DOCSLIB.ORG

THE HISTORY of the RAPIER the Culture and Construction of the Renaissance Weapon

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
THE HISTORY of the RAPIER the Culture and Construction of the Renaissance Weapon THE HISTORY OF THE RAPIER The Culture and Construction of the Renaissance Weapon An Interactive Qualifying Project Report Submitted to the Faculty of the WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science By Robert Correa Andrew Daudelin Mark Fitzgibbon Eric Ostrom 15 October 2013 Submitted to: Professor Diana A. Lados Mr. Tom H. Thomsen Abstract At the end of the Middle Ages, weapons began to be used not only on the battlefield, but for civilian use as well. The rapier became the essential self-defense weapon of the “Renaissance man.” This project explores the evolution and manufacture of the rapier through history. This cut-and-thrust sword was manufactured by artisans who had to develop new methods of crafting metal in order to make the thin, light blade both durable and ductile. To study this process, a rapier was constructed using classical methods. Upon the completion of the replica, its material properties were studied using a surface microscope. The project also included contributing to the WPI Arms and Armor website. ii Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Professor Diana Lados and Mr. Tom Thomsen for creating the Evolution of Arms and Armor Interactive Qualifying Project. Their guidance and assistance were invaluable throughout the project experience. A huge thanks also to Josh Swalec and Ferromorphics Blacksmithing. The expertise of Mr. Swalec and others at Ferromorphics was key to learning smithing techniques and using them to construct a replica of a rapier in the Renaissance style. Mr. Swalec opened the doors of his shop to us and was welcoming every step of the way. Thanks to Professor Jeffrey Forgeng and to the Higgins Armory Museum for granting access to their grand stock of historical texts. The museum library was an incredible resource for the research that went into this paper. Finally, thanks to Dr. Boquan Li for his comprehensive instruction on mounting and preparing metal samples for study. Plenty of things can go wrong in a lab setting, but Dr. Li's counsel ensured that everything went well. Once again, thank you to everyone for your help and guidance. iii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures .............................................................................................................................................. vi List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................. viii Authorship ................................................................................................................................................... ix 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 2. History of the Rapier ............................................................................................................................. 2 2.1. Defining the Rapier ........................................................................................................................ 2 2.2. The Origins of Renaissance ............................................................................................................ 2 3. Schools of Combat................................................................................................................................. 4 3.1. Italy ................................................................................................................................................. 4 3.2. England: The London Masters........................................................................................................ 5 3.3. Germany: The Marxbrüder and Federfechter ................................................................................. 8 3.4. Spain: The Verdadera Destreza ...................................................................................................... 9 4. A New Kind of Sword ......................................................................................................................... 10 5. Culture of the Rapier ........................................................................................................................... 11 5.1. The Mentality of the Duelists ....................................................................................................... 11 5.2. The Tradition of the Duel ............................................................................................................. 13 6. Combat with the Rapier ....................................................................................................................... 14 6.1. Stances .......................................................................................................................................... 17 6.2. Rapier and Dagger ........................................................................................................................ 17 6.3. Rapier and Cloak .......................................................................................................................... 18 6.4. Rapier and Buckler ....................................................................................................................... 19 7. Dimensions of a Rapier ....................................................................................................................... 20 iv 8. Manufacturing of a Rapier ................................................................................................................... 22 8.1. Material ......................................................................................................................................... 22 8.2. Forging the Blade ......................................................................................................................... 23 8.3. Treating the Blade ........................................................................................................................ 24 8.4. The Hilt ......................................................................................................................................... 