During the Middle Ages, new elements of combat techniques, as well as weapons and armor, were coming into their own.
The arming sword maintained it's popularity and chain mail armor was used. Knights took to heavier longswords, crossbows and strike weapons, such as maces, flails etc. A complete armor suit of armor was affordable only for a wealthy nobleman.
Most often the armor worn gave only partial cover, more reliance being given to good combat technique for protection.
Accordingly, sword-fighting developed in two directions:
- knightly swordsmanship – fought with a spear, sword, and shield in full heavy chainmail armor
- commoner swordsmanship – for lightly armored footsoldiers, who fought with swords and home-made weapons, e.g. daggers, flails, scythes, and bludgeons.
In combat between the lightly armored and the ironclads it was often swiftness, agility, and cunning that made the difference. Hence swordplay drew interest in the poorer echelons of society. Over time, they gained their skills in sword fighting schools.
The training was not very professional, based more on agility, readiness, and use of all and any advantageous resources available
| Arming Techniques |
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| Two Handed Swords |
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| Cavalry Techniques |
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