An applied element method-based modelling strategy to model rubble stone masonry is presented for the first time. The strategy represents rubble stone masonry as rigid blocks connected by deformable interface springs where non-linear material properties are lumped. Cyclic in-plane shear-compression experiments on rubble stone masonry piers representative of Portuguese historical constructions are reproduced with good accuracy. The robustness of the strategy is then investigated further by performing a parametric study and comparing results with existing literature on the subject. The numerical procedure marks a significant improvement in terms of computational burden with respect to conventionally used finite element-based strategies, making it attractive for performing non-linear dynamic seismic safety assessment of large structures.