Text and Photos by Michael Su

Maestro Martinez and Maestro Acosta-Martinez practice Grand Canne

In this modern world of ours, empathy is not a word commonly cast into any discussion concerning the communication among fencers. Within the community of classical and historical fencing, in particular, the glut of interest and enthusiasm has always come into conflict with the discipline and precision required in the study and practice of the art. For those masters and students of the living martial tradition of fencing, moreover, the constrictive atmosphere of misunderstanding and discord has resulted in a plurality of self-imposed exile or isolation which has furthered ignorance and checked development. It was therefore all the more gratifying to have found the second annual FISAS meeting successful in enhancing the brightness of the beacons of light first established by the founding of the alliance-a coalition now consisting of FISAS, BFHS, ENBF, and, of course, the AHF. During the meeting, the aura of congeniality, understanding, or, ultimately, empathy, extended into every aspect of the event. It was the presence of this aura that most impressed me. However distinctive masters and students were, we all found ourselves linked by the common bond of respect for our study, practice, and pursuit of fencing in all its forms. Though for me such sentiment is familiar within the AHF and the Martínez Academy of Arms (where I am a studuent), I was unprepared for the scale and diversity at which such empathy could operate. With over sixty participants, a roster of international masters, and a weekend at hand, FISAS provided a forum at which respect and communication ran rampant, and the fencing community was richer for it.

Maestro Macdonald and Mr. Brooks of Chillingham have a go with dusacks

Taking place over the weekend of the second of December, 2000, in the town of Castellanza (about 30 miles west of Milan), the Second International Meeting for Antique, Historical, and Classical Fencing also served as the annual meeting for FISAS students. In addition to meeting with the other students within member-schools of FISAS, the students attended demonstrations and intensive seminars with the international masters in their respective fields of specialty. FISAS founder Maestro d'Arme Andrea Lupo Sinclair was joined by IMAF members Maestro Ramon Martínez, Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martínez, Maestro Paul McDonald, Maestro Mario Magni, and ENBF founders Maestro Italo Manusardi and Maestro Lorenzo Ravazzani. Invitations were extended to BFHS member Robert Brooks, Mr. Stefan Dieke from Germany, and AHF members Ken Mondschein and myself. Though the meeting itself took place from the early hours of Saturday, December 2, to the late hours of Sunday, December 3, the aura of empathy first reared its head Friday evening when Maestro Andrea Lupo-Sinclair and Ms. Manuela Lecchi invited the foreign visitors to dinner at their home. Hearing and speaking exclusively about fencing, we set the stage for the following day.

On Saturday, Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martínez took the lead with her intensive seminar on early French smallsword (following Monsieur L'Abbat's treatise). Maestro Ramon Martínez followed with a seminar on the Spanish school of Fencing, La Verdadera Destreza, using the single rapier and the rapier and dagger. Maestro Andrea Lupo-Sinclair continued the series with his seminar on the Italian dueling sword (striscia italiana) before Maestro Paul McDonald took his turn with the medieval German weapon, the dussack. Finally, Maestro Italo Manusardi and Maestro Lorenzo Ravazzani concluded the day's work with their seminars on the mixed and Italian schools of grand baton. On this first day, all classes were held in an intimate but spacious room accommodating about 30 students. Visitors passed in and out, but the students had a mere 15 minutes' pause before the next seminar. Students worked with each other while the masters walked through the room, giving instructions and corrections. At moments, the language barrier slowed down the rate at which a master's knowledge could be disseminated. Nevertheless, the fundamental understanding and appreciation for fencing preserved us. (That, and international body language, of course.)

Maestro Mario Magni and Maestro Lupo-Sinclair in a friendly bout with spadas striscias italianas

The annual FISAS dinner gala took place later that evening at the Barbarossa Restaurant in the neighboring town of Legnano. There, cuts and thrusts turned to smiles and cheers, while glasses and silverware took the place of swords and daggers. All the masters were seated at the head table, and toasts were sent round and round. Maestro Andrea Lupo-Sinclair, as President and Technical Director of FISAS, presented AHF President Maestro Ramon Martínez with an official document recognizing the AHF as an international ally in the promotion of Traditional Fencing. In addition, this document grants permission to all AHF full members to train in FISAS salles d'armes. To finish off the fine evening, the official FISAS cake was presented to the dining room. With sidesword (spada da lato) in hand, all the masters took turns cutting the cake with the severely oversized cutlery before distributing the pieces. At full capacity for wine and food, I turned in early with this thought: as different as we were, and though we fenced such different styles and weapons, fencing brought us together. Furthermore, our appreciation for and pursuit of fencing translated directly into a common understanding and mutual respect. Though we were strangers, as fencers we were old friends.

