FENCING

The following article has been graciously provided by Kevin Dougherty.

One of the most overlooked 18th century gentlemen's activities is fencing. A proper gentleman (or one with pretenses) of the eighteenth century would have been trained in the use of the small sword. The aggressive use of this weapon in earnest was discouraged as vulgar but any man of breeding would have been schooled in its proper use.

The small sword was the final evolutionary development of the civilian sword that was carried for decoration as well as defense. Defense of honor, life and property were important but looking good seems to be paramount when examining period small (court/ gentleman's) swords. Silver or guilt, bejeweled, engraved etc. were the order of the day, but pick up a fine piece from mid 18th century and you know immediately that this was built for more than beauty, it's needle sharp point instantly becomes an extension of ones hand and begs for an adversary. Confidence in its power and a slight chill of fear are the typical reaction when a well-made small sword is held enguarde.

The practice of fencing not only prepared one for self-defense but also had the advantage of great exercise and was a sign of good breeding and education. In Edward Blackwell's treatise on fencing (Williamsburg, 1734) this sentiment is clearly defined "BUT was a Man never to fight with his Sword, no Exercise is more wholesome and delightful to the learner, than this Fencing: For by working all the Parts of the Body, it strengthens the Limbs, opens the Chest, gives a good Air, and handsome Deportment to the body, a majestic Tread; and makes him active, vigorous and lively; and also enables him to serve his Friend, and Country: In fine, Air in Wearing and Skill in Using a SWORD, are such additional Accomplishments to a Gentleman, that he is never esteem'd polite and well bred without them;"
Newspaper advertisements of the period also validate this pursuit as part of a well rounded education as can be seen in the Massachusetts Gazette and Boston Weekly Newsletter- 28 June 1770- "DANCING, Small-sword, Backsword, and the FRENCH LANGUAGE, taught by WILLIAM POPE, at the School occupied by Mr. William Turner." and from the same publication -13 June 1765-;" WILLIAM TURNER BEGS LEAVE to acquaint Ladies and Gentlemen of the Town and Country, That he has opened his Dancing and Fencing School in the Room where his Father formerly taught,-in which he will continue to teach those polite Accomplishments in the Newest Taste and most approved Method, at the usual Price."

Period fencing is a learned skill. If you fenced in high school or college you are probably net prepared to fence as a gentleman. A beginner should first look for a school or club that teaches classical fencing (French or Italian styles) and then for a like-minded partner. As with all aspects of our hobby research and effort equal the rewards.

Some period authors to study are;

Edward Blackwell
Of all the small sword treatises that I have had a chance to study, Edward Blackwell's is one of my favorites. In 1734, William Parks of Williamsburg, Virginia printed ("for the benefit of his widow and children;") Edward Blackwell's crowning work A Compleat System of Fencing: or, The Art of Defence. Who was Blackwell? Where did he train? Who were his peers? I don't even know how old he was, how he died or where he lived. The only clues to his life come from this great yet obscure text, the first sporting book published in North America. An interesting side note that surfaced while trying to discover more information on Mr. Blackwell is that William Parks the printer had the only printing press in Virginia in 1734. Having set up shop in Williamsburg only four years earlier (1730) his was the one and only printing press in a colony whose governor had been ordered by The King of England in 1683 "to provide all necessary orders and Directions that no person be permitted to use any press for printing on any occasion whatsoever." This press was the official government organ for any and all publishing in Virginia until 1766. Thomas Jefferson recalled some years later "we had but one press, and that having the whole business of the government, and no competitor for public favor, nothing disagreeable to the governor could be got into it." The three other printing centers of Boston, New York and Philadelphia were notorious for prosecuting printers for libel and sedition. A Publick Printer was in effect a "government man". How a book of the small sword was approved to be printed in such a tightly controlled environment adds to the mystery and my appreciation of Blackwell and his work.

