In the 18th century, Scandinavia was divided between the kingdoms of Sweden (which included most of modern Finland) and Denmark-Norway (which included Greenland, Iceland and parts of modern Germany). Once the Treaty of Nystad ended the Great Northern War in 1721, it was a relatively stable and peaceful period for the two Nordic nations. Scandinavian Smallsword presents English translations of three fencing treatises published in Scandinavia in the 18th century. Von WintzlebenÕs Fegte-kunst (Copenhagen, 1756) shows a style of fencing that has its foundation in the methods popular in Germany from the 17th century onwards. VicardÕs F¾gte-kunsten (Copenhagen, 1765) demonstrates a decidedly French style of fencing. De BadaÕs FŠcktare-konsten (Lund, 1733-1742), finally, describes a style of fencing that may have been based on the Spanish verdadera destreza. Together, these three books provide an interesting overview of the diversity of fencing instruction in 18th century Scandinavia., smallsword, foil, epee, Danish, Swedish, fencing, Reinier van Noort| | 166PAGES
