Rapier

Starting from the early 16th century, it became increasingly common for individuals to wear swords or rapiers with their civilian attire. This trend led to a rise in duels between opponents who were not wearing armor, making the need for effective defense techniques crucial. Without the protection of armor or shields, combatants had to rely on alternative methods to block or parry attacks. Some of these defensive methods included using a dagger or a buckler held in the left hand, as well as an increased reliance on parries executed with the rapier itself.

​

During the 16th and 17th centuries, distinct schools of fencing emerged rapidly in Italy, France, Germany, and Spain. The art and science of fencing became an essential part of a nobleman's education, leading to the employment of skilled fencing masters at prominent courts and universities throughout Europe. From approximately 1525 to 1625, it was common to wear a rapier alongside a parrying dagger, often crafted and decorated as a matching set.

Nicoletto Giganti was an Italian soldier and fencing master in the early 17th century. He was born in Fossombrone, Italy, and later became a citizen of Venice. In 1606, Giganti published a treatise titled "Scola, overo teatro" which provided detailed instructions on the use of the rapier, making it one of the best pedagogical works on rapier fencing of the time.

In 1608, he published a second book called "Libro secondo di Niccoletto Giganti" which covered various weapon combinations including rapier and dagger, rapier and cloak, rapier and shield, single dagger, and mixed weapon encounters. Although his second book quickly disappeared, his first book was reprinted numerous times over the following decades and gained widespread popularity.

Our Essential course teaches 

Nicoletto Giganti's Rapier system and is also included in our Technique Courses and Training Courses.

Parrying daggers, as their name suggests, were primarily used as an off-hand weapon in conjunction with a rapier or another sword held in the dominant hand. Unlike other daggers of that time, which were often used as offensive weapons that could be quickly drawn with the main hand, parrying daggers were primarily defensive in nature.

These daggers were typically held with the point facing upwards and the cross-guard positioned sideways, allowing the wielder to parry or bind the opponent's blade. Some parrying daggers had intricate guards specifically designed for trapping and deflecting attacks. This technique of parrying and binding the opponent's weapon was common, and having a dagger in the second hand provided an additional advantage, as it allowed the wielder to easily close in for grappling.

The combination of a long rapier and a short parrying dagger was particularly effective against unarmored opponents. Combat with the rapier and parrying dagger was a complex system, which was extensively detailed in manuals such as Nicoletto Giganti's "Scola, overo teatro" and Salvator Fabris's "Sienza e Pratica d’Arme". These manuals provided instructions on various techniques, strategies, and footwork involved in the use of the rapier and parrying dagger.