Fencing

Fencing (the Art of Defence, Rapier Combat, Period Fencing, Light Combat - the term used varies a great deal from place to place) is a form of sword-fighting that became popular in late period. With the rise of the musket, heavy plate armour became almost useless and was shed by some in exchange for light armour and light weaponry such as the rapier - which were quick and effective.

Fencing in the SCA

The SCA has a number of fencing groups, that mainly teach the heavier, more realistic fighting styles of rapier or cut & thrust (as opposed to the sport-like modern forms of fencing that use epee or foil). Some kingdoms allow modern equipment to be used, but others, Lochac included, favour reproduction rapiers, practice schlagers or fibreglass rapiers.

SCA fencing allows people to move around freely rather than the simply forward-backwards movement of modern sports-fencing, and it is not limited only to thrusts. The rules allow the tip and the side of the weapon to be used for thrusts, push and draw cuts, tip cuts and blade grabbing. "Cut and thrust" allows even more techniques.

There are a number of weapons combination available to the rapier fighter; some of the most common are:

• Single Point - which is to say a single Rapier or perhaps a single dagger; a single "point" with which to strike.
• Rapier and Dagger
• Case which is a pair of rapiers (also called Florentine)
• Rapier and Buckler
• Rapier and Baton or Scabbard
• Rapier and Cloak
• Rapier and Parrying Gauntlet
• Cloak and Dagger
• Double Dagger

Fencing Awards and Orders in the SCA

Most kingdoms (with the notable exception of Calontir which has no fencing program at all) have some kind of award for fencing. In many kingdoms, this is the White Scarf.

Some kingdoms also have a guild or guild-like structure in place for their fencing programs, such as:

• League of Rapier Acadamies in the East Kingdom
• Guild of Defence in the Kingdom of Lochac - Tournaments are held at regular intervals, one of the most interesting and fun being the Queen's glove of courtesy held at the Rowany Festival (where we get to see interesting styles such as "rapier and song" vs "rapier and satyrical verse").

See also:

• Side Sword
• Rapier