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Difference between revisions of "Girard Thibault d'Anvers"

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{{Infobox writer
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| name                = [[name::Gérard Thibault d'Anvers]]
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| name                = [[name::Girard Thibault d'Anvers]]
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| image                = File:Gérard Thibault d'Anvers.png
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| image                = File:Girard Thibault d'Anvers.png
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| birthdate            = 1574
 
| birthdate            = 1574
 
| birthplace          =  
 
| birthplace          =  
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| deathdate            = 1629
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| deathdate            = 1627(?)
 
| deathplace          =  
 
| deathplace          =  
 
| occupation          = [[Fencing master]]{{#set:occupation=Fencing master}}
 
| occupation          = [[Fencing master]]{{#set:occupation=Fencing master}}
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| period              =  
 
| period              =  
 
| movement            = [[La Verdadera Destreza]]
 
| movement            = [[La Verdadera Destreza]]
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| influences          = {{plainlist | [[Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza]] | [[Luis Pacheco de Narváez]] }}
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| influences          = {{plainlist
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| [[Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza]]
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| [[Luis Pacheco de Narváez]]
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}}
 
| influenced          =  
 
| influenced          =  
  
 
| genre                = [[Fencing manual]]
 
| genre                = [[Fencing manual]]
 
| language            = [[language::French]]
 
| language            = [[language::French]]
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| notableworks        = ''[[Academie de l'Espée (Gérard Thibault d'Anvers)|Academie de l'Espée]]'' (1630)
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| notableworks        = ''[[Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers)|Academie de l'Espée]]'' (1630)
 
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'''Gérard Thibault d'Anvers''' (ca. 1574–1629)<ref>de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) pp.288, 297</ref> was a [[century::17th century]] [[nationality::Dutch]] fencing master and author of the 1628 [[rapier]] manual ''[[Academie de l'Espée (Gérard Thibault d'Anvers)|Academie de l'Espée]]'', one of the most detailed and elaborate sources ever written on fencing. Details about Thibault's life are sparse and what we know is based on his book and his ''album amicorum''.<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.289">de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) p.289</ref> The latter contains handwritten notes and celebratory poems from Thibault's friends, relatives, pupils, and colleagues, included among whom are several contemporary fencing masters.<ref>de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) p.297</ref>
+
'''Girard Thibault d'Anvers''' (ca. 1574–1627)<ref>Fontaine 1978, pp. 288, 297. Fontaine gives the date of death as '29, but it must have occurred by '27 since a copyright privilege was granted to his heirs that year.</ref> was a [[century::17th century]] [[nationality::Dutch]] fencing master and author of the 1628 [[rapier]] manual ''[[Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers)|Academie de l'Espée]]'', one of the most detailed and elaborate sources ever written on fencing. Details about Thibault's life are sparse and what we know is based on his book and his ''album amicorum''.<ref name="Fontaine 1978 289">Fontaine 1978, p. 289.</ref> The latter contains handwritten notes and celebratory poems from Thibault's friends, relatives, pupils, and colleagues, included among whom are several contemporary fencing masters.<ref>Fontaine 1978, p. 297.</ref>
  
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Thibault was born in or around 1574 in Antwerp, son of Hendrick Thibaut and Margaretha van Nispen.<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.288">de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) p.288</ref> Although his father used the surname "Thibaut," Gérard used the French form "Thibault."<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.288"/> Hendrick Thibaut came from a well-known family in Ypres, living in Ghent and Antwerp before going into exile in the northern Netherlands.<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.288"/> Henrick's eldest son, Christiaen, founded the noble family Thibaut van Aegtekerke.<ref>de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) p.288-289</ref>
+
Thibault was born in or around 1574 in Antwerp, son of Hendrick Thibaut and Margaretha van Nispen.<ref name="Fontaine 1978 288">Fontaine 1978, p. 288.</ref> Although his father used the surname "Thibaut," Girard used the French form "Thibault."<ref name="Fontaine 1978 288"/> Hendrick Thibaut came from a well-known family in Ypres, living in Ghent and Antwerp before going into exile in the northern Netherlands.<ref name="Fontaine 1978 288"/> Henrick's eldest son, Christiaen, founded the noble family Thibaut van Aegtekerke.<ref>Fontaine 1978, pp. 288-289.</ref>
  