24 9. Recreating the Rapier .......................................................................................................................... 25 9.1. Materials Used .............................................................................................................................. 27 9.2. Metallurgical Analysis of the Steel Samples ................................................................................ 30 9.3. Results .......................................................................................................................................... 43 10. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 48 Works Cited ................................................................................................................................................ 50 Figure References ....................................................................................................................................... 52 v List of Figures Figure 1: A fight on the streets of London (Clements Renaissance). ............................................................ 6 Figure 3: Late 16th Century engraving of the fencing school at the University of Leyden, in the Netherlands (Anglo). ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Figure 4: An armed gentleman (Castle, p.25). ............................................................................................ 12 Figure 5: Rapiers were not cutting weapons (website: Clements “Questions”). ....................................... 16 Figure 6: A rapier and dagger duel (website: Clements “Questions”). ....................................................... 18 Figure 7: Rapier and cloak (website: Clements “Questions”). .................................................................... 19 Figure 8: Rapier and buckler (Castle, p.20). ................................................................................................ 20 Figure 9: Various examples of sword cross sections (website: “Common”). ............................................. 21 Figure 10: The cross section of an I-beam (website: “I-beam”). ................................................................ 21 Figure 11: The parts of the hilt (website: “What is the Rapier?”). ............................................................. 22 Figure 12: A forge and bellows (website: “16th Century”). ........................................................................ 23 Figure 14: Solidworks assembly of the rapier replica. ................................................................................ 26 Figure 15: Solidworks drawings of the rapier replica with estimated dimensions (in
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Records of the Medieval Sword Free
    FREE RECORDS OF THE MEDIEVAL SWORD PDF Ewart Oakeshott | 316 pages | 15 May 2015 | Boydell & Brewer Ltd | 9780851155661 | English | Woodbridge, United Kingdom Records of the Medieval Sword by Ewart Oakeshott, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® I would consider this the definitive work on the development of the form, design, and construction of the medieval sword. Oakeshott was the foremost authority on the subject, and this work formed the capstone of his career. Anyone with a serious interest in European swords should own this book. Records of the Medieval Sword. Ewart Oakeshott. Forty years of intensive research into the specialised subject of the straight two- edged knightly sword of the European middle ages are contained in this classic study. Spanning the period from the great migrations to the Renaissance, Ewart Oakeshott emphasises the original purpose of the sword as an intensely intimate accessory of great significance and mystique. There are over photographs and drawings, each fully annotated and described in detail, supported by a long introductory chapter with diagrams of the typological framework first presented in The Archaeology of Weapons and further elaborated in The Sword in the Age of Chivalry. There are appendices on inlaid blade inscriptions, scientific dating, the swordsmith's art, and a sword of Edward Records of the Medieval Sword. Reprinted as part Records of the Medieval Sword Boydell's History of the Sword series. Records of the Medieval Sword - Ewart Oakeshott - Google книги Uh-oh, it looks like your Internet Explorer is out of date. For a better shopping experience, please upgrade now. Javascript is not enabled in your browser.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cavé in French Swordsmanship Patrick T
    COLUMBIACLASSICALFENCING.COM The Cavé in French Swordsmanship Patrick T. Morgan Introduction French fencing masters wrote about the cavé (pronounced cahv-ay) as a distinct fencing action. In French, caver means to cave in or collapse. The cavé thus described how a fencer would change or position his wrist or body to create a sharp angle—“caving in” from, say, a straightened position— for a specific fencing purpose, whether offensive or defensive. Sensibly, then, the cavé is sometimes referred to as angulation today. But that term doesn’t always cover all the ways the French writers used the cavé. This is because, as explained below, you can also cavé by using no angulation. Three General Ways to Cavé For the French, there were three ways to cavé. From the on-guard position, you could cavé (1) at the hips or (2) with your rear leg. You could also (3) cavé the wrist of your sword arm, which itself was possible in three different ways. These methods were variously defensive or offensive. Importantly, these were not recommendations so much as taxonomy: as we’ll see, some of these ways of “cavé-ing” could get you killed. 1. The Cavé at the Hips Danet discussed the “cavation” of the body in the second volume of L’Art des Armes. The cavé of the hips is one of two types of esquive—that is, a movement or displacement of the fencer’s target area to evade a thrust—that Danet identified. As Danet described it, the cavé at the hips occurs by “lowering the shoulders and completely straightening the right knee” (en baissant les épaules, & dépliant tout-à- fait le genou droit).
