Why historical fencing?

This video got my thinking about why I am interested in historical fencing. For me, there are two reasons.

Self-Defense

Most would argue that historical fencing has no place in modern self-defense. This may be true for most weapons and styles, but some translate well to the modern day.

Looking at unarmed combat, people did that historically just like today. Some of styles are part of living lineages and have shown some success even in the MMA ring such as catch wrestling. Often, some of the older styles have techniques and stances seen in modern styles derived from other cultures that are lauded for their modern self-defense capabilities.

Stick fighting is also a thing of the modern day. Hiking sticks and canes are a mundane sight. Sticks are also a representation for improvised weapons such as a branch or pipe. Additionally, some stick arts are living lineages, famously escrima or the stick arts of Japan. Some stick arts can even lean towards blade arts; consider a hiking pole with a spike or a sword cane (if legal) as they could take lessons from rapier or smallsword systems; fire pikes, hiking staves, and hunting spears can link to spear combat.

Dagger and knife combat also have the potential to translate well to the modern day. Again, their are even a few living lineages such as with Italian knife fighting. This too also works with improvised weapons such as a shank.

With swords, consider the machete. It is basically a sword that is intended to be used as a tool, but still can be a weapon. If one does yard work with a machete, it may be useful to know how to use it in defense if the need arises.

Honor the Past

I also am interested in historical fencing to honor the people of the past. THIS DOES NOT MEAN GLORIFY THEM. Many people used these arts for the wrong reasons. There is the myth that an armed society is a polite society, but past dueling cultures prove this wrong. Many people were petty and drew weapons with the slightest offense. People were even compelled to duel by society even if they never wanted to such as playful jokes being taken the wrong way by being overheard by others not in on the joke. These arts were used both by oppressors and the oppressed. In bringing them to the modern day, be mindful of how they are used both now and then.

Build Character

Many forms of historical fencing have a backing of philosophy. Sometimes this was directly presented in the text, while others were assumed by cultural context. Many Renaissance arts are based on Aristotle, many eastern arts are based in Buddhism. The rule of first-blood dueling has the capacity to value life, while still allowing aggression. "To the death" rules may seem to be more violent, but has the capacity to teach the gravitas of knowing when to fight and when not to fight. This can also be seen in the choice of weapon, which may be another post.

Sport as Art

Engaging in the sportive aspects of historical fencing is more of a show of the art rather than being competitive. Victory with a good show of character can both honor the past as well as present the effectiveness of the combat style. I do not seek to win for personal glory, but to send a message to those of the past as well as a message about the past to the modern world.