O/T: Two sword fencing

[DevilFish]

Cannot find any information on this. Are there any (unorthodox) styles of fencing one can learn with *two* swords?

Curious.




PS: Apologies if this has been discussed before!

[telkanuru]

I believe the technique of using a dagger in the off-hand is reffered to as florintine fencing, and was mainly used in the 15 and 1600's , and may be taught in SCA/Stage fencing classes.

[CvilleFencer]

As I understand it Florentine is when you use two rapiers in your hand as opposed to sword and dagger/main guanche. As was said if you want to learn this find an ERMA, SCA or stage fighting group or start plowing through the old manuals. You can find a lot of info on line about this if you look for it.

[Epeecurean]

I always liked the demonstration of French youngsters practising two-sword techniques. Go to the link below and find "Fence and Keep Fit".

Cheers,

Epeecurean


Fence and Keep Fit

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A group of school boys (between 13-16 years old I would say) practice their fencing strokes in the open air. Parents and other boys watch while they go through their paces. They move in unison as they practice various steps and thrusts. Intertitle reads: "Fence and keep fit" is a good saying here, for almost every muscle is brought into play in this double-handed sport." C/U of a youngish boy practising. Another boy (possibly younger - about 10?) practices his thrust and parry technique.

A fencing master and a pupil have a duel. None of those fencing wear masks. We then see slow motion footage of two adults fencing. Paper records state that this is a school in France.

[Jarentz]

As I understand it Florentine is when you use two rapiers in your hand as opposed to sword and dagger/main guanche. As was said if you want to learn this find an ERMA, SCA or stage fighting group or start plowing through the old manuals. You can find a lot of info on line about this if you look for it.

I'm not an expert on historical fencing but I don't believe there's actually such term as "Florentine" fencing, the term was probably invented by the SCA.

I believe the period term describing the style of fighting with two swords is "a case of Rapiers"

[wbowman]

I think for "Florentine" it has to involve spinach.

[Cavatione]

Historicaly, the "Rapier and dagger" style was used in Venice, like the style "rapier and lantern" (typical of the assasins).

What is called (invented or not; not sure. I'll check) "florentine style" is, still historicaly, fighting with two rapiers of the same lenght.

[DevilFish]

Thank you for all your information; i'll be sure to check deeper into this intriguing field.
-DF

[Sildar]

There are no references to "Florentine" fencing as the use of two matched swords prior to the formation of the SCA that I have ever seen. Every original source calls the use of matched swords or rapiers from the 16th though 18th centuries "case of ..."

[Inquartata]

I understand there is a reference in some historical document---that's one---using the phrase "a la florentino" or some such. However, I also understand that the reference has been misconstrued and does not in fact pertain to fencing with two swords. So yes, it's entirely a construct of the SCA.

[Schiavona]

On the other hand, I have a book put out by the All Japan Kendo Federation that says that the use of two shinai(sp) is allowed in kendo. When two weapons are used one is longer than the other and both are shorter than the standard single weapon.

Look Ma! I made a pun!