Activities

En Guarde!

By Elias Bartell
12th Grade
April 30, 2007

With the idea of sword fighting come images of brutality and fierceness. I once saw a picture of a barbarian charge, and the sight was both terrifying and spectacular.

After the students were told the Academy was offering fencing, that picture immediately came back to me. Imagine the perplexity, however, at seeing how it was so much more complex than merely “bashing” the opponent with merciless blows. As in chess, one must read his adversary closely using the opponent’s own moves against him. Our teacher, Mr. Roark Mitzell, told us that hardly any force is used; if one is out of breath after a bout, something is wrong. It became clear that swordplay is more brains than brawn.

An astute fencer is capable of overcoming even the strongest brute adversary,
even with just a sharp wooden stick. Of course, the ordeal might be a bit complicated: the trick is to control your opponent, set him up for an attack, and run him through without being aggressed yourself.

Finally, with fencing not only is it necessary to fight intelligently, but one must also be a gentleman, a knight. Chivalry is key to swordplay. Salute the contender, slip on the helmet, parry and thrust!