I have no idea how to pronounce Akademia Szermierzy, but what matters is the showcase video the Polish crew have put out on their YouTube channel – The Light of Life: fencing with epee, sabre, rapier and longsword. …
The Light of Life – Video Showcase Read More »
According to Article t.7 (old 10) of the FIE Rules of Competition, “the parry is the defensive action made with the weapon to prevent the offensive action from arriving”.
Prevent is the key word. A successful parry deflects the threatening blade away from the target. Most referees are listening for the contact, giving the benefit of the doubt to the fencer making the parry, and few these days will declare a mal-paré. …
What defines a parry? Read More »
‘The devil of hell does not dare attempt that which the wanton monk dares, and the old woman full of wiles.’
The manuscript I.33 (the Royal Armouries catalogue number) is the oldest known manuscript depicting European fighting arts. It is dated to approximately 1295. It shows a Priest teaching a student or Scholar how to fight with sword and buckler (a small shield). In places we are given statements that a ‘common man’ will do one type of action, but the Priest teaches the use of a different action. …
Beginners’ Sword and Buckler (from I.33) Read More »
The ‘Dark Ages’, from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century through to the beginning of the medieval era in the eleventh century, have often been crudely depicted as an era of mass illiteracy, ignorance and of terrifying heathen hordes swarming across the European continent, leaving devastation in their wake. …
Currently reading: Dark Ages – Martin J. DoughertyRead More »
Currently reading: Dark Ages – Martin J. Dougherty Read More »
The first season of The Witcher delivered a stylish fantasy adventure – right up the the point where Henry Caville’s character started sword fighting multiple opponents with a reverse-handed grip. Dear Netflix, why, oh why, oh why…? …
Seven Deadly Sins of the Reverse-handed Grip Read More »
We’re winding up the current half term session of Fiore dagger. Last night we played a game we’ve named Dagger Defender, based on something we borrowed from the Italians: one defender, three assailants, two daggers and a Fiore response to a surprise attack. …
Blocks, locks and a few smoking disarms Read More »
By Robin Catling.
According to Article t.7 (old 10) of the FIE rules of competition, “the attack is the initial offensive action made by extending the arm and continuously threatening the opponent’s target.”
A threatening action is one that will hit the opponent if no defensive action is taken. A threat means moving towards the target. Trajectory complicates matters as for indirect (compound) attacks or those of a cutting action, the trajectory may not be smooth or in a single line. …
What defines an attack? Read More »
The cheapest (practical) entry-level feder I know of in the UK, we picked up a pair of these about three years ago when we finally made the move from nylon wasters to steel.
There’s no question, the feel of steel over polypropylene makes a world of difference to your technique – steel doesn’t bounce or slide, it binds. Admittedly blunt feders behave far differently to a sharp, but that is still a world better than a poorly balanced nylon plank. …
Hands on – Hanwei Federschwert Read More »
Much of the equipment used in fencing is worn with safety in mind. Fencing is an extremely safe sport provided the correct equipment is worn.
Fencing is also a technical sport, demanding specialist equipment. We’ll try to give you an overview of what you’ll need, in some kind of order and how much you should expect to pay for it. …
Essential Sports Fencing Equipment Guide (2019) Read More »
