Deep in the hills of the East Bay city, Walnut Creek, old world combat styles have gained popularity, which are combined into a contact sport based on techniques used through the 14th to 19th centuries.

“The primary weapon we focus on using is the longsword, but skills are practiced and build up using a whole host of weapons,” said Dimitri Sanbord, who runs the Bay Area Freifchter School in Larkey Park, along with Kevin Hemmingsen.  “For example, there are rapiers, daggers, quarterstaffs, polearms, broadswords, dussacks and more.”

The fighting styles of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) practiced at the school are guided by The Meyer Frei Fechter Guild, an international fencing guild that is dedicated to the study of the 16th century teachings of German-born Fechtmeister Joachim Meyer. There are currently around 10,000 practitioners of Historical European Martial Arts around the world, according to Sanbord and Hemmingsen.

The initial stages of training involve how to wield each weapon, and footwork drills for proper defense and offense. It takes years of practice before two people can fight at full-speed and participate in competitive tournaments.

Battles between skilled practitioners look much like combat scenes you would see during a fencing match. Regardless of the weapon being used, each combatant will try to score points against the other opponent using the proper form and technique.

Meyer wrote a guide in 1560 titled, “A Thorough Description of the Free Knightly and Noble Art of Combat,” which serves as the historical interpretation for today’s HEMA enthusiasts.

Thanks to the internet making the ancient combat texts more accessible, fans and practitioners have been able to share ancient texts previously available mainly only in libraries.

“I was introduced to HEMA by coming across some battles on YouTube,” Sanbord said. “This was what really got me interested in this sport.”

The Larkey Park school offers HEMA combat equipment for free during the first 4 weeks to let people get a feel for the combat styles without having to fork over a lot of money for swords, masks and other equipment before finding out if they like it, Hemmingsen said. Once they become serious about practicing, the cost of all the gear is estimated to be between $1,000 and $1,500. This will get you a sword, mask, gloves, body armor and shin guards.

HEMA consultants are used on shows like Game of Thrones to help make the fighting and weapons have a more authentic look and feel consistent with the period being portrayed.

Shows like Game of Thrones have helped increase more interest in the combat styles of HEMA, according to Hemmingsen and Sanbord.