What is most important, of course, is the interest and
enjoyment that the participants take away from the
sport. But the question you have asked is how it works with the greater
community. As above, all combat activities
provide of point of group focus. They are a unifying thing that makes us
Easterners, Carolingians, or whatever level of
group we are fighting on behalf of. This is an important community
building point.
Fencing is also a great recruitment activity. Like heavy fighting it is
visually interesting and a big draw at demos.
Unlike heavy fighting, it also has a widely practiced modern counterpart
which provides a point to connect and relate
to people at a demo.
