Picture of Queen Elizabeth I
 

Elizabethan Fencing

  • Interesting Facts and information about Elizabethan Fencing and Elizabethan Sports
  • A Knight's training
  • The Art of fencing
  • The sword becomes part of apparel
  • Fencing and the introduction of the rapier

Picture of Queen Elizabeth I

Elizabethan Fencing

Elizabethan Sports - Elizabethan Fencing
Skill in Fencing during the Elizabethan era was a requirement of all Upper class Nobility. The different types of swords ranged from the smallest Broadsword measuring from 30 inches to the Greatswords which measured up to 72 inches. The weight of swords used during this era are usually presumed to be a lot heavier than they actually were!

 
 
 

Training in Fencing for Battle
Skill in using the sword and to fence effectively took time, practise and effort . A Knight was trained first as a Page from the age of 7 to 14 and then as Squire from the age of 14 to 21. A Knight was therefore usually the age of 21 before would make a formal entry into Knighthood. It was the duty of a Knight to learn how to fight, become accomplished at using the sword as his primary weapon, and so serve their sovereign according to the Code of Chivalry. Almost 14 years of training enabled the knight use the sword with considerable strength and skill. These skills were still required during the Elizabethan era for tournaments.

 

The Art of Fencing
The mid 1500s saw the introduction of fencing in personal fighting skills and private self-defense. The use of the sword and the acquisition of fencing arts changed as technology increased and firearms were introduced and used for military warfare. The old Feudal system had ceased and so to had the avenues to settle personal scores. These social changes during the Elizabethan era led to an increase in the popularity of dueling, or fencing, as a means to settle private disagreements especially those concerning reputation and honor. Fencing masters came into great demand. A sword was an important part of a nobles apparel and it was important that he had adequate fencing skills. The wearing of the sword with civilian dress  was a custom that had begun in late fifteenth-century Spain.

The Rapier
The elegant rapier was used in preference to the older, clumsier cutting swords. New fencing techniques were introduced by the Elizabethan fencing masters. Sword play was no longer simply dependent on brute strength.

 
 

Interesting Facts and Information about Elizabethan Sports and Elizabethan Fencing
Some interesting facts and information about Elizabethan Fencing

Elizabethan Elizabethan Fencing
Details, facts and information about  Tournaments and Elizabethan Sports can be accessed via the Elizabethan Era Sitemap.

Elizabethan Fencing

  • Interesting Facts and information about Elizabethan Fencing and Elizabethan Sports
  • A Knight's training
  • The Art of fencing
  • The sword becomes part of apparel
  • Fencing and the introduction of the rapier
 

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Elizabethan Fencing

 

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