    [Show full text]
  • The European Bronze Age Sword……………………………………………….21
    48-JLS-0069 The Virtual Armory Interactive Qualifying Project Proposal Submitted to the Faculty of the WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation by _____________________________ ____________________________ Patrick Feeney Jennifer Baulier _____________________________ Ian Fite February 18th 2013 Professor Jeffrey L. Forgeng. Major Advisor Keywords: Higgins Armory, Arms and Armor, QR Code 1 Abstract This project explored the potential of QR technology to provide interactive experiences at museums. The team developed content for selected objects at the Higgins Armory Museum. QR codes installed next to these artifacts allow visitors to access a variety of minigames and fact pages using their mobile devices. Facts for the object are selected randomly from a pool, making the experience different each time the code is scanned, and the pool adapts based on artifacts visited, personalizing the experience. 2 Contents Contents........................................................................................................................... 3 Figures..............................................................................................................................6 Introduction ……………………………………………......................................................... 9 Double Edged Swords In Europe………………………………………………………...21 The European Bronze Age Sword……………………………………………….21 Ancient edged weapons prior to the Bronze Age………………………..21 Uses of European Bronze Age swords, general trends, and common innovations
    [Show full text]
  • Custom Welded Katana by Request
    Custom Welded Katana By Request Two-a-penny Bobbie never season so unreflectingly or permeate any Yoko evil. Rhett retreading obviously as formable deciduate.Melvyn dishallows her reviewer snowball corruptibly. Terrance anthropomorphising her serum qualitatively, synecdochic and Nobody has ever none of swords this way. Battling Blades designs and sells swords, machetes, axes and knives. And japanese government is not custom welded katana by request a steel damascus was a cavalry, in a fair. Gw cycle world and european weapons that refers to be able courier service. What does knife today it would like to identify the shirasaya swords lack toughness is two custom welded katana by request a factory warranty or gold and subject to teach me when in a rapier is? Every item we sell is handmade and we hold some in stock. Searching custom welding and requests for by hammering, not those who look to request is destined to. Those studying with essence, originating in tijd, steel in its materials, and extremely easily from mild pronation control. The custom welded katana by request, by a request information! Thank you dear friend Daniel of Nebraska. Please note free time ask could you drill further questions. Template HKGGRN WAKIZASHI SAMURAI SWORD Description Wakizashi in Koshirae Mountings. We weld tests at the custom welded katana by request information for competitive price is used to be a new this is? The cost is irrelevant. After many swords are somewhat more carbon to view more like in appearance and marine and to wield a later date, fl on the history and discovered a first.
    [Show full text]
  • Kingdom of Northshield Rules for Rapier Combat
    Kingdom of Northshield Rules for Rapier Combat Published Summer 2018 Table of Contents 1. RULES OF THE LIST AND OF COMBAT.................................................................................. 1 1.1. Rules of the List .......................................................................................................................2 1.2. Rules of Combat ......................................................................................................................3 2. EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................. 7 2.1 General Standards ....................................................................................................................7 2.2. Weapons and Parrying Devices ................................................................................................7 2.3. Protective Equipment ............................................................................................................ 10 3. AUTHORIZATIONS ............................................................................................................ 14 3.1. General Requirements ........................................................................................................... 14 3.2. Combat Authorization ............................................................................................................ 15 4. MARSHALLING RAPIER ..................................................................................................... 17 4.1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sword Conservatory, Inc
    What are your sword The Sword fighting needs? Conservatory, Inc. Medieval sword fighting class Stage Combat The Sword Conservatory offers classes, educational programs, and demonstrations in a variety of sword fighting styles from medieval through modern sport fencing and stage combat. The Sword Conservatory, Inc. Cutlass lessons Whether you wish to take a sword fighting class, need an Mailing Address educational presentation to your Teaching the history, 112 Tonks Trail school group or civic Holly Springs, NC 27450 sport, and art of organization, or need a demonstration group for your Website: www.swordconservatory.org swordsmanship to all festival, The Sword Conservatory Email: [email protected] with safety and fun. can help. Please contact us at (www.swordconservatory.org) [email protected] Who we are and what we do. Teaching at Schools The Sword Conservatory is a non-profit Festivals and Organizations [501(c)(3)] organization dedicated to research and teaching sword fighting from medieval through 19th century styles, plus modern sport fencing and stage choreography. Classes At the Hunt Center in Holly Springs, we teach the following classes: Medieval sword fighting - single- handed sword, two-handed sword, Festivals School Groups and Civic sword & shield, dagger, staff, and more. We have a variety of programs to offer Organizations Historic fencing - rapier, small sword, various festivals, like Renaissance Faires, We offer educational programs for school cutlass, and military sabre Pirate Festivals, and Sci-Fi
    [Show full text]
  • Swordsmanship and Sabre in Fribourg
    Acta Periodica Duellatorum, Hands-on section, articles 103 Hands-on section, articles Sweat and Blood: Swordsmanship and sabre in Fribourg Mathijs Roelofsen, PhD Student, University of Bern [email protected], and Dimitri Zufferey, Independant Researcher, GAFSchola Fribourg, [email protected] Abstract – Following a long mercenary tradition, Switzerland had to build in the 19th century its own military tradition. In Cantons that have provided many officers and soldiers in the European Foreign Service, the French military influence remained strong. This article aims to analyze the development of sabre fencing in the canton of Fribourg (and its French influence) through the manuals of a former mercenary (Joseph Bonivini), a fencing master in the federal troops (Joseph Tinguely), and an officer who became later a gymnastics teacher (Léon Galley). These fencing manuals all address the recourse to fencing as physical training and gymnastic exercise, and not just as a combat system in a warlike context. Keywords – Sabre, Fribourg, Valais, Switzerland, fencing, contre-pointe, bayonet I. INTRODUCTION In military history, the Swiss are known for having offered military service as mercenaries over a long time period. In the 19th century, this system was however progressively abandoned, while the country was creating its own national army from the local militias. The history of 19th century martial practices in Switzerland did not yet get much attention from historians and other researchers. This short essay is thus a first attempt to set some elements about fencing in Switzerland at that time, focusing on some fencing masters from one Swiss Canton (Fribourg) through biographical elements and fencing manuals.
