Bloßfechten

The vast majority of historical manuals depict Bloßfechten (Bloss-Fetch-ten) or unarmored combat. The combatants wear the historical equivalent of street clothes. The lack of armor meant that cuts were used in addition to thrusts because swords could shear through clothes and sever bone. The lack of protection meant that sword wounds could be crippling or instantly fatal.[1]

Most HEMA tournament fencing replicates Bloßfechten with specialized gear to make sparing safer. Sparing kit includes a fencing helmet, throat protection, jacket, gloves, rigid leg and arm protection, and groin protection.

A demonstration of modern HEMA sparring which simulates Bloßfechten with longswords.

Harnischfechten

Harnischfechten (Harness-Fetch-ten) is fighting in armor, most commonly in plate. The presence of hardened armored plates made cuts ineffective. To counter this defense the use of the sword against armor changed drastically, focusing on thrusts from the halfsword position and percussive attacks using the pommel and cross of the sword as a makeshift mace. [2]

This video is a demonstration of the effectiveness and mobility of historically accurate plate.

This is an example of fencing in harness.

Works Cited

Footnotes

[1] “Unarmored Fencing ~ Wiktenauer ~☞ Insquequo Omnes Gratuiti Fiant.”

[2] “Category:Armored Fencing ~ Wiktenauer ~☞ Insquequo Omnes Gratuiti Fiant.”

Citations

“Category:Armored Fencing ~ Wiktenauer ~☞ Insquequo Omnes Gratuiti Fiant.” Accessed May 21, 2020. https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Category:Armored_Fencing.

“Unarmored Fencing ~ Wiktenauer ~☞ Insquequo Omnes Gratuiti Fiant.” Accessed May 21, 2020. http://www.wiktenauer.com/wiki/Unarmored_fencing.

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Written by Nicholas Allen, VCU HEMA

The HEMA Alliance

Historical European Martial Arts Alliance (HEMAA)

Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) is the study of European weapons and warfare from around 1200 to the First World War. The community studies surviving texts and interprets them into modern understandings that are tested and shared at regional, national, and international events. No martial experience is required to start, only the willingness to learn and the dedication to train.

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