Rapier

Silver damascened rapier guard, between 1580 and 1600. Fake blade.

A rapier is a relatively slender, sharply pointed sword, used mainly for thrusting attacks, developed in Europe around the 16th century.

Description

Rapier, first half of the 17th Century.

Rapier generally refers to a relatively long-bladed sword characterized by a complex hilt which is constructed to provide protection for the hand wielding it. While the blade might be broad enough to cut to some degree, the strength of the rapier is its ability as a thrusting weapon. The blade might be sharpened along its entire length, sharpened only from the center to the tip (as described by Capoferro), or completely without a cutting edge as discussed by Pallavicini. A typical example would have a relatively long and slender blade of 2.5 centimetres or less in width, 1 meter or more in length and ending in a sharply pointed tip.

The term 'rapier' generally refers to a thrusting sword with a blade longer and thinner than that of the so-called side-sword but heavier than the smallsword and Italian dueling sword that would follow in the 18th century and later, but the exact form of the blade and hilt often depends on who is writing and when. It can refer to earlier spada da lato (much like the espada ropera) through the high rapier period of the 17th century through the smallsword and dueling swords, thus context is important in understanding what is meant by the word. (It should be noted that the term side-sword, used among some modern historical martial arts reconstructionists, is a translation from the Italian spada da lato--a term coined long after the fact by Italian museum curators--and does not refer to the slender, long rapier, but only to the early 16th-century Italian sword with a broader and shorter blade that is considered both its ancestor and contemporary.)

History

The rapier began to develop around 1500 as the Spanish espada ropera, or "dress sword". The espada ropera was a cut-and-thrust civilian weapon for self-defense and the duel, while earlier weapons were equally at home on the battlefield. Throughout the 16th century, however, a variety of new, single-handed civilian weapons were being developed, including the German Rappier, another cut-and-thrust weapon used for sportive fencing, as described in Joachim Meyer's Fechtbuch of 1570. Nevertheless, the English word "rapier" generally refers to a primarily thrusting weapon, developed by the year 1600 as a result of the geometrical theories of such masters as Camillo Agrippa and Ridolfo Capo Ferro.

The rapier became extremely fashionable throughout Europe with the wealthier classes, but was not without its detractors. Some people, such as George Silver, disapproved of its technical potential and the duelling use to which it was put.

By the year 1700, the rapier had been replaced by the lighter smallsword throughout most of Europe.

The etymology of the word "rapier" is uncertain. Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange uses the word Rapparia in 1484 to describe an espée in his Glossarium mediae et infimae Latinitatis. He proposes that the origin of the word may stem from the Greek ραπίξειν, to cut. However, Walter William Skeat suggests that "rapiér" may derive from raspiére, a poker, and that this may be a contemptuous term developed by older cut-and-thrust fencers for the new weapon. The most probable root of this term, however appear to be from the Spanish "Ropera" that cames from "Ropa", elegant dress, thus a "dress Sword".

Bell guard, a Spanish fashion

Wire hilt, a German fashion

Pappenheimer, a German innovation

Present day

This weapon is probably the oldest European sword for which some people claim a living tradition. Note that all of these claims are yet unproven.

The classical fencing tradition

Classical fencing schools can claim to have inherited aspects of rapier play in their systems. Swords are common as shows of class and are very expensive.

Other Traditions

According to Andrea Lupo Sinclair and Maestro Ramon Martinez, a direct linear rapier tradition has survived in Europe that is not connected with the classical tradition. They claim that the rapier was used in Italy and Spain as late as the first decade of the 1900s.

"Although teachers of these arts (rapier & Dagger) with living traditions are few and far between, they do exist".

This claim is disputed by some members of the US classical fencing community and some Western martial artists who consider it extremely far-fetched since neither man has publicly exhibited a linage showing a clear and unbroken line back to a known Renaissance (pre-1700) rapier master, as opposed to just a foil, épée, and sabre fencing master who just happen to pick up a rapier.

In the European fencing community, instead, there is more consensus and knowledge about this statement. In Europe before the two world wars there have been environments preserving the late forms of the rapier, as it clearly appears from late italian treatises (Rosaroll Scorza and Grisetti, Blasco Florio, the writings of Jacopo Gelli, and others).

Popular Culture and Entertainment

A common usage of the word is in the popular phrase "rapier wit".
The rapier is the sword most often associated with duels of honour depicted in literature,e.g. the final scene in Hamlet, and films, such as The Three Musketeers — however, the fighting techniques in such films are usually far from authentic.
Anthony Cumia, of the popular CBS radio and XM satellite radio show Opie and Anthony has mentioned several times that he owns a rapier that he uses for self-defense.
In a popular, traditional Irish folk song, "Whisky in the Jar," A Rapier is wielded by the highwayman to fend off an English officer.
In the Midkemia-based novels by Raymond E. Feist many main characters use the rapier as personal weapon. The phrase "The edge is for cutting, the tip is for killing" is often cited by users of the rapier. Notable users of the weapon include, but not limited to, Arutha conDoin, Jimmy the Hand,Arutha Jameson and the prince Borric conDoin
The rapier is a weapon used by numerous characters in video games, either as their primary weapon, or simply as a buyable type of sword, as in many RPGs.
Robert E. Howard's character of Solomon Kane, the Puritan swordsman, carries what is referred to as a rapier, though illustrations and descriptions of the weapon's usage more closely resemble the look and usage of a side-sword or European dueling sword.

More information

For a more detailed explanation of the primary use of the rapier-- dueling-- see European dueling sword.

Rapier Instructors

Historical fencing, also known as European martial arts is a rapidly-growing phenomenon that has passionate followers all over the world.

Schools

The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts, ARMA is an educational non-profit organization dedicated to the study and practice of historical fencing and the exploration and promotion of our Western martial heritage. ARMA focuses on the interpretation and legitimate reconstruction of Medieval and Renaissance combat systems as a modern discipline.
Iron Door School of Arms
The Sussex Rapier School
The Martinez Academy of Arms, Maestro Ramon Martinez' school.
The Order of Seven Hearts, A school for researching, practicing and teaching Italian martial arts from 1500 to 1900; especially dedicated to the work of Salvator Fabris. Founded by instructor and author Tommaso Leoni.
Accademia di Scherma Tradizionale, the fencing school of Andrea Lupo Sinclair.
Stoccata School of Defense, the fencing school of instructor and author Stephen Hand.
The Tattershall School of Defence, A school teaching a variety of European martial traditions founded by instructor and author William Wilson.
Davenriche European Martial Artes School, A school that teaches the historic use of weapons from the 15th to 19th century by instructor Steaphen Fick
The Company of Cavalier Gentlemen, A school of teaching that emphisises duelling and constant progress of technique.
FISAS - Italian Historical Fencing Federation Historical and Classical fencing federation in Italy which mainly practice rapier both in early and late systems.
Sala d'Arme Achille Marozzo Ancient Fencing Art Italian Institute: an union of more than twelve school that teach all Ancient fencing Italian weapons, including rapier