The modern Olympic sport of fencing has been in practice for many years. This style of fencing is European in origin and development and is practiced in many countries around the world. However, over the years fencing has taken on a more insouciant form and its combative origins and precepts have been all but forgotten. In Asia, martial arts such as karate, judo, kendo, and kung fu share the triplicity of being an art form combining mind and body in harmony, an activity designed for relaxation and recreation, and a practical means of self-defense. Today's modern fencer scarcely gives thought to these martial art aspect of fencing. The best fencers in the world today have achieved their status through hard work and being influenced, knowingly or unknowingly, by the Zen of fencing.
Fencing is and always has been a martial art. Fencing deals with the use of weapons in single combat against a similarly equipped opponent. The objective of modern competition fencing is to defeat your opponent, with the goal of "...one light hits and five-zero victories". As chess is a militaristic game designed to develop a commanders strategy and tactics, so is fencing to the art of combative sword play. Skills that are conceived and developed as a game must not be left on the game board when considered for actual combat. Similarly, combat born techniques should not be open-handedly dismissed from the sport. While modern practitioners are attracted by the romantic allure of the blade, vivid with images of daring swashbucklers of yesteryear, the essence of combat has remained. Sadly, the philosophy of sword combat is not carried to its fullest. Modern fencing, for the most part, has evolved into a test of speed and luck instead of an art based on skill (techniques) and cunning (strategy and tactics). Many practitioners of fencing would vehemently disagree with this view. But a viewing of most competitions will bare out the aforementioned view.
HISTORY
The origins of modern day Olympic sport of fencing date back approximately 550 years. It is widely accepted that the Battle of Cr¸cy (1346) was the first effective use of fencing. Obviously this is not the actual beginning of combat utilizing the sword. Fencing can in fact trace its origins back over 4000 years. Archaeologist have found some indications from Egyptian hieroglyphs which suggest a form of sword play was employed as early as 2150 BC. The relief's typically depict two people (men and/or women) engaged in a mock combat using a single sword fashioned from a stick. The hieroglyphs reveal that this activity was practiced as a sporting recreation by common and nobles alike. The Greek soldiers trained vigorously, in an organized systematic fashion, in the use of spear, shield, sling, and sword. Their proficiency in the use of combat arms is well demonstrated by the feats of Alexander the Great. It is under the Roman Empire where we find the earliest form of regimented training programs for various weapons. The training regimens were established for uniformity in training the highly efficient and effective legionaries. The systematic application of training was essential to the function of the legions due to the diverse composition of the legions, as they were comprised of soldiers from the various regions of the Empire. The regimentized training lended uniformity of action so as to enable commanders to develop tactics based on combatant capabilities.
While this form of training was militaristic in its orientation, the Roman citizenry were fascinated with personal combat. To appease the public's appetite for diversion of this sort, the famous and infamous gladiatorial games developed. It can truly be said that these games and the preparation for participation in them, are the real origin of fencing. Gladiator schools sprang up throughout the Empire to provide intense training in combat arms. The training programs were harsh and rigorous for good cause, the prize for victory was life. The penalty for defeat was death. These schools prided themselves on producing the best fighters in the Empire. Specific tactics and executions were prescribed and adhered to in these schools. Thus giving a uniformity in the practice of combat skills. The principle weapon used both militarily and for "sport" was the short sword known as the Gladius. The sword continued to be the principle personal combat weapon from 150 BC well into the late 19th century. The swords and tactics employed over the span of time have varied greatly but the basic concept of the sword remains: strike without being struck, to move in harmony both body, mind, and the blade. The French philosopher Moli¸re defines fencing as follows:
Fencing is the art of giving cuts without receiving them. The necessity of touching the opponent but avoiding his cuts makes the art of fencing most difficult and complicated. The eyes observe and prevent, the brain which considers and decides, the hand which carries the decision through must harmonize accuracy and speed to give the necessary life to the sword.
Musashi (1605-1675), the legendary Japanese swordsman and strategist defines fencing as follows:
The sword is only a single instrument separate and alone. When wielded by a samurai, it becomes a living thing. The sword must become a natural extension of the samurai's heart, his spirit, his very being. The swordsman must wield the sword bravely and accurately so as to conquer his opponent without loss. Timing, accuracy, and harmony of actions are the essence of wielding the sword.
