Background Notes: Swordfighting Terms (Lyrical)
Added 2024-08-08 19:19:44 +0000 UTCSome actual proper (mostly longsword) sword fighting terms for various stances that you might see popping up during the Camelot sequences. I use the official modern fencing terms for the fencing club instead.
These, in particular, are the more poetical/lyrical sounding stances.
Through the Roses: Circular strike with the lowest point of the arc aimed at the thigh
Slice through the Crown: Horizontal slice from below
Wild Boar’s Tooth: Guard stance, low guard leading with the right leg with sword at 45 degree angle
Hissing Tongue of an Adder: Repeated thrusts over the opposing sword to try and force an opening
Crossed Ward: Stance leading with left leg and blade held before the body on the right side and pointing down. Attack by stepping forward with the right foot.
Hard and Soft: Gauging the pressure of the opposing blade and countering with the opposite (weak versus strong & vice versa)
The Spring: Similar to fencing "pommeling" but using both hands, increase the range of a cut by clutching the pommel with the second hand
Short Snake Guard: Middle guard with the left hand holding the blade and left leg leading
Long Lying Tail: Right guard leading with the left leg with the blade held down at 45 degree angle
True Cross Guard: Low guard with the left hand holding the middle of the blade in a reverse grip
Noblewoman’s Guard: High guard, blade held over or on the right shoulder in preparation for or the result of a horizontal cut
True Royal Window Guard: Leading with the left leg with sword held horizontally out to the right, point aimed at the opponent’s face
