Swordsmanship
Swordsmanship refers to the skills and talents of a person in using a sword. It can refer to either the ceremonial use of a sword, or more typically its use in armed combat. Because a sword can be a dangerous weapon, using it in combat requires great skill and has led to the creation of a set of skills and techniques with which to defend oneself and to try to defeat the enemy. Sword fighting is typically very fast paced, and only prior practice and indoctrination in the techniques can allow someone to be a successful swordsman.
Historically swordsmanship was an important and developed art and part of European Medieval warfare and also a part of the Japanese Samurai culture. Today it survives as a form of historical cultural study and practice and also in the form of stylized swordfighting in the sport of fencing.
References to many advanced swordmanship techniques are contained in the famous swordfighting scene in the movie The Princess Bride. The author of the book the movie was based on carefully researched the history of the swordfighting master teachers such as Camillo Agrippa, Capo Ferro, and Bonetti.
