From: guth@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca (G.Guth)
Subject: Re: antipathy to fencing
Organization: UTCS Public Access
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1993 00:43:31 GMT

In article <470-JNEWS-2.1@smylex.UUCP> Godfrey de Shipbrook <jlee@smylex.UUCP> writes:
>(As to Graydon's comment:  Going back and forth in a straight line, with 
>only one weapon, wearing a white jacket and a mask, and following the rules
>about right-of-way: yes, that *is* a modern activity.  True, we in the SCA
>must wear the masks [what sane fencer WOULDN'T?], but the style in which
>we fence more closely resembles the period rapier combat than modern
>collegiate/Olympic fencing.  Especially if one is wearing a nice sturdy
>doublet, and fencing with a case of rapiers...)

I can't really comment to any extent on the state of fencing seeing as it is
still illegal here in the Midrealm (soon to change, I hope).  However, I have
observed a little SCA fencing in my travels, and there is a small group here
in Septentria that is authorized in the Eastrealm.  What I have seen looks
pretty much like Olympic epee (in the round, and in funny clothes, granted)
Occasionally, I have seen fencing with a main gauche, or a case of rapiers,
but the style I have seen is generally modern with one or two period touches
thrown in.

Now, of course, there's a good reason why people over time switched to the
modern techniques, and away from di Grassi, Saviolo, et al.  They are
superior, and a fencer using modern techniques would probably beat one using
di Grassi's.  But, a gun is more efficient than a broadsword, television a
more effective medium than heralds, and car faster than a horse.  Just 
about the only things that haven't improved are the music, dancing, and
manners :-)  If we're going to be anachronists, lets do it right!  :-)

In a way, I'm glad fencing is outlawed here for now.  I hope to study my
technique using di Grassi and Saviolo, and then teach others a style of
fencing that comes from our period.  Now to some extent, we have to intro-
duce the modern world.  I wouldn't consider fencing without adequate 
protection, and I'll have to use modern foils, or at least the blade, although
it will no doubt be an uphill battle as I'll be fighting against an SCA
standard and as period techniques, while they are period, are inferior to
modern ones.

There really is little excuse for ignoring period fencing manuals.  di Grassi,
Saviolo and Silver are all available in period English editions as a 
facsimile entitled "Three Elizabethan Fencing Manuals" compiled by James L.
Jackson.  For period works they are remarkably legible, and have the 
advantage of being written in English (unlike dance manuals :-(  ).  There
is a summary of the three available from Museum Replicas, as mentioned above.
And, this is one case where the period version is definatley showier and more
fun in practice than the modern equivalent.  All it takes is a little research
(which is one of the official reasons for the existance of the SCA)

In the same vein, I would appreciate any suggestions anyone may have in terms
of areas of further research, or help with learning late 16th century 
technique.  Thanks!

Richard Britnell of Salisbury.
guth@utcs.utoronto.ca
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca