- 11 hours ago
Medieval fencing focuses on the study of swordsmanship. This term should be understood within the context of medieval martial arts and encompasses a wide range of weapons: longsword, sword, dagger, spear, shield, and more.
It is part of the historical fencing movement and is based on the study of ancient manuscripts and treatises that have been preserved. Medieval fencing is attracting an increasing number of enthusiasts. The martial art is practiced in free sparring or duels.
Like any combat sport, it has specific safety rules: practitioners use wooden swords or metal weapons with blunted edges. It also includes an artistic aspect for demonstrations during performances or popular festivals.
It is part of the historical fencing movement and is based on the study of ancient manuscripts and treatises that have been preserved. Medieval fencing is attracting an increasing number of enthusiasts. The martial art is practiced in free sparring or duels.
Like any combat sport, it has specific safety rules: practitioners use wooden swords or metal weapons with blunted edges. It also includes an artistic aspect for demonstrations during performances or popular festivals.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Thank you for listening.
01:40Italy is a land of passion. Smells, sounds, colours, landscapes, literature. Opportunities
01:48to discover and share the styles of life that have made Italy famous are innumerable.
01:52Our voyage begins in Bologna, home to the oldest university in the Western world.
02:05Bologna is situated in the region of Emilia-Romagna.
02:08It's a city with intense cultural activity and a very interesting historical heritage.
02:14In the Middle Ages, Bologna became one of the most important urban centres in Europe.
02:19The Fountain of Neptune is situated in the Piazza Netuno, near the Piazza Maggiore.
02:28It was commissioned by Charles Borrome, legate cardinal of the city.
02:33Erected in honour of Pope Pius IV, it symbolises thus the eternal power of the Holy See.
02:38The sovereign pontiff dominates the world, just as the god Neptune dominated the seas.
02:48Bologna has followed the example of many large European cities to avoid traffic jams by building a tramway.
02:53Very characteristic, the towers offer tourists extremely beautiful panoramas.
03:01Among the most important towers are the Garrisenda Tower and the Assinelli Tower.
03:05They are part of a complex of a good hundred medieval towers, of which only 20 or so still exist.
03:12There's also the Accursi Tower, or the Clock Tower, that dominates the Maggiore Square.
03:17The porticoes and the arcades are among the most important symbols of the city.
03:27They are covered corridors that link streets, towers and palaces,
03:31and that actually run for 38 kilometres in the centre of the city alone.
03:47We are off to Florence, land of renowned fencing teachers, to meet some adepts of medieval fencing.
04:17Medieval fencing is one of the historical European martial arts.
04:21That's why it draws on old and contemporary, bibliographical and archaeological documents
04:26dealing directly or indirectly with this martial art.
04:47We are in Florence, in the Chilemarosso fencing centre, with the largest Italian association,
05:01studying ancient fencing from antiquity to the 18th century,
05:06and more precisely, fencing from the 14th and 15th centuries.
05:09From this era can be found writings that are veritable proof of real techniques that were actually used,
05:16rather than simple supposition.
05:21I've been training in this room since 2004, and I've been a Master of Swordsmanship since 2007.
05:30Before, I devoted myself to the study of ancient techniques of this discipline,
05:35and now I can teach them and put them into practice in this room.
05:46Nowadays, you won't see the real uniforms of the era, but rather uniforms designed by the students
05:51that incorporate the protective elements from ice hockey and sometimes even those of the police force.
05:56As for the face, it's protected by a fencing mask.
06:07Since I became part of the Chilemarosso Centre, I've been able to practice this discipline,
06:29and that's how I met a Master of Swordsmanship, Alessandro, who has a lot of talent and a huge love of the discipline that has rubbed off on me.
06:41Together, thanks to old manuscripts found on early 15th century Florentine fencing and to internet research,
06:48we've published two volumes retracing ancient fencing practices in which we were able to show that in the 15th century fencing wasn't limited to the city of Bologna but was practiced in Florence as well.
07:04This book dates from the Middle Ages and elucidates different combat techniques both with and without weapons.
07:34You will certainly have noticed that the fencers' uniforms are sometimes different, and this relates to what we were saying earlier.
07:58The outfits are made according to the finances of each person, so there are some differences from one outfit to another.
08:28Just as in the Middle Ages, they train with different weapons and different swords in order to test the techniques of the day.
08:58or specifications?
09:00The
09:15가족을
09:19계좋아
09:22elli
09:24Here you can see a cape technique that is similar to that of a toreador patiently waiting
09:33for the bull to attack.
10:03Palte Pali is the rallying cry of the Medici family, one of the richest and most influential
10:31families in Florence.
10:33The cry refers to the balls that decorate their coat of arms.
10:42Everyone can practice this sport.
10:43We encourage them to do so.
10:45You can begin as early as 16 years of age.
10:48We also have courses for children and for the female contingent.
