oooh, Peter, here we go!

[winterbadger]

Fun ways to spend time!

And the first lesson is free! Kind of like crack...

Comments

[dativesingular.livejournal.com]

WANT TO GO. I was in my university's fencing club (not to be confused with the idea that I was actually good at it)!

[janewilliams20.livejournal.com]

C15 longsword is not fencing.... I've done fencing, I've done circa 1600 broadsword work, longsword looks like LOTS of fun, but no way is it fencing. Hmm, I may be up that way for the Gloriana Cup later in the year, I wonder if they'll do a workshop there? I really should have a go, I mean, it's a SWORD....

[winterbadger]

Same here--duffer at fencing in HS but loved it. And rubbish at boardgames, etc. I collect hobbies I'm not good at... :-)

[winterbadger]

How would you describe the difference? Certainly fencing, a term that goes back to the 16th century, is a lot more than the modern sport, or even the 18th century duelling with smallswords that makes up some of the popular image.

[janewilliams20.livejournal.com]

"Fencing" is usually used for a form of sword-fighting that's mainly about thrusts. Broadsword and longsword use thrusts but are more about cuts.

Take a look at George Silver for a lot of anti-Italian ranting on the subject :)

[winterbadger]

Oh a friend of mine has written a lot about the historical art of sword-fighting. I was mostly curious to know what seemed the difference to you.

[janewilliams20.livejournal.com]

Sounds like the main difference is in our definition of the term "fencing" :)