The Probert Encyclopaedia of Recreation

FENCING

Fencing is the art of attack and defence with sword or rapier, no shield being used. It was in Italy in the 16th century that the skilful use of the small sword first became common. The art spread to Spain and then to France, where, on account of the prevalence of duelling, it was brought to a high degree of development.

The small sword or rapier (which was adopted for duelling) has a point, but no edge, and therefore demands the highest degree of adroitness in its use. In the fencing schools the instrument adopted for exercise is called a foil; it has a guard of metal or leather between the handle and blade, which is made of pliant steel and has a button at the end in place of a point. The parries are made with the weapon itself by opposing the forte of the foil (i.e. the strong part from the handle to the centre) to the feeble of the adversary's foil (i.e. to the part from centre to point); the upper part of the body to the right is defended by the parry called tierce, the upper part to tho left by the carte, and the lower part by the seconde. In all parrying care must be taken that in covering the side attacked the other side is not too carelessly exposed to the enemy. After every parry a return should be made with rapidity and decision. The fencer should rely more upon his sword hand for protection than upon his agility of leg; yet he must be active on his legs so as to advance, retreat, or lunge with effect. The knees should therefore be somewhat bent when the fencer is on guard, that he may be light and elastic in his movements. An attack may be made by the mere extension of the arm, or accompanied by a lunge, that is, by advancing the body, stepping forward with the right foot without moving the left.

An engagement means the crossing of the blades; a disengagement, slipping your foil under the opponent's and then pressing in the opposite direction; riposte, the attack without pause by a fencer who has parried.

Fencing with the broadsword differs essentially from that with the foil, as the former has an edge as well as a point, and is therefore meant to cut as well as thrust. According to the instructions of drill-masters there are seven cuts, with corresponding guards, and three thrusts. Out one is a diagonal, downward cut at the left cheek of the adversary; cut three is delivered with an upward slope at the left leg, and cut five horizontally at the right side; cuts two, four, and six attack the right cheek, right side, and right leg respectively; and cut seven is directed vertically at the head. Guards one and two defend the upper portion of the body, the sword sloping upwards in an opposite direction to the opponent's; guards three and four protect the legs, the sword sloping downwards; guards five and six defend the sides, when the sword is held vertically, point downwards; and guard seven protects the head, the blade meeting the enemy's almost at a right angle.

Since the introduction of the bayonet, bayonet exercise has become an important department of fencing in the army. In handling the bayonet defensively the right foot is thrown back and receives most of the weight of the body, the knees are bent, the bayonet brought to a horizontal position level with the waist. This is the 'guard,' and according to the parry to be made the weapon is carried either to the 'high' position, pointing upwards from the breast, or to the 'low' position, pointing downwards from the breast. In taking the offensive the right leg is straightened, and the left bent forward, without moving the feet from their place. The butt of the rifle is pressed firmly to the shoulder and points straight forward. In 'shortening arms' the butt is carried back to the full extent of the right arm, while the barrel (turned downwards) rests upon the left arm. The body rests upon the right leg, which is slightly bent, while the left is somewhat advanced.
Research Fencing