| General Information |
Singlestick is a western style of stick-fighting originating in the United Kingdom. It is named after the weapon concerned, a stick made of wood with a length of about 80 to 90 centimeters. At the thicker end of the stick a protective hilt is attached, often in wickerwork or leather. (Encyclopaedia Britannica, s.d.; Association for Historical Fencing, s.d.; Menard 2001: 559).Depending on the style and time-period masks and armor were used |
| History/Development |
Singlestick developed from the use of a sword, contrary to some other types of stick-fighting which were specifically developed for use with a stick. It originated as a means to practice sword-fighting in the 16th century and became popular in the 18th century. It was both a sport and a method of defense (Menard 2001: 556-557). By the end of the 18th century it became very restricted and more sportified. Fencers didn’t move and were only allowed to hit above the waist. The goal was to cut the opponents head so there would be blood (Association for Historical Fencing, s.d.). It was taught to the military and the police as a way of training and also practiced in private schools until the 1930’s (Menard 2001: 559). But the popularity soon declined and was rarely practiced by the beginning of the 20th century (Encyclopaedia Britannica, s.d.). The art was revived in the 1980’s by the Royal Navy. And nowadays a renewed and continuously growing interest in the traditional Western martial arts has generated some efforts to revive it. |
Transmission
(Policies/institutions) |
Today it is practiced among Historical European Martial Arts communities with the use of fencing masks and padded jackets (Black Belt Wiki, s.d.; Menard 2001: 559). |
| Relevant Organisations |
- Association for Historical Fencing (AHF)
https://ahfi.org/ |
| Additional Materials |
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| References |
- Menard K.P. (2001). “Stickfighting. Non-Asian”. In Green, T. and Svinth, J. (eds.) Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, (s.d.). “Singlestick” Encyclopaedia Britannica,
https://www.britannica.com/technology/singlestick
- Allanson-Winn, Rowland George Allanson; Phillipps-Wolley, C. (1890). "Chapter IV". Broad-sword and Single-stick, with Chapters on Quarter-Staff, Bayonet, Cudgel, Shillalah, Walking-Stick, and Other Weapons of Self-Defence. London: George Bell & Sons.
https://ejmas.com/jmanly/articles/2001/jmanlyart_Phillipps-Wolley_1101.htm
- Association for Historical Fencing “Singlestick” https://ahfi.org/weapon-descriptions/singlestick/
- Black Belt Wiki (s.d.) “Singlestick – English Weapon-Based Martial Arts”
https://blackbeltwiki.com/singlestick |
*see also Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA); Canne de Combat; |
