In reply to your inquiry, the decline of fencing has little or nothing to do with the decline of dueling, but rather, in the very perception of how a sword or a sword-like weapon should be used. The idea to use swords in a manner "as if they were sharp" was once the proper way to think of all types of fencing, regardless of whether it was 16th Century swordplay or mid 20th Century swordplay. Fencing as a martial arts activity was defined with this end product in mind, and still should be. Although duelling went out of fashion (though never totally), fencing as a pastime/sport activity still must reflect this truth.
Things gradually changed with the acceptance of the electrical scoring system beginning in the 1930's. It took a lot of years for this to play out, and the changes were subtle, but over time the whole purpose of fencing mutated into a full sport activity whereby one had to "hit before being hit", or 'make the light go off before the other guy'. It was indeed a mutation rather than an evolution because the whole root purpose of fencing was changed: not just the sloppy techniques that are seen, nor the lack of any form present, nor the absence of real parries, or even the offensive moves that would get you killed in a real swordfight. No, what was eliminated was the validity of virtually everything to do with logical attack and defense with any swordlike implement. What we call Sport Fencing (SF) today, is far, far different than the system of fencing that many of us grew with even into the 1960's. We now cannot simply call fencing what it was, but now we need to differentiate
between the SF branch and what must now be called Classical Fencing (CF); or that branch which still retains the goal of "what if they were sharp?" as its' guiding principle, regardless of what weapon is being used. While much of this is predicated toward use of the foil, epee, or sabre, the usage of historical weapons of various periods is considered in the mix as well.
The electrical scoring system by itself did not instantly change the art, but because touches could be differentiated from each other in fractions of a second, ideas related to athleticism over valid technique crept in, rules were changed and interpreted, then interpreted again and again; there were all sorts of issues to do with power, prestige, and, of course, money (just as there are in other venues....fencing is not unique in this), and finally over a period of some forty years of more,sport fencing has become almost unrecognizable from the art it once was. Like anything else, once one has been gradually led down the garden path, the end result can be far different from what one had anticipated in the beginning. Anyway, that is an opinionated short version of what has happened, and I know that I am far from alone in that opinion...from what I have observed over the past forty years, I do not pretend to be unbiased! For more information on developments in the modern game, you
might want to read Maitre Adam Crown's book "Classical Fencing- Art of Incurable Romantics", or Maitre Nick Evangelista's book "The Art and Science of Fencing". Other worthwhile books on the subject include "Science of Fencing" and "History of Fencing" , both by Maestro William Gaugler. "By the Sword" by Richard Cohen will also provide some neat insights into fencing's development. I'm sure that others in the forum will also be happy to contribute their insights as well. Hope that this has been of some value to you.
Regards,
Warren Cabral <m4rkm3w@ntlworld.com> wrote:
hello everyone, hope you all ok.
Already typed this once but think i lost it.
Does anyone have any theories/facts as to why fencing has declined
so much in England and i assume the rest of western Europe. There
are alot of fencing clubs in England but not in comparison to other
sports i.e Karate / Judo. Fencing as a martial art is like hens
teeth, but upto not many generations ago fairly important? Any thing
to do with duels being outlawed?
Regards
Mark
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