What is Fencing?
For people who are interested in learning the Art of Defense, or Rapier Fighting. This style is from the last century of the SCA period, from 1500 to 1600, and emulates the skill in personal defense that eventually evolved into modern Olympic style fencing.
In the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, heavy armor and weapons (the "Knight in Shining Armor") began losing their charm due to the efficient use of pole arms and crossbow bolts, both of which could pierce the heaviest armor. When guns came along late in our period, armor became completely ineffective. People stopped wearing armor that didn't protect them, stopped carrying a heavy weapon that was only good in battle against heavy armor, and started carrying a much lighter sword for personal protection. Around 1500, the rapier evolved as a light, long piercing weapon that was quick and silent. Rapier became the weapon of choice for the whole of the 16th century; speed and agility became more important than brute strength.
After our period, the epee, foil, and saber replaced rapier. They are lighter and more flexible than rapiers, and eventually became the fencing weapons we all know from Olympic fencing. Schlager blades, which weigh between real rapiers and the lighter weapons, came into being considerably later.
In the Kingdom of Atlantia, rapier fighters are known as "Scholars," because rapier combat is conducted under the auspices of the Academie D'Espee ("School of the Sword").
How is SCA fencing different from Olympic fencing?
SCA is trying to simulate period-style fencing, we use some of same weapons as in Olympic fencing and more period style fencing sword, but how we use them is very different:
- First, we fight in the round (Scadians call Olympic fencing "line fencing"). We are not confined to a narrow strip of land, but can move around, advance, and retreat as necessary.
- Secondly, we use the off-hand (i.e., the one you don't normally use for your weapon) to assist in our defense. The off-hand can be protected by a heavy glove which allows us to push away our opponent's weapon. Or we can use a parrying or thrusting dagger, a buckler (a small shield), a second blade (called the Florentine style), a cloak, or anything else that comes to mind.
- In SCA fencing, the target area is the entire body, including the head, hands, legs, and feet, not just the torso.
- In line fencing, only thrusts are allowed, which means only the tip of the weapon is used. In SCA fencing, we allow both thrusts and cuts. Cuts can be made with the tip of the blade moving across the target (point cuts), or with the edge of the weapon (draw cuts).
- SCA fencing tries to simulate period fencing in injuries and death, as well. In line fencing, only the number of hits is counted. In the SCA, hits are judged by their number, their location, and how much damage they would have done in real life. The fencers go to practice to learn which blows would result in which injuries or death.
- As in real Renaissance life, SCA rapier combat can be one-on-one duels, or melees where two teams fight against each other.
- Differently from real life, all SCA combat is supervised by Marshals, experienced fighters who are specially trained in safety issues. They watch the fighters' conduct, check the safety of the fighters' equipment, and take care for the safety of the non-combatants nearby.
What do you need to fence?
If you want to try fencing before you commit your time and money to it, come to fighter practice. See the Society marshallate rules Society Combat Rules & News and the Kingdom Policy on rapier combat Section 3.11 - Rapier Combat for the clothing and age requirements for trying fencing at a practice.
If you're new, you can borrow someone else's equipment, or you can use the barony's loaner gear. If you decide you like it, you can get yourself completely outfitted: Zen Warrior Armory, one of the SCA's best fencing suppliers, has starter kits that include everything you need. Like everything else, blades wear out when they're used, so you will periodically have to buy additional new blades.
