The Encyclopedia of the Sword

From the gruff, sword-toting swashbucklers of the Middle Ages to modern adventure epics like The Princess Bride , the aura surrounding the sword is one that is both romantic and pragmatic. Thoughts of this weapon bring to mind images of the Knights of the Round Table, Zorro, the Three Musketeers - the things daydreams are made of. Historically, the fate of the empires revolved around the sword; nations rose and fell based on the power of their swordsmen. For centuries it was the weapon of choice in settling personal disputes. Today, the art of sword fighting has been incarnated as the dynamic, chess-like sport of fencing. It has also played an important part in the history of theatre and film and it has been part of literature for as long as there have been books. In its varied guises, the sword has for centuries figured in the world’s varied cultures, myths and politics. This encyclopaedia presents information on the history of sword types and styles around the world; techniques of combat sword use; techniques and styles of modern sport fencing; names and descriptions of various fencing implements and weapon types; swashbuckler films and the fencing masters who influenced the genre; significant individuals who have taught sword use; the sword at the Olympics; and the literature in which the rapier, foil or broadsword has figured.