Fencing

Summary

Fencing is a discipline with a long history. Today it is often referred to as Olympic Fencing, in order to distinguish it as a sports discipline from historical Fencing. It is one of the rare sports which have been practiced at every modern Olympic Games and is considered to be a prestigious discipline. The sport is divided into three different weapons – foil, épée and sabre. The object of the Fencing bout is to score 15 points in direct elimination play or five points in preliminary pool play. A point is given every time a fencer scores a touch in a bout consisting of three three-minute periods.

History / Origins

ETYMOLOGY

The word fence is dated back to 14th century and is considered to be shortening of the word defens (today’s defense). It bears the meaning of the “action of defending” and the spelling alternated between fence and fense in Middle English. The word defens came from Italian “defensio” which had Latin roots.

BEGINNINGS

Fencing sprang directly from duels and can thus be considered one of the oldest games in the world. It is known that Germanic tribes used combat with swords in order to settle different problems, apart from those concerning war. Later the idea of duel spread over the Christian World and the practice became highly popular during the Middle Ages and was considered an inseparable part of chivalry. It did, though, go through some tough times as well, for example in 15th century Spain, where it was banned. As the time passed, Fencing became more and more important and eventually was taught at universities of North Italy, like those in Venice or Bologna. Italian masters established a stable tradition and as the art of Fencing progressed the weapons themselves became lighter. Various regions developed different swords and techniques. Different Fencing schools sprang up causing indifference toward the practice in 17th century.

Napoleonic wars eventually brought Fencing back to life, but the French school did not dominate for long, as the Italian schools gained more and more practitioners. Finally, a school that was called “Mixed” was created, combining best elements of both Italian and French techniques. Naples was the first center of Fencing in 1861, but other schools in Milan, Rome and other cities soon followed. It was not until the early 1900s that Fencing became popular in United States. Italian Masters brought it to North and South America at that time and the sport gained huge popularity on the other side of Atlantic.⁽¹⁾ The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 and featured men’s foil and saber Fencing events.

PRESENT DAY

Today, three schools of Fencing differ just slightly. The Italian school is popular in Italy, Austria, South America and Germany. On the other hand, French tradition is respected in France, England and U.S. And finally, Spanish school is dominant in Spain and Portugal.

The main governing body in the field of Fencing is the FIE or Fédération Internationale d'Escrime which is situated in Lausanne. It includes 145 national federations which are the sole representatives of Olympic-style Fencing in their countries. FIE also regulates current rules which apply to all Fencing events. Fencing has become a popular sport and numerous events take place every year. After the Olympic Games, the World Championships in Fencing is the most important international competition in the Fencing field.⁽²⁾

FOLKLORE

The word Fencing comes from the word “defens”. The first use of this word in reference to swordsmanship is in Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor: “Alas sir, I cannot fence”.

The tip of the Fencing weapon is thought to be the second fastest moving object in sport after the marksman’s bullet!⁽³⁾ The Fencing suits are white for a good reason – before, touching of the opponent was recorded with a piece of cotton at the tip of the weapon dipped in ink.⁽⁴⁾