What martial art did europeans use in old times?

Question

I know about so many asian martial arts, because that primaraly where martial arts typicaly originated from, and in old time, n most asian countries, there were martial arts like Kung Fu and Kenjutsu that taught how to use a sword, just like hand-to-hand cobat martial ways. But in europe, during mediviel and napoleon times, you know, up until guns were used officially in battle, how did people like knights and even revolutionary war soilders learn to use swords? For example, Samurai learn Kenjutsu, a long martial art that teaches how to use a katana, and Kung Fu the same with swords and sabres, but what about europeans in old times, i know that there really weren't any hand-to-hand martial arts in europe, but how did they learn swordsmanship? Sme kind of martial art? Are there even any European martial art, i know there are African martial arts, but what about such an advanced culture such as europes?

Answer 1

In every martial art form mentioned in your question the techniques learned were created and tested in battle. Medieval Europe was no different, but there was no fancy name applied, and no specific school founded to teach techniques of warfare until fencing schools appeared in the early 15-1600's. Remember that the term martial art literally translates as soldiers art. These skills were taught by a Master of Arms while individuals were in service to a Lord or King and part of a founded army. However, if you were a poor farmer pressed into service you received poor or no training at all.

Answer 2

African martial arts, really, let me see the link. I don't think Europe did, more like fencing , swords and boxing.

I did find this
Practitioners of martial arts from Nigeria. Individuals should be listed under subcategories by their discipline(s).

Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics indicate that Sebekkah and Tahtib were the primary fighting styles taught to the Egyptian military. Royal families were trained in an advanced style of these arts at a very young age to deter assasination attempts. Much of what was known of Sebekkah and Tahtib have been lost, but there are still a few authentic practitioners believed to inhabit Egypt.

There is NO historical evidence to prove how Sebekkah and Tahtib were created. However, their is historical evidence referencing the Pharaoh Menes (c305-285BCE), who unified Egypt and his desire to have the world's greatest army. Supposively, he invited the greatest warriors throughout all of Africa, India, and several other locations in the Middle-East to train his armies. This was probably the catalyst for the first Olympic Games. Elements of these two martial arts can found in the more obscure martial arts of the world; namely Eskrima (Filipino Stick Fighting), White Eyebrow Kung Fu (Bak Mei), Pencak Silat, Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Hwa Rang Do, Ninjitsu, and various Capoiera styles.

Answer 3

I don't think the people back then actually took a formal Martial Art. I think they just trained in certain ways based on certain scenarios.
As for European Martial Arts: I can name four off the top of my head:
Greco/Roman Wrestling
Sambo- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambo_%28martial_art%29
Savate- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savate
Baritsu- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartitsu
One I didn't name:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systema
They're are many more: I know this for a fact.

Answer 4

In Europe typical male......Uggg I beat you wif club arrgh and smack you round grrr. Me Grab rock and throw..grrr. Ugg want fire meanwhile the Chinese were inventing the complex educated movements of Kung Fu. Any questions?

Answer 5

By far, the most common were Pugilism (which became Boxing) and Wrestling...
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~zool0328/mendoza.html
http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/2_2/boxing.html

Answer 6

The "art" of sticks and stones

Answer 7

Savate was and still is very big in Europe.

Answer 8

i believe that they had a form of wrestling. nothing fancy