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]
An example of late medieval clothing that was worn in sword fights.
Courtesy of Wiktenauer.
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]
An example of striking with the pommel as a mace on the left, and using the halfswording technique to strike a gap in the armor on the right.
Courtesy of Wiktenauer.
This video is a demonstration of the effectiveness and mobility of historically accurate plate.
This video recreates the training of 15th century knight Jean le Maingre and how he prepared to move in armor
This video demonstrates the versatility of armor by pitting a knight, a soldier, and a firefighter, all in full gear, against an obstacle course
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.
