The spada da lato (Italian) or side-sword is a type of sword popular in Italy during the Renaissance. It is a continuation of the medieval knightly sword, and the immediate predecessor, or early form, of the rapier of the early modern period. Side-swords were used concurrently with rapiers as well, particularly for military applications. Its use was taught in the Dardi school of Italian fencing, and was influential on the classical rapier fencing of the 17th century.[1] The equivalent Spanish term, espada ropera ("dress sword") is the origin of the term rapier.Italian antiquarians use the term spada da lato for rapiers typical of the period of c. 1560 - 1630, the Italian term for the fully developed rapier of the later 17th century is spada da lato striscia, or just spada striscia "strip-sword".[2]