Re: [CFML] Rapier fought like Foil?

Rez,
In response to your post...

***The first thing to understand is that no one ever
accused to SCA of adhering to a strict policy of
"period fencing technique." A large # of SCA fencers
are either ex-sport fencers, dabbled in sport fencing,
were trained by ex-sport fencers, or were trained by
people who dabbled in sport fencing. The rest of them
(us, whatever) are slowly trying to make inroads by
introducing more period techniques to SCA rapier play.

*** Yes. With period rapiers of old, it would have
been very difficult to execute modern foil parries.
The rest of your statement of mostly correct,
excepting that it is possible to parry to the inside
line. See Ridolpho Capo Ferro (period) and Ramone
Martinez- La Scherma Italiana (Modern interpretation).
Mind you, these parries were generally made with a
simultaneous counter attack in time.

***Read first paragraph. All fighting styles are
permitted, regardless of the weapon length, weight,
etc, so long as they do not endanger the combatants.
The SCA standard for rapier blades is 35-40". There
are some that fight with either or both, or longer or
shorter. I have seen very well executed period Italian
technique with a 40+" blade go up against 19th C.
classical technique with a 34" blade.

Hope this helps somewhat...

Arin M. Dove
Lord Cillian mac Cauldwell (SCA)



Message: 5
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2005 15:53:23 -0600
From: <1@msfencing.org>
Subject: Rapier fought like Foil ???

In watching several SCA rapier fencers lately I have
noticed that their
fencing doesn’t really look like historical rapier,
but more like a
modified form of foil fencing. The fencers I am
referring to are tall/strong fencers who use the
shorter 35 " schlager bladed weapons. They are so
light that they can and do make foil-like parries with
them in not only the high outside line, but also in
the high inside line and the low inside line\ and
rarely if ever use the off hand to parry.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the original
rapiers incapable
of foil-like parries due to their length and weight?
Which is why the off hand, or a dagger or buckler was
needed to parry
with.
And When the rapier was used to parry, wasn’t it only
used to cover the
high outside line and then as more of an attack with
opposition than a
foil-like parry? And never used to parry the inside
line?

In light if the lightness of 35" rapiers how do you
handle these
discrepancies in rapier fencing in your organizations?
When using weapons which are so light they can be used
like foils do
you allow these unhistorical moves or do you prohibit
them? or do you
require everyone to use the longer 40" blades?

Thanks.

Blessings,
Rez Johnson

"Standing guard on old, forgotten roads, that no one
travels anymore."
THE FENCING MASTER
by Arturo Perez

Rez Johnson, M d'A
Headmaster: Mississippi Academy of Arms (Mississippi
Fencing Academy)
President: United States Traditional Fencing
Association
Certified Fencing Instructor: (USTFA, TFI, AAI, USFCA)
Certified Fencing Master Apprentice: (USTFA, USFCA)
Teaching Classical Fencing and Historical
Swordsmanship since 1980
Modern Sport Fencing Coach 1980 - 2002

Mississippi Academy of Arms
P.O. Box 955
Pelahatchie, MS 39145-0955

E-Mail: 1@MSFencing.org
Academy Website: http://MSFencing.org
USTFA Website: http://traditionalfencing.org
"Eala Earendel engla beorhtast
ofer middangeard monnum sended."
Crist of Cynewulf



__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail


------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Meet the McDonald¿s® Lincoln Fry get free digital souvenirs,
Web-only video and bid on the Lincoln Fry prop charity auction.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/2YkgMD/fV0...ZIAA/VRUolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

----------------------------------------------------------------------
The CFML is sponsored in part by Purpleheart Armoury, now carrying rapier blunts and leather gorgets. http://www.woodenswords.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/classicalfencing/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
classicalfencing-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/