Italian school of swordsmanship
The term Italian school of swordsmanship is used to describe the Italian style of fencing and edged-weapon combat from the time of the first extant Italian swordsmanship treatise (1409) to the days of classical fencing.
The sette spade Diagram from the Pisani facsimile of the Flos Duellatorum (fol. 17A). The four animals symbolize prudence (lynx), celerity (tiger), audacity (lion), and fortitude (elephant).
The oldest surviving manual on western swordsmanship dates back to the 14th century, although historical references date fencing schools back to the 12th century.
Unarmoured longsword fighters (plate 25 of the 1467 manual of Hans Talhoffer).
Fencing School at Leiden University, 1610
"Pariser" small sword, derived from the French foil.
Marburg student of about 1700. Academic fencing emerged as a stylised way for German students to defend their honour.