It’s a stunning scene.

Two knights wielding swords and shields lumber towards each other in a fenced arena, then proceed to hammer each

other with blows to the body.

The clashes and clanks as blunted swords struck armour last weekend at the Whitehorse biathlon range provided a picture worthy of a 14th century battlefield in Europe.

Indeed, the newest Yukon craze takes a step back in time to the glory days of castles, dragons and knights.

It’s been less than a year since Jose Martinez Amoedo first presented the sport to Whitehorse residents at a local comic-con event.

The 45-year-old Mayo resident is a member of Spain’s medieval combat squad and was looking for potential sparring partners at the time.

His presentation received a phenomenal uptake, and the Company of the White Wolf was born.

“It was pretty overwhelming,” admitted Martinez Amoedo, who estimates the territorial company to number about 50 already.

Martinez Amoedo, who recently earned a silver medal for Spain in a Polish poleaxe competition, said medieval combat has sprung up recently in many Canadian communities.

The Yukon contingent strives for historical accuracy and is focused on the era of knights from the mid-14th century to mid-15th century, he added.

Eventually, Martinez Amoedo hopes to see Yukoners fighting on the world stage for Canada.

The Company of the White Wolf hosted its first Whitehorse tournament last weekend at the biathlon range on Grey Mountain, with a group of 10 knights participating.

Land Pearson was the overall winner, followed in the standings by older brother Lake Pearson and third place finisher Don Hornby.

Land Pearson said he first heard about the sport at the comic-con.

The 32-year-old said he’s always had an interest in medieval warfare and has slowly been amassing a traditional suit of European armour weighing in at 60-plus pounds and valued at $2,000.

This summer, onlookers may have seen the Pearsons practising their battle technique at Rotary Peace Park.

A small group of knights also marched in the Canada Day parade, to the delight of local residents.