Step onto the polished floors of the salle d'armes during the "Grand Siècle" of Louis XIV. This era wasn't just about opulent fashion and grand palaces; it was a crucial period that laid the significant groundwork for modern sport fencing. We'll explore how changes in fashion at the court, particularly in the latter half of the 17th century, led to the abandonment of the long rapier in favor of the short and light court sword (épée de cour).

Discover how this new weapon, designed for point-only attacks with the blade used for defense, fundamentally changed swordsmanship, leading to the emergence of the French style that replaced the previously dominant Italian style. This technical shift towards point-focused fencin ...