In terms of
SCA combat, fighting done with two
broadswords rather than a
shield . Also known as âtwo swordâ, the combatant fights with a broadsword, generally matched, in each hand. There is debate in SCA circles concerning whether or not this style should be allowed in
tournaments , based on the very limited documentation as to its actual use. No known instances of such a style used in tournaments have yet been found, though there are scattered Icelandic and
romantic references to the use of two swords. The most famous example is not European; Miamoto Musashi, the famous oriental author of the Book of Five Rings, was known to fight with two wooden swords. In terms of fighting technique, flourentine can either be very elegant or very choppy, depending upon the fighting style of the combatant. By giving up the shield and using the swords to block, a combatant wielding two swords gives up defensive capability in exchange for offensive power. Though important for any combatant, keeping the initiative is even more important for a two-swordsman. Because he does not have the defensive leisure or margin of error available to a sword and shieldman, he must seize the initiative and make the fight his own if he expects to succeed. Originally, the word âflourentineâ meant one who came from the Italian city Florence. During the 16th century the word came to be applied to a rapier and main gauche style of combat popular in the city, hence the SCA reference. See also
Chronique, the Journal of Chivalry #15 and the essay
Two-Sword in SCA combat .
