English Sword (1575 Rapier)

In the 1990s, various scholars began translating and interpreting combat manuals found in medieval manuscript. Jeffrey Singman (now Forgeng) was in Ann Arbor during his work on what he called the “Tower of London Fechtbuch” (now known as I.33 or the Walpurgis manuscript), and helped revive the Sword Club specifically to work on Giacomo di Grassi’s methods (1575). Jeffrey now teaches at Worcester Polytechnic (MA) and is a curator at the Higgins Armoury Museum there, where he continues to teach period swordplay.

Equipment

David Hoornstra (L) with Jeffrey Forgeng (R), demonstrating English Sword at a Society for Creative Anachronism event c. 2000.


In the backyard c. 1998.

We use a rebated rapier weighing about 3 lb. made by Armour Class in Glasgow, Scotland. Following a reference printed in Patterns of Fashion, we use a safety tip consisting of a large rubber cork, slit to go over the end of the blade and fastened there, along with a shilling piece or a U.S. Quarter to stop penetration, with a piece of cloth tied with a lace. This tip is to be larger in diameter than a human adult eye socket.

Aside from light footwear and pants or shorts of whatever style, our typical uniform for English Sword is a t-shirt and a pair of light leather gloves. The lack of protective equipment keeps us careful.

Manner of play

We strongly encourage members to play using techniques from di Grassi. The entire person is the target but in keeping with the teachings, the torso is the main target, which foreshadows modern foil fencing. Except that one can use a heavy dagger with this weapon, also blunted but with no thrusting safety tip.

Di Grassi teaches you to rely principally on the thrust, which “fetchest a shorter compass” than the slash, cutting only when opportunity is irresistible, especially on the way back from a thrust. We have found that due to the weight and point-heavy quality of the weapons, it is really difficult to land a decent thrust on the body. Grazes to the arm and leg we generally throw back.

In summer it is played outdoors on grass. In winter, of course, at the Grange.

More info: phone (734) 996-4290 or info@annarborsword.com