10:51Today she's not here, but we have an Italian lady fencing champion, originally from Udine,
10:57and she's a student here in Florence.
10:59Yes, we have a good number of young female fencers that fight with us, and we make no
11:05difference whatsoever between men and women.
11:14For training we use all sorts of weapons with steel reproductions that are of course not sharpened.
11:24Other, more modern arms in nylon or evening wood are used with the same techniques of the
11:30times.
11:31A sort of fibrous wood that's totally safe, even if it breaks.
11:39Several types of shields were used in those times, such as judiciary dual shields or bucklers.
11:48This is a little round shield with a tip called an umbul or boss.
11:52What is the record?
11:53That's what we use to do.
11:54As we say, we are back.
11:55Let's continue!
11:56Let's continue!
11:57Let's continue!
11:58Let's continue!
11:59For warm-ups, real swords are not used, but swords made of wood are used instead.
12:27For warm-ups, back, back, back, back, back, back.
12:57Let's go.
13:27I don't know.
14:58It's not uncommon to see shields with coats of arms or other decorations.
15:03In fact, their significance is only important to their owner since everyone decorates his shield as he likes.
15:55The screen is not the same as the screen.
16:00It's not the same as the screen.
16:03It's not the same as the screen.
16:05Guys, try it because it's better.
16:08Ok, we're more Fiorentina.
16:11What else?
16:14What else do you have on this side?
16:16I don't know.
16:19I don't know.
16:21Yes.
16:22Fencing is a traditional Italian sport,
16:27for which Italy is among the most renowned countries.
16:32I was born in 1975.
16:35When I started in those days,
16:37there were mostly Oriental martial arts.
16:41So, I went even further in my research
16:45and I discovered this practice of antique fencing,
16:49which enabled me to practice a sport
16:52which had deep roots in Italy and in Europe.
16:55And it became a real passion.
16:58In order to certify what has been learned during training sessions,
17:11some fencers perform in front of an examiner.
17:14This allows them to earn the ring of the clan of medieval fencers.
17:19Let's see where we are.
17:41I'm not sure what is happening.
17:47OK.
17:48OK.
17:49OK.
17:50OK.
17:51OK.
17:52OK.
17:53OK.
17:55OK.
17:56OK.
17:57karty.
18:06.
18:08.
18:10.
18:18.
18:19.
19:24When a fencer has been affronted, outraged, or annoyed, he challenges his detractor by giving him an envelope containing a message describing the terms and conditions of the challenge.
19:37Of course, these days, this is a game.
20:10There's a phrase that my old master used to tell me all the time.
20:36Maybe all this is useless in life, because this is the 21st century, and conflicts and quarrels are resolved differently in our society.
20:47But if you like this, it will be the most wonderful thing that you'll do in your life.
20:51I can confirm that. It's true.
20:56I can confirm that.
20:58I can confirm that.
20:59I can confirm that.
21:01I'll see you next time.
21:31After a good training session, the clan gathers round the table for a moment of conviviality.
22:01We can't forget that Italy is a land of fine food, thanks to its pizzas and ice creams whose reputations are second to none.
22:18The Santa Maria del Fiori Cathedral
22:48is impressive for its architecture.
22:52It's the fifth largest church in Europe, and today is the Archdiocese Cathedral of Florence.
23:01Visited every year by many tourists from all over the world,
23:04Florence is one of Italy's most important and most charming cities of art.
23:08Florencia is the ancient name for modern Florence,
23:11the city that has lived through and marked the history of Italy and of Europe.
23:19Its historic centre shines with monuments, religious palaces, architectural marvels and gardens unique in the world.
23:26Heart of culture and of the Italian language, it's considered the symbol of the Renaissance,
23:33during which period it was distinguished by its political power and its rich flowering of arts and letters.
23:38Under the Medici dynasty, and particularly during the reigns of Lorenzo lo Magnifico and Cosimo,
23:50the city became one of the most important cultural centres in Europe.
23:54It's classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
23:57It's classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
24:27UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
24:57UNESCO is a World Heritage Site.
25:27When in Florence, wander along the banks of the Arnaud, which flows through the center
25:40of the town, then stroll across the Pont des Vecchios, the oldest bridge in the town.
25:46It's lined with historic shops and boutiques.
25:57Many worldwide events are organized by Ferrari aficionados in order to display their prized
26:22vehicles to the general public, as well as to other owners.
26:27Contents will enter the city's presence and the public's presence.
26:32The city is not able to do is to destroy the city's presence in the other handyman's direction.
26:40The city has a great place on the create-up call.
26:46The city, including the public's visit, is the city city.
26:54We're going to go.
28:24It's the cultural, historic and martial wealth that's necessary for a comprehensive understanding of these ancient arts.
28:30You can see here that it's a mixed martial art open to both men and women.
30:24We're here mainly to recognize the limits of our bodies and to learn how to move.
