Anton J. Cvet is the President and Founder of the Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild, OMSG. With a history of practicing other martial arts, Anton became interested in Western martial arts in 1999. He entered and won the "Historical Fencing/Heavy Armour" tournament held at the Western Martial Arts Workshop 2000, Toronto, thus attaining the rank of Scholler through a show of arms. Anton has attended several medieval martial events and workshops here as well as in Europe and has won the honors at two tournaments, one in Belgium and the USA. He has had influence in the European historical fencing field and continues a strong ... [more]

Anton J. Cvet is the President and Founder of the Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild, OMSG. With a history of practicing other martial arts, Anton became interested in Western martial arts in 1999. He entered and won the "Historical Fencing/Heavy Armour" tournament held at the Western Martial Arts Workshop 2000, Toronto, thus attaining the rank of Scholler through a show of arms. Anton has attended several medieval martial events and workshops here as well as in Europe and has won the honors at two tournaments, one in Belgium and the USA. He has had influence in the European historical fencing field and continues a strong relationship with Compagnie Hackamores, a group based in Belgium.

In the Spring, 2005, Anton was awarded the rank of Free Scholler postmortimously to the date of his third tournament attendance at WMA 2002 Chicago, thus again, attaining the rank through a show of arms coupled with recognition of his efforts and achievements to WMA in Ottawa and Europe. Anton attracted a number of students in the Ottawa area, which led, with John Woods, to the creation of the OMSG in 2001.

Anton continues his efforts within OMSG promoting WMA and is active in assisting other members in the guild with the development of armour and unarmoured sword training programs. He also formed OMSG productions, a company promoting medieval events.

John has always had an interest in the history of warfare and various forms of combat. In 2000 he moved to Ottawa and began training with Anton Cvet. On May 12, 2002 he successfully played for his prize of Scholar through AEMMA. Soon after, he assisted in the creation of the OMSG as one of its founding members. Over the years John became involved in the reproduction of 14c armour leading to the creation of the Woods Armoury, and also developed an interested in horses and equestrian martial arts. In October 2007, he attended the AEMMA – Tournament of Scholars and was judged by his peers to be “the first amongst ... [more]

John has always had an interest in the history of warfare and various forms of combat. In 2000 he moved to Ottawa and began training with Anton Cvet. On May 12, 2002 he successfully played for his prize of Scholar through AEMMA. Soon after, he assisted in the creation of the OMSG as one of its founding members. Over the years John became involved in the reproduction of 14c armour leading to the creation of the Woods Armoury, and also developed an interested in horses and equestrian martial arts. In October 2007, he attended the AEMMA – Tournament of Scholars and was judged by his peers to be “the first amongst equals”.

Nick Conway has been a lifelong student of weapons, warfare and martial arts. Before coming to OMSG, Nick studied mixed martial arts for over ten years, and is an avid collector and amateur restorer of weapons. He was awarded the rank of Scholler in November, 2002. Since then, he has developed a program of grappling in the style of Fiore dei Liberi with fellow OMSG Scholler Chris Penney. He is currently working with Chris to develop a similar dagger program.

Besides medieval martial arts, Nick also pursues interests in Kali, Tai Chi, Spanish knife and early American Bowie, Tomahawk and long knife fighting. He is currently the ... [more]

Nick Conway has been a lifelong student of weapons, warfare and martial arts. Before coming to OMSG, Nick studied mixed martial arts for over ten years, and is an avid collector and amateur restorer of weapons. He was awarded the rank of Scholler in November, 2002. Since then, he has developed a program of grappling in the style of Fiore dei Liberi with fellow OMSG Scholler Chris Penney. He is currently working with Chris to develop a similar dagger program.

Besides medieval martial arts, Nick also pursues interests in Kali, Tai Chi, Spanish knife and early American Bowie, Tomahawk and long knife fighting. He is currently the Principal Instructor at OMSG.

