As you say, you are no great fencer and as such should be careful when promoting or disregarding techniques that you are not sure of.
Every attack, be it a lunge, thrust or cut with any weapon is dangerous, but then so is being in a sword fight. There are lots of options to avoid being struck when lunging.
The extra long step that defines the lunge leaves too much open for most rapier fencers to use regularly. This is especially true here where the fencers you see were pretty tired out from probably between two and three dozen fights. You'll also notice their technique (where it is recognizable) is closer to the English rather than Italian style for the most part. It is used, but it is almost as rare as the passade/passere...
look in the manuals, the lunge and the pass are by far the most commonly used techniques, for good reason, and no I don't see an English system, the only English Rapier text we have is Swetnam, 1619, later than you said your using, and Pallas Armata which is crazy and is still mostly Italian and even copies Fabris plates, also the lunge was much earlier than 1590, come on Meyer had it in 1570 and he was German! Agrippa showed it in the 1550's.
Lunges are ill advised with Rapier? Rapier technique gave us the lunge we still know today, also, the English didn't have a Rapier style, certainly not in the 16th century, Rapier was all taught by Italians at that point in England, If you aren't lunging, then you really don't understand the rapier as a weapon.
The thing with the lunge is that if you miss you are unlikely to be able to recover before a counter attack skewers you. I'm no great fencer, but I've been on both sides of it... Lunges are great if they connect. If not, you can expect a new hole or two.
I am a rapier instructor so I do know the value of the lunge. If you lunge does not land, you do not simply get hit, there are other options and you should be making use of the dagger to cover their sword anyway. Even if you don't want to use lunges, you should be making common use of the passing step, which is good on all ground and will not lose your balance or recovery time.
You are kidding? Lunging is too dangerous? Have you not read a single rapier text? Have a look at Capo ferro and learn about technique. This is a very poor fight and a poor example of rapier technique.
The SCA recreates (note- not reenacts) medieval and renaissance activities. This style of fencing is a recreation of the styles used in the mid to late 16th century. The lunge was first introduced in the 1590s (possibly 1580's) in Italy and was a well kept secret for a while. The styles you see are mostly English with the more well known Italian moves thrown in and very occasionally some Spanish technique from the period.
Lunges are ill advised in rapier fencing. The move is too dangerous and exposing. Imagine as if the swords were real, that is the idea behind classical fencing. Would you lunge at a blade?
Interesting, shows what happens when you're in a hurry to get to the wrong distance. Advancing without the point in line is also another way to have your opponent crown KRC.
Oh My GOD! You don't know how Cool this is! I know these people - by names! I wasn't able to make the trek up the *mumblemumble* new england, but I'm so happy I got to see this last bout! WHOO HOO!!!
As you say, you are no great fencer and as such should be careful when promoting or disregarding techniques that you are not sure of.
Every attack, be it a lunge, thrust or cut with any weapon is dangerous, but then so is being in a sword fight. There are lots of options to avoid being struck when lunging.
th7dude 4 years ago
The extra long step that defines the lunge leaves too much open for most rapier fencers to use regularly. This is especially true here where the fencers you see were pretty tired out from probably between two and three dozen fights. You'll also notice their technique (where it is recognizable) is closer to the English rather than Italian style for the most part. It is used, but it is almost as rare as the passade/passere...
iarwain1 4 years ago
look in the manuals, the lunge and the pass are by far the most commonly used techniques, for good reason, and no I don't see an English system, the only English Rapier text we have is Swetnam, 1619, later than you said your using, and Pallas Armata which is crazy and is still mostly Italian and even copies Fabris plates, also the lunge was much earlier than 1590, come on Meyer had it in 1570 and he was German! Agrippa showed it in the 1550's.
Nikos3000 4 years ago
Lunges are ill advised with Rapier? Rapier technique gave us the lunge we still know today, also, the English didn't have a Rapier style, certainly not in the 16th century, Rapier was all taught by Italians at that point in England, If you aren't lunging, then you really don't understand the rapier as a weapon.
Nikos3000 4 years ago
The thing with the lunge is that if you miss you are unlikely to be able to recover before a counter attack skewers you. I'm no great fencer, but I've been on both sides of it... Lunges are great if they connect. If not, you can expect a new hole or two.
iarwain1 4 years ago
I am a rapier instructor so I do know the value of the lunge. If you lunge does not land, you do not simply get hit, there are other options and you should be making use of the dagger to cover their sword anyway. Even if you don't want to use lunges, you should be making common use of the passing step, which is good on all ground and will not lose your balance or recovery time.
Nikos3000 4 years ago
You are kidding? Lunging is too dangerous? Have you not read a single rapier text? Have a look at Capo ferro and learn about technique. This is a very poor fight and a poor example of rapier technique.
th7dude 4 years ago
Where's the athleticism? Why don't they lunge?
calderwis 4 years ago
The SCA recreates (note- not reenacts) medieval and renaissance activities. This style of fencing is a recreation of the styles used in the mid to late 16th century. The lunge was first introduced in the 1590s (possibly 1580's) in Italy and was a well kept secret for a while. The styles you see are mostly English with the more well known Italian moves thrown in and very occasionally some Spanish technique from the period.
iarwain1 4 years ago
Lunges are ill advised in rapier fencing. The move is too dangerous and exposing. Imagine as if the swords were real, that is the idea behind classical fencing. Would you lunge at a blade?
THESTUDENTONLINE 4 years ago
Interesting, shows what happens when you're in a hurry to get to the wrong distance. Advancing without the point in line is also another way to have your opponent crown KRC.
kenshifencer 4 years ago
Oh and I forgot! Oh, Don Ian, you're so dreamy. Wanna spoon? I have a fork if you'd rather. Or maybe a forpoon - the best of both worlds! ;)
*giggle giggle*
unicornpearlz 5 years ago
Oh My GOD! You don't know how Cool this is! I know these people - by names! I wasn't able to make the trek up the *mumblemumble* new england, but I'm so happy I got to see this last bout! WHOO HOO!!!
JoM
unicornpearlz 5 years ago