30:32And then if we manage to train ourselves properly to prepare our bodies to be stronger and faster, to practice martial arts as effectively as possible.
30:42We're talking about research initially.
30:46But we're definitely talking about martial arts.
30:50For us, combat sports are something else entirely.
30:54We don't want to train merely to win competitions.
30:58We're not here to score points over anyone else.
31:01We're here to advance together in our discipline.
31:03It's a question of physical activity, of martial activity, and not so much of sporting activity.
31:10We avoid such terms.
31:12Another characteristic of our work is its historical base.
31:15Everything we do is based on either a primary source, such as a technical treatise, or a secondary source, such as a ballad, an image, or an illustration.
31:23All our martial activities, all our martial activities, all our weapons, everything we study, is based on historical sources.
31:31We invent nothing.
31:32We aim only to rediscover what were the actual combat conditions for the warriors and the masters of combat during the Middle Ages, and the centuries before and after.
31:43Anyone can easily begin training, even without ever having practiced a combat sport or martial art before.
31:49Physical fitness is acquired, and even if you don't necessarily wish to step into the ring immediately and get slightly bruised, you can start off by a little research.
32:02...
32:07You can now試 on that.
32:16...
32:19...
32:21Another levarian is becoming one of the
32:24things you want to do with..
32:25...
32:26...
32:27...
32:28Deustre
32:29...
32:30A
32:32One, two, one.
33:00After warming up, they will practice different historical techniques of European martial
33:05arts.
33:06These various techniques included both unarmed and armed combat with both sticks and swords.
33:30They will have the same skills as they put into the air.
33:37The other one is a fighter.
33:41The other one is a fighter.
33:44The other one is a fighter.
39:19We're right back.
39:23We're right back.
39:25We're right back.
39:27We're right back.
39:29We're right back.
39:31We're right back.
39:33We're right back.
39:35We're right back.
39:37We're right back.
39:39We're right back.
39:41We're right back.
39:43We're right back.
39:45We're right back.
39:47We're right back.
39:49We're right back.
39:51We're right back.
39:53We're right back.
39:55We're right back.
39:57We're right back.
39:59We're right back.
40:01We're right back.
40:03We're right back.
40:05We're right back.
40:07We're right back.
40:09We're right back.
40:11We're right back.
40:13We're right back.
40:15We're right back.
40:17We're right back.
40:19We're right back.
40:21We're right back.
40:23We're right back.
40:26We're right back.
40:28Jacques Delalin was a skilled axe man and extremely accomplished in its use.
40:58Nevertheless, efficacy is what is really sought, so we study the fencing masters of the Renaissance,
41:23of the Middle Ages and of more recent and modern times, the beginning of the 19th century
41:30or the beginning of the 20th century. They had martial skills which worked and which were
41:35transmitted to others. What we do today is not trial and error fencing. We don't just
41:42hit each other with swords and wait to see what happens. These sources, the writings,
41:46the publications, the memoirs, the recollections, the expertise, the knowledge of the fencing masters
41:50are the only link that we have with something that worked in the past, with something that
41:54we know was effective. Because of these sources, we know that these techniques actually worked.
42:20are their things. They did not to go out here. And now, we monitor MARKS
42:25is in this case, you need something to run out here. There are the lumgлох that NAVAL
42:30INSURATE MANAVAL
42:31I推 Caro
42:32Ratist
42:34in RISMO
42:46In those times, Christianity had a very important place in society.
43:16There is something in medieval and modern cultures that has nothing to do with the Christian religion.
43:23As this is something that has more or less defined the West for at least a millennium and a half, it's a hard thing to say.
43:31It's true that the fencing masters wrote, learn to love God, to respect women, etc.
43:38Religious ritual was part of it. For example, the practice of trial by combat and other similar ordeals.
43:45These were people who went to Mass.
43:47Today, all that remains of the original monastery are the church portal and the ducal tower.
44:14The three famous tombs of the Dukes of Burgundy used to be housed here, but they are now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon.
44:27They should be here. This place merely served as a necropolis.
44:33Philip the Bold, who had received this gift as a prerogative of the Duchy of Burgundy, wanted to make this spot a dynastic burial site and a place of prayer.
44:46That's why he had two Carthusian communities brought from the Grand Chartreuse in the Isère.
44:55Land of many of the most important pilgrimages in the world, Italy has many places of devotion and worship, such as the Cathedral of San Pietro in Bologna.
45:05The interior is emphatically Baroque in style. Notable are a fresco by Ludovico Caracci in the central lunette of the presbytery and a Romanesque cedarwood crucifix.
45:18This cathedral is dedicated to St. Peter. Most of the present structure dates from the 17th century. A few parts belong to the end of the 16th century.
45:28…
45:58While you're in Florence, take advantage of the cool of the evening at the
46:28end of a summer's day and stroll along the Arnaud.
46:49Florence shows its interest in art by devoting large parts of the city to it.
46:57To be continued...
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