Origin of fencing

Fencing: a sport, a skill, a science, an art and a way of education. Whether we appreciate it as an art, study it as a science, regard it as an educational way of sports, or practice it as a skill, we can reap wealth from it. Through fencing, we analyze many years of history, study complex technical skills, feel the praise of achievements, and understand the inheritance of the power of our ancestors.

Fencing is a traditional sport with a long history. As early as ancient times, sword was a tool used by human beings to fight and hunt with wild animals in order to survive. With the development of human history, the sword has developed from stone and bone to bronze and iron. Its function has also evolved from a tool to a weapon of war. It has gradually stepped onto the historical stage. With the advent of the era of firearms, it has gradually come to an end from the history of war. The popularity of printing has enabled civilization to be inherited, and fencing culture has also been carried forward and improved.

Fencing is very popular in ancient Greece, Egypt, China, Rome, Arabia and other countries. Let's cross the ages and look for the path of fencing in the long river of history. Many of us know that fencing was included in an ancient Games in 1896, but many people ignore that it was also included in an ancient Games in 776 BC. In the 11th century BC, fencing classes appeared in ancient Greece, and swordsmen gave lectures. About the ancient form of fencing, you can see the relief of fencing on some historical buildings and monuments in Greece, Egypt and other countries.

In medieval Europe, there were dazzling knights. Fencing and horseback riding, swimming, hunting, playing chess, reciting poetry and throwing guns were the seven noble skills of knights. They have swept the world with their good swordsmanship and won a wide reputation with their noble sentiments. Since then, countries have followed suit, which has become a fashion in society for a time, so that it has developed to solve disputes between countries, often draw swords against each other, and one sword determines life and death. In order to study and promote the development of fencing technology, European countries have established fencing guilds (associations and schools). Spain is regarded as the cradle of modern fencing. A fencing book was compiled by two Spanish swordsmen. Soon their works were recognized and introduced into Italy and France.

Fencing developed in an all-round way during the 150 years of the rule of the five kings from Charles IX to Louis XIV. In 1776, the French swordsman invented the mask, which further put fencing on the path of elegance. Wearing masks, gloves and fencing suits, people can have a series of offensive and defensive battles. The advent of mask is a milestone in the development of fencing. France also became the development center of European fencing at that time.