In recent years a number of fencing groups have emerged that specialize in classical fencing. Although the definition of classical fencing varies based on the group, there are several general characteristics. Fencing should be conducted in the style prevalent from the 1870s up to World War II. The 1870s and 1880s see the emergence of fencing as a sport while still constrained by the realities of the duel. The end of World War II marks the beginning of the introduction of modern training methods that developed fencers as high performance athletes.
Classical fencing is distinguished by an increased emphasis on blade work and eyes open actions, with a decreased emphasis on high speed footwork. Multipart blade actions were normal, and exchanges in phrases tended to be longer. Some footwork that is now accepted as normal either was not in general use (the pass is an example) or was of radically different form (the fleche, introduced in the 1920s-1930s is an example). The Classical strip is shorter (20 feet by 3 feet is a representative size found in early period rules books), allowing only limited movement by modern standards. And bouts use visual judges, not electrical scoring. These factors combine to make a very different game.
The social conventions of the sport were also different. For example, at times in the late 1800s retreating from an attack was considered somewhat dishonorable. In my salle we simulate this by holding what we call tea-tray matches, named after the practice of some fencing masters of giving lessons in which the student could not move from the outline of a tea tray. Fencers come on guard at lunging distance, and are not permitted to retreat.
One of the interesting things about classical fencing is that there was a broader section of weapons to teach and learn. Fencing masters taught the cane as a weapon up to the early 1900s; a relic of this is the inclusion of la canne as a weapon in Savate. The single stick was fenced as a version of saber with the whole body as target, no point thrusts, and no right of way through the first decade of the 1900s. Single stick was included in the fencing program at the 1906 Olympics. Its cousin, English country village single stick, persisted as late as 1950. Finally, the bayonet was widely fenced as a competitive sport in the armed services of many countries up to World War II. This variety makes the overall classical period quite interesting to the student of arms.
We are fortunate that the masters of this period left behind an extensive array of books that describe the techniques they taught and their application in detail. Classical technique is different from modern technique, and going to the original sources (or their reprints or the small number of accurate teaching guides) is very important. Contrary to what some say, classical fencers did not have perfect form, some of them behaved as badly as some athletes do today, and people cheated and manipulated just like they do today. But the game is a demanding one, and develops blade skills to a high level. It could make an interesting addition to the program of your fencing club or salle.
