The History of Sport Fencing

Fencing as a sport was refined throughout the modern ages, but sword fighting is much older. The ancient Egyptians tell of sword fighting and depict it in hieroglyphs. It wasn’t until the 16th century, according to Fencing Online, that scientific fencing became a real sport. However, the first book written about fencing was published in the late 15th century.

  1. Origin

    • The art of battle is as old as humanity, and naturally sport fighting comes along in tow. Sport fencing probably originated from the duel. The duel has its beginnings with the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Germanic tribes. It became popular then to settle quarrels with a one-on-one battle. This custom spread and was practised as a form of chivalry in the Middle Ages. "Treatise on Arms" by Diego de Valera was written between 1458 and 1471 and was the first book about fencing as a sport. Toledo, a Catholic majesty of Spain, banned dueling in 1840.

    Scientific Fencing

    • Valeras’ book was the beginning of scientific fencing, but shortly after it was published the sport began to take hold. The sport originated in Spain and it was taken abroad by Spanish travelers when Spain was the superpower in Europe. In northern Italy, fencing was also becoming a popular sport and was even taught at universities in Venice and Bologna. The sport grew out of a brutish duel and into a sophisticated form of swordplay reflected by the schools and the refinement of the sword itself.

    Weapons

    • As fencing grew some emphasis was placed on the defensive art of swordplay and fencers might carry a shield or dagger with the left hand, according to a Harvard University paper. As the sport gained subtlety and efficiency, less focus was directed at the defensive side and it became clear that lighter weapons were needed. Smaller crossbars led to more efficient weapons, and the French eventually eliminated the crossbar altogether, making a less powerful but more delicate sword.

    Schools

    • Though Spain is the mother of scientific fencing, France and Italy were the first to establish fencing schools. Led by masters of the art, they still attract students from all over the world. Three main fencing schools have been built. The first was the French Royal Academy founded in 1567. Italy then built a school and, finally, Spain established one in 1900. It is these three schools that epitomize fencing and, according to the Harvard University paper, there have been few changes since their establishment besides advances in weaponry.

    In America

    • According to Graeme M. Hammond, M.D. and President of the Amateur Fencers League of America, the New York Turn Verein offered a fencing class as early as 1850. The sport was not nationally recognized in America until the recognition of the Amateur Athletic Union in 1888, which began holding regular national competitions. The first Olympic Games to recognize fencing as a sport was in 1900.