Who We Are
Boston Armizare is a Historical Fencing club dedicated to the research, translation, reconstruction, and practice of Late Medieval and Renaissance fencing and combat through the study and interpretation of historical fencing treatises. Our main focus is on the evolution of the Italian fencing tradition across the centuries. This includes the teachings of influential authors such as Fiore de’i Liberi (1409), Achille Marozzo (1536), Salvator Fabris (1606), and Luigi Barabasetti (1932). We are always happy to host visiting scholars from other programs!

What is HEMA?

Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), also known as Historical Fencing, or Western Martial arts, refers to martial arts of European origin, particularly using arts formerly practiced but having since died out or evolved into very different forms. The information on these arts was written down in books by knights, soldiers, fencing teachers, and scholars across the ages. We take the information in those books and work to recreate their arts as a modern combat sport. Our core curriculum is based around the Longsword and the Rapier.

Our Beginnings
Originally a branch of the national HEMA group Schola Saint George, Boston Armizare broke off and became its own entity in 2014. At that point we, like many HEMA clubs, were about a dozen people meeting up in parks, schools, and churches to practice. Since then we have grown substantially, and in 2017 we moved to our current location at Boston Fencing Club in Brighton. After years of sustained growth we decided to incorporate in 2020 and became a 501(c)(3) Non-profit company. Now we run two branches, have four practices per week, teach dozens of students, and travel the country participating in tournaments!

Joining Us
No experience is necessary to become a student, just a love of swords and maybe some interest in history. Currently we are running an open enrollment program, so its easier than ever to get started. All you need to do is send us an email and schedule your first practice!

Who This is For

Boston Armizare is passionate about the inclusion and recognition of all students regardless of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity or nationality, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religious affiliation, veteran, and socioeconomic status. We love that our membership reflects a variety of perspectives and a wide range of lived experiences. We value and welcome this diversity.