Spada da lato: Difference between revisions

{{merge|rapier|date=August 2019}}

The '''''spada da lato''''' (Italian) or '''''side-sword''''' is a type of [[sword]] popular during the late 16th century.

It is a continuation of the medieval [[arming sword]], and the immediate predecessor (or early form) of the [[rapier]] of the Early Modern period.

Its use was taught in the [[Dardi school]] of [[Italian school of fencing|Italian fencing]], and was influential on the classical rapier fencing of the 17th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.academieduello.com/school/the-arts/weapons/weapon-arts/sidesword/|title=The Weapon Arts - Sidesword|last=|first=|date=|website=academieduello.com|publisher=AcademieDuello swordfighting school|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401035602/http://www.academieduello.com/school/the-arts/weapons/weapon-arts/sidesword/|archive-date=April 1, 2017|dead-url=Yes|accessdate=17 September 2017}}</ref> The equivalent Spanish term, ''espada ropera'' ("dress sword") is the origin of the term ''rapier''.

Italian antiquarians use the term ''spada da lato'' for rapiers typical of the period of c. 1560&ndash;1630,

the Italian term for the fully developed rapier of the later 17th century is ''spada da lato striscia'', or just ''spada striscia'' "strip-sword".

This sword design eventually led to the development of the civilian rapier, but it was not replaced by it, and the side-sword continued to be used during the rapier's lifetime.{{huh|date=August 2019}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Differences about swordsmanship of arming sword and side sword|url=http://www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24378#.Wb54bjVpxkg|website=TheArma.org Research and Discussion Forums|publisher=The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts|accessdate=17 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fencing: Medieval arming sword to renaissance sidesword and rapier|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR8I6YthMsE|website=scholagladiatoria |via=YouTube |publisher=Schola Gladiatoria swordfighting school|accessdate=17 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Spotlight: The Schiavona and its Influences|url=http://myarmoury.com/feature_spot_schia.php|website=myarmoury.com|publisher=MyArmoury.com |first=Nathan |last=Robinson |accessdate=17 September 2017}}</ref>

Although this particular type of sword is referred to in modern times as a side-sword, the name was not used contemporaneously to the sword in question (according to the current research of ancient fighting manuals). Although some early Italian sources use the term ''spada da lato'', they are only talking about the sword that is at one's side, and not just this particular type of sword.{{dubious|date=August 2019}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Is it a Sidesword? The Sword with Far Too Many Names|url=http://www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24639#.Wb56dDVpxkg|website=TheArma.org Research and Discussion Forums|publisher=The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts|accessdate=17 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Review of a Venetian sidesword replica|url=https://myarmoury.com/review_dw_ss.html|website=myarmoury.com|publisher=MyArmoury.com |first=William |last=Goodwin|accessdate=17 September 2017}}</ref>