A Brief History of Fencing

Modern day fencing derives its roots from antiquity. Armed combat with sword and shield was a primary method of warfare for thousands of years, appearing in prehistoric times up through the Egyptian period and the Bronze Age. In addition to their purpose in war, sword jousting and other forms of tournament combat appeared in the middle ages, along with the first records of fencing schools. After the invention of the printing press in the 16th century, fencing treatises significantly increased. It was during this time that it became socially and legally acceptable for men to carry swords in public. As the wealth of the middle class grew, so did the number of men wishing to carry swords, as the sword was considered a status symbol. Skill in fencing indicated that one was a gentleman.

The rapier, a slender, sharp-pointed sword, reached the peak of its popularity in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the foil, a sword used in the modern sport of fencing, emerged in the middle of the 18th century. Two varieties of fencing also emerged: in France, a technique known as fencing and in Germany, a technique known as cut fencing. The idea of classical fencing applies to the methods of 19th and early-20th century schools found in Italy and France. Fencing was also featured in the first modern Olympic Games which took place in the summer of 1896. Since then, epee and sabre events have been held at every Summer Olympics, and foil events have been held at every Summer Olympics except 1908.

After World War I, dueling, popular throughout the rest of fencing’s history, went into decline. Fencing as a sport, however,  continued and evolved as time went on. In the 1930s, the modern electrical scoring apparatus was first introduced. These machines electronically registered touches and allowed for more accurate scoring.

Aside from its rich history, fencing has featured prominently in popular culture. From classic books to Hollywood blockbusters, fencing has appeared in different forms all over the world. Notable swashbucklers include the Three Musketeers, James Bond, and Captain Jack Sparrow. Fencing evokes thoughts of adventure, fearlessness, and skill, which makes the sport a popular choice for characterizing people in stories.

Rules Overview

Many people are familiar with the sport of fencing but are not acquainted with any of its rules and nuances. In modern fencing, three different swords are used: the foil, epee, and saber. (Tim’s weapon of choice is saber.) Each sword comes with its own set of rules and scoring. The objective of a fencing match is to score more touches than your opponent in a certain amount of time. There are both offensive and defensive actions a fencer can use to score a touch or prevent his or her opponent from scoring one. An electronic apparatus registers touches when they occur, and referees make calls on simultaneous touches that may occur. Rules are specific on where touches are allowed, so fencing requires concentration and quick thinking.

Because the sport uses swords, safety can be an issue, even though the equipment is not designed to be sharp. Fencing requires some basic protective attire. This includes a jacket, an underarm protector, one glove, knickers, knee-length socks, and a mask, which is made out of mesh and cloth, to protect the eyes.