Kendo vs Fencing

Actually the term backstabbing comes from a Shakespeare literature work.

thanks for the clip btw.

c)What you must also understand is the term Fencing is an abbreviation of the word DE-fence, it was a more encompassing art then it is today, so such tactics would not have seemed underhand. You must also put aside any kind of romantic notions about duelling, you were an out cast if you didn't accept a challenge. The term "Back Stabber" comes from the days of Duelling.

d)What's more, seconds were employed to back you up in case of ambushes. In fact if you thought that you were going to be ambushed you could call upon a total stranger to accompany you to a duel & he would be honour bound to do so. It was not unheard of for men to be involved in & die in fights that they had no hand in.

But many found these to be underhanded. I'm sure nobody that came away from a duel with a scar would be unwilling to wear it as a badge of honor, but acquiring them was not the duels' primary purpose. The code duello did in fact stipulate that you must show you were wearing nothing to ward off a thrust, but this was more for the purpose of making things fair. The true purpose of duels was to settle disputes "in the absence of better laws, better police, better taste, and better manners."

Read this first, had problems posting. Your information is spot on. I just have doubts about how the use of such tactics in a duel would've been seen. You're correct in saying that fencing was a more encompassing art back in the day, and many of these tactics were taught and used in duels. But certain instructors back in the day also had their own Botta Segreta, or secret thrust; they taught these skills to their students at a certain level of discretion and even used them in duels.

a)ShinHajimaru One of the most notorious duels that took place was between the "Duke of Hamilton" & "Lord Mohun," both men died. There are various accounts, lord Mohun is said to attacked the duke without warning the two apparently stabbed & slashed at each other. It is thought that Mohun's footman probably stabbed the Duke to death while the Duke was wounded on the ground.

b)The medical examination of both men showed Mohun had a wound driven through his whole body that came out at his left hip. He also had a tear across is groin cutting all arteries.

c) Duke Hamiton Artery in his right arm was cut in two. He had an angled wound to his chest 8inchs deep, another wound to his leg, both men's free hands were cut to shreds trying to grab the others blades, by all accounts lord Mohuns fingers were hanging on with the remains of the skin.

d) Even in the days of the Great "Angelo" wrestling moves & as you said "Botte Secrete" Where still taught, it was part & parcel of the Art. The point was to defend your honour & history seems to suggest by any means.