|
Post by forte65 on Oct 21, 2013 17:48:21 GMT
hello,
i'm researching for a paper and i need some help with a few things...
early 17th century Italy(Rome specifically) would an individual permitted to carry a sword carry both a sword and dagger at the same time?
what would determine the difference in pulling your sword vs your dagger?
would practice exercises be done with the same sword they carry? or a different type of sword?...one less expensive or likely to damage. as i'm sure the striking of two blades isn't recommended for their edge?
and what type of exercises could a individual practice alone? or in a fit of anger...trying to create a visual of an angry man venting frustrations, alone with his sword...
kind thanks,
daniel
|
|
|
Post by Beowulf on Oct 21, 2013 18:28:54 GMT
I'll answer what I can based on what I know from earlier periods... and this stuff was still in existence and being taught with some changes in the day and age of rapier.
what would determine the difference in pulling your sword vs your dagger?
A dagger alone COULD be used if in a confined space. There are examples of artwork from earlier periods of disputes at public drinking/gathering places where the dagger alone is used. #1- The aggressor wants to settle the dispute at close quarters, A- because it could be settled quickly across a table, B- because if it escalates into a sword fight it would be settled on more equal terms, i.e. your giving the opponent the chance to step back and draw a sword, this places you at an equal starting point.
#2- a sword fight in a confined space puts the public at danger. Why cause public chaos when your trying to settle something between two people?
#3- This situation is not a duel, not an honor fight or following any social traditions. This is a spur of the moment situation based on anger/rage.
On the streets, versus multiple opponents, when seeking an evening of the odds or wishing to threaten and hopefully de-escalate a situation a sword could and probably would be used.
Another way to inform you about this... All swordsmanship is always based on a usually large body of knowledge and technique. Daggers also have their own set of techniques, EXCEPT perhaps when speaking of parrying daggers which are meant to be used in tandem with a sword in a combat system that utilizes both at once. This is NOT to say a parrying dagger cannot be used alone without the sword. A few parrying daggers are a bit cumbersome, having long quillons/cross, perhaps a knuckle-bow or hand-guard. But a trained person could make due and use the generalized dagger techniques with this weapon by itself.
would practice exercises be done with the same sword they carry?
Yes and perhaps. Trained people were taught at fightschools. You pay your money or otherwise join. You work with safer versions of the real weapons against and with other students. But this does not preclude using the real thing WITHOUT a partner- solo work. In my view this is "keeping skills intact" and also often probably "keeping muscles trained". Modern sports players train at the same actions they use during the game, doing the same things, but without "opponents" and without the dynamic adjustments you do when reacting to others.
or a different type of sword?...
Yes, we know training swords exist from after the Viking Age to modern times. Sometimes these are simply unsharpened versions of the real thing (some Prussian Saber training/sparring) and also training simulators usually exist also (Federschwert, singlestick, schlagers, etc.)
one less expensive or likely to damage. as i'm sure the striking of two blades isn't recommended for their edge?
The edge to edge thing is hotly and constantly debated. IMO you try to save your edges, but in combat the point is to stay alive. There is also some evidence that edge to edge can be done with certain techniques, but this gets complex and depends on weapon and period.
and what type of exercises could a individual practice alone? or in a fit of anger...trying to create a visual of an angry man venting frustrations, alone with his sword...
Depending on the sword and period there are 4 to roughly 12 or so "postures" or "stances". Each of these has a tactical advantage and often weaknesses (against someone in different "stance"). Each of these "stances" allows you to throw or do various attacks. This is what someone could be doing. Someone could also "shadow box" or imagine an opponent and react/attack this imaginary foe. Someone could also go through a learned routine, a "kata" more or less.
You might want to look up "flourishes" on YouTube. Such as "Rapier flourishes" "Longsword flourishes" "Montante flourishes" "Sidesword flourishes" etcetera. I'm not going to say the people doing these are doing them correctly or not, but it gives you an idea of somethings a person may do.
Your questions require complex answers and a basic understanding of some sort of swordmanship. But you can get a basic understanding by sitting in front of YouTube or looking at some fightbook/manuals or modern fightschool websites.
Others might have more to add or might cancel out what I have said here. Good luck.
|
|
|
Post by forte65 on Oct 21, 2013 23:21:59 GMT
thank you much. this helps greatly
|
|
|
Post by Beowulf on Oct 22, 2013 3:21:50 GMT
You are most welcome. Re: the fightschool. I guess I should have added that someone could be privately tutored, or learn from a family member or servant. Others might be able to zero in quite specifically to what was going on in Rome or Italy in general during that period. It's not a period I am overly familiar with. Others could rattle off the specifics in their sleep.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Kelly on Oct 22, 2013 10:13:35 GMT
|
|
|
Post by forte65 on Oct 23, 2013 19:46:38 GMT
kind thanks Dave
|
|