Official blog of Gray School of Arms, Academia Da Espada Ireland. Exploring all aspects of The art of Dexterity and western fighting arts!
In humanities history there has been one weapon that has withstood the test of time, one weapon that has been used so extensively throughout our history that it has been depicted in literature and art from every age. Yet its prestige has not grown to that of the sword, it has been present but overlooked when compared to, what would be called a nobler weapon.
Dueling did not always go to plan, this can be seen by the fact that duels where mainly outlawed in many parts of Europe and also to the fact that duels had to be witnessed. Back in the 14th century this would involve a full judicial committee which was a public affair (many problems arrived when dueling went private as seen in France or Italy, this allowed matters of honor to be dealt with privately) an historical example of a public duel can be read in the last duelist:
The Rodella had two uses, one being to protect the user and the second as an offensive weapon itself. Before looking further at this there is simply not enough room to fit a full explanation of the shields use from the 16th century to the 17th as its use changed with the fencing systems as they progressed.
For generations the sword has caught the imagination, either on stage or on screen the sword has been iconic. Not only a symbol of power, justice but also of entertainment and of course martial arts. However there is one particular combination that is even more icon then the sword alone. It rivals even the massive popularity of eastern martial arts in film.
A fight is similar to that of a scene, it has a start, a middle and an end. The main difference is in the time. A real fight can take, at the start a very short or long time to actually begin. Both combatants circling each other, neither wanting to make the first move as it could very well be their last.
or a long time the entertainment industry has made use of martial arts. It has inspired generations of young and old to take up the martial practices, ether eastern or western. From the early days of the roman amphitheater in Rome with their depictions of the Gallic tribes falling to Caesar’s legions, to the displays of Shakespeare in the globe theatre in London,
