Savate

The art of “Lutte Parisian”, or “Parisian wrestling” played a major role in the progressive development of Savate during the 1800s.
In France, the Greco-Roman style of wrestling was practised as early as the 1st century AD, and by the 19th century it had become so popular that it was simply referred to as “French wrestling”.
French wrestling attracted all classes of society, from ordinary commoners to members of royalty itself, and the popularity it commanded was considerable. Indeed, one of the most famous men in the whole of France during the Renaissance period was a wrestler and swordsman called Pietro Monte. And more significantly, it is said that in 1520, King Henry VIII of England was challenged by King Francis I of France to a personal wrestling match. The actual outcome of this bout is inconclusive at best, as each of the two countries claim their own king was victorious on the day – beliefs that were perhaps born of national pride rather than historical fact.

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