What is Historical Fencing?

Historical Fencing includes a wide range of sword styles, from the earliest sword and buckler manuals, through German and Italian longsword, Spanish and Italian rapier, British basket-hilted sword, French smallsword through to 19th-century military sabre.

It also covers quarterstaff, pole weapons, wrestling and pugilism and even the brutally pragmatic techniques taught to Allied soldiers in the Second World War. Historical Fencers study these arts from period texts and practise as if they were preparing to face an encounter with live blades. An important aspect of training is the use of rebated (blunt) weapons with historically accurate dimensions, construction, weight and balance. This is coupled with the best modern protective masks and safety equipment for the benefit of participants.