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During the high Middle Ages new elements of combat techniques as well as weapons and armour were coming into their own. The curved sabre grew in popularity and chain mail gave way to plate armour. Knights took to heavier longswords, crossbows and strike weapons, such as maces, flails etc. A complete armour suit of armour was affordable only for a wealthy nobleman. Most often the armour worn gave only partial metal cover, more reliance being given to good combat technique for protection.
 
Accordingly, sword-fighting developed in two directions:
a) knightly swordsmanship – fought with a spear, sword and shield in full heavy armour
b) commoner swordsmanship – for lightly armoured footsoldiers, who fought with swords and home-made weapons, e.g. daggers, flails, scythes and bludgeons.
 
In combat between the lightly armoured and the ironclads it was often swiftness, agility and cunning that made the difference. Hence swordplay drew interest in the poorer echelons of society. Over time, they gained their skills in swordfighting schools. The training was not very professional, based more on agility, readiness and use of all and any advantageous resources available apart from weapons. Accurate period descriptions of battles are lacking, so historians rely on records preserved in the literature or illustrated material.

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