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Between the 15th and 17th centuries, cloak and sword fighting in the streets to preserve honor was a practice brought to Spain by the soldiers of the Great Captain Fernández de Córdoba, so knowing how to handle the rapier sword was an art and a necessity.
The duel was done clandestinely because it was not a legal practice and it was very common when a knight felt outraged, since honor was a highly valued asset.
Spanish swords were made with fine steel and were very famous for their quality and beauty. The duel was done with rapiers and thick cloaks, hence the popular saying currently known as "fighting tooth and nail," that is, with bravery and courage.
The types of rapier swords were very varied and could be carried by both civilians and soldiers when they went out. It was the sword of the Spanish Golden Age.
The origin of this Spanish sword appears for the first time in the inventory of objects of Duke Álvaro de Zúñiga, dated around 1445. And it seems that the name comes from it being a distinguished complement to the personal attire, clothing, as an obvious sign or symbol of the strength and power of its owner. They used to be made and decorated with very good materials and even jewelry.
In principle it was used by the highest social class: royal family, high nobility, knights of religious orders, soldiers and other lords and noblemen. Then it spread to various people, from adventurers to rich bourgeois, especially in important cities, where duels and fights were frequent.
The Spanish rapier sword had a series of common characteristics, such as the thin and narrow blade, somewhat longer than other types of swords to prevent the enemy from approaching, and a little lighter.
They all had a metal garrison or guard that protected the hand from the opponent's punctures. The guards were in the shape of a cup, shell or bow. In addition to being a very effective weapon in combat and duels, it had and gave great prestige to its owner. Its greatest role was from the first third of the 15th century to the last of the 17th century.
With the Spanish sword, pointe fencing was usually practiced, that is, it was not to cut the enemy with the edge but to prick him in some vital part of his body as a thrust.
The left-hand dagger or candle dagger could also be carried in duels, which allowed stopping blows from the opposing sword or also wounding with the dagger. It was a technique and a skill to wield the sword and the dagger at the same time.
It was also known as a cup sword due to the more or less hemispherical guard that some swords and sabers had between the fist and the blade to protect the hand.
SEE MUG ROPE SWORDS
SEE RAPIER SWORDS
