The side sword, known in Italy as the ""Spada da lato"", represents a crucial step in the evolution of European swords. Emerging in Italy in the 15th century, it marks the transition between the medieval sword and the Renaissance rapier.
This elegant weapon is characterized by a blade thinner than that of the medieval sword, but sturdier than that of the rapier. Its guard, more elaborate than its predecessors, offers better hand protection. The ""ricasso"", the unsharpened part of the blade near the guard, allows for a closer grip for increased control, while the frequent addition of a protective ring attests to the evolution towards more sophisticated combat techniques.
In the context of HEMA, the study of the Spada da lato offers a unique insight into the transition techniques between medieval combat and Renaissance fencing. It allows practitioners to explore the evolution of combat styles, combining the power of the medieval sword's cuts with the emerging precision of thrusts that will later characterize the rapier. Italian treatises of the time, like those of Achille Marozzo, provide valuable information on the techniques associated with this versatile weapon.
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