[CFML] Re: Smallswords

> Hello,
>
> I'm an 18th c reenactor, did sport fencing in
> university, and for the past 2 years I've been
> fencing smallsword.
>
> Can someone explain why the smallsword replaced the
> rapier? Given a choice, I'd rather carry a bit of
> extra weight in order to have the length, the use of
> the edge and the better hand protection of the rapier.
> Are there practical reasons or is it possible that its
> just "fashion"?

Well more than just fashion.

(This applies only to England by the way, I imagine the rest of Europe was
similar, but social pressures in Northern Protestant Europe were extreme
at
the time and odd things did happen, I know the rapier carried on a lot
longer in Italy and there is still a living tradition there)

Essentially lethality of swords went up with the rapier and the fashion for
wearing them went down. This may be linked, people wore Colt revolvers in
early America and missed a lot, but nobody wears an Uzi as a fashion item
(outside some very strange circles anyway)

Lethal fights in the streets came to an end as something you could expect
to
happen after about 1600, so no need to carry a sword if you went for a
night out at a tavern.

The drop in crimes of violence at the end of the Tudor period is something
historians argue over, but essentially court cases involving assault and
murder drop by about 50% to just about modern levels, and stay there
.
Smallswords became social indicators, and then male jewellery.

Some of the examples in the Royal Armouries collection are exquisite.

By the way, the earliest small sword I've seen is the one being worn by
the
Lieutenant in Rembrandt's 'The Night Watch', (The chap in the white suit
at
the front) and I wear a rather plain brass copy with a cut down double
width epee blade for re-enactment when I'm being classy, anyone know an
earlier one?

William Black
------------------
On time, on budget, or works;
Pick any two from three


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