About Fencing
Modern fencing dates from the late 15th century when civilians began carrying swords for the first time. Their weapon of choice was the rapier, which was essentially a thrusting rather than a cutting sword, something that could be used to settle matters of honour relatively quickly. It was introduced in Spain and then Italy before spreading across the rest of Europe. But during the first half of the 17th century fashions changed and the long cumbersome rapier gradually became obsolete.
By the mid-17th century the rapier had been superseded in France by the lighter and more manoeuvrable small sword. This was a highly dangerous weapon and even practice versions with buttoned tips could cause serious accidents to the face in the days before masks. What was needed was a way of demonstrating the skills of swordplay in relative safety, and so the flexible foil with conventions governing its use emerged. This new sporting weapon could be manipulated with great precision. Rules restricted the valid target to an area of the body between neck and waist and established ‘right of way’, whereby the attacker’s blade had to be parried before the defender could make a riposte or launch his own attack.
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For some 200 years, fencing masters focussed on teaching the genteel art of foil fencing, a stimulating academic exercise that soon became an essential part of a gentleman’s education, along with dancing and music. Those pupils called upon to fight a duel would be briefly prepared for a real combat by learning the techniques of small sword play where the whole body was the target and there was no ‘right of way’.
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For some 200 years, fencing masters focussed on teaching the genteel art of foil fencing, a stimulating academic exercise that soon became an essential part of a gentleman’s education, along with dancing and music. Those pupils called upon to fight a duel would be briefly prepared for a real combat by learning the techniques of small sword play where the whole body was the target and there was no ‘right of way’.
​
In the second half of the 18th century, the wire mask was invented. This revolutionised foil technique, allowing the instant parry-riposte and making fencing much more mobile. Although experiments with various electrical systems took place from the late 19th century, it was not until 1955 that the foil events at the world championships were fenced electric for the first time.
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Credit: British Fencing Website
History of Fencing
Modern fencing dates from the late 15th century when civilians began carrying swords for the first time. Their weapon of choice was the rapier, which was essentially a thrusting rather than a cutting sword, something that could be used to settle matters of honour relatively quickly. It was introduced in Spain and then Italy before spreading across the rest of Europe. But during the first half of the 17th century fashions changed and the long cumbersome rapier gradually became obsolete.
By the mid-17th century the rapier had been superseded in France by the lighter and more manoeuvrable small sword. This was a highly dangerous weapon and even practice versions with buttoned tips could cause serious accidents to the face in the days before masks. What was needed was a way of demonstrating the skills of swordplay in relative safety, and so the flexible foil with conventions governing its use emerged. This new sporting weapon could be manipulated with great precision. Rules restricted the valid target to an area of the body between neck and waist and established ‘right of way’, whereby the attacker’s blade had to be parried before the defender could make a riposte or launch his own attack.
​
For some 200 years, fencing masters focussed on teaching the genteel art of foil fencing, a stimulating academic exercise that soon became an essential part of a gentleman’s education, along with dancing and music. Those pupils called upon to fight a duel would be briefly prepared for a real combat by learning the techniques of small sword play where the whole body was the target and there was no ‘right of way’.
​
For some 200 years, fencing masters focussed on teaching the genteel art of foil fencing, a stimulating academic exercise that soon became an essential part of a gentleman’s education, along with dancing and music. Those pupils called upon to fight a duel would be briefly prepared for a real combat by learning the techniques of small sword play where the whole body was the target and there was no ‘right of way’.
​
In the second half of the 18th century, the wire mask was invented. This revolutionised foil technique, allowing the instant parry-riposte and making fencing much more mobile. Although experiments with various electrical systems took place from the late 19th century, it was not until 1955 that the foil events at the world championships were fenced electric for the first time.
​
Credit: British Fencing Website
History of Bexley Fencing Club
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History of Fencing
Modern fencing dates from the late 15th century when civilians began carrying swords for the first time. Their weapon of choice was the rapier, which was essentially a thrusting rather than a cutting sword, something that could be used to settle matters of honour relatively quickly. It was introduced in Spain and then Italy before spreading across the rest of Europe. But during the first half of the 17th century fashions changed and the long cumbersome rapier gradually became obsolete.
By the mid-17th century the rapier had been superseded in France by the lighter and more manoeuvrable small sword. This was a highly dangerous weapon and even practice versions with buttoned tips could cause serious accidents to the face in the days before masks. What was needed was a way of demonstrating the skills of swordplay in relative safety, and so the flexible foil with conventions governing its use emerged. This new sporting weapon could be manipulated with great precision. Rules restricted the valid target to an area of the body between neck and waist and established ‘right of way’, whereby the attacker’s blade had to be parried before the defender could make a riposte or launch his own attack.
​
For some 200 years, fencing masters focussed on teaching the genteel art of foil fencing, a stimulating academic exercise that soon became an essential part of a gentleman’s education, along with dancing and music. Those pupils called upon to fight a duel would be briefly prepared for a real combat by learning the techniques of small sword play where the whole body was the target and there was no ‘right of way’.
​
For some 200 years, fencing masters focussed on teaching the genteel art of foil fencing, a stimulating academic exercise that soon became an essential part of a gentleman’s education, along with dancing and music. Those pupils called upon to fight a duel would be briefly prepared for a real combat by learning the techniques of small sword play where the whole body was the target and there was no ‘right of way’.
​
In the second half of the 18th century, the wire mask was invented. This revolutionised foil technique, allowing the instant parry-riposte and making fencing much more mobile. Although experiments with various electrical systems took place from the late 19th century, it was not until 1955 that the foil events at the world championships were fenced electric for the first time.
​
Credit: British Fencing Website