Domenico Angelo 1717-1802
Angelo was born Domineco Angelo Malevolti Tremamondo in Leghorn, Italy in 1717. He was the oldest of six brothers (and several sisters). His father was a leading merchant in Leghorn and apparently a man of wealth who financially supported his sonís desire to educate himself in the genteel arts and a polite education. His first fencing master was Andrea Gianfaldoni, of Pisa who was at the time presiding over the academy at Leghorn. After traveling widely through Italy's major cities as preparation for his entry into his fathers profession of commerce, the twenty seven year old Domenico at the insistence of his father moved to Paris to study the business of international trade in 1743. This did not satisfy Domineco as an appropriate way to live gracefully, he opted instead to spend his days pursuing a more exciting education in the genteel manly arts of equitation, dancing and fencing. Here he begins to show his true colors. Not being one to settle for second best, he chooses the most renowned teachers in Paris, Monsieur de La Guerniere the master equestrian, Gaetan Blathasar Vestris the first dancer at the Paris Opera, and Teillagory the finest swordsman in Europe. His father must have been a very patient man since it appears that Angelo continued these pursuits for at least seven years in Paris with no other means of support. I can't imagine him dressing in common clothes or living in an empty flat. It must have been very disappointing and a huge expense for his father.

In 1750 Angelo was participating in a fencing demonstration at the home of Duc de Nivernais. One member of the audience was an Irish actress named Margaret Wolfington who apparently on impulse presented the gentleman fencer roses from her corsage. Not one to miss an opportunity to impress, he pinned these to his right breast and offered this target to his opponents. Of course, not a petal was disturbed and as in all good tales the swordsman and actress became lovers. Margaret- or Peg as she was commonly known shortly thereafter returned to England but this time with a prize in tow- Domineco. The two stayed in London for a short while and moved on to Dublin where they stayed until 1754. That year they moved back to London. I don't know what happened between these lovers that year but in 1755 the thirty-eight year old Angelo took a seventeen-year-old bride at St Georges Church. Elizabeth Johnson supposedly was encouraged in pursuing this relationship with Domineco by none other than Peg. Whatever happened or what were the exact circumstance are lost to time. Elizabeth remained at his side through the rest of his life. By now his remarkably patient father had had enough and cut off his son's financial support. Angelo turned to the patronage of Henry Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke, who had a passion for horsemanship. Angelo was installed at the Earls estate as master of the horse and with the Earl's assistance developed a fashionable and very successful riding school which led in 1759 to a Royal appointment by the Princess of Wales as riding and fencing master to her sons, George, Prince of Whales (GeorgeIII) and Edward, Duke of York.

This honor was almost besmirched when his predecessor confronted Angelo in the Haymarket. Mr. Redman, an Irishman, who had previously held this lofty position, confronted Angelo with the notion that a foreigner had no business displacing a natural born British subject. This he tried to emphasize with his walking stick. Mr. Angelo of course parried this point of emphasis with his stick and promptly knocked Mr. Redman's best wig to the ground and for good measure cracked his head. Friends intervened and prevented further action. Later in the day Domineco sent a friend with an invitation to Redman for a meeting outside of London where their differences could be resolved with more gentlemanly weapons. Mr. Redman who instead brought charges against Mr. Angelo for being the aggressor hastily refused this honor.

Domenico's next documented encounter was with an Irishman by the name of Dr. Keys who at the time was reputed to be the top amateur fencer in Dublin. Dr. Keys while on a visit to London had expressed an interest in exchanging a few friendly touches at the Thatched House Tavern. An unknown person who had spread the word of this match through the fashionable circles in London filled the room and transformed this private and friendly affair into a spectacle. Dr. Keys made several furious assaults that were quietly parried. This fired up Dr. Keys all the more who now added Gaelic yells to emphasize his assaults. Angelo sent the doctor's blade to the floor with a deft disarm and retrieved it for him. This was too much for the previously overconfident doctor who rushed Angelo before he had a chance to return to his guard. This unfair assault was parried and returned with six perfect hits to Dr. Keys breast and with the final thrust disarmed the doctor again. This was a very popular victory among Angelo's influential friends and by their insistence were able to convince the reluctant Angelo to take up instruction in swordplay professionally.

On Sept.29th, 1761 Domineco Angelo bought Carlisle House which was to become Angelo's home for about forty years and the first home of The School of Fencing. The Angelo family did not occupy the house until 1763 the same year L'Echol des Armes was released to the public. It is known that during the year 1762-1763 Angelo had 236 fashionable, paying, students of the sword.


I've attached a few links that can help with the research and study
The Martinez Academy of Arms:

http://www.ahfi.org/
http://www.kmoser.com/classicalfencing.htm
http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/