Historical fencing

Historical fencing

Historical fencing refers to a community that has been growing since the 1990s and, contrary to modern Olympic fencing, deals with the fencing styles of the past up to the early 20th century. The fencers work with old European text and image sources from the 14th to the early 20th century. The books by contemporary fencing teachers and students serve this purpose. The so far oldest fencing book dated from around 1300 and was probably written in Latin in a Franconian monastery.

Historical fencing is characterized by its diversity. The fencing categories differ according to the weapons of the respective epoch. For the 14th - 16th century this can be fencing with a sword, knife (similar to a saber), long sword (two-handed) or polearms. Very typical for this time and up into the 19th century is the connection with unarmed self-defense . With the Renaissance, rapiers, side swords, sabers, epees and foils became common weapons in contemporary fencing systems. Another variety of historical fencing is the abundant manifestations. There are groups that are more dedicated to the pure research of the ancient arts and a rapidly increasing number of fencers who also want to compete with others in the ancient arts and weapons in a sporting manner. So, there are different offers in many clubs and fencing schools.

The protection of fencers is a topic that Paul Becker, as a long-term professional trainer, coach and fencing teacher, has set himself as his goal. Now we would like to advance historical fencing together with new, safe and targeted products.

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IN MOTU & Paul Becker

Paul Becker has been practicing sword fencing for almost 20 years. Even as a child he was enthusiastic about this topic. At the age of 13 he started sword fencing in a club.

This also became decisive for him in career terms. At the age of 18 he embarked on the path as an officer in the German Armed Forces, where he was trained as an instructor, sports instructor and manager, fight and education dominated his life. During his studies of history and sociology at the Helmut Schmidt University of the German Armed Forces, he also dealt with topics relating to historical fencing and historical weapons. After 15 years his service with the armed forces ended and he founded the school for historical fencing skills IN MOTU in Nordhausen. It quickly became clear to him that the existing equipment urgently needed to be improved and adapted to modern possibilities and legal requirements in order to enable his students to fence safely.

Out of this interest, new product ideas and developments grew, on which we have been working together for almost 2 years. The aim is to offer these fencers comprehensive and adequate equipment so that they can perform their sport as safely and with the same high quality as it is the case in Olympic fencing.

IN MOTU and Paul Becker stand for good fencing training and high-quality products. The current challenges will be coped in cooperation with us. The products are offered in the Paul Becker or IN MOTU shop.


Photos (c) by Stefan Feichtinger