Live by the Sword

"Hamlet fencing small-sword may be a major anachronism, but Shakespeare abounds in anachronisms; what would the Amleth of Saxo Grammaticus know of Rapier and Dagger styles? The object is recognizable symbols and signals for one’s audience; the method is combat training by a combat master, illuminated by experiences of stimulus and response, and by realities of technique." (A History of Swordsmanship, Times)