The History of Fighting

Roy Elghanayan demonstrating the lethal art of Krav Maga.

An 18 year old Bruce Lee practicing Tai Chi with his father Lee Hoi-Chuen in 1958.

wikimedia.org

In this section of the Bayeux Tapestry, the archer is clearly shown as being shorter than the
English Infantrymen he is fighting alongside at the Battle of Hastings. This is probably done
to illustrate that he has a lower social status than his fellow combatants, a fact also illustrated
by his lack of armour. 

amherst.edu

Title:   Schlacht bei Maupertuis 1356

Date:  c.1400

Artist:  Unknown

Infomation:  This picture was produced in Germany around 1400 CE from an unknown artist and depicts the Battle of Poitiers. It was the second of three great English victories over the French in the Hundred Years War and was largely won through effective use of the English archers, shown on the left.

Source

Richard Hill describes some moves from a kendo kata at the Asian Art Museum's educator workshop
for the Lords of the Samurai exhibition on September 5, 2009.

Manchu Nobleman with Bow


Militia from the Shaanxi Province


Militia from Shandong Province

Images taken by the French missionary Michel de Maynard in Northern China between 1906 and 1912.

Source: chinesemartialstudies.com

This sword is believed by some to be built from the original sword used by the late eighth/early ninth century king of the Francs, Charlemagne. Known as Joyeuse (meaning joyful), it was used in the Coronation processionals for French kings from 1270 (Philip III) - 1824 (Charles X).

Joyeuse was housed in the Saint Denis Basilica since at least 1505, before being moved to its current home, the Louvre in 1793. While it is generally agreed that the blade is medieval, its actual date is debated by historians. Some believe it to be ninth century and therefore possibly once owned by Charlemagne, while others date it to later centuries. Other parts of the sword are dated by the Louvre as;

• The pommel - 10th to 11th centuries
• The cross guard - 12th century
• The grip - 13th century
• The blade - 19th century

Source

Muhammad Ali meeting Saddam Hussein in 1990 when the former heavyweight champion was enlisted to help negotiate the release of 15 American hostages. The ‘guests’ were held in Iraq following Saddam's invasion of Kuwait with the threat that they would be used as human shields should US forces attack strategically areas in the country. After tense negotiations, all 15 men were released without being harmed but when praised for his actions, Ali insisted all credit be given to Allah.

sportsgrid.com

 “It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out, it’s the pebble in your shoe.”

~Muhammad Ali ~