Rapiers and Broadswords

Timeline

1. 1570–1590London · LondonItalian and Spanish-style rapiers entered England through trade and diplomatic channels, becoming everyday wear and dueling weapons for the gentry. Fencing masters and manuals appeared in London (such as George Silver's criticisms of the rapier and discussions of native techniques), reflecting the clash between foreign fashion and English traditional martial arts.
2. 1590–1600England · EnglandIn the 1590s, English military and law-enforcement personnel were still generally equipped with basket-hilt broadswords and other chopping weapons, suited to formation fighting and close combat; meanwhile, high society continued the rapier fashion. Ordnance centers such as Woolwich and London bladesmith workshops supplied both types, the differences in form reflecting the divergence of social class and combat needs.