Rapier
A rapier is a relatively slender, sharply pointed
sword, used mainly for thrusting attacks, developed in
Europe around the
16th century.
Encyclopedia
A
rapier is a relatively slender, sharply pointed
sword, used mainly for thrusting attacks, developed in
Europe around the
16th century.
Description
Rapier generally refers to a relatively long-bladed sword characterized by a complex
hilt which is constructed to provide protection for the hand wielding it. While the blade might be broad enough to cut to some degree, the strength of the rapier is its ability as a thrusting weapon. The blade might be sharpened along its entire length, sharpened only from the center to the tip , or completely without a cutting edge as discussed by Pallavicini. A typical example would have a relatively long and slender blade of 2.5 centimetres or less in width, 1 meter or more in length and ending in a sharply pointed tip.
The term 'rapier' generally refers to a thrusting sword with a blade longer and thinner than that of the so-called side-sword but heavier than the
smallsword and Italian dueling sword that would follow in the
18th century and later, but the exact form of the blade and hilt often depends on who is writing and when. It can refer to earlier
spada da lato through the high rapier period of the
17th century through the
smallsword and
dueling swords, thus context is important in understanding what is meant by the word.
History
The rapier began to develop around 1500 as the Spanish
espada ropera, or "dress sword". The espada ropera was a cut-and-thrust civilian weapon for self-defense and the
duel, while earlier weapons were equally at home on the battlefield. Throughout the 16th century, however, a variety of new, single-handed civilian weapons were being developed, including the German
Rappier, another cut-and-thrust weapon used for sportive fencing, as described in Joachim Meyer's
Fechtbuch of 1570. Nevertheless, the English word "rapier" generally refers to a primarily thrusting weapon, developed by the year 1600 as a result of the geometrical theories of such masters as
Camillo Agrippa and Ridolfo Capo Ferro.
The rapier became extremely fashionable throughout
Europe with the wealthier classes, but was not without its detractors. Some people, such as George Silver, disapproved of its technical potential and the duelling use to which it was put.
By the year 1700, the rapier had been replaced by the lighter
smallsword throughout most of Europe.
The etymology of the word "rapier" is uncertain.
Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange uses the word
Rapparia in 1484 to describe an
espée in his
Glossarium mediae et infimae Latinitatis. He proposes that the origin of the word may stem from the Greek
?ap??e??, to cut. However, Walter William Skeat suggests that "rapiér" may derive from
raspiére, a poker, and that this may be a contemptuous term developed by older cut-and-thrust fencers for the new weapon.
The most probable root of this term, however appear to be from the Spanish "Ropera" that cames from "Ropa", elegant dress, thus a "dress Sword".
Present day
This weapon is probably the oldest European sword for which some people claim a living tradition. Note that all of these claims are yet unproven.
The classical fencing tradition
Classical fencing schools can claim to have inherited aspects of rapier play in their systems. Swords are common as shows of class and are very expensive.
Other Traditions
According to Andrea Lupo Sinclair and Maestro Ramon Martinez, a direct linear rapier tradition has survived in Europe that is not connected with the classical tradition. They claim that the rapier was used in Italy and Spain as late as the first decade of the 1900s.
- "Although teachers of these arts with living traditions are few and far between, they do exist". by Ramon Martinez
This claim is disputed by some members of the US classical fencing community and some Western martial artists who consider it extremely far-fetched since neither man has publicly exhibited a linage showing a clear and unbroken line back to a known Renaissance rapier master, as opposed to just a foil, épée, and
sabre fencing master who just happen to pick up a rapier.
In the European fencing community, instead, there is more consensus and knowledge about this statement. In Europe before the two world wars there have been environments preserving the late forms of the rapier, as it clearly appears from late italian treatises .
Popular Culture and Entertainment
- A common usage of the word is in the popular phrase "rapier wit".
- The rapier is the sword most often associated with duels of honour depicted in literature,e.g. the final scene in Hamlet, and films, such as The Three Musketeers is a novel [i] by Alexandre Dumas, pre [i]. ...
— however, the fighting techniques in such films are usually far from authentic. - Anthony Cumia, of the popular CBS radio and XM satellite radio show Opie and Anthony has mentioned several times that he owns a rapier that he uses for self-defense.
- In a popular, traditional Irish folk song, "Whisky in the Jar," A Rapier is wielded by the highwayman to fend off an English officer.
- In the Midkemia-based novels by Raymond E. Feist many main characters use the rapier as personal weapon. The phrase "The edge is for cutting, the tip is for killing" is often cited by users of the rapier. Notable users of the weapon include, but not limited to, Arutha conDoin, Jimmy the Hand,Arutha Jameson and the prince Borric conDoin
- The rapier is a weapon used by numerous characters in video games, either as their primary weapon, or simply as a buyable type of sword, as in many RPGs.
- Robert E. Howard's character of Solomon Kane, the Puritan swordsman, carries what is referred to as a rapier, though illustrations and descriptions of the weapon's usage more closely resemble the look and usage of a side-sword or European dueling sword.
- The Princess Bride's character Inigo Montoya wields a german-style rapier throughout the film.
More information
For a more detailed explanation of the primary use of the rapier-- dueling-- see
European dueling sword.
Rapier Instructors
Main article: Rapier InstructorsHistorical fencing, also known as European martial arts is a rapidly-growing phenomenon that has passionate followers all over the world.
External links
Schools
- , ARMA is an educational non-profit organization dedicated to the study and practice of historical fencing and the exploration and promotion of our Western martial heritage. ARMA focuses on the interpretation and legitimate reconstruction of Medieval and Renaissance combat systems as a modern discipline.
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- , Maestro Ramon Martinez' school.
- , A school for researching, practicing and teaching Italian martial arts from 1500 to 1900; especially dedicated to the work of Salvator Fabris. Founded by instructor and author Tommaso Leoni.
- , the fencing school of Andrea Lupo Sinclair.
- , the fencing school of instructor and author Stephen Hand.
- , A school teaching a variety of European martial traditions founded by instructor and author William Wilson.
- , A school that teaches the historic use of weapons from the 15th to 19th century by instructor Steaphen Fick
- , A school of teaching that emphisises duelling and constant progress of technique.
- Historical and Classical fencing federation in Italy which mainly practice rapier both in early and late systems.
- Ancient Fencing Art Italian Institute: an union of more than twelve school that teach all Ancient fencing Italian weapons, including rapier
