Sidesword
The spada da lato, also known as the side-sword, was a popular type of sword during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. It served as a transitional weapon between the medieval knightly sword and the later rapier of the early modern period.
It is worth noting that the term "side-sword" is a modern designation and was not contemporaneously used to describe this specific type of sword based on current research from ancient fighting manuals. While some early Italian sources do mention the term "spada da lato," they were referring to any sword worn at one's side, rather than specifically referring to this particular type of sword.
Development
The sidesword is a type of sword that closely resembles the earlier arming sword but is typically longer. The main distinguishing factor between the two is whether the sword can be used alone. Arming swords usually have minimal hand protection and are meant to be used with a buckler or shield, whereas sideswords often have one or more rings to provide some hand protection.
In its simplest form, a sidesword may have just a single ring over the guard to protect the index finger. However, as the design evolved, later forms of sideswords incorporated additional rings, guards, for enhanced hand protection. These features were added to further safeguard the hand during combat.
Bolognese Swordsmanship
Bolognese Swordsmanship, also known as the Dardi school, is a tradition within the Italian school of swordsmanship that is based on the fencing treatises published by several 16th-century fencing masters from Bologna.
The surviving treatises of the Bolognese masters demonstrate a high level of consistency in terms of style, terminology, and teaching methods within their school, distinguishing them from fencing masters from other regions of Italy. This consistency justifies considering them as a distinct school of swordsmanship.
The focus of the Dardi school is primarily on the single-handed spada da lato, also known as the side-sword. This type of sword was designed for both cutting and thrusting techniques. In addition to the side-sword, practitioners of the Dardi school would also employ various defensive weapons such as a shield (brocchiero, rotella, or targa), a dagger, a gauntlet, or a cape.
The Bolognese Swordsmanship tradition emphasizes the mastery of the side-sword and its integration with different defensive tools, providing practitioners with a versatile and comprehensive approach to swordsmanship.
The Bolognese Sidesword system is included in our Technique Courses.
German sidesword or early rapier
The sidesword, or early rapier, developed not only in Italy but also in Germany. As a foreign weapon, the thrusting action itself conflicted with the laws of the city-states. Joachim Meyer explicitly stated that the thrust was not used by Germans except in times of war against foreign enemies. Both civilians and soldiers were not allowed to use thrusts in conflicts. However, this situation was not always the case, as the introduction of foreign fencing styles necessitated the relearning of thrusting techniques.
Joachim Meyer, as a martial artist, was both the last great master of the medieval Liechtenauer fencing tradition and a young innovator. He combined his native German traditions with those of Italian fencing masters to create a wholly system of fighting with sidesword. The centerpiece of his work was the cut-and-thrust sidesword, which was rapidly gaining popularity and replacing the knightly two-handed longsword.
The Joachim Meyer Sidesword/Rapier system is included in our Technique Courses.
Coaches with expertise in Sidesword
Hugo Yip
Mazoo Ma