<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><mads xmlns="http://www.loc.gov/mads/" xmlns:mods="http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.loc.gov/mads/
mads.xsd"><authority><topic authority="http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en">rapiers</topic></authority><related type="narrower"><topic>estocs</topic></related><related type="other"><topic>cup-hilts</topic></related><related type="other"><topic>left-hand daggers</topic></related><related type="broader"><topic>swords by form</topic></related><variant type="other"><topic>rapier</topic></variant> <note xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ Light swords with a long, narrow, double-edged blade and a hilt furnished with extensive protection for the hand, such as arms of the hilt and side rings, a shell guard, or a cup guard. Originally designed for both cutting and thrusting, they developed into purely thrusting swords and became the principal fencing weapons of the 16th and 17th centuries. ]]></note></mads>