What is show fighting?

History (Europe)

Show fights are almost as old as the fight itself. Already in ancient Egyptian art there are pictorial representations in which fighters are admired by an audience during the fight. The Olympic Games of antiquity included the disciplines of wrestling and fistfighting as well as the combined show fight Pankration. In ancient Rome, gladiators then gained increasing importance. Some, such as Sergiolus, described by the Roman satirist Juvenal, were even freed from slavery.

In late antiquity and the early Middle Ages, kings and princes found their pleasure in the artful “killing attempt” with and without weapons. This was reflected in the legends of that time, such as the Edda and the Rolandslied.

In the early Middle Ages, the demonstrations of combat skills began to take on the character of a conversation. These demonstrations often took place on marketplaces or trade fairs and were primarily used to attract the attention of potential employers. Jarls and other warlords were always on the lookout for capable fighters, and these demonstrations allowed them to see potential mercenaries in action. The fighters not only had to prove their own skills, but also be entertaining enough to attract the attention of the audience. As a result, these demonstrations often became a fierce competition where the winners received valuable prizes. Over time, they developed into the public spectacles that we know today as medieval tournaments.

The medieval lance stabbing (Tjost) was a ritualized duel with show fighting elements, in which two knights rode on each other with the aim of defeating the other or at least breaking their lance on the shield or body of the opponent. Lance stabbing developed from a military exercise to a popular sport and aristocratic pastime. Historical show fights of Tjosten and tournaments are held annually all over the world.

In the late Middle Ages, the first fencing schools and thus also the first show fights emerged. These were competitions between students of a fencing master, in which they demonstrated their skills to both the master and the audience. The fights were usually fought without choreography, but with blunt swords. In some fencing books, e.g. by Meister Lecküchner and Talhoffer, special techniques are described that should only be shown in knock fencing, as they are too cumbersome for serious fencing and therefore too difficult to use. Fencing-related show fighting is still practiced today, but has evolved greatly compared to its origins. Today it is a spectator sport with its own rules and regulations. Nevertheless, it offers a fascinating insight into the history of fencing.

In this day and age, show fights can be found in a variety of contexts. In film and television, but also on social media, fight scenes are often shown that are choreographed in such a way that they look realistic, but are not actually intended as a combat action.

Stage fights are another common form of show fighting that usually uses show fighting swords or other theatrical props. In wrestling, show fights are often used to build suspense in an entertaining way or to create dramatic moments. Similarly, at many martial arts events, show fights are held to demonstrate the abilities of the participants. Finally, in medieval markets, show fights are often part of the historical re-enactment. In each of these cases, show fights serve a different purpose, but they all have the common goal of entertaining the audience.