It’s October which can mean only one thing… Cloaktober is here!
We’ll be exploring the fun and under-loved secondary with the rapier for the entire month. Loaner cloaks will be available to students who don’t have their own for fencing during Tuesday night’s rapier class.
The cloak or cape is one of the main secondaries found in the early- to mid-17th Century Italian fencer manuals. Fabris, Capoferro, Giganti, and Alfieri all have chapters on how to use this popular garment to keep you alive in a duel.
But why a cape?
For one, you most likely had one on you. Weapon regulations varied from city to city. Daggers weren’t always allowed but no one was going tell you couldn’t walk around with your cloak on you. It’s also a purely defensive arms, unlike the dagger or sword.
The cloak also has advantages over single rapier and the dagger, such as target denial. The sheer size and volume of the cloak can make it difficult for your opponent to find open targets to strike. And the folds of the cloak are fantastic of eating thrusts and cuts from your opponent.
They’re also cool to wear. Step 3: Look good!
So in this email, we’re gonna drop a few sword and cloak primer videos and blog posts to get going.
Best,
—Justin
Head Coach
Boston Academie d’Armes
(he/him)
