- A23 -

St. Michael039s Salle d039Armes Study of medieval and renaissance fighting manuals also known as treatises has revealed a wellestablished and highly sophisticated European fighting system employing swords rapiers daggers shields pole axes etc. The European martial arts integrate footwork avoidance and the ability to use timing and distance to exploit and enhance the swords inherent cutting and thrusting capabilities. This is very different from modern sport fencing although modern fencing arose from these techniques.