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Difference between revisions of "Federico Ghisliero"
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Revision as of 20:06, 19 March 2024
Federico Ghisliero | |
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Died | 1619 Turin, Italy |
Occupation |
|
Nationality | Italian |
Genres | Fencing manual |
Language | Italian |
Notable work(s) | Regole di molti cavagliereschi essercitii (1587) |
Federico Ghisliero was a Bolognese soldier and fencer. Little is know about his early life, but he studied fencing under the famous Silvio Piccolomini.
In 1587, he published a fencing treatise called Regole di molti cavagliereschi essercitii, dedicated to Ranuccio Farnese, who was 18 years old at the time of publication and would become Duke of Parma, Piacenza, and Castro. Ghisliero's manual is notable for his use of geometry in relation to fencing, and the incredibly detailed illustrations, using concentric circles centered on where the fencer has placed most of their weight (often, but not always, the back foot), and illustrating multiple versions of each figure in a plate, showing the progression of the movements he describes.
Contents
Treatise
Images |
Transcription | |
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Rules of many knightly[1] armies, Collected by Captain Frederico Ghisliero, in service to the Most Illustrious Lord Antonio Pio Bonello. In Parma. [published] by Erasmo Viotto. 1587. |
[+ⅰ] REGOLE DI MOLTI CAVAGLIERESCHI ESSERCITII. Raccolte dal Capitano Federico Ghisliero, ad instruttione dell' Illustrissimo Signor Antonino Pio Bonello. In Parma. Appresso Erasmo Viotto. 1587. | |
To the Most Illustrious Lord Antonio Pio Bonello, son of the most excellent Lord Girolamo Bonello, Marquis of Cassano. For two reasons, my Most Illustrious Sir, it has pleased me to direct to Your Most Illustriousness the present book of mine, which I have written here and now, and with good reason, on the use of arms. The first, so that with this new birth of mine I may wish you well, having intercepted with infinite pleasure the marriage which followed between you and the Most Illustrious Lady Octavia Bagliona: with which your Most Illustrious House may hope for a most happy succession: just as I desire that my birth, under the protection of your name, may live for a long time in safety. The other, so that by reading in this book, Your Illustriousness will be able to recognise in it those precepts, which perhaps up to now have been shown to you by a good Master in the handling of arms, your own virtue, which you have wished to adorn with many others in this most tender anchorage of yours. Therefore, let this effort of mine not be discouraging to you: for if it could be weak in itself, nevertheless, by reading it, Your Illustriousness will understand that you will be able to see much more than your own strength and merit would allow. I would like to thank Your Illustriousness for this letter. I kiss your hands. |
[+ⅱ] ALL'ILLVSTRISSIMO SIGNOR ANTONINO PIO BONELLO, Figliuolo dell'Eccellentissimo Signor Girolamo Bonello, Marchese di Cassano. PEr due rispetti; Illustrissimo Signor mio; m'è piaciunto d'indrizzare à Vostra Signoria Illustrissima il presente mio libro, che quasi pur hora, et con buona occasione hò scritto sopra l'essercitio dell' armi. L'uno, accioche con questo mio nuouo parto io augurassi bene à lei, hauendo intesso con infinito mio piacere il martimonio seguito tra lei, & l'Illustrissima Signora Ottuioa Bagliona: col quale l'Illustrissima casa sua potrà sperar felicissima suc- [+ⅱv.1] cessione: si come desidero io, che'l medesimo mio parto sotto la protettione del nome suo viva lungamente sicuro. L'altro, accioche leggendo Vostra Signoria Illustrissima in questo libro quei precetti, che forse fin'hora le saranno venuti mostrati da buono Maestro nel maneggiar l'armi, possa riconoscere in essi la propria virtù, della quale con molte altre hà voluto in questa sua anchor tenerissima età essere ornata. Non sia dunque discara à lei questa mia fatica: che se bene potesse essere per se stessa debole, nondimeno col leggerla Vostra Signoria Illustrissima, ella prenderà senza dubbio tanto spirito, che sperarà du poter vivere assai più, che'l proprio vigore, & merito non le permetterebbono. Con che raccommandandomi in buona gratia di Vostra Signoria Illustrissima le bacio le mani. | |
From Parma on April 22. 1587. Affectionate Servant Of Your Illustriousness, Federico Ghisliero. |
[+ⅱv.2] Di Parma gli 22. d'Aprile. 1587. Di Vostra Signoria Illustrissima affettionatissimo Servitore Federico Ghisliero. |
Images |
Transcription | |
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Rules of many knightly[1] armies, Collected by Captain Frederico Ghisliero, in service to the Most Serene Lord Ranuccio Farnese, Prince of Parma, & Piacenza, etc. In Parma. [published] by Erasmo Viotto. 1587. |
[+ⅰ] REGOLE DI MOLTI CAVAGLIERESCHI ESSERCITII. Raccolte dal Capitano Federico Ghisliero, per servitio del Sererenissimo Signore Ranuccio Farnese, Principe di Parma, & Piacenza, etc. In Parma. Appresso Erasmo Viotto. 1587. | |
