Fencing
Fencing, otherwise known as the Art of Defence, 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 fencing styles available to learn, most often used are:
- Single Point
- Rapier and Dagger
- Case which is a pair of rapiers
- Rapier and Buckler
- Rapier and Baton or Scabbard
- Rapier and Cloak
- Rapier and Parrying Gauntlet
- Cloak and Dagger
- Double Dagger
The Guild of Defence is an official Lochac guild, and stands to promote the art throughout the kingdom. 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").
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