Historical Fencing Equipment And Training Methods

A look primarily at fencing masks, HEMA masks and a bayonet mask, with some discussion about how these and other equipment affect how we practice and compete.

[bluetea]

You could look even further back to when special suits of armor were used for fight practice/tournament. Many of which (especially in later periods) would never have been worn in battle and were specially built for tournament on foot (much like the specialized joust armors). It’s funny there’s always been this problem of “how do we safely simulate a real battle.” This struggle of, well we really don’t want people to die... but we need to practice killing each other....

[Sceadusawol]

"Why do HEMA practitioners use modern fencing gear?"

Because it's available.

[The_Gallowglass]

I love this one guy's helmet at the local guild. It's an actual bascinet helmet with a heavy-duty mesh riveted to the opening.

[benjaminblakely]

Thanks for the interesting video Matt. Our club is going to be celebrating it's 350th anniversary next year (founded by d'Artagnan while he was military governor of Lille) and we're looking to organize some sort of conference to mark the occasion, something on the history and 'evolution' of fencing from that time up to modern fencing - how did we get from fencing as someone like d'Artagnan understood it to what we practice today? I'm realizing thanks to your video that a discussion on equipment needs to be part of that conversation.
As far as masks go, I practice foil and rapier and I've been quite happy with the new Leon Paul Hema mask because I can easily swap out the electric foil bib with the bigger and thicker hema bib, and no longer need to lug around 2 masks.
As far as rules go, of course we have endless discussions over rapier rules, how to make things more "realistic" while still safe and enjoyable, and again I very much enjoyed your video on the subject of rapier competition rules a year or so ago. In foil fencing I've been increasingly annoyed by the modern technique of advancing on your opponent with the point up and away or down and away so as to avoid the beat. I think this is exploiting a loop-hole in a set of rules that were originally intended to be martial in character. Not exactly cheating, but not exactly honest either. More than the face and head, if I could change one thing in foil rules it would be to make the sword arm part of the valid target area. Fat chance of that ever happening....
At any rate we're still just beginning to flesh out ideas for our conference, if you have any suggestions they would be very welcome. Maybe we can even get you to come and give a talk on "historical equipment and training methods"?

[nathancole]

Maybe you could do a comprehensive video about older rules and equipment.

[umartdagnir]

Watching this while sewing additional padding to my HEMA mask.

[retohaner]

I tried the (presumably) latest Rearguard version at Dreynevent this year. It was absolutely fantastic.

[christopherdrekr]

I'm a modern fencer too ! 30 yds 4x4s at 1m spacing yesterday ;)

[Narguhl]

One of the best videos you made so far.

[everybodytogether]

I took entry level sabre when i was a young fella but couldnt afford to continue. Chose boyscout dues over any other "club" now that im older and more well off id love to jump back into western martial arts. Love your content!!

[TyLarson]

Heard good things about Jonathan's masks and he's a pretty cool guy.

[kevindelapp]

Great video, Matt, thanks! To add to your points about the ways in which equipment affects rules, it's also worth noting the ways in which, in Olympic fencing, the scoring equipment has partially dictated rule changes. More precise and reliable electronic-scoring technologies (failed experiments with the capteur notwithstanding) have had a huge impact on Olympic rules. And so has the rise in publicity: many rules changes (from right-of-way timings to en garde distances to the types of footwork that are disallowed) have been driven by perceptions about what would better appeal to audiences. As HEMA continues to gain in popularity and its competitions attract more spectators, it'll be interesting to see whether or how that impacts decisions about HEMA rules too.

[fiendishrabbit]

The man that popularized the fencing mask was Nicolas Texier de La Boëssière. Before that it was generally looked down on and viewed as something for amateurs, but Boëssière used them extensively at his Académie royale polytechnique des armes (Royal academy for fencing and horseriding) and with the help of his students, among them Chevalier de Saint-Georges, marketed them for the fencing schools of Paris and London.

[kevinreardon]

Brilliant. It looks like we need virtual reality to pick up the task.

[MikeGoodman]

Great video. Thank you very much for your perspective!

[shehryarkhan]

Hey Matt, just a quick suggestion for a video( if you get around to it, of course). Could you do a video on the 1864 light cavalry trooper's sword, and the infamous 1796 heavy cavalry trooper's and officer's swords maybe? Cheers!

[TemenosL]

This is so true. This is a problem too with re-enactors who trust their experiences 'reenactment fighting' as though it's experience is closer to the real thing than is warranted. There's one very specific issue with shield and spear group fighting that often goes over people's heads which is that in reality spears are relatively sharp, and shields fairly readily absorb thrusts into them which can easily get the spears stuck.



A lot of re-enactors have invented methods of spear-fighting that use the spear to 'push' shields open with absolutely no consideration as to the tendency for that spearhead to become lodged immediately in the shield.

[KirkWilliams]

YouTube club for hema practitioners? I would be interested

[qboger]

Fascinating video Mr. Easton! What led to your hiatus in competition? Did you have an injury that's knocked you out of commission for rougher stuff?

[ShuajoX]

That bayonet fencing mask, or helmet rather, somewhat brings to mind a kendo mask. I think I remember seeing Japanese bayonet partner drills done with kendo masks too. Of course, the tips of shinai and such like are quite a bit larger than most other training weapons.