Jerzy Miklaszewski, Handle, Grip and Fencing. Functional analysis of the development of European flanking weapons from the 16th to the 19th century

Why did the handles of sabers and batons take such different forms, and what impact did they have on the way weapons were handled? The lecture will attempt to look at the development of European flanking weapons through the interrelationships between the anatomy of the hand, the way of grip, the construction of the handle and the mechanics of historical fencing systems. By trying to define different forms of grip in the context of the handle geometry of different types of side weapons of Central and Eastern Europe over the course of several centuries, we will combine the construction of weapons with the experiences resulting from the reconstruction of ancient fencing systems and practical tests of historical examples, replicas and prototypes of the hilt. The lecture will show how the construction of weapons itself can provide a source of knowledge about ancient fencing methods and movement cultures.

Jerzy Miklaszewski: instructor of Early European Martial Arts (DESW), researcher of historical fencing traditions and manufacturer of training weapons. He has been teaching historical fencing for more than 15 years, conducting workshops in 25 countries. He specializes in saber fencing and research on European fencing systems of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Co-founder of the Krakow School of Fencing and creator of Silkfencing. Author of articles and translations of historical fencing treatises. He collaborated with the Museum of the Jagiellonian University in organizing an exhibition dedicated to the Polish and European sabre tradition.