Two of Swords

Of the Case of Rapiers

"There are also used now adays, aswell in the schools, as in the lists, two Swords or Rapiers, admitted, and approved both of Princes, and of the professors of this art, for honorable and knightly weapons, albeit they be not used in the wars. Wherefore I shall not vary from my purpose, if I reason also of these, as far as is agreeable to true art. To him that would handle these weapons, it is necessary that he can aswell manage the left hand as the right, which thing shall be (if not necessary) yet most profitable in every other kind of weapon. But in these principally he is to resolve himself, that he can do no good, without that kind of nimbleness and dexterity. For seeing they are two weapons, and yet of one self same kind, they ought equally and indifferently to be handled, the one performing that which the other does, and every of them being apt aswell to strike as defend. And therefore a man ought to accustom his body, arms and hands aswell to strike as defend. And he which is not much practiced and exercised therein, ought not to make profession of this Art: for he shall find himself to be utterly deceived."

                                                -Giacomo DiGrassi 1570, Translated by Kelly Hatcher

The challenge put forth by Master Orlando last night was for "every older fencer, having been fencing for three years or more, to seek out the newer fencers and for the newer to boldly take on the old. Moreover, I challenge all to take on a new weapon form they have yet to try or an old form that they rarely use."

I decided to spend the night fighting two sword, or case.  It was a huge challenge, and I took more losses than wins, but it was a lot of fun.  Because of the equal lengths of the weapons, the risk of getting them entangled was a lot greater, footwork being paramount to navigate proper defense and offense.

This is not the first time I used two weapons, the Asian Arts have dozens of forms of wielding twin weapons, yet the conventions of European Fencing, a weapon that I am still young in learning and new footwork made this a very good challenge.

I plan on purring this weapon form further but most likely, not until the end of summer, as time permits.