Dean Castle Arms and Armour

Fencing foil

Description:

Fencing foil that was possibly used by the 8th Lord Howard de Walden, a keen medievalist and enthusiast of chivalric tradtion. Foils is characterised by their very light, tapered blades that are designed to bend easily. 

 

A foil is one of three weapons - including the épée and sabre - used in fencing. The modern foil was the training weapon for the small sword. The use of a foil as a practice weapon can be traced as far back as the 16th century, with Shakespeare's Hamlet referring to foils in Act 5 Scene 2. Hamlet uses foils during his 'breathing time' - otherwise known as exercise!

Source:

Dean Castle

Digital Number:

RI_DC_0000158

Copyright:

East Ayrshire Council