Glossary

If you are new to historical fencing there may be some words used on this website, and within the DDS, you may be unfamiliar with. This page should illuminate the darkness for you.

Arming sword

The classic single handed 'cruciform' sword of the medieval era. Usually used with a shield or buckler. Sword and buckler is a common DDS weapon for further study, based upon the first known treatise i.33.

Backsword

The 18th century backsword is the indigenous traditional English and Scottish fencing art. A straight bladed cutting weapon usually with a baskethilt and single edge, it has many similarities but also marked differences from the sabre that followed it as the standard military weapon of the day.

British Federation for Historical Swordplay (BFHS)

The BFHS is a federation of groups across the UK who like ourselves are interested in the study of the historical martial arts of Europe. The DDS is a proud member of this organisation having been one of its founding member groups. Further information can be found at the official BFHS website.

Buckler

The buckler is a small shield designed to be used with the sword as a method of defence. It was in practical use for several centuries in a number of varying forms. Most famously the buckler is used in early medieval swordsmanship, although the DDS also study its use in later styles with sidesword or rapier.

Duelling

Historically, duelling was combat undertaken between two participants, often over matters of honour and fought with sharp blades, sometimes to the death although often to first blood or other agreed method. The DDS uses the term to refer to its ultimate expression of fencing practice. A duel in the DDS is undertaken between two members with rebated weapons to an agreed number of hits, judged by the two members' seconds. We see this not as a sporting encounter but as the ultimate expression of our art. The DDS also uses duels to judge advancement to Approved and Full Member status.

Dusak

A short bladed wooden training weapon common in Germany and Bohemia in the 16th century, which was used to improve footwork measure and distance in the systems of the time.

Fencing

Fencing is the art of defence with the sword.

Freeplay

Freeplay is the term used for fencing in an unrehearsed situation. Both parties are free to initiate and respond to techniques in their own time. It is the main practical application of our study. Sometimes the DDS will freeplay to points, although usually freeplay is simply an advanced method of practice. As freeplay is not scripted or controlled, a level of competence is required for safety reasons. Usually a new member will have been required to completed three classes to gain full, unsupervised freeplay privileges.

Historical fencing

This is the art of fencing according to methods of traditional swordsmanship, employing reproduction weaponry for its practice and martial principles of technical execution. The DDS considers itself to be a historical fencing club.

Longsword

Also referred to as the hand and a half or bastard sword, this weapon was prevalent across Europe from the 14th to 16th centuries and in some forms beyond. Considered by many the classic sword of the late medieval era. The use of this weapon is a great foundation for all medieval weapons as it relies on principles of defence useful to all weapons of this period. The DDS teaches this art based upon a wide range of sources, mainly German and Italian in origin.

Member and membership

Membership of the DDS is open to all adults aged 18 years and over with the desire to study historical fencing. Membership of the society is subject to an annual membership fee. The DDS has three levels of member based upon ability with and knowledge of the sword. Upon entry to the society a Member will become a Patron Member. Over time one can advance to Approved and then onto Full Member. All members enjoy reduced regular training fees.

Pugilism

Boxing of the 18th and 19th centuries, bare fisted and with grappling allowed as nature intended. Studied by some members and a favourite with our unarmed instructor Mr Crawley.

Rapier

The rapier is the civilian weapon of the late 16th and 17th centuries. A long, relatively thin bladed weapon with hand protection it is designed primarily for thrusting, although cuts are also used. The rapier expresses a very beautiful and scientific art, reflecting the period in which it was taught throughout Europe. The rapier was often combined with a dagger, cloak or even a second rapier. The DDS teaches rapier based upon Italian methods of the 17th century.

Re-enactment

Re-enactment is a hobby that involves attempting to recreate the military conflicts of the past as authentically as possible. The DDS no longer takes part in re-enactment although we retain close links with The Company of St Margaret who contain several DDS members.

Sabre

The sabre is a weapon prevalent in the late 18th, 19th and early 20th century. Usually the sabre has a single edge with only the first few inches of the back edge used, if at all. Many sabres were curved and most had a degree of hand protection. Sabre as taught at the DDS is a military and duelling weapon as opposed to the sporting sabre used in modern fencing. Primarily a cutting weapon, sabre as taught by the DDS relies on tight technique and footwork and a regimented system as befits its military roots.

Salle

This is the traditional term for the place where one learns to fence. An equivalent word would be Dojo in some Asian arts. The current DDS salle is to be found at Harry Miller Hall, Kirk O'Field Church, Brown Street, Edinburgh.

Sidesword

This is the cutting and thrusting civilian sword of the 16th century. The use of this sword represents an interesting bridge between the medieval and renaissance styles, including aspects of both. This sword can be used alone or in combination with a shield, buckler or dagger.

Singlestick

A singlestick is a three foot long length of ash dowel with a leather or wicker basket to cover the hands. It was used as a training weapon for backsword and later sabre, although it also developed into a sporting and defence tool in its own right.

Smallsword

This was the fashionable sidearm of gentlemen in the late 17th and 18th century. Almost exclusively a thrusting weapon, the sword is exceptionally light and requires a deft hand and tight technique.

Sport fencing

Sport fencing as seen at the Olympics is what many think of when they hear the word fencing. Sport fencing grew out of the study of swordsmanship in the late 19th and early 20th century, when the sword had ceased to be used for defence, but rather as an engaging academic or sporting distraction. Today sport fencing teaches techniques and methods designed to result in competitive victory under the rules of the sport, rather than as if the swords were sharp and one were fighting for one's life. The DDS does not teach or partake in sport fencing but many members have done or continue to do so.

Treatise

We are very fortunate that some fencing masters and professional instructors in Europe wrote manuals or essays on their systems of defence. These were called treatises. Many of these have survived, with the earliest dating from the late 13th century. These documents are used as the basis of our art. For who knew better how to use a sword than the men charged with teaching it in a time when effective use meant life or death?

Unarmed/Dagger

Most European fencing lineages are related to unarmed or dagger defences. Many masters of the past used wrestling and dagger as the foundations of their sword arts and many traditions incorporated wrestling techniques such as disarms or throws into their sword styles. The reasons for this: an understanding of one's own body mechanics, distance, the importance of footwork and grounding, are as valid today as they were originally, so the DDS includes unarmed classes in its core cirruculum. These classes are usually based on the works of 16th century Italian masters.

Western martial arts

Martial arts are the study of combative techniques and approach. Western martial arts are the study of combative techniques and approach originating from the west, namely Europe and North America. These arts are many and include unarmed arts such as boxing, wrestling or savate through to Spanish knife fighting and the various disciplines of historical fencing.