To the Most Serene Lord Ranuccio Farnese Prince of Parma, Piacenza, etc. Most Gacious[2] and Serene Lord; when Your Highness reminded me of my service to you in the play of arms, that having worked with you only a little on one occasion; that I owed it to you to gather, almost in compendium, all about Theory and Practice. That I by showing in words, and by working with you struggled to obey you and to explain them. And I did that, not to believe that I will be perfectly aware of the profession of the use of arms (which is not really my profession, but is instead that of the military),[3] but by this means to show my gratitude to you. Because while I am deficient in many ways, if I may venture to be very brave, and rejoice very much, I have been noticed by the most illustrious Lord Silvio Piccolomini, for whom, and I hope always to show, that I owe the greatest gratitude to His Highness. How could I ever repay the receipt of this notice from? Even if I did, would I have put enough effort into the following work to warrant further regard from you? |
[+ⅱ] AL SERENISSIMO SIGNORE RANUCCIO FARNESE PRINCIPE DI PARMA, ET PIACENZA. &c. LA gratia, Serenissimo Signoro; che Vostra Altezza s’e degnata a di farmi col servir si di me nell’occasione del giocar d’armi, m’ha ricordato, che ‘essermi adoperato solo con la persona nella medesima occasione sia stato poco; & che percio mio debito fosse di fare una raccolta, quasi in compendio, di tutto quello, cosi circa la Theorica, come circa la Prattica, ch’io col mostrare in parole, & con l‘operare con la persona, mi sono affaticato volontieri, per ubbidire a lei, d’esplicarle. Et questo ho fatto non per credermi o di saper perfettamente la professione [+ⅱv.1] dell’ adoperar l’armi (che la profession mia veramente non e questa; ma e quella di militia) o di poter con questo mezzo ricompensar la medesima gratia: perche nell’uno so certo di mancare in molte cose, se ben posso tenermi a molta ventura, & rallegrarmi meco stesso d’esser stato fattura dell'Illustrißimo Signore Silvio Piccolomini, alla cortesissima humanita del quale, in cio sempre mostrata verso me, ne rendo quelle maggiori gratie, che da me si debbono: nell’altro, come potrei io mai ricompensare a Vostra Altezza il ricevuto, s’a farlo non mi bastrebbono mille fatiche, ch’io ne spendessi di piu? | |
I wish to provide you a sign of my loving inclination to you and that I will forever serve you in my life through this work. |
[+ⅱv.2] Ma questo hò voluto fare, accioch'ella habbia segno da me della mia affettuosissima inclinatione, ch'io ho di continuamente servirla, & d'adoperarmi per lei con l'opera, come sempre farei con la vita. | |
I add to this an ardent desire, which I too have together with your other faithful servants. Who is in this first flower of his age to want to provide to you the opportunity, which likewise from me can give you occasion, with this way shown by me, to become accustomed to the exercise: to your profit, and in a way that always protects your life and reassures those who worry about you.[4] |
[+ⅱv.3] Aggiungo a questo un'ardentissimo desiderio, ch'anch'io ho insieme con gli altri suoi fidelissimo servitori. Il qual'è in questo primo fiore dell'et à sua di volerla aiutare in quello, che parimente da me si puo, per sumministrarle, ancho con questa via da me mostrata, occasione, ond'ella possa assuefarsi all'essercitio della persona: il quale quanto pro- [+ⅲ.1] fitto faccia in universale alla piu sicura conservation della vita, lo mostrano coloro, che particolarmente hanno trattato di questo. | |
This can be seen in the old Gymnasium, and other places of the ancient emperors of Rome, (which we read about and know about their clothes) copied across many parts of Rome and the world, so that they and their people would take advantage of such exercise not just of the body but the soul. Such exercise makes it easier to be skilled in peace and war.[5] |
[+ⅲ.2] Lo mostrano tanti Gimnasii, & tanti altri luochi gia da gli antichi Imperatori (come si legge; & a nostri di ancho se ne veggono i vestigi) fabricati & in Roma, & in altre parti del mondo: affine che & essi medesimi, & i popoli loro ne prendessero essercitandosi in diverse maniere quella utilita, che dall'essercitio nasce non solo al corpo, ma ancho all'animo: dal qual commodo si vien poi con maggior facilita ad acquistare attitudine per adoperarsi nelle cose cosi di pace, come di guerra. | |
And while we can make this art[6] profit on a thousand other occasions, if only it delivers the following two benefits at the same time it could be considered worthy, and we can do it very well through practicing this art: firstly vigour and robustness of the soul and body; the other which should not be taken lightly, and is the principle reason for this study to be pursued, is being able to defend against any insult against your person.[7] |
[+ⅲ.3] Et se questo guadagno potiamo far con mill'altre occasioni, si potiamo molto ben farlo con la via di quest'arte della schrima: dalla quale in un tempo medesimo trahemo due frutti: l'uno e quel, ch'io dissi, il vigore, & la robustezza dell'animo, & del corpo. L'altro e o facendosi da scherzo, o da dovero adoperandosi, il sapersi difendere contra l'insulto di chi che sia: che questo e il principal fine di colui, che in questo studio s'essercita. | |
