The English word "Swashbuckling," "Swashbuckler," and "Swashbuckle," does not even appear in the English language until about the early or middle sixteenth century. Even though the English language (the developing of the modern dialect we speak today) was slowly coming into existence near the end of the Middle ages - a combination of Norman French and Anglo Saxon languages, the word itself does not appear until the 1500's; although at the time of its appearance, it was already a well known word. From the few samples we have handed down to us today, it is clearly seen that what Renaissance people considered a "Swashbuckler," is somewhat different from what we consider today.


Clearly, in our modern eyes, a Swashbuckler - referring to an individual - is a person who is reckless, brave, fearless, a bold speaker who always delivers his threats and promises, and one who is extremely adventurous, and is excellent with some type of weapon; if not a sword, then with a bow and arrow, or some other type of military style weapon. But this is not what the sixteenth century individual considered a Swashbuckler. A Swashbuckler at that time was considered a braggart ,who never came through with his over-boastful promises. In other words, after he has threatened, he would tuck tail and run when his challenge was met! A sixteenth century Swashbuckler would walk with a proud air about him, be very boastful, was a swaggerer, but not as adventurous as we would certainly have hoped. But, by the beginning of the twentieth century, the term had already transformed into what was quoted at first - namely a boasting swaggerer who followed through with what he boasted.


The modern term has several meanings, including being an application to a movie with a swaggering nature. Just because a hero carries no sword, it does not mean a movie will not be a swashbuckler. But considering Indiana Jones a Swashbuckler would be a mistake! He's an adventurer, granted, but he is no Swashbuckler. The Swashbuckling period pretty much lasted from the beginning of time until the end of the Nineteenth century, and was only carried over into the Twentieth Century by film and a few real life individuals, who wielded swords in dueling and modern war with sword and horse. But the real life Swashbuckler had by then all but ceased; but they live on, as was just said, through our modern movies.


The word Swash means to dash against (modern dictionary meaning), and the word Buckler means a small shield. Around about the time the word first began to appear (again, in the Sixteenth Century), soldiers were yielding sword and buckler, and in dueling both men would swing their swords and dash them against their opponent's buckler (or small round shield). The use of sword and buckler can be seen all throughout history. Even the Holy Bible mentions the Mighty Men of Valour carrying Sword and Buckler. So, considering the combination of Sword and Buckler, one can presume it was the formation of the terminology of the modern "Swashbuckler!" And considering that not all Swashbucklers carry sword and shield, a Swashbuckler (especially considering today's meaning) can carry a whole host of different types of weapons, and sometimes (if he was good with his fists) did not need to carry one at all. Just consider the Knight, mounted rider, who did wield a sword and a shield; but then also consider the English, who loved to battle each other with their fists (a practice that carried over to the early United States - deriving into our modern prize fighting).


But not only these will be considered a Swashbuckling situation; sometimes (considering our modern movies) a Swashbuckler can be presented in the form of an exotic colourful location, like the Western Indies or the Southern Seas. So, movies such as Robinson Crusoe, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Mutiny on the Bounty are definitely Swashbucklers. Also, so are Arabian Knights tales, who wield odd shaped swords in Baghdad. The subject sometimes becomes a little confusing, but if you look at all these type of Swashbuckling films (especially the films), a pattern will begin to be noticed, and an identifiable Swashbuckling situation will be seen.


For your benefit, I will name a few good Swashbuckling movies, that if watched, will begin to develop a situation that will be an identifiable Swashbuckler (or, rather, a grand Adventure):


(These titles will include both older versions, and newer as well)

Robin Hood

The Black Swan

The Three Musketeers

The Sea Hawk

The Man in the Iron Mask

Mutiny on the Bounty

The Master of Ballantrae

Sinbad the Sailor

Treasure Island

The Son of Ali Baba

Pirates of the Caribbean

Rob Roy

Knights of the Round Table

First Knight

The Kingdom of Heaven

Captain Blood

Kidnapped

The Prince and the Pauper

Demetrius and the Gladiators

Ivanhoe


and much, much more!!