The term comes from a Spanish word
"ropera" referring to a dress sword, an elegant weapon used
as an essential complement to the most elegant, luxurious and costly
garments of courtly knights, totally displacing the style of the Lower
Middle Ages in which the classic sword was much heavier and sober in
style.
The rapier is the forerunner of the foil used in modern fencing and
its arrival revolutionized the style of fencing used previously as it
rewarded intelligence, speed and artistry, not just brute force.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, these swords came into their own and
spread from Spain to the rest of Europe and became part of the costume
of any gentleman, thus becoming subject to the fluctuations of fashion,
hence the design of its elaborately ornamental Baroque hilt.
This is a high quality product made in Toledo Spain.
Tempered Stainless Steel Blade, 44". |