| Kung Fu is not the only form of martial arts. The | | | | became available to the public at large. The |
| Europeans had their own history in the form of | | | | "martial arts" had become "the art of self |
| sword arts. In some of the Western cultures, | | | | defense" as people flocked to fencing schools and |
| they are just as recognized as martial arts in | | | | took up arms for leisure or status. |
| many of the Eastern cultures. "The Art of War," | | | | Between wars throughout history, soldiers |
| which is the literal meaning of martial arts, is not | | | | returning from battle would teach others the |
| restricted to what we normally see on television | | | | sword arts to prepare them for the next battle. |
| or in movies. | | | | In the Middle Ages, they were no less popular |
| During 12th Century Europe, they flourished in the | | | | that other ones that flourished during the era. |
| form of many fencing schools throughout the | | | | They were considered to be brutal and barbaric, |
| continent. Many of these schools produced | | | | but the practices were perfected and refined to |
| numerous manuals on the sword arts that have | | | | present to a much more sophisticated time |
| survived the ages. These manuals have proven to | | | | period. |
| be valuable resources as martial arts history of | | | | Over time, they were replaced by more efficient |
| western sword arts. Without them, many of the | | | | weaponry and the western ones became sport. |
| finer techniques might have been lost. | | | | Undoubtedly, the western ones have left their |
| The western ones weren't limited to blades alone: | | | | mark on martial arts history. Today, movies like |
| many aspects included grappling and wrestling | | | | Lord of the Rings, Renaissance festivals, the |
| techniques as well. Other weapons (daggers, axes, | | | | Society for Creative Anachronisms (SCA) and |
| pole arms, and shields) were also a part of the | | | | role playing games like Dungeons & Dragons |
| training. A wide variety of swords were created | | | | have all contributed to a renewed interest in the |
| to accommodate the foot soldier and mounted | | | | western ones. |
| rider. | | | | Students of HEMA (Historical European Martial |
| At one time, much like the Japanese samurai and | | | | Arts) are working hard to separate the fantasy |
| many other warrior classes throughout its history, | | | | from fact and keep the western sword arts alive. |
| the western sword arts were reserved for the | | | | Unlike historical re-creations and staged shows, |
| elite alone, mainly because those who were | | | | HEMA is actively applying research and legitimate |
| knights or soldiers were the only ones able to | | | | martial arts training for a more realistic approach |
| afford such weaponry. | | | | to the sword arts. |
| After the breakdown of the feudal system, they | | | | |