(no subject)
I was recently conversing with a friend via email about the fact that one day, before I die, I WILL joust with solid lances. It may be my LAST day, but one day I will do it. How can you think yourself knightly if you have never faced that? Well, I would fudge a little, and use coronels, but... (I guess I am a bit of a wimp that way)
I have also recently become fascinated with Mensur (academic)fencing. I have dug up all the references I skimmed over before, and read them in detail. When I first encountered most of the (scant) material on it, I glossed over it. It was obviously not meant as a "true" martial art (whatever that means) so I wasn't interested at the time.
So why on earth would someone stand, unable to move out of the way, while someone else tries to cut your face with a sharpened schalger?! (you doing your best to do the same to him, of course)
More to the point, why would I personally want to do such a stupid thing?
(Incidentally, my longsuffering wife has declared this particular notion "off the table" until I am "old", because then a scar on the face would look roguish, and not ugly, as it would on a "younger" man. Though I don't generally consider myself pleasant faced now, but..... I suppose she is biased.)
Back to the question at hand.... I have written before about the relative lack of rites of passage in our culture. Certainly Mensur, or academic fencing was one of those, but I am not really in the community that values this particular ritual.
No, For me, the value would be in the test. Could I stand there, knowing I will most likely be struck, and retain gentlemanly resolve and composure?
Though I train FOR martial consequence, the worst injuries I have had are bruises, cuts, etc. Things where the safety perameters failed. I have never had to face a duel. The blood of my forefathers have blessed me with a world that I have not faced war. Could I "Manfully" stand and deliver?
That, in my opinion, is what things like Mensur fencing are for; They are a test. I can talk all day long about "real fights", but even the bar room brawls I have played at were really just that.... Play.... Monkey dances...
Could I face something with real (although relatively minor) consequence, and do it with aplomb? (I say relatively, because as far as I have found, there are very few Mensur associated deaths. Especially once they instituted requiring the surgeons to be present)
Part of me feels a bit ashamed. There are those that face death so that I may have the freedom to muse if I am strong enough to face it. The irony is not lost on me. The fact is, the majority of people in my generation have never faced that test. If my wife has her way, I won't face this particular test until I'm old. (chuckle) I am utterly grateful of others for that privilige.
Still..... I would choose the test, if I got the opportunity.
My friend replied in email that I should do Mensur fencing on horseback, so I could satisfy two death wishes in one swoop.... He also told me not to tell Vicki where that suggestion came from.. (haha)
Mark Twain Witnessed Mensur duelling... He wrote briefly about it.
http://www.classicauthors.net/Twain/trampabroad/trampabroad4.html
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