Fencing, now a modern sport increasingly practised throughout the world,
is an art of the greatest antiquity with centuries of tradition behind
it. Swordsmanship has been studied from the dawn of history but so long
as man continued to go to war encased in armour, weapons remained heavy
and clumsy and there was little skill in their use. In the early
fifteenth century, however, the invention of gunpowder led to the disuse
of armour and a sudden transformation of weapons to forms better adapted
to quick, neat fighting-the art of fencing began to emerge. The guilds
of fencing masters then established throughout Europe to study the art
of swordsmanship, developed rapier fencing with sword and dagger which
held sway until the adoption of the light court sword at the court of
Louis XVI of France in the seventeenth century. The light sword enabled
all attacking and defensive movements to be made with one weapon wielded
with one hand only-swift and dextrous swordplay as we know it today
became a reality. Swordsmanship has been practised in Britain for many
centuries. The first governing body for fencing was founded by Henry
VIII as a Corporation of Fencing Masters before 1540. Fencing with foil,
épée and sabre is the ideal sport for those who wish to take intensive
exercise without excessive cost, without requiring large premises or
special apparatus and without the necessity to have a large number of
persons in order to enjoy the game. There is no premium on mere strength
and foil fencing is therefore equally suitable for women as for men. It
develops and relaxes the mind equally with all parts of the body. This
book provides a wealth of information on the dress, weapons, moves and
rules involved in the intriguing sport of fencing.
