Historical European Martial Arts - Development of Modern Sports (1789 To 1914)

Development of Modern Sports (1789 To 1914)

In the course of the long 19th century, Western martial arts became divided into modern sports on one hand and applications that retain military significance on the other. In the latter category are the methods of close-quarter combat with the bayonet besides use of the sabre and the lance by cavalrists.

Apart from fencing with bladed weapons, European combat sports of the 19th century include boxing, numerous regional forms of folk wrestling, and numerous styles of stick fighting.

Wrestling, javelin, fencing, archery, and boxing continue some of the martial arts of Europe in modified sport form.

Fencing in the 19th century transformed into a pure sport. While duels remained common among members of the aristocratic and officer classes, they became increasingly frowned upon in society during the course of the century, and such duels as were fought to the death were increasingly fought with pistols, not bladed weapons.