This was a radical departure from a Feudal economy, where the nobles (descendants of primitive warlords and their cohorts) had all the gold, all the land, and all the power while the peasants (everyone else) toiled to scratch out enough food and goods to supply the defense of their small parcel of land.
With this redistribution of wealth came a multitude of troubles. Merchant houses feuded with one another, and wars were fought and financed by lesser nobles, guilds, and entire religions. Soon, most people went around armed in case some rival faction decided to vent their rage upon their person. Swords formerly used to crack armor in wartime were being pressed into service by civilians for personal defense. While the upper classes could afford armor, and trained each other in the ways of warfare, the less fortunate were fighting not only on the battlefield, but in taverns and alleys as well. Without the benefit of armor, training usually consisted of barroom brawls and sage advice from veteran fighters.
Fencing schools of the day were the hiring halls, and training grounds for various hoodlums, thugs, and assassins, and the Fencing Instructor was relegated to the social status of the likes of jugglers, vagabonds, and (ecch!) actors.
Eventually fencing schools exploded into popularity, since without armor, swords were a great equalizer, making strength and size, rank and privilege no longer a factor. Armed only with a quick wit and a good sword, any man can be as good as any other.
Swords began to evolve swiftly at this time, transitioning from the "cross" shaped swords of the medieval crusader, to a longer and lighter blade with elaborate hilts to guard the unprotected hand from damage. Then the upper classes started to take notice, and swordplay became a popular sport, practiced by all classes by the late 16th century. Duels between members of every class were common, and it was considered fashionable for every gentleman to have a fencing master on retainer.
Individuals dueled over matters of personal insult, and affairs of honor. In France, within the twenty years between 1590 and 1610, one third of the nobility (more than 4,000 people) are reported to have died in personal duels, with 2,000 more to die within the next ten years.
"Dead men with holes in their breasts were often found by the watchmen with their pale faces resting on the doorsteps of merchant's houses, or propped up, still bleeding, hidden away under church porches." Duels occurred on the streets, in the alleys, in taverns, and in secluded glades from the British Isles to the southern tip of the Italian peninsula. Dueling became such a problem that it was outlawed most everywhere, but that didn't stop the killing.
William Shakespeare spoke of the craze in his play, "Romeo and
Juliet":
"Thou of the dueling fad! Why, thou wilt quarrel with a
man that hath a hair more or a hair less in his beard than thou
hast. Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no
other reason than thou hast hazel eyes. Thou has quarreled
with a man for coughing in the street because he hath wakened
thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun."
It was at this time that it was commonplace for anyone to go to a stranger and ask him to be a "second" in a duel. Seconds were more often not only spectators to a duel, but active participants as well. Unfortunately, fashion and honor dictated that the gentleman attend the event, or possibly be dishonored, and possibly the subject of another duel. If you were at a play, and you were not pleased with the quality of the show of swordsmanship, you could always challenge the actor to a duel. Actors and playwrights were often noted for their duels. Ben Johnson once killed an actor in his own company, and Christopher Marlow died in barroom brawl.
With the invention of the printing press, information regarding the practice of fencing became more widely available, and fencing masters were able to spread news of their techniques, and record their exploits for anyone who could read and even improve upon them. Swords became lighter and faster, often having elaborate handles for each and every occasion. (One black for funerals, one to match my blue outfit, one to wear around the house, etc....) Swords became lighter and faster, it was soon discovered that while the edge of a blade will leave a nasty, gory wound, the medicine of the period could somewhat repair it. It was also discovered that in the time that it takes to cock an arm for a really good cut, you can be jabbed several times with the tip of your opponent's blade. The wounds left by the point of the sword, were wounds that were almost always lethal. You may not die today, you may not die tomorrow, you may not die next week, you may not even die this month, but you will die. (Peritonitis is a harsh mistress.)
Fencing became a popular sport, with prize-fighters dueling with swords, sticks, and even bare fists. Today, it's hard to believe that modern pugilism owes a debt of gratitude to what is now considered by most to be an archaic and antiquated sport.
The
Sport And Art Of The Sword
Chapter
One: The Pre-history of Fencing
Chapter
Two: Through The Ages
Chapter Four: Modern Fencing
Chapter Five: Da Rules
Chapter Six: An Exercise Regimen
Chapter Seven: The Zen Of Fencing
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