Maestro Italo Manusardi demonstrates the grand canne

Undeterred by the late hour at which the previous night ended, the next day's sun shone on over sixty FISAS students at the Castellanza sport stadium. The increased capacity of the stadium also brought in many more spectators. On this day, Maestro Mario Magni took point with his class on the longsword. Teaching in the manner of an otherwise regular class, Maestro Magni started off with stretching exercises, and continued with carefully orchestrated footwork and blade actions. Maestro Andrea Lupo-Sinclair stepped up the pace with his class on the spada da lato of the 16th century. The morning ended with a class salute led by Maestro Andrea Lupo consisting of over sixty people forming a very large circle. After lunch, the venue floor was open to all students and masters. Those interested in similar weapons and styles congregated before approaching the respective masters for further elaboration and demonstration. Everyone who was not a spectator could be found deep in the sea of people. Walking through the crowd one could hear conversations in Italian, English, French, and even Spanish being tossed about, while rapiers, swords, and smallswords made their way around. For a short hour and a half the action on the floor did not stop. Knowing this was our last opportunity for questions and explanations, the pace increased to a crescendo before the session was regretfully concluded. Thereafter, students and masters alike became spectators. For this last phase, the FISAS member school Milites Castri Salinae from the region of Venice demonstrated their Moresca d'Arme military dance of the 14th century. Involving over twenty students in full period costume and weapons, this military dance was an impressive display of coordination and practice. Continuing the demonstrations were the various FISAS member schools, each having chosen to exhibit distinct weapons and styles. One school would demonstrate the two-handed sword, for instance, while another would choose to work with the spada da lato. After students of all the various schools had finished, the masters took to the floor. Maestro Ramon Martínez began with a demonstration lesson in classical Italian dueling saber with Maestro Paul Macdonald as student. Continuing, Maestro Ramon Martínez and Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martínez fenced several bouts in the Spanish school with the single rapier and the rapier and dagger, as well as the French and Italian style smallsword. As well, Maestro Paul McDonald and Mr. Robert Brooks [of Chillingham-ed.] exhibited bouts with the German dussack. Maestro Andrea Lupo then fenced with Maestro Mario Magni using the spada da lato, after which Maestro Mario Magni continued with Maestro Paul McDonald using the sword and buckler. For the grand finale, Maestro Lupo-Sinclair fenced Italian-style rapier and dagger with Maestro Martínez.

Maestro Martinez reads the proclamation

By this time in the afternoon the stadium was full of people. Roughly as many spectators turned up as students, bringing the total number of persons to over one hundred twenty. Spectators and students alike waxed in enthusiasm and applause. After the fencing finished, the meeting itself was concluded by the presentation of certificates of participation to every single student. One by one they were called up and presented to the masters before receiving their certificates. And with every single one of them, I felt once again that touch of empathy. Having observed their understanding and skill, I could find no fault either with their intention or ability, and, of course, with their practice of the living tradition. It was an unforgettable weekend, not only because of the events of the meeting itself, but also because of the air of understanding and, ultimately, communication that came about which allowed all of us thereafter to breathe our fencing more easily. I should like to further extend my gratitude for the hospitality of FISAS, and in particular, that of Maestro Andrea Lupo-Sinclair, Manuela Lecchi, and Provost Alberto Giannone and Marco Carenzio. It would not be surprising to me if, in the future, such events successfully transform the empathy into telepathy-at least, so far as fencing is concerned.

Maestro Lupo-Sinclair slays la torta

The FISAS demo in Castellanza

Maestro Macdonald and Mr. Brooks demonstrate dussack

The gymnasium in Castellenza where the second day's exhibition was held

(l. to r.) M. Macdonald, Mr. Brooks, M. Lupo-Sinclair, Ms. Lecchi, Mr. Mondschein, M. Martinez, M. Acosta-Martinez, Mr. Giannone, Mr. Carenzio

Tutti il Maestri. (l. to r.) M. Acosta-Martinez, M. Martinez, M. Ravazzani, M. Lupo-Sinclair, M. Manusardi, M. Macdonald