Vincent at Ensis Sub Caelo has published an English translation of an excerpt Jean-Joseph Renaud's Traité d’Escrime Moderne (1928) where Renaud discuss the secret thrust, or botte secrète. Nevers’ attack strikes the villain in the finale of Le Bossu. "A fencer smiles when he hears of secret attacks. He knows, or thinks he knows, all … Continue reading Jean-Joseph Renaud on Secret Attacks
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Classical Fencing Masters Fencing French Foil
https://youtu.be/H3F8_7yZhQc From Benjamin Bowles’ YouTube channel: “Classical foil fencing bout between Maître d’Armes Cecil Longino (right) of Salle Saint-Georges in Seattle, Washington, and & Maestro de Armas Antone Blair (left) of Destreza Pacifica in Arcata, California. This bout was during the public opening and exhibition for the 19th Century Fencing Weapons and Memorabilia Exhibit on … Continue reading Classical Fencing Masters Fencing French Foil
Rondelle on Learning to Fence
"Fencing can be indulged in by all. Application and skill equalize the chances between the short and the tall, the weak and the strong. The consciousness of improvement in the art lends it a fascination, which is increased by the pleasure of competition with other fencers. Those who learn the art become its devotees. They … Continue reading Rondelle on Learning to Fence
Fencing in Columbia, Mo
We are so excited to be fencing with our old friends at Columbia Classical Fencing today! Check back here for fencing times and locations in Springfield next week!
Danet on the Demi-Volte
“In smallsword, the volte is a movement that is an evasive action—that is, an esquive—that sidesteps an attack while simultaneously thrusting into the opponent. When one executes this advanced move, one is simultaneously attacking and defending at the same time. Hence, the demi-volte can be considered a counter-attack. It is fraught with risk while remaining … Continue reading Danet on the Demi-Volte
The Epic Study & Interpretation of the 1805 Manuel de Brea’s Destreza-Fencing Treatise
André Hajjar Sesé has released his English interpretation of de Brea’s 1805 destreza manual, Principios Universales Y Reglas De La Verdadera Destreza Del Espadin… on his blog, Destreza Nova. La Verdadera Destreza refers to the Spanish school, a school of rapier uniquely rooted in geometry, philosophy, and an amazing use of footwork. For the uninitiated, it may appear somewhat like a geometric alchemy.
André Hajjar Sesé has released his English interpretation of de Brea’s 1805 destreza manual, Principios Universales Y Reglas De La Verdadera Destreza Del Espadin… on his blog, Destreza Nova. La Verdadera Destreza refers to the Spanish school, a school of rapier uniquely rooted in geometry, philosophy, and an amazing use of footwork. For the uninitiated, it may appear somewhat like a geometric alchemy.
Some may argue that Destreza is tangential to the study of the smallsword, and there is some merit to that argument. However, one can consider Destreza somewhat as an ancestral cousin of the smallsword. Regardless of where you fall in this argument, there is no doubt that a smallsworder of the French or English school could easily have crossed swords with a Spanish practitioner. To that end, I offer you Angelo’s plate 43 from his 1783 publication:
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A New Smallsword Trainer
The new line of smallswords from Feather Smallswords in Serbia has piqued my interest.
Columbia Classical Fencing
From our sister school, Columbia Classical Fencing:The last year has been eventful for everyone as we have dealt with the impacts of Covid-19. One of the impacts was our reduced activity on our blog and social media while we continued to safely offer instruction. We are back online, and our website now has a new, … Continue reading Columbia Classical Fencing
Women’s Fencing Instruction, 1917
On this last day of Women's History Month, it is fitting that we examine how many women in the United States were introduced to fencing in the early Twentieth Century. In 1917, Mary C. Morgan edited a volume...
Bryn Mawr Fencers, 1927
Bryn Mawr Fencers with Foils and Masks, 1927.Bryn Mawr College Library Special Collections.Courtesy VintageSevenSisters on Tumblr. Bryn Mawr College is one of the original Seven Sisters colleges, selective colleges created to provide women with the same caliber of education found at the then men-only Ivy League colleges. All of the Seven Sisters were founded between … Continue reading Bryn Mawr Fencers, 1927
Queen City Classical Fencing 