind of the same idea with our blunted weapons, you're still adding that concussive force, so because of that we have huge safety rules to it."
Some of the safety rules include axes not being able to weigh more than three kilograms and maces needing to be under one kilogram. Warhammers, a weapon designed for blunt trauma, are prohibited.
Despite the spectacle and the metal weapons, Neilson claims that medieval combat sports are one of the safest sports around today.
"We're using more modern techniques in our steelwork, so it's stronger with fewer impurities in it. We use a lot of sheet metal and shape it to your body," added Neilson. "For those that want to get into this sport, don't be shy about it. You don't have to spend a whole bunch of money upfront to get into your armour. A lot of teams have loaner kits, we can get you fighting and get a feel for it."
Those interested in joining HACSA as a knight can learn more by visiting the association's website.
"We're a safer sport than football and hockey. We have less injuries, even though it doesn't look like it."
You can see a gallery from HACSA's demonstration below:
