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Rapier

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A spanish rapier, made in the 17th century.

A rapier is a type of sword that was mostly used in both Spain (called espada ropera, or dress sword) and Italy (called spada da lato, or side-sword). [1][2][3] They are usually grouped as swords that are straight, light, double-edged, and that are pointed at the top.[4] The sword was very popular in the renaissance, during that time, it was a symbol of wealth. Generally, it was used for self defense, dueling, and as a military sidearm.[5]

In modern times, the rapier was used as a type of fencing sword, it was eventually replaced by the épée.[6] Many styles of rapier-fencing were made in 18th and 19th century, like Destreza, a popular spanish fencing-style back in the 18th century.

References

[change | change source]
  1. "The rapier sword". Aceros de Hispania. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  2. Ramsey, S. (2016). Tools of War: History of Weapons in Medieval Times. India: VIJ Books (India)
  3. Essential glossary p.253
  4. Pérez, Juan José. The rapier sword, 2003. Madrid, Spain. Articles from the Spanish Antigua Fencing Association Archived 2011-12-08 at the Wayback Machine. http://www.esgrimaantigua.com/ArmasRopera.php Archived 2007-12-21 at the Wayback Machine. https://web.archive.org/web/20071221093653/
  5. Grimm, Deutsches Wörterbuch s.v. "Rapier" cites an Ordnance regulation of Speyer dated 1570 requiring all infantry to be equipped "with good, strong sidearms, namely, either two-handed [swords] or good rapiers" (mit guten starken seitenwehren, nemlich zu beiden händen, oder guten rappieren).
  6. Wauters, Sean (2016). "Injury profile of Longsword fencing in Historical European Martial Arts". Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts. 7 (2): 81–87. doi:10.5604/20815735.1227843.