    [Show full text]
  • The Fight Master, January 1988, Vol. 11 Issue 1
    Marshall University Marshall Digital Scholar Fight Master Magazine The Society of American Fight Directors 1-1988 The Fight Master, January 1988, Vol. 11 Issue 1 The Society of American Fight Directors Follow this and additional works at: https://mds.marshall.edu/fight Part of the Acting Commons, Other Theatre and Performance Studies Commons, Performance Studies Commons, and the Theatre History Commons JANUA RY 1988 American Fencers Supply Co 1180 Folsom Street San Francisco CA 94103 415/863-7911 UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FIGHT DIRECTORS January 1988 Volume XI number I PATTON AND HIS SABER by Charles Conwell 15 THE METAPHYSICS OF STAGE COMBAT by Mark Olsen 19 WHEN STYLES COLLIDE by T. J. Glenn 223 3 SWORD BELTS AND FROGS by Rod ~asteel 28 TOUCHE 229 9 Oregon Shakespeare Festival 330 0 Coriolanus at the McCarterMccarter Theatre 31 Trinity TrinityRep Rep 31 Scaramouche 332 2 The Three Musketeers 32 True West 333 3 The Rivals .at Berkeley Rep 333 3 The Hairy Ape at Berkeley Rep 334 4 Purloined Poe at the Lifeline 334 4 Richard III at the Guthrie 3 Editor's Comments 4 Vice President's Report 6 Treasurer's Report 6 Workshop Coordinator 7 Film Coordinator 35 Letters 337 7 Points of Interest 442 2 Society News SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FIGIIT DIRECTORS TIIE FIGIITMASTER Journal of the Society of American Fight Directors President Joseph Martinez Vice President Drew Fracher Editor Linda Carlyle McCollum Treasurer James Finney Associate Editor Olga Lyles Secretary Linda McCollum Assistant Editor Todd Tjaden Layout Editor Gregg Hillmar The Society of American Fight Directors was founded in May, 1977.
    [Show full text]
  • Fma-Special-Issue Kali-Eskrima-Arnis
    Publisher Steven K. Dowd Contributing Writers Leo T. Gaje, Jr Nick Papadakis Steven Drape Bot Jocano Contents From the Publishers Desk Kali Kali Means to Scrape Eskrima Arnis: A Question of Origins Filipino Martial Arts Digest is published and distributed by: FMAdigest 1297 Eider Circle Fallon, Nevada 89406 Visit us on the World Wide Web: www.fmadigest.com The FMAdigest is published quarterly. Each issue features practitioners of martial arts and other internal arts of the Philippines. Other features include historical, theoretical and technical articles; reflections, Filipino martial arts, healing arts and other related subjects. The ideas and opinions expressed in this digest are those of the authors or instructors being interviewed and are not necessarily the views of the publisher or editor. We solicit comments and/or suggestions. Articles are also welcome. The authors and publisher of this digest are not responsible for any injury, which may result from following the instructions contained in the digest. Before embarking on any of the physical activates described in the digest, the reader should consult his or her physician for advice regarding their individual suitability for performing such activity. From the Publishers Desk Kumusta This is a Special Issue that will raise some eyebrows. It seems that when you talk of Kali, Eskrima, or Arnis, there is controversy on where they came from and what they are about. And when you finally think you have the ultimate understanding then you find little things that add, change, subtract from the overall concept. Well in this Special Issue the FMAdigest obtained permission from the authors to take their explanation, some published years ago.
