Anyone who considers Asia as the one true birthplace of the martial arts is sadly deluded. Fighting styles, systems, schools of excellence existed all over the world, from the indigenous native populations of the Americas, north and south across the European continent and way beyond.There is no denying that Asia encompasses the heart and soul of the many martial arts styles practised by millions world wide today. But equally important, an undeniable heritage of combat arts evolved on the battle fields of Europe giving rise to special 'fighting schools' where techniques were honed and passed on from expert to novice.
The most famous English example was the Company of Maisters. An affiliation of martial arts instructors (maisters of defence) who ran their own schools known as Scholes of Fence.
Prior to these schools, in more ancient times, martial skills were taught to male children by relatives or perhaps the tribe's own champion. It was only when populations grew and the needs for military skills increased that the English Scholes of Fence came into existence. It is from the Company of Maisters that the bulk of known English martial arts philosophies and techniques derive.
Those of us training in the oriental arts today are all ready familiar with the wide array of weapons used by these systems; the English martial arts was no less prolific in it's use and type of weapons.
In addition, the grading system familiar to many of us had it's precursor in the company of maisters called prizes and there is some interesting surviving manuscripts describing the nature of these prizes.
To learn more about the fascinating subject of English and European martial arts visit:
The Company of Maisters web site - click here
School of European Martial Arts web site - click here
