Schools of Swordplay

Within a growth of culture, a renaissance era, along with a industrial revitalization and revolution of sorts, swordplay has been one martial style, even as smokepowder weapons become more and more common, and therefore, the various schools of other melee weapons and their mastery becoming more rare. This is because swords have always been an exceptionally perfect sidearm, easy to wear, not heavy, not in the way in most cases, and the skills can be in many ways, though not all, to knives or daggers as well. As such to be a master swordsman is ultimately a question of your preferred weapon within that broad descriptor and your preferred tactical approach.

For example, if one wished to be a master class swordsman in using a Rapier, one would seek to study Henvallis Treatise and schooling, if you are of an offensive, or blade pacing mindset. However if you are one whom prefers to utilize a more defensive stylization, and masterful footwork? You would more likely seek to study the schools and theories of swordplay under Gonista Treatise, or the Mavicholl'ev Treatise. In truth the differences are subtle, but offer master classes in their fields, focusing on the footwork, or swordplay. This is true as well for other swords. The truth is, no one school of study will make you a master. Instead you must master that which you are best at, but learn and know the others, at least the basics, so you can learn how to implement the proper parries and defensive measures against their offensive forays. The most skilled and masterful of swordsmen would never deign to call themselves 'master swordsmen' instead forever seeing themselves as students of the blade. The philosophies of swordplay are a favorite conversational topic amongst gentry, debate topic amongst mercenaries, high end soldiers and musketeers and have caused more than one duel or fight in city streets amongst folks of differing thoughts, hot under the collar, and armed. It is a time of assertive and oft times aggressive competitive learning and schooling. However a few schools of thought on swordplay are generally agreed upon to be in leagues of their own, all things being equal. Listed below you will find these;

Henvallis Treatise (Rapier and dagger/empty pistol This school of thought is all about offensive control, your rapier constantly biting out, forcing your tempo of choice, and if forced in close, it is focused on the vulnerable areas, focusing on throat thrusts with the dagger, or mid chest/stomach. If an empty pistol being improvised as a club, it focuses on the head and face, along with your opponents hands, to force them to drop their armaments.
Gonista Treatise or Mavicholl'ev Treatise (Rapier and Dagger/empty pistol This school focuses more on the footwork, and on the defensive aspects, with creative and varied disarms, reversals and counter-thrusts.
Travoni Treatise (Longsword): This school of thought focuses on power and strength, utilizing your body mechanics for powerful blows, forced disarms, and a pushing offensive attack. 
Yvilde Treatise (Longsword): This school of thought focuses more on using your weapon to keep distance, keep 'point', preferring thrusts, and controlled defense, controlling your oppositions weapon.

There are many many more but these examples are perhaps the four at the top of the pile as it were.