Identifying evolution in a fencing lineage through successive written works

Abstract

Even a superficial study of fencing treatises published at different times will readily show that the art of fencing constantly changes with time. However, while large differences between separate treatises are easily identified, pinpointing how these changes develop is much more difficult. One requirement for tracking how a single fencing lineage evolves, is that such a lineage can be identified, and contains sufficient different (written) works that can be studied. Unfortunately, historical European fencing masters rarely documented who they received their instruction from, making it difficult, if not impossible, to identify fencing lineages. One exception to this is the fencing lineage of Paduan fencing master Salvator Fabris, whose fencing lineage can be documented with some certainty, and contains a relatively significant number of treatises by different authors. In this contribution, we will analyse the fencing lineage of Salvator Fabris, and in particular his Caminiren (“proceeding with resolution”) to identify how the teachings within a martial lineage may evolve gradually with time, considering that teachings may develop both as the ideas of individual masters evolve as they gain experience (and age), and as subsequent masters (or fencers) adapt these teachings to their own preferences.