Therefore, Your Highness, in response to your kindness, what is most dear to me, and for your own good, this effort of mine to deliver to you the dearest of desires which can be achieved; the preservation of life, and the recreation of the mind. |
[+ⅲ.4] Accetti dunque Vostra Altezza per benignita sua [+ⅲv.1] questa mia fatica in quel medesimo grado, che si sogliono accettar le piu. care case; che cosa piu cara certo a noi non debbe essere, che quella, dalla quale si possono conseguire, & la conservatione della vita, & la recreatione della mente. | |
And the more willing you are to accept this gift of mine accompanied by very loyal advice (with which you may not always agree) that I do so with the example of the most serene Lord Duke ALESSANDRO, your father, which at the same age as Your Highness had spent time on this honourable pursuit and whose great name is well known. While his quality and greatness of name is not yet known to Flanders, all of Italy and almost all of the world is amazed at its incomparable value. |
[+ⅲv.2] Et tanto piu volontieri ella dovra accetar questo mio dono accompagnato da fidelissimo consiglio (che talhora ancho non si disdice al servitore di ben consigliare il Signor suo) quanto che debbiamo tener per certo, ch'ella sara per far cio con l'essempio del Serenissimo Signor Duca ALESSANDRO suo Padre: il quale senza dubbio nella medesima et a di Vostra Altezza dispensando il tempo in essercitii di questa honoratissima qualita, e finalmente giunto a quella grandezza di nome, & di fatti, della quale hoggi non pure e testimonio tutta la Fiandra; ma ancho tutta l'Italia, & quasi tutto il mondo stupisce dell'incomparabil suo valore. | |
The principles of such greatness in Your Highness will no doubt be reflected in your and everyone hopes to see you walk in his footsteps to be just as great as him. |
[+ⅲv.3] Al quale per gli principii, che tuttavia in Vostra Altezza manifestamente si scuoprono, non ha alcuno, che in fallibilimente non speri di veder lei caminar con le medesime vie di pari. | |
I am grateful to be abundantly committed to the serenity of your person and willing to help you through to this end. I kiss your hands with humble reverence. |
[+ⅲv.4] La qual gratia piaccia a Nostro Signor Dio d'essequire abon- [+ⅳ.1] dantemente nella Serenissima persona sua; & à me di compitamente vederla essequita. Et con humilissima riverenza le bacio le mani. | |
The Palace of Your Most Serene Highness in Parma, 22 April 1587. The most humble and devoted servant Of Your Most Serene Highness, Frederico Ghisliero. |
[+ⅳ.2] Del Palazzo di Vostra Altezza in Parma gli 22 d'Aprile 1587. Di Vostra Altezza Serenissima. Humilissimo & devotissimo Servitore. Federico Ghisliero. |
Images |
Transcription | |
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For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.
Work | Author(s) | Source | License |
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Images | Bibliothèque nationale de France | Bibliothèque nationale de France | |
Translation | Nicole Boyd | Society for Creative Anachronism | |
Transcription | Nicole Boyd | Index:Regole di molti cavagliereschi essercitii (Federico Ghisliero) |
Additional Resources
The following is a list of publications containing scans, transcriptions, and translations relevant to this article, as well as published peer-reviewed research.
- Anglo, Sydney (1994). "Sixteenth-century Italian drawings in Federico Ghisliero's Regole di molti cavagliereschi essercitii." Apollo 140(393): 29-36.
- Gotti, Roberto (2023). "The Dynamic Sphere: Thesis on the Third State of the Vitruvian Man." Martial Culture and Historical Martial Arts in Europe and Asia: 93-147. Ed. by Daniel Jaquet; Hing Chao; Loretta Kim. Springer.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cavagliereschi is Corsican for "chivalrous", while the Italian is "knightly".
- ↑ La gratia is Catalan for "grace".
- ↑ Ghisliero is telling his reader that he is a soldier not a civilian swordsman, so it will have a different perspective to others, hence his later comments on siege craft. [note from Henry Fox]
- ↑ This and the previous paragraph are commending the work to the patron, justifying the work’s existence and its purpose, common in treatises of the period. [note from Henry Fox]
- ↑ It was common to refer to “ancients” in the justification of the art of swordsmanship. [note from Henry Fox]
- ↑ When ‘this art’ or ‘the art’ is referenced it means the art of fencing. [More expansively the arts militari (military arts) or for the more classical, the Arts of Mars, of which swordsmanship falls within.] [note from Henry Fox]
- ↑ Further justification by demonstration of the benefits to those who practice the art in question, also common, especially referring to defense of the person and the realm. [note from Henry Fox]
- ↑ The version dedicated to Antonino instead reads "...for the instruction of the Most Illustrious Lord Antonio Pio Bonello".
- ↑ Cavalier – cavaliere – knights – so indicating the noble nature of the art which he is presenting. [note from Henry Fox]
- ↑ The Humours.
- ↑ Means sad.
- ↑ Means calm.
- ↑ Means optimistic.
- ↑ Means bad-tempered.