Swordsmanship Part 1(of 3)
Read the article the Basic Guards (Stances)of Medieval Longsword, then come back and answer the questions below for Part 1.
You will need a sword to practice with, a wooden dummy sword is fine, or even a yardstick if you have to. Not everyone can afford a nice replica sword to work with, so you might have to improvise and use a “dummy.” You want some length to your “dummy,” since we are talking longsword here. Don’t worry so much about the blade part of your dummy as the handle. Get something–like a wooden dowel or broomstick—that is about as round and shaped like a sword hilt. Broomstick thickness or a bit smaller is perfect. A 3 or 4 foot dowel from the lumber store works fine.
Part 1 Questions:
Answer the following six questions written by Sir Angus Krinkl and send your answers to the School with Sword1 from ______ (your magikal name) in the subject line.
1. What four main positions were used for swordmanship in the 1360s?
2. The basic four were conveniently labeled by whom?
3. This was called what or window in the Italian school?
4. In the Ox position the thumb is on what part of the blade?
5. Lowering the weapon to the middle achieves the second position or?
6. The point should aim at the opponents what or what and the hilt should be held more off to the side in front of the hip joint rather than dead center between the legs.
Exercise: Put your body thru the motions. Practice and memorize the positions / stances of our Sword-Stances Meditation. Study the photographs of the dude in the red shirt because these exact stances are part of our ritual “warm up” and warrior’s way of prayer. In the far east they have the Kata, we Templars have our form of “walking meditation,”too, and this is it. Send a report of your practice, results, etc.over a period of one month’s use of the technique to the School. Put Sword-Stances1 month report in the subject line of your email.
Swordsmanship Part 2
Now read this article, A Short Introduction to Historical European Martial Arts and answer the following questions (as compiled by Lady Deanna). Put Sword2 from ______ (your magikal name) in the subject line.
Part 2 Questions:
1. Until fairly recently, the majority of the study of European arms and armor has traditionally focused on what?
2. T/F A growing amount of modern research has been unable to find historical methods of using various types of Medieval and Renaissance swords and weaponry in historically accurate and martially sound manners.
3. The study of ________________________________________________involves a fascinating combination of military history, fencing history, literature,art, language and archaeology.
4. The term Martial Arts is typically synonymous with__________________________________________.
5. T/F For centuries highly sophisticated European martial systems existed.
6. The term Martial Arts is actually Latin for_______________________________
7. In reference to Medieval and Renaissance combat systems, the terms_____________________ and ________________ _________ could be viewed as synonymous.
8. Prior to mid 1500s, the use of personal fighting skills in Western Europe were primarily for ______________ _____________ rather than _______________________ ______________.
9. From about the _____________ century, professional instructions of fencing first existed across Europe.
10. Who produced the hundreds of technical manuals on fighting methods?
11. T/F Because of these manuals, the popular myth of a clumsy knight lumbering around in heavy armor has been proven to be false.
12. Historical sources show us these trained warriors expertly employing skillfully ______________ _______________with ____________ ____________.
13. This fighting system was as suited to armored as ___________________________.
14. __________________ techniques were vital elements of this method.
15. List five items that may be used in their fighting.
16. Their methods were specialized for
17. Please explain why the study of fencing grew into a new Science of Defense emphasizing urban self-defense.
18. The romanticized view of gentlemen defending their reputations and character is dwarfed by accounts of:
19. Renaissance fencing masters were commonly________________________________________________________________
20. Name three fencing masters listed in this article.
21. Through experiment and observation, what was it that was discerned to travel in a shorter line than the arc of a cut and and strike sooner and reach farther?
22. What was the personal weapon for civilian-wear and private quarrels and first designed for the needs of back-alley encounters and public ambush.
23. Elegant in its lethality, what did the rapier represent?
24. It was unequaled for almost 200 years, until the widespread adoption of what effective weapon?
25. What is the western Martial tradition of now?
Swordsmanship Part 3
Read the article Western Swordsmanship Today, Defining Historical Fencing and answer the questions below (compiled by Lady Deanna) with Sword3 from ______ (your magikal name) in the subject line.
Part 3 Questions:
1. Which type of fencing is modern and competitive?
2. Which type of fencing is considered stage-combat or performance fighting?
3. Which type of fencing is concerned primarily with the practice of epee and foil fencing?
4. Which type of fencing contains the various other approaches to historical Western swordplay that are not easily classifiable and which do not fit into any other categories of mock-fighting.
5. What is the practice of Medieval and Renaissance methods as true martial arts?
6. Which type of fencing is far removed from its martial origins?
7. Which type of fencing combines elements of arranged drills and preset routines of techniques for the direct purpose of demonstration and education?
8. T/F In Arranged Performance Fighting, fight sequences are conducted for display by delivering techniques in-range, at speed and with intent, but stopping prior to injury.
9. T/F Sport Fencing is the type of fencing you would most likely see acted out to create an effective illusion or performance for entertainment through rehearsed choreography.
10. T/F Historical Swordsmanship is most often seen as the reenactments of living history groups, or the play-fighting of live-action role-playing games.
11. T/F Classical Fencing practices with electrical equipment.
12. T/F Historical Swordsmanship is concerned with the realistic reconstruction and replication of historical Western fighting skills under antagonistic conditions.
13. T/F Sport Fencing is a modern 20th and 21st century competitive sport.
14. T/F You would most likely see Mock-Fighting and Martial Sports at your local Renaissance Faire.
15. T/F To study ancient swordplay, one would study the Greeks, Celts and Hawaiians.
