The word 'sparring'

[admin]

Today I stumbled upon an example from 1888 of the word 'sparring' being used to refer to sword fighting in the 1840's.
The author of the text was a cavalry soldier and had killed several opponents with a sword during the 1st Sikh War of 1845 - and received many sword wounds himself.
Some HEMA people have in the past objected to the word 'sparring' being used to describe freeplay with swords.

[corporal heidi]

cool

[admin]

I've decided to type out the full account here, because it's so good:

Lt. Reynell Taylor (11th Bengal Cavalry) describing in 1888 his experience during the Battle of Moodkee (1845):

"I had dealings with about six men at different times. I remember stopping the cut of the first man I met and giving him a return blow across the face. Another fellow rode at me with a lance, and I turned it off with my sword when close to my breast; and I believe it was while making a return cut at him than another man, who had come up on my bridle hand, administered a severe 'smeller' in the face, which, cutting through my shako peak, hit me halfway down the forehead and passing down, split my nose like a pea and deluged my left eye with blood. Another man whom I met rode close up to my sword hand, and with his teeth set, and standing up in his stirrups, gave a downright cut at my head, which I stopped; and the sword, a Wilkinson, bears the notch in the thick part near the hilt; the metal, being as hard as a diamond, is yet cut into like lead!
In the melee I received a severe cut on the shoulder, but by whom given I never clearly made out. It cut through my jacket and two shirts which I had put on for the bitter cold, and cut a great piece out of the deltoid muscle as well. I had also another wound on my left wrist, the sword having been stopped by the bone, but this was not deep. My curb rein was cut, and my horse 'Pickle' received a severe cut on his flank from a footman, who also cut my reins. It nearly cut through the crupper, and extended from thence a good foot down the flank, and so deep had the sabre gone that had it fallen on my thigh it must have cut it to the bone. God be thanked it did not!
The last thing I remember was sparring with a footman, trying to get a cut at him. He had his sword lifted high, and was just going to make a sweeping cut at my horse's neck, when a bullet struck his sword close to the hilt and snapped it off; on which the fellow sank down, shamming dead."

[Matclarke]

Good.
Even if there wasn't a historical reference I'd still use the word.
Words change meaning- language evolves. Live with it. The word 'sparring' isn't rude or something. Everyone has a general idea what it is. Many more 'non-boxing' martial arts use it.
Shit why don't we all just give lessons in our 'master's' language. Mittelhochdeutsch for me it is then. I can't stand these people who use modern language to explain things...barbarians the lot of them.

[admin]

The great thing about Victorian arts, as shown by the quote above, is that they are written in the Queen's proper English.

[Scott Brown]

I've decided to type out the full account here, because it's so good:

Lt. Reynell Taylor (11th Bengal Cavalry) describing in 1888 his experience during the Battle of Moodkee (1845):

"I had dealings with about six men at different times. I remember stopping the cut of the first man I met and giving him a return blow across the face. Another fellow rode at me with a lance, and I turned it off with my sword when close to my breast; and I believe it was while making a return cut at him than another man, who had come up on my bridle hand, administered a severe 'smeller' in the face, which, cutting through my shako peak, hit me halfway down the forehead and passing down, split my nose like a pea and deluged my left eye with blood. Another man whom I met rode close up to my sword hand, and with his teeth set, and standing up in his stirrups, gave a downright cut at my head, which I stopped; and the sword, a Wilkinson, bears the notch in the thick part near the hilt; the metal, being as hard as a diamond, is yet cut into like lead!
In the melee I received a severe cut on the shoulder, but by whom given I never clearly made out. It cut through my jacket and two shirts which I had put on for the bitter cold, and cut a great piece out of the deltoid muscle as well. I had also another wound on my left wrist, the sword having been stopped by the bone, but this was not deep. My curb rein was cut, and my horse 'Pickle' received a severe cut on his flank from a footman, who also cut my reins. It nearly cut through the crupper, and extended from thence a good foot down the flank, and so deep had the sabre gone that had it fallen on my thigh it must have cut it to the bone. God be thanked it did not!
The last thing I remember was sparring with a footman, trying to get a cut at him. He had his sword lifted high, and was just going to make a sweeping cut at my horse's neck, when a bullet struck his sword close to the hilt and snapped it off; on which the fellow sank down, shamming dead."

This is too cool. I really like the slang term "smeller".

[corporal heidi]

it is possibly the best thing I've read in ages:)

[admin]

Me too, I found it in this book, highly recommended:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=14019

[Scott Brown]

Is there a lot of this type of combat detail within?

[admin]

Yes, the entire book is made of contemporary accounts.

[J Marwood]

it is possibly the best thing I've read in ages:)

Agreed, it is wonderful

[Monster Zero]

That Smeller cut must have left one hell of a scar!

[Scott Brown]

I ordered this book and it just arrived today. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the tip.

[Harry]

Good.
Even if there wasn't a historical reference I'd still use the word.
Words change meaning- language evolves. Live with it. The word 'sparring' isn't rude or something. Everyone has a general idea what it is. Many more 'non-boxing' martial arts use it.
Shit why don't we all just give lessons in our 'master's' language. Mittelhochdeutsch for me it is then. I can't stand these people who use modern language to explain things...barbarians the lot of them.

sorry mat.... it is not Mittelhochdeutsch... it is "Frühneuhochdeutsch"


@matt... holy shit...I really love to live in the period I do... I love to fight, I love to hit people and I am not afraid of getting hit by people... but I really never want to experience such things.