The Art of Fencing #248307

Modern fencing was fathered by the swordplay of the medieval ages when, too often perhaps for the comfort and longevity of the populace, might made right and the life and honor of dashing cavaliers depended on their ability to wield the rapier or the sword. For purposes of pleasurable exercise and bodily train ing the ponderous old-time swords gave way in after years to the sensitive, tapering foil with which we are all familiar. Downward slashes and side cuts were replaced by the thrust, and science made success more the fruit of art and less the reward of mere brute strength. History tells us that the first swords were used by the Greeks and the Romans. The weapons of that ancient epoch were clumsy implements of bronze, which inflicted a terrible wound. So far as the scientific use of the blade is concerned, however, we must look back to Spain, where the possibilities of the sword were first realized and developed. The Spaniards caused the Song of the Sword to become familiar music throughout their own land and others, and the daring dons, swarthy of mien and haughty in bearing, rise to heights in their deftness with the glistening steel. From Spain swordplay was introduced into Italy and France and later it spread into Germany, England and America, etc. The word sword is used in a somewhat general sense, for the weapons, while they may be so described, exhibited a variety in form. There were huge, double-bladed bars of metal which were swung with both hands, and their office was to crush the heavy plates of armor worn by warriors of the period. Also there were weighty pointed blades, with both edges sharpened, to be manoeuvered with one hand, and then came the rapier, a lighter weapon that permitted scientific handling, etc etc. Daggers, too, were considered a necessary adjunct to the accoutrement of the Sir Knight and to the dress of the gentleman of leisure.