Fencing During the Renaissance Fencing - to fence, derived from fence, originally meaning, ”the act of defending”. During the Renaissance, the sport of fencing began to rise in popularity. Fencing was originally introduced as a form of swordsmanship practice. It helped train people for duels and at the time for self defence. When fencing became popular in Italy, art was applied to the sport, making it more appealing to the Renaissance mindset. Fencing was very popular and was seen as a “Gentleman’s” sport, and was very popular with nobility. Fencing transferred from duel to an actual sport with the invention of the Rapier. Being that the Rapier was an inexpensive sword many low wealth people were able to afford them and some could learn
