Rapier Marshals Handbook - Midrealm / Middle Kingdom

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rev: 2.0
7/24/00
Passata-sotto - a lunge made by dropping one hand
to the floor.
PassÈ - an attack that passes the target without
hitting; also a cross-step (see cross).
Phrase - a set of related actions and reactions in a
fencing conversation.
Pistol Grip - a modern, orthopedic grip, shaped
vaguely like a small pistol; varieties are known
by names such as Belgian, German, Russian, and
Visconti. Illegal in the Middle Kingdom (with
exceptions). See Orthopedic Grip.
Playing the Prize - the term used by the English
Masters of Defence for the promotion tests within
their corporation. Used in the S.C.A., Inc. either
as a term for an authorization or to describe a
challenge from one fencer to all comers to
celebrate an award or other special event.
Point - a valid blow; the tip of the sword; an attack
made with the point (i.e. a thrust)
Point in Line - also line; an extended arm and blade
that threatens the opponent.
Pommel - a fastener that attaches the grip to the
blade.
Presentation - offering one's blade for engagement
by the opponent.
Protective Gear - the protective covering a fencer
must wear. See Middle Kingdom Standards for
Rapier Combat Protective Gear 2.1.
Press - an attempt to push the opponent's blade aside
or out of line; depending on the opponent's
response, the press is followed by a direct or
indirect attack.
Principle of Defence - the use of forte against foible
when parrying.
Prise de Fer - also taking the blade; an engagement
of the blades that forces the opponent's weapon
into a new line. See bind, croise, envelopment,
and opposition.
Puncture Resistant - a number of layers of fabric or
leather that resists punctures. See Types of
Protective Materials 2.1.2. Puncture Resistant
material is tested with the Broken Foil Four
Punch Test.
Quarter Court - The Quarter Court is the principal
court of appeals for arbitration, and is the last
step prior to a Kingdom Court of Chivalry.
Quillons - The bar that is perpendicular to the blade
of a sword and just before the handle that
prevents an opponent's blade from reaching the
wielder's hand.
THE MIDDLE KINGDOM
RAPIER COMBAT MARSHALS HANDBOOK
Rapier Combat - See Fencing.
Rapier Fencing - See Fencing.
Redoublement - a new action that follows an attack
that missed or was parried; see also Reprise.
Remise - immediate replacement of an attack that
missed or was parried, without withdrawing the
arm.
Reprise - renewal of an attack that missed or was
parried, after a return to en-garde; see also
Redoublement.
Retreat - step back; opposite of advance
Rigid Material - Puncture Resistant Material that
sufficiently inflexible to be used to protect the
face, throat, back of the neck and male groin. See
Types of Protective Materials 2.1.2.
Riposte - an attack made immediately after a parry of
the opponent's attack.
Sabre - a fencing weapon with a flat blade and
knuckle guard, used with cutting or thrusting
actions; a military sword popular in the
eighteenth to twentieth centuries; any cutting
sword used by cavalry. Illegal in the Middle
Kingdom. Also Saber.
Saint Didier - a 16 th century French teacher who
published Tract Containing the Secrets of the
First Book of the Single Sword in 1573.
Salle - a fencing hall or club
Salute - with the weapon, a customary
acknowledgment of one's opponent, consort,
royalty and referee at the start and end of the
bout.
Saviolo, Vincente - an Italian rapier instructor who
taught in Elizabethan England. Author of,
Vincente Saviolo, His Practice In Two Books the
second English rapier manual to be printed.
Second Intention - a false action used to draw a
response from the opponent, which will open the
opportunity for the intended action that follows.
S.C.A., Inc. - Society for Creative Anachronism. The
umbrella organization of which the Middle
Kingdom is a chapter.
Schlager - a German fencing sword of the nineteenth
century. In the Middle Kingdom and in several
other kingdoms , a purpose-made metal blade
legally used for rapier combat. Middle Kingdom
See Weapons 2.2.2.
Simple - an attack or riposte that involves no feints,
Silver, George - Champion of the traditional English
longsword and buckler. Author of Paradoxes of
Defence.