Virtus: An Introduction to Sword-Fighting and the Knightly Virtues

What is Virtus?

Virtus is a course in the manly art of swordsmanship. We especially want to encourage fathers to do this alongside their sons. This is a great excuse for Dads to do something cool with their boys, learning, in a safe setting, the basics of an actual historical European martial art.

 

The idea is to use the process of developing some sword-fighting skills as a fun way to also help build in our boys a sense of classic Catholic and authentically liberal masculine virtues such as Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance, Justice, Humility, and "Chivalry" more broadly. As well as fencing training, there will be brief lessons/discussion on the virtues. We hope it will also help strengthen the bonds between fathers and their sons, as the Dads are encouraged to join in with their boys, and to practice some of the skills and drills with them at home.

 

The name of the initiative, "Virtus," is based on “a specific virtue in ancient Rome that carried connotations of valour, masculinity, excellence, courage, character, and worth, all perceived as masculine strengths... Originally virtus described specifically martial courage, but it eventually grew to be used to describe a range of Roman virtues. It was often divided into different qualities including prudentia (practical wisdom), iustitia (justice), temperantia (temperance, self-control), and fortitudo (courage). This division of virtue as a whole into cardinal virtues is an ongoing project of ... virtue ethics, following a tradition originating in Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. It implies a link between virtus and the Greek concept of arete [excellence].” (source)

 

Why sword-fighting?

(a) It’s cool and engaging, and (b) in our Catholic tradition it comes with a history of chivalry, virtue, and standing up for those who need our protection. Also, like any martial art, it helps build self-discipline, which trains us for the spiritual life.