Our Story
Our non-profit is founded on the key concept of harmonizing scholarship and experimental archaeology through the pursuit of mastery. Producing period-correct armour to the highest possible standard requires networking, research collaborations, and a community of practice who share a passion for historical accuracy and understanding. We seek to build the best possible armour replicas of historical pieces, and produce measurable, shareable results as we do for a wider audience of researchers and the public.
Who we are
Sanctuary Armoury is a community of artisanal practice led by sport and historical fencer Scott Nichols, who began armouring in the late 1990s. With 35 years of sport behind him, Scott brings a deep passion for the art of armouring, and his vision of superb and articulated harness is realized with every suit we complete.
The armoury includes team members who similarly have long histories in sport fencing, re-enactment, and historical studies, and we all share Scott’s dream of building beautiful harnesses with components that support and compliment one another to provide the best possible experience.
Situated on an idyllic 100 acre farm two hours north of Toronto, Ontario, Sanctuary Armoury represents the realization of lifelong passions.
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Leatherworker
Katrina is a historical fencer, sport fencer, and builds shoes and leather goods for our systems-based approach. She is a key creative force and when she isn’t building and creating in this context she is a published scholar and a professor of history and digital humanities.
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Patterning, Tailoring
Irene has spent decades within the re-enactor community, and is both a calligrapher and a superb worker of fabrics and more. When she isn’t engaged in these pursuits, Irene is a scholar of medieval material culture.