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A
Short Introduction to
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Renaissance
Adaptations
Renaissance Masters systematized and innovated the study of Western fighting skills into sophisticated, versatile, and highly effective martial arts eventually culminating in the development of the penultimate weapon of street-fighting and dueling, the quick and vicious rapier. Through experiment and observation they discerned that the thrust traveled in a shorter line than the arc of a cut and against an unarmored foe would strike sooner and reach farther. The rapier was developed along these principles. Thrusting was already well known in Medieval combat and the new style of foyning fence was thus not any “evolution”, but rather an adaptation to a changed environment. Rather than for war or battlefield, the slender, deceptive rapier was a personal weapon for civilian-wear and private quarrels. It was first designed for the needs of back-alley encounters and public ambush. Indeed, it was the first truly civilian weapon for urban self-defence developed in any society. It rose from practical tool, to popular “gentleman's art”. Elegant in its lethality, it represents one of the most innovative and original aspects of Western martial culture and one with no parallel in other cultures. While never eclipsing cutting swords entirely, as a specialized weapon for personal single-combat, it was unequaled for almost 200 years until the widespread adoption of effective and reliable handguns.
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Like
much of progress in Renaissance learning and science, advances in
self-defense were based on what had already been commonly established
for centuries. They were not able to achieve their progress in a vacuum. There
is an obvious direct and discernible link between the brutal, practical
fighting methods of the Middle Ages and the more sophisticated, elegant
Renaissance fencing systems.
No tradition of fighting or methodology of combat exists by
itself. It comes into being due to environmental
pressure as only a processing or refinement of what existed previously. So it was with the fencing arts of
the Renaissance. They followed a more than 2,000-year-old military tradition within Western civilization of close-combat proficiency.
The techniques developed and
taught by the Masters of Defence were not “tricks” nor merely based only on brute strength.
They were moves they knew worked in combat, that they had discerned,
had named, and had taught to others. But, to fencers in much later centuries,
(bounded by rules of deportment and the etiquette of convention) these
earlier fighting styles (designed to face a range of arms and armors)
would naturally seem less “scientific”. With the disconnection
that occurred between older traditions and the precise sporting swordplay
of later gentlemen duelists, it is reasonable that the earlier, more
dynamic, flexible, and inclusive methods would incorrectly seem to
only be a mix of chaotic gimmicks unconnected by any larger “theory”.
Eventually, due to changing historical and social forces, the traditional martial skills and teachings of European Masters of Defence fell out of common use. Little to nothing of their methods actually survive in modern fencing sports today which, based on conceptions of 18th century small-sword combat, are far removed from their martial origins in the Renaissance. Later centuries in Europe saw only limited and narrow application of swords and traditional arms, only some of which survived for a time to become martial sports.
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Modern
Research & Practice
In
a sense, our European martial culture is itself something still very
much with us today. But it now bares little resemblance to its Renaissance
heritage. The technological revolution in Western military science which
swept the 18th century left behind the old ideas of an individual,
armored warrior trained in personal hand-to-hand combat. It was replaced
with the new “Western Way of war” utilizing ballistics and
associated organizational concepts.
This very approach itself, emphasizing more and more a technical,
mechanical, and industrial method of armed combat, is the Western martial “tradition” now. Indeed, it is this very martial way that is now the model for
all modern armed forces the world over.
In a sense, to see a modern aircraft carrier, fighter squadron,
or armored battalion is very much the embodiment of a continuing and
ever evolving European martial tradition.
From the time of the
ancient Greeks onward Western Civilization has always been a source of uniquely
resourceful ideas and specialized innovation. For
better or worse, the same technical ingenuity that was applied to classical arts and
sciences was directed equally towards the weapons of war and skills of battle. In short, the
Western world's contributions to martial arts are far-ranging and far-reaching. Modern boxing, wrestling, and sport fencing are
the very blunt and shallow tip of a deep history which, when explored and developed
properly, provides a link to traditions which are as rich and complex as any to emerge
from Asia.
Today, as more and more students of historical European martial
arts ("HEMA") earnestly study the subject they are recovering this
heritage and reclaiming it from myth, misconception, and fantasy. This is not about costumed role-play or
theatrical stunt shows, but scholarly research combined with genuine martial arts
training. As
a result a more realistic appreciation of our Western martial culture is now emerging full
force.
See
also
Introduction to Renaissance Martial Arts Literature
and
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