"Tis but a scratch!"
Posted on 08/23/2012 9:52:00 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
To borrow a famous line, the problem with most people trying to understanding the true nature of historical sword combat is not that they're ignorant — it's just that they know so much that isn't so.
It's amazing, really, how a subject that so permeates our modern pop culture, and is so ubiquitous, is one which virtually no one any longer has any real world experience in, nor pursues for its original function. As a result, most all our conceptions of sword-fighting get it wrong. The reality of it is not what you think it is.
(Excerpt) Read more at io9.com ...
I had a feeling that movie swordfighting was way too "gentlemanly."
"Tis but a scratch!"
Especially when the hero narrowly escapes being killed by his adversary, averting death at the last possible moment. But when he has disarmed his opponent, the hero shows mercy and spares his life. I wonder how often that happened.
I have fenced for years but I recently started doing daggerfencing.com with a wireless system. Kinda fun!
bkmk
From the descriptions I have read about, not movies, basically opponents hacked each other to death. The last one standing wins.
me ping to read later
“There can be only one!”
Yeah, combat by sword back in medieval times was incredibly brutal. Remember when the followers of William Wallace followed him on the battlefield. Me? I would have run a few steps forward...and then dropped my sword and run straight back outta there. And I don’t think most modern men would do any differently.
My understanding is these things weren’t really all that sharp; it was more of a bludgeoning operation than a slicing one.
Beat you to the ping!
I think I just got an idea for my 10 Things blog.
Off-topic, but since I teach writing and have awards for public speaking ...
If something is so obvious that it it goes without saying, please don't waste my time saying it.
“alright then...we’ll call it a draw eh”
Well the early clan Scots had their women fight along side...blue woad and all. I got some of that fighting spirit from my Scottish sisters.
Funny thing about that scene. The screenwriters had a complicated sword fight written in, but Harrison Ford was ill so the script was changed to Indy shooting the swordsman.
To be blunt, if you have any clue how to cut quickly and effectively with a blade and have the will to do so, you'll win against someone who doesn't. So you're not going to be using “proper” medieval form. Who cares? Unless you are or come across a true blade master, knowing how to effectively make the first quick cut means you win.
Again, mostly a worthless “I know it and you don't” ego-masturbation of an article...
One thing that I did learn from a History Channel show on medieval fighting was than men in armor were surprisingly nimble. Knock one down and he's not like a flipped turtle. He'll be back on his feet in a couple seconds.
Didn’t know that. The expression on his face was not acting. It worked better anyways.
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