Rapier
Encyclopedia : R : RA : RAP : Rapier
- Rapier may also refer to the Rapier missile, a British short-range Surface-to-air missile
Description
A rapier is a relatively slender (blade 2.5 centimetres or less in width), sharply pointed sword with a blade at least 90 centimetres in length, often sporting an elaborate hilt and hand-guard.The term refers to a variety of blade and hilt forms depending on who is writing and when. It can refer to earlier spada da lato (much like the espada ropera) through the high rapier period of the 17th century through the smallsword and duelling swords, thus context is important in understanding what is meant by the word. (It should be noted that the term side-sword, used among some modern historical martial arts reconstructionists, is a translation from the Italian spada da lato--a term coined long after the fact by Italian museum curators--and does not refer to the slender, long rapier, but only to the early 16th-century Italian sword with a broader and shorter blade that is considered both its ancestor and contemporary.)
History
The rapier began to develop around 1500 as the Spanish espada ropera, or "dress sword". The espada ropera was a cut-and-thrust civilian weapon for self-defense and the duel, while earlier weapons were equally at home on the battlefield. Throughout the 16th century, however, a variety of new, single-handed civilian weapons were being developed, including the German Rappier, another cut-and-thrust weapon used for sportive fencing, as described in Joachim Meyer's Fechtbuch of 1570. Nevertheless, the English word "rapier" generally refers to a primarily thrusting weapon, developed by the year 1600 as a result of the geometrical theories of such masters as Camillo Agrippa and Ridolfo Capo Ferro.The rapier became extremely fashionable throughout Europe with the wealthier classes, but was not without its detractors. Some people, such as George Silver, disapproved of its technical potential and the duelling use to which it was put.
By the year 1700, the rapier had been replaced by the lighter smallsword throughout most of Europe.
The etymology of the word "rapier" is uncertain. Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange uses the word Rapparia in 1484 to describe an espée in his Glossarium mediae et infimae Latinitatis. He proposes that the origin of the word may stem from the Greek ραπίξειν, to cut. However, Walter William Skeat suggests that "rapiér" may derive from raspiére, a poker, and that this may be a contemptuous term developed by older cut-and-thrust fencers for the new weapon.
Present day
This weapon is probably the oldest European sword that still has a living tradition.The Classical fencing schools can claim to have inherited aspects of rapier play in their systems. Swords are common as shows of class and are very expensive.
Other Traditions
According to Andrea Lupo Sinclair and Maestro Ramon Martinez, a direct linear rapier tradition has survived in Europe that is not connected with the classical tradition. They claim that the rapier was used in Italy and Spain as late as the first decade of the 1900s."Although teachers of these arts (rapier & Dagger) with living traditions are few and far between, they do exist" (M. Ramon Martinez).
This claim, disputed by some members of the US classical fencing community and by many Western martial artists, seems rather far-fetched.
Popular Culture and Entertainment
- A common usage of the word is in the popular phrase "rapier wit".
- The rapier is the sword most often associated with duels of honour depicted in literature,e.g. the final scene in Hamlet, and films, such as The Three Musketeers — however, the fighting techniques in such films are usually far from authentic.
- Anthony Cumia, of the popular CBS radio and XM satellite radio show Opie and Anthony has mentioned several times that he owns a rapier that he uses for self-defense.
- In a popular, traditional Irish folk song, "Whisky in the Jar," A Rapier is wielded by the highwayman to fend off an English officer.
Video Games
- The rapier appears as a weapon in Namco's Soul Calibur series for the character Raphael, along with other thrusting weapons.
- The rapier appears in Nintendo's video game Fire Emblem, which is a sword that can only be used by sword-bearing Lords such as a character named Roy, (a character who appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee) or Eliwood (Roy's father).
- Rose from The Legend of Dragoon wields a rondel like rapier.
- The rapier is the weapon of choice for the character Lilly Pendragon in the role playing game Suikoden III.
- In Namco's Ace Combat 4, there is a squadron named Rapier. Some of its pilots fly along with you throughout every mission of the game.
- In the original Final Fantasy game for the NES, the rapier was the first sword the player could purchase for their party members.
- The rapier also appears on Sid Meier's Pirates!.
- In the video game suikoden 5 the characters cuis and lelei use a rapier.
More information
For a more detailed explanation of the primary use of the rapier-- dueling-- see European dueling sword.Rapier Instructors
Main article: Rapier Instructors
- [Link to The World Renowned Stage Combat Rapier Expert - Alex Hauck]
- [Link to John Clements, founder of ARMA, one of the first historical-fencing organizations in the US]
External links
Schools
- [The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts (ARMA)]
- [The Martinez Academy of Arms], Maestro Ramon Martinez' school.
- [The Order of Seven Hearts], A school for researching, practicing and teaching Italian martial arts from 1500 to 1900; especially dedicated to the work of Salvator Fabris. Founded by instructor and author Tommaso Leoni.
- [Accademia di Scherma Tradizionale], the fencing school of Andrea Lupo Sinclair.
- [Stoccata School of Defense], the fencing school of instructor and author Stephen Hand.
- [The Tattershall School of Defence], A school teaching a variety of European martial traditions founded by instructor and author William Wilson.
- [Davenriche European Martial Artes School], A school that teaches the historic use of weapons from the 15th to 19th century by instructor Steaphen Fick
- [The Company of Cavalier Gentlemen], A school of teaching that emphisises duelling and constant progress of technique.
- [Sala d'Arme Achille Marozzo] Ancient Fencing Art Italian Institute: an union of more than twelve school that teach all Ancient fencing Italian weapons, including rapier
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.