    [Show full text]
  • Latest Japanese Sword Catalogue
    ! Antique Japanese Swords For Sale As of December 23, 2012 Tokyo, Japan The following pages contain descriptions of genuine antique Japanese swords currently available for ownership. Each sword can be legally owned and exported outside of Japan. Descriptions and availability are subject to change without notice. Please enquire for additional images and information on swords of interest to [email protected]. We look forward to assisting you. Pablo Kuntz Founder, unique japan Unique Japan, Fine Art Dealer Antiques license issued by Meguro City Tokyo, Japan (No.303291102398) Feel the history.™ uniquejapan.com ! Upcoming Sword Shows & Sales Events Full details: http://new.uniquejapan.com/events/ 2013 YOKOSUKA NEX SPRING BAZAAR April 13th & 14th, 2013 kitchen knives for sale YOKOTA YOSC SPRING BAZAAR April 20th & 21st, 2013 Japanese swords & kitchen knives for sale OKINAWA SWORD SHOW V April 27th & 28th, 2013 THE MAJOR SWORD SHOW IN OKINAWA KAMAKURA “GOLDEN WEEKEND” SWORD SHOW VII May 4th & 5th, 2013 THE MAJOR SWORD SHOW IN KAMAKURA NEW EVENTS ARE BEING ADDED FREQUENTLY. PLEASE CHECK OUR EVENTS PAGE FOR UPDATES. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU. Feel the history.™ uniquejapan.com ! Index of Japanese Swords for Sale # SWORDSMITH & TYPE CM CERTIFICATE ERA / PERIOD PRICE 1 A SADAHIDE GUNTO 68.0 NTHK Kanteisho 12th Showa (1937) ¥510,000 2 A KANETSUGU KATANA 73.0 NTHK Kanteisho Gendaito (~1940) ¥495,000 3 A KOREKAZU KATANA 68.7 Tokubetsu Hozon Shoho (1644~1648) ¥3,200,000 4 A SUKESADA KATANA 63.3 Tokubetsu Kicho x 2 17th Eisho (1520) ¥2,400,000
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Italian Rapier
    Introduction to Italian Rapier David and Dori Coblentz Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................1 Fundamental Concepts ..............................................................................................................................2 The Rapier ................................................................................................................................................2 Hand Positions ........................................................................................................................................3 Standing in First Position .......................................................................................................................4 Salute .........................................................................................................................................................4 Guard ........................................................................................................................................................5 Lines of Attack .........................................................................................................................................5 Placement of the weapon .......................................................................................................................6 Guards of third and fourth ................................................................................................................6
    [Show full text]
  • Competition Rules and Regulations
    Competition Rules and Regulations as at 1 January 2017 4 COMPETITION RULES - 01 GENERAL ASPECTS COMPETITION UIPM COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONS as at 1 January 2017 table of CONTENTS COMPETITION RULES 01MP - General Aspects Pg. 6 02MP - Fencing Pg. 30 03MP - Swimming Pg. 52 04MP - Riding Pg. 62 05MP - Laser-Run Pg. 80 06UIPM - Biathle Pg. 108 07UIPM - Triathle Pg. 116 EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 01MP - General Aspects Pg. 123 02MP - Fencing Pg. 124 03MP - Swimming Pg. 138 04MP - Riding Pg. 140 05MP - Laser-Run Pg. 144 6 COMPETITION RULES - 01 GENERAL ASPECTS COMPETITION 01 GENERAL ASPECTS ABBREVIATIONS BAD Business Affairs Delegate NF National Federation CCh Continental Championships NTO National Technical Observer CISM Conseil Internationale du OG Olympic Games Sport Militaire PWR Pentathlon World Ranking EB Executive Board TC Technical Committee FOP Field of Play TD Technical Delegate HQ Headquarters TM Technical Meeting IJ International Judges UIPM Union Internationale de IOC International Olympic Pentathlon Moderne Committee WCC World Cup Competition LOC Local Organising Committee WCF World Cup Final Mins minutes WCh World Championships MD Medical Delegate YOG Youth Olympic Games MP Modern Pentathlon UIPM COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONS as at 1 January 2017 7 PART A MODERN PENTATHLON - CONTENTS COMPETITION RULES - 01 GENERAL ASPECTS COMPETITION 1.1 SPHERE OF APPLICATION 1.2 1 Age Groups 2 Calculating age AGE GROUPS 1.3 1 The Five Disciplines 2 Disciplines in Youth Competitions THE EVENTS 1.4 1 The Official UIPM Competitions in 3 OG
    [Show full text]