Mathieu G. Ravignat (Mat) holds a B.A. of Social Science and a M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Ottawa, and currently works as a Research Officer for the Government of Canada. He has been an avid martial artist most of his life and has a variety of experience in WMA, including Greco Roman Wrestling, Boxing, and Fencing (Sabre). Having always had an interest in medieval history, Mat joined the OMSG in November 2001. On May 01, 2002 he successfully played for the prize of Scholler, and has developed the spear training program for the OMSG.

Mat has served on the executive of the OMSG since 2002 and he currently holds the ... [more]

Mathieu G. Ravignat (Mat) holds a B.A. of Social Science and a M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Ottawa, and currently works as a Research Officer for the Government of Canada. He has been an avid martial artist most of his life and has a variety of experience in WMA, including Greco Roman Wrestling, Boxing, and Fencing (Sabre). Having always had an interest in medieval history, Mat joined the OMSG in November 2001. On May 01, 2002 he successfully played for the prize of Scholler, and has developed the spear training program for the OMSG.

Mat has served on the executive of the OMSG since 2002 and he currently holds the position of Herald. Mat is also a proud member of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada.

On March 15, 2008 he was chosen as “first amongst equals” at the 1st Annual AEMMA Armoured Tournament held at the Royal Ontario Museum. At this event he was honoured by the Lord of Wrentnall with the Ceremonial Claymore of the Clan Fraser-Lovat and received a certificate of excellence in arms.

Mat is also an accomplished longbowman and enjoys riding horses.

Chris Penney holds a Master of Arts in Medieval Archaeology from the University of York in England, and has had an interest in the middle ages for some time. He joined AEMMA Ottawa in the fall of 2001, and he won the rank of Scholler in Toronto in September, 2002.

As a Scholler in OMSG, Chris has worked on all aspects of the development of the OMSG training program with other members of the Guild. He has written articles on wrestling and dagger for the OMSG web site along with Scholler Nick Conway.

Chris Penney holds a Master of Arts in Medieval Archaeology from the University of York in England, and has had an interest in the middle ages for some time. He joined AEMMA Ottawa in the fall of 2001, and he won the rank of Scholler in Toronto in September, 2002.

As a Scholler in OMSG, Chris has worked on all aspects of the development of the OMSG training program with other members of the Guild. He has written articles on wrestling and dagger for the OMSG web site along with Scholler Nick Conway.

Leslie Lemar joined AEMMA in 2001, training with instructor Anton Cvet. She is an executive member of the OMSG. On February 9th, 2003, Leslie successfully challenged and became the first female scholar within the AEMMA/OMSG ranks. She fights with medieval longsword and rondel dagger in the style of Masters dei Liberi and Talhoffer. Her interest in armour began during her theatre studies at Canterbury. She has since custom-made a 14-gauge mail hauberk and gambeson.

Leslie's objective is to help further the guild's development in armoured combat and to explore the role and impact of women in modern Western Martial Arts.

Leslie Lemar joined AEMMA in 2001, training with instructor Anton Cvet. She is an executive member of the OMSG. On February 9th, 2003, Leslie successfully challenged and became the first female scholar within the AEMMA/OMSG ranks. She fights with medieval longsword and rondel dagger in the style of Masters dei Liberi and Talhoffer. Her interest in armour began during her theatre studies at Canterbury. She has since custom-made a 14-gauge mail hauberk and gambeson.

Leslie's objective is to help further the guild's development in armoured combat and to explore the role and impact of women in modern Western Martial Arts.

Chris Kovach has been obsessed with archaic forms of fighting since he made his first bow in 1993. That modest beginning started Chris on an historical quest for knowledge that shows no sign of slowing down. In 2000 he jumped on a horse with the goal of rediscovering forgotten methods of equestrian martial arts.

Today, he can be found on horseback weapon in hand, in the salle tackling his brethren, or in the workshop or library trying to figure something out. His turn-ons include discarded leaf springs, hardwood forests, and push button horses.

