One of the most celebrated sword masters of Old Europe, Fabris
was born in or around Padua, Italy, in 1544. His superior skills
in the art of the rapier earned him fame, fortune, knighthood
and ensured that his name would be forever associated with his
weapon. The illustrious names of Fabrisí pupils is convincing
evidence of his superior reputation as a master of the sword. In
the 1590ís, Fabris was employed by Johan Frederik (Duke) of
Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp, also Archbishop of Bremen. In 1601,
he was hired by King Christian IV of Denmark as the royal
swordsmanship instructor. It was during the years at the Kingís
services that he published the outstanding rapier treatise Lo
Schermo, overo Scienza díArme (1606). The King himself sponsored
the project financially and put his court painter, Jan Halbeeck,
at Fabrisí disposal. The book was so well received by Masters
and students alike that it was re-published continually until
1713 and translated into several languages - a truly unique
occurrence for a fenci