It is evident from these two culturally different perspective that there is a sameness, a truth which is present for all who wield the sword. Modern competitive fencing developed fully during the period from 1400 to 1700 in Europe. As a result of the introduction of musketry into combat, heavy armor, and the corresponding blade weapons needed to defeat it quickly became passˇ. Long slender, relatively light weight, double edged, pointed thrusting weapons, known as rapiers, became the standard blade weapon of the period. The rapier, most known to us through famous literary works such as The Three Musketeers, The Adventures of Don Juan, Zorro, and other romantic novels, became the everyday "working sword" worn by men (and some women) of the day. The popularity of this weapon also increased the potential for and occurrence of duels. The increase in the probability of dueling gave rise to the need for formal training in the use of the blade. The first schools of fencing were formed in Spain and Italy. The Spanish be came highly sought after for the courts of Europe to teach fencing. The revered Spanish cup hilt rapier (or a variant thereof) became the most popular and widely used form of the rapier in the world. This weapon was popular for its balance. Not only the balance in weight but also its balance between a thrusting sword and a cutting sword.
As the rapiers and small swordcame into use, the tactics and strategies of swordsmanship evolved. Numerous books, treatise, and manuals were printed describing the art of sword combat. Widely divergent thoughts were presented as to the skills needed to properly and effectively use the blade. While many formal presentations of swordsmanship were devised, when two individuals faced each other in singular combat, theory often gave way to the seriousness of the situation. During the latter part of the 16th century and well into the 17th century, matters of honor were settled with sword duels which usually were fatal for one or both of the people involved. This was due largely to the lack of sanitary conditions and poor medical care as opposed to excellent swordsmanship. A large number of these duels were fought between two young noble men (princes, barons, lords, and persons of class), the upper crust of European society was in danger of being killed off by the increasing number of duels. During the reign of Louis the XIV, an attempt was made to regulate and restrict dueling. To this end, in an attempt to reduce the spread of fencing knowledge, the number of schools, students and instructors was also regulated. These attempts were futile and personal combat with the sword continued to flourish. It was during this period that the graceful and elegant form fencing began to develop. The French were responsible in large part for the development of the honorable and noble (even if miss placed) codes of conduct for sword fighting. During this period, the introduction of smaller and lighter weapons the study of sword "play" took its place among the learning of dance, literature, art, and other indications of a gentleman's refinement. This trend led to the establishment of numerous schools of fencing throughout Europe. Fencing was, and still is in many countries, required study at military academies. The proliferation of schools and the more enlightened interest of "civilized warfare", lead to a growing interest in competing against other schools through tournaments to establish which schools' philosophy and/or training were the best. It is this playful or sporting interest which gave birth to modern fencing.
During the 1700's various forms of fencing attire for academic purposes were developed. The early fencing attire was bulky in order to offer true protection as the competitors used actual swords for the competitions. Deaths and maiming were not uncommon. The earliest forms of protective attire included heavy weave bindings, leather coveralls or aprons, metal frame goggles, and padded leather skull caps. This clothing was obviously heavy and restrictive which naturally would have a negative impact on fencing style. With the advent of technology, with a little nostalgia thrown in, metal mesh full-head protective helmets or masks were introduced to replace the moderately effective goggles and skull caps. With the introduction of new sport or competitive blades, the heavy bandages and leather aprons and coveralls gave way to lighter weight and less restrictive clothing. A standard uniform came into being through consensus. This uniform consisted of a white waist jacket made of sail canvas or heavy weight weaved material, white knickers or riding pants, and riding boots.
The growth in competitive sword play gave rise to new weapons designed to approximate the actual weapon in feel and wielding but lacking the undesirable side affects of lethality. In England, a small square section blade weapon, the foil, was introduced for the sole purpose of developing sword play techniques. The foil was designed for thrusting as opposed to cutting. In the new sword play epoch, the determination of the success of a competitor's hit against his opponent, was made with wooden or cork tips dipped in dye or paint. The dye left a visible stain which was used to indicate a hit. While most schools favored the foil and ˇpˇe, military schools opted for the sabre as their weapon of choice because of its direct bearing on military combat.
Fencing, as an Olympic sport, was first formally introduce in the early games at the turn of the 20th Century. The Europeans are traditionally the strongest competitors in this sport. Russia, Germany, Hungary, Britain, Spain, France, and Italy, are the traditional holders of the top world rankings. This is obviously due to their rich history and foundation in this soport.
Fencing has been an active sport in the United States for over 100 years. Unfortunately, it has caught on very slowly. Americans tend to prefer sports of speed and strength (and sometimes blood). Fencing is a sport of skill, precision, timing, and technique. A thinking persons sport. Age, sex, and strength have very little effect on fencing performance. Mental agility, timing and coordination of proper techniques are the key elements to successful fencing.
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