the late medieval german school survives into the german renaissance, and there are a number of printed 16th-century manuals (notably the one by joachim meyer, 1570). but by the 17th century, the german school declines in favour of the italian dardi school, reflecting the transition to rapier fencing in the upper classes. wrestling comes to be seen as an ignoble pursuit proper for the lower classes and until its 19th-century revival as a modern sport becomes restricted to folk wrestling.