The original form of the singlestick was the waster, which appeared in the 16th century and was merely a wooden sword used in practice for the backsword ( see parries in singlestick play were at first identical with those of backsword play, no thrusts being allowed ( see Fencing ).
22.
The original form of the singlestick was the waster, which appeared in the 16th century and was merely a wooden sword used in practice for the backsword ( see parries in singlestick play were at first identical with those of backsword play, no thrusts being allowed ( see Fencing ).
23.
In 1691 Sir Francis Nicholson, the governor, organized competitions for the " better sort of Virginians onely who are Batchelors, " and he offered prizes " to be shot for, wrastled, played at backswords, & Run for by Horse and foott . " Horse racing was the main event.
24.
Being easier and cheaper to make than double-edged swords, backswords became the favored sidearm of common infantry, including irregulars such as the Highland Scots, which in Scottish Gaelic were called the " claidheamh cuil " ( back sword ), after one of several terms for the distinct types of weapons they used.
25.
Woodsmen and soldiers in the 17th and 18th centuries used a similar short and broad backsword called a " hanger ", or in German a tang more typical of knives than swords in Europe, which is commonly believed to reflect a legal claim to nonweapon status, these blades may ultimately derive through the falchion ( facon, falcon ) from the seax.
26.
Descendants of the basket-hilted sword, albeit in the form of backswords with reduced " half " or " three-quarter " baskets, remained in use in cavalry during the Napoleonic era and throughout the 19th century, specifically as the 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword, the Gothic Hilted British Infantry Swords of the 1820s to 1890s, the 1897 Pattern British Infantry Officer's Sword and as the Pattern 1908 and 1912 cavalry swords down to the eve of World War I.
27.
Among the elements which localize the narrative landscape, the collection of objects handled by the destitute prince throughout his quest is seen by Bdru as an essence of " archaic civilization " and " forgotten tradition ", culminating in the grant of a backsword, the " symbol of knightly valor . " In Mircea Braga's view, many of them are means to a goal, which " can be'lost'without consequence for the later development of the narrative, as happens, for instance, with the helmet and sword of " Statu-Palm-Barb-Cot " ".
