De student en het zwaard: De Leidse schermschool in de zeventiende eeuw

A history of seventeenth century fencing in the Dutch Republic. In this paper the fencing techniques and fencers of the seventeenth century are being discussed. Fencing manuals form this period often depict fencer running each other through with their rapiers. Furthermore, the way in which seventeenth century fencing master fencing seems to indicate that they are thinking of actual fights to the death. This begs the question of how seventeenth century fencing must be categorised. Was this a sport, a martial art or something entirely different all together? To answer this question this paper looks at the background of students that studied fencing at the Leiden fencing school, the reasons for people in the early modern age to carry swords. After this the fencing manuals of two fencing masters that taught and lived in Leiden are analysed to see what they deemed to be the use of fencing. Overall it can be concluded that the seventeenth century form of fencing could be used as a means...Show moreA history of seventeenth century fencing in the Dutch Republic. In this paper the fencing techniques and fencers of the seventeenth century are being discussed. Fencing manuals form this period often depict fencer running each other through with their rapiers. Furthermore, the way in which seventeenth century fencing master fencing seems to indicate that they are thinking of actual fights to the death. This begs the question of how seventeenth century fencing must be categorised. Was this a sport, a martial art or something entirely different all together? To answer this question this paper looks at the background of students that studied fencing at the Leiden fencing school, the reasons for people in the early modern age to carry swords. After this the fencing manuals of two fencing masters that taught and lived in Leiden are analysed to see what they deemed to be the use of fencing. Overall it can be concluded that the seventeenth century form of fencing could be used as a means for self-defence. Learning how to fence was also an essential part of a gentlemen’s education and a status symbol students perused eagerly.Show less

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De student en het zwaard: De Leidse schermschool in de zeventiende eeuw