#freifechter

By Kevin Maurer, 2013

Further Insights on the competitive fencing events historically known as the Fechtschulen.

While the earliest historic mentions of competitive fighting events in Germany can be traced back many centuries, these events consistently changed and evolved with the War practices and weapons systems used throughout European history.

The period of the fencing events being discussed here, will loosely be attributed to a 200 year time frame, within the Early Modern Period, specifically the late 15th century through the late 17th century.

Early in this period, the fencers would gather together in the German cities and towns, and hold a display or demonstration of their Fencing Arts. The events were often known as 'Schirmschulen', but this word suddenly seems to have fallen out of use and was replaced with the word 'Fechtschulen' around the turn of the 16th century.