Fencing has been a sport for centuries. Originally used as practice for dueling and battle, it is now an Olympic sport. Learn the basics of this centries-old sport.
A Brief History of Fencing
Fencing as a sport has a history almost as long as the history of swords. It began as practice for soldiers. Evidence of fencing dates back to about 1200 BCE, when images of a fencing match were painted on the wall of an Egyptian temple. There is also evidence of fencing among the ancient Babylonians, Greeks, Persians and Romans.
The use of swords in battle became nearly obsolete by the end of the Middle Ages. Armor had become so strong that it was virtually impossible for a sword to penetrate. Had it not been for the development of firearms, swordsmanship might have completely disappeared in Europe.
Because firearms were able to penetrate even the strongest armor and the armor was so heavy that it restricted movement and mobility, it was armor rather than swords that became obsolete. When armor became useless, the sword made a comeback.
Swords used during the Middle Ages were also as large and unwieldy as the armor used to defend against them. In the 16th Century, a new type of blade was developed: the rapier. This was a very long and light blade, which was much easier to use. It was then, in Italy, that the modern sport of fencing with rapiers began.
This was the beginning of the time of the popularity of duels. It was common for the nobility to all wear blades, and duels were commonplace among the nobility. Oftentimes rulers would attempt to outlaw dueling, although in this they were rarely successful.
Fencing was common to practice for actual duels, and the rules of fencing developed along similar lines as the rules for duels. As time has gone on, dueling has gone out of fashion, but the sport of fencing continues on the tradition of swordsmanship in the modern world.