BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Martial Arts English Swordfighting a Martial Art?

Normally I think of martial arts as being weaponless asian activities. I'm currently learning how to fight with the European long sword, like the ones used in the crusades or Robin Hood. Is that considered a martial art, or something else?

Of course it's considered a martial art, just a "European martial art". We do tend to think right off the bat that only the asian varieties fall under the heading of "martial art" due to our general exposure in the media, but anything that deals with warrior code, so to speak, can fall under a martial art.

And to back me up, here's merriam-webster definition:

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin martialis of Mars, from Mart-, Mars
Date:14th century

1 : of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior 2 : relating to an army or to military life 3 : experienced in or inclined to wa

Enjoy and let us know how you're doing!

Hey Lisa,

Sorry for the delay in responding to this. You might be interested in the new article I put up about Japanese archery, which is in line with your European long sword training. Really the focus these days for Martial Arts is that it isn't just emphasizing the combat aspects -- there is a way of life component to the martial art. So I would say yes, it can be considered a martial art.