Class 1: October 10, 2004

Patri and Mark have put together a course based on a manual written by DiGrassi in 1570: Giacomo DiGrassi his true Arte of Defence. What's especially interesting is, they're using an English translation made in 1594. Considering that many manuals from the Middle Ages have been translated into English for the first time during the past few years, it's nice they're working from a translation by a DiGrassi contemporary.

The first class in rapier covered learning a few wards, footwork, and the beginning of a sequence that Patri and Mark created. The idea is, the coursefocuses ontraining in rapier, as opposed to preparing us for sparring.

I began studying German long sword a couple of years ago, and I studied foil fencing for abouta year. As different as long sword is from foil, rapier reminds me a bit of long sword (in terms of footwork) and at the same time feels like foil fencing turned upside down and inside out. I find that it helps if I talk to myself when drilling with a partner. My conversation with myself so far includes: (1) "I'm threatening with my dagger," (2) "I can move faster than my sword," and (3) "I will parry and attack at the same time." My poor classmates will be putting up with my babbling for the rest of the course.

Class 2: October 17, 2004

I just flew in from Pittsburgh, and, boy, are my arms tired.

OK, not really. I just got back from Higgins, not PIttsburgh -- but my arms are still tired. Last week we worked with rapier and dagger wooden wasters, which weigh next to nothing. Today we used metal, and I'm already feeling the difference.

I'm used to using both hands on a longsword. I'm a natural southpaw but I'm converting (temporarily) to being a right-hander for this course. So I use my weaker arm (right) for rapier and my stronger arm (left) for dagger. I'm feeling a bit of fatigue in my hands, wrists, and shoulders.

We drilled the first sequence today, which is very cool. I'm getting used to keeping my footwork shorter and my feet closer together than I do for long sword. I have to admit it's awfully handy to have a dagger in hand to parry an incoming blow when your oppenent has managed to tie up your rapier. I'm beginning to feel like it would be mighty handy to walk around with a dagger all the time. Maybe I'm gaining a new appreciation for medieval life.

No class next week, so we'll pick up where we left off on Halloween.

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Class 3: October 31, 2004

What a treat to go to rapier class on my favorite holiday -- Halloween!

We reviewed the first sequence and learned the second today. Each sequence has some pretty interesting skills. The second sequence has one skill I especially like, although it's going to take awhile for me to get coordinated. What I like is: as I do one of those neat rapier sloping steps and block an incoming rapier with my dagger, I pull my own rapier back to get ready to deliver a thrust. It's like a "push-me, pull-you" sensation. (Think: Doctor Doolittle.  The original movie, not the Eddie Murphy remake.)

We began focusing on reaction and timing. As in, "Yikes! There's an incoming blow! I'll make a panic move to get out of the way!" We're also using the weapons with a bit more force (such as knocking a rapier away with your dagger) instead of being polite with them (such as gently blocking and barely making contact).

We also learned a very cool and fun disarming technique. Patri pointed out it's more for flash than historical accuracy, and proceeded to demostrate with Mark how it would actually be easier to impale your opponent (in a real fight) than disarm him/her.

Class 4: November 7, 2004

On to sequence three after reviewing the first two sequences.

I've been studying historical combat since July 2002. I struggled quite a lotmy first year, because I had problems learning weapon technique and footwork at the same time. (I've often wondered if this is because I've studied dance all my life. In dance, I'm used to giving most of my attention to my feet and very little attention to what my arms are doing. My feet are used to paying close attention, and my arms are used to daydreaming.)

I'm having a much easier time with rapier, probably just because I've been studying historical combat for awhile and have adjusted. However, while I'm focusing on rapier and dagger technique, I also find that my legs tend to do what they know best: German longsword footwork, which is bigger and broader than rapier footwork. I'm also tending to do more than I need to get out of the way of an incoming sword. With longsword, I often lunge to get away from the blow. When there's an incoming rapier thrust, I can do a little pivot to get out of the line of attack. Because the German swordwork I've been studying is based on the work of Joachim Meyer, I'm used to cuts, not thrusts.

It's fun to see and feel the differences between the longsword and rapier and dagger.

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Class 5: November 14, 2004

We learned the fourth and final sequence today. I've made notes and illustrated the footwork, so with any luck, I'll actually remember everything.

At the end of class, Dr. Jeffrey Forgeng, curator at the Higgins museum, gave us an up-close and personal look at some of the museum's treasures: four swords (including two rapiers) and a very pretty buckler. After using modern-day rapiers, it's pretty exciting to see the real thing.

I'm wistful that there's only one class remaining -- but I'm looking forward to finding out what the last class will bring. 

Class 6: November 21, 2004

Last class! After reviewing and drilling all four sequences, some things clicked and I have a new view of rapier. This is my very basic take on it: when it comes to DiGrassi, what you really want to do is thrust whenever you can -- the goal is to impale your opponent. If you choose to attack after defending yourself, you're probably going to be in a position where the best thing to do is cut. So thrust as much as possible, and cut only when you're in no good position to thrust.

There's no thrusting in the German longsword style (Meyer, 1570) I've been studying. It's mostly cuts and blows, and a typical goal is to get close enough to grapple and throw your opponent to the ground. No impaling. The idea of prefering thrusts over cuts has taken awhile to sink into my head.

Patri and Mark demonstrated a few techniques from different rapier combat masters, which was really interesting. They also showed and talked about copies of roughly 25 other rapier manuals written during the Renaissance. All in all, a very fun and interesting course.

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