Brytisc Fencing
Brytisc Fencing is the national sport of Brytene, and is a variant of fencing unique to the Brytisc Isles. Originating in the training practices of medieval Brytisc knights, it emerged as a popular sport in the late 18th Century, using heavier straight-bladed sabres in contrast to the lighter blades used in other forms of fencing.
The discipline is divided into two forms; heorta and hafela, and is widely practiced in Brytene at both amateur and professional level.
Overview
Brytisc fencing is a two-person competitive martial art, practiced at all levels using blunted steel blades on a predesignated 'square', usually marked by pine or fir branches. The objective is, in all cases, to inflict a 'crippling' or 'fatal' wound upon the opponent. Little to no safety equipment is used, as a single blow tends to end most bouts. The heorta style, however, typically dictates padded handguards and headwear.
Each bout is considered over when one opponent inflicts a 'crippling' or 'fatal' wound upon the opponent. In highly-ranked tournaments, these wounds are distinguished for scoring purpose. A 'crippling' wound is a cut to the arm, leg, or torso. A fatal wound is a cut to the head, or a lunge to the torso. Lunges to the face are not permitted in either discipline.
Heorta
The Heorta, or 'heart', discipline is the more practical form of Brytisc Fencing. It involves relatively few restrictions. Combatants are allowed to grapple, grip, trip and otherwise use their body to attack their opponents, and are allowed to strike with handguards, pommels and the like. For this reason, Heorta combatants fight wearing padded helmets and wrapping around their wristguards.
This is considered the more dangerous discipline, but is more popular among service personnel and amateur players as it is easier to master.
Hafela
The Hafela, or 'head', discipline is the more constrained form of Brytisc Fencing. In Hafela, combatants may only use their swords to strike, and are restricted to cuts to the limbs or lunges to the torso. This more stylised format emphasises wrist strength, discipline and agility.
This form is more commonly used during high-stakes and professional tournaments, and is harder to master, although it is considerably safer. This version is taught in schools.
History
Brytisc fencing originated in the medieval period, when knights and warriors began to develop a stylised form of melee combat for display at tournaments and for training purposes. Needing to be able to accustom themselves to the genuine weight of a steel blade and the necessities of melee combat, without the loss of life entailed by actual fighting, a basic set of rules was developed. These unofficial rules were soon put to paper, and the Bill Gewissian, or Sword Directives, were published in 1304AD.
By the 18th Century, the practice had become appreciated as a spectator sport and had developed into the heorta and hafela forms. By this time the practice was widespread amongst members of the nobility and the professional classes alike, not simply the military. The Council of Fencing was established in 1779 in Lundene, and since then has held annual tournaments.
Techniques and play
Play is carried out in a 'square', a set area usually measuring three metres on a side. This area is marked out by pine or fir branches, symbolising the friendly intent of the combatants (as opposed to hazel, which typically indicates a duel to the death). Stepping outside of the square results in instant forfeit of the bout. A single crippling or fatal hit wins the bout, and matches can go to three, five, or seven bouts depending on the skill level of the combatants.
Whenever a point is scored, the fencers will go back to their starting mark. The referee says "Bregdan" (draw swords), then asks "Fus?" (ready?). Once both fencers have indicated that they are ready by saying "Aye", the referee says "Feohtan" (fight) to commence the new bout.
Techniques in Brytisc fencing can be divided into two categories: offensive and defensive. Some techniques can fall into both categories, whilst others are employed purely in heorta. Unlike other forms of fencing, Brytisc Fencing does not exhibit a 'priority' or 'turn-based' system, instead allowing players to strike as and when they will.
Offensive
- Lunge: Also called a thrust, this basic move consists of extending the sword arm and attempting to land a hit upon the opponent's valid area.
- Cut: This slashing motion consists of a lateral attack against the opponent's valid areas.
- Riposte: An attack by the defender after a successful parry. After the attacker has completed their attack, and it has been parried, the defender then has the opportunity to make an attack.
- Feint: An attack with the purpose of provoking a reaction from the opposing fencer.
- Beat Attack: An attack intended to drive the opposing fencer's blade aside and expose their body
- Disengage: Beginning an attack in one direction, then quickly moving the point down in a semi-circle to attack a different location.
- Continuation of Attack: Launching an attack immediately after the first has landed, typically in a different line
- Bucca: In heorta, using the pommel or hilt of a sword to strike the opponent, typically on the face or wrist.
Defensive
- Parry: Basic defence technique, block the opponent's weapon while it is preparing or executing an attack to deflect the blade away from the fencer's valid area. Can be letan, riht, ban-letan, ban-riht, or helm.
- Circle parry: A parry where the weapon is twisted in a circle to catch the opponent's tip and deflect it away. It is commonly used to counter a disengage.
- Counter attack: A basic fencing technique of attacking your opponent while generally moving back out of the way of the opponent's attack. Typically used to attack opponent's outstretched arm or wrist.
- In turn: Turning the body to allow a lunge to pass by. Typically followed by a cut to the torso or head, or in heorta a Bucca.