Chris now teaches equestrian martial arts throughout eastern Ontario. The ... [more]

Chris Kovach has been obsessed with archaic forms of fighting since he made his first bow in 1993. That modest beginning started Chris on an historical quest for knowledge that shows no sign of slowing down. In 2000 he jumped on a horse with the goal of rediscovering forgotten methods of equestrian martial arts.

Today, he can be found on horseback weapon in hand, in the salle tackling his brethren, or in the workshop or library trying to figure something out. His turn-ons include discarded leaf springs, hardwood forests, and push button horses.

Chris now teaches equestrian martial arts throughout eastern Ontario. The curriculum includes sword, lance and bow as well as grappling, dagger and javelin from horseback. Future areas of research will likely include sabre, lasso, axe, and black powder weapons.

Since childhood, Matthew McKee has had an intense fascination with ancient history, especially that of medieval Europe. This deep-seeded passion led him to OMSG's door. He joined in August of 2006 and successfully challenged for the rank of Scholler in September of 2007. Matthew is currently focussed on practising heavily armoured combat using all forms of weapons.

With a formal education in performance art, Matthew has also dabbled with a variety of martial arts all his life. He now makes his living as a writer and he spends most of his free time working on his farm where he keeps his aspiring warhorses.

Since childhood, Matthew McKee has had an intense fascination with ancient history, especially that of medieval Europe. This deep-seeded passion led him to OMSG's door. He joined in August of 2006 and successfully challenged for the rank of Scholler in September of 2007. Matthew is currently focussed on practising heavily armoured combat using all forms of weapons.

With a formal education in performance art, Matthew has also dabbled with a variety of martial arts all his life. He now makes his living as a writer and he spends most of his free time working on his farm where he keeps his aspiring warhorses.

Member in good standing.

Member in good standing.

Dan Sellars joined OMSG in September 2007, in January 2009 he successfully achieved the rank of Scholler.

Having always had an interest in martial arts and history, especially the medieval period. OMSG was a natural fit and he enjoys every moment he gets to spend sword in hand.

Dan Sellars joined OMSG in September 2007, in January 2009 he successfully achieved the rank of Scholler.

Having always had an interest in martial arts and history, especially the medieval period. OMSG was a natural fit and he enjoys every moment he gets to spend sword in hand.

Bengt joined in March of 2007 and as all members, has a deep interest in medieval history, combat, and arms of the period. Being of Swedish descent, Bengt has a particular desire to explore the Scandinavian evolution from the Viking era through to 14c from a combat and social perspective.

Bengt has training in Judo and kickboxing and spent time with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment of the Canadian Forces. He has fought in tournaments as well as various unarmed non-sanctioned events. He will fight for money.

Bengt joined in March of 2007 and as all members, has a deep interest in medieval history, combat, and arms of the period. Being of Swedish descent, Bengt has a particular desire to explore the Scandinavian evolution from the Viking era through to 14c from a combat and social perspective.

Bengt has training in Judo and kickboxing and spent time with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment of the Canadian Forces. He has fought in tournaments as well as various unarmed non-sanctioned events. He will fight for money.

Robert Lepage joined the OMSG in October, 2008, and successfully passed his Scholler test in August, 2009. While Robert is studying civil engineering at the University of Waterloo, he trains under Dave Murphy, of the Guelph Chapter of AEMMA.

Robert has training in diverse martial arts, ranging from Tai Chi to Systema, but his long standing interest in medieval history and combat has finally found a place to be expressed in studying and practicing medieval western martial arts.

Robert Lepage joined the OMSG in October, 2008, and successfully passed his Scholler test in August, 2009. While Robert is studying civil engineering at the University of Waterloo, he trains under Dave Murphy, of the Guelph Chapter of AEMMA.

Robert has training in diverse martial arts, ranging from Tai Chi to Systema, but his long standing interest in medieval history and combat has finally found a place to be expressed in studying and practicing medieval western martial arts.

Member in good standing.

Member in good standing.

Member in good standing.

Member in good standing.

Member in good standing.

Member in good standing.

Member in good standing.

Member in good standing.