| The sport known as fencing has been popular | | | | the need to fight in a duel ever arose. When the |
| throughout the world since the Middle Ages in Europe. | | | | fencing schools opened was when those who were |
| It came to the United States when the British colonists | | | | not considered wealthy started to participate in the |
| came during the 1600s. It has stayed popular on the | | | | sport. This was also the time when different types of |
| east coast of the United States, probably because | | | | fencing began to come about as different schools and |
| that is where it originated in America. The University of | | | | teachers taught fencing different ways. |
| Connecticut fence team is well known throughout the | | | | Today, fencing is still done with just two people. There |
| nation as one of the best at the sport. The CT fence | | | | is a certain "weapon" depending on the type of |
| team is proud to carry on the tradition that has | | | | tournament or practicing one is doing. A lot of |
| survived through so many centuries. Since it has been | | | | protection must be worn when participating in this sport |
| around for so long, there have been many types to | | | | because serious injuries can occur. A mesh and cloth |
| form from all different parts of the globe. | | | | facemask is worn to protect mainly the eyes. Also, |
| Fencing was always around since stone and metal | | | | both men and women wear chest protection |
| existed because people used these materials to fight | | | | otherwise the tip of the weapon might sting. Gloves |
| each other. Fencing schools have been documented in | | | | are also worn not only to protect the hands, but to |
| Europe in the 1100s. Wealthy Europeans wrote about | | | | give a better grip on the weapon as well. Finally, |
| their techniques and how they learned and taught | | | | special shoes are worn on the mats for protection and |
| others. It was popular in most Western European | | | | for grip against the mat that is placed on the ground. |
| countries such as Germany, England, France, and Italy. | | | | The outfit that is worn is almost always white in color. |
| All of these countries seem to have influenced each | | | | Fencing has always been a part of the modern-era |
| other when it comes to developing the art of fencing. | | | | Olympics. Today, there are three different "swords" |
| Also, during this time it was only the wealthy who could | | | | that can be used during a match, each with different |
| participate in the sport because it was seen as | | | | abilities. The type of fencing that is practiced today |
| something only the wealthy could or were able to do. | | | | comes from 1800s France, which got some of the |
| Fencing was practiced through a duel in which two | | | | ideas from the Renaissance period in Italy. Fencing is a |
| men would fight each other, usually to the death over | | | | sport that will most likely to continue to change and |
| a debt, nobility/honor, or a woman. | | | | evolve in the decades to come. The sport certainly |
| By the end of World War I, fencing in Europe and in | | | | does not seem as though it will go away anytime |
| the United States was no longer a duel. Schools began | | | | soon. |
| teaching students as a sport, instead of training in case | | | | |