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Thibault first studied swordsmanship in Antwerp under Lambert van Someron, who taught between the years of 1564 and 1584.<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.290">de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) p.290</ref> In 1605, Thibault was a wool merchant in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, south of Seville on the Guadalquivir river, and the hometown of Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza.<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.289">de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) p.289</ref> There, he took an interest in swordsmanship, studying the Spanish rapier system of Destreza.<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.289"/>
+
Thibault first studied fencing in Antwerp under Lambert van Someron, who taught between the years of 1564 and 1584.<ref name="Fontaine 1978 290">Fontaine 1978, p. 290.</ref> In 1605, Thibault was a wool merchant in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, south of Seville on the Guadalquivir river, and the hometown of Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza.<ref name="Fontaine 1978 289">Fontaine 1978, p. 289.</ref> There, he took an interest in fencing, studying the Spanish rapier system of Destreza.<ref name="Fontaine 1978 289"/>
  
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Thibault left Spain to return to the Netherlands, and was in Amsterdam as early as 1610.<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.289"/> In or around 1611, he presented his system to an assembly of Dutch masters at a competition in Rotterdam.<ref>de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) pp.289-290</ref> Thibault won first prize, earning an invitation to the court of Prince Maurice of Nassau, where the Prince observed Thibault's system in a multi-day demonstration.<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.290"/>
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Thibault left Spain to return to the Netherlands, and was in Amsterdam as early as 1610.<ref name="Fontaine 1978 289"/> In or around 1611, he presented his system to an assembly of Dutch masters at a competition in Rotterdam.<ref>Fontaine 1978, pp. 289-290.</ref> Thibault won first prize, earning an invitation to the court of Prince Maurice of Nassau, where the Prince observed Thibault's system in a multi-day demonstration.<ref name="Fontaine 1978 290"/>
  
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Although initially met with skepticism, Thibault convinced his fellow Dutch fencing masters, including Johannes Damius of Haarlem, Dirck van Stervergen of Leiden, Cornelis Cornelisz van Heusden of Amsterdam, and Thibault's former teacher Lambert von Someron.<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.290"/>
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Although initially met with skepticism, Thibault convinced his fellow Dutch fencing masters, including Johannes Damius of Haarlem, Dirck van Stervergen of Leiden, Cornelis Cornelisz van Heusden of Amsterdam, and Thibault's former teacher Lambert von Someron.<ref name="Fontaine 1978 290"/>
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In 1615, Thibault was invited to the court at Cleves and left Amsterdam, where he once again demonstrated his system successfully.<ref>de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) p.294</ref> Over the next several years, Thibault traveled from Cleves, Amsterdam, to Spain, back to Amsterdam, and finally to Leiden in 1622.<ref>de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) pp.294-296</ref> There, Thibault studied mathematics at Leiden University.<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.296">de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) p.296</ref> It is unclear whether Thibault taught his system at the university.<ref name="Verwey, Herman Fontaine 1978 p.296"/> It is during his time in Leiden that Thibault likely began working on ''Academie de l'Espée'' and employed a team of sixteen master engravers.<ref>de la Verwey, Herman Fontaine. "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée," Quaerendo VIII (1978) pp.296, 310</ref>
 
  
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Thibault died in 1629, a year before his masterpiece was finally published (despite the date on the title page of 1628, it was not published until 1630).<ref>Thibault, Gérard. ''Academy of the Sword.'' Trans. John Michael Greer. Highland Park, TX: The Chivalry Bookshelf, 2006. pp 1-2.</ref>
+
In 1615, Thibault was invited to the court at Cleves and left Amsterdam, where he once again demonstrated his system successfully.<ref>Fontaine 1978, p. 294.</ref> Over the next several years, Thibault traveled from Cleves, Amsterdam, to Spain, back to Amsterdam, and finally to Leiden in 1622.<ref>Fontaine 1978, pp. 294-296.</ref> There, Thibault studied mathematics at Leiden University.<ref name="Fontaine 1978 296">Fontaine 1978, p. 296.</ref> It is unclear whether Thibault taught his system at the university.<ref name="Fontaine 1978 296"/> It is during his time in Leiden that Thibault likely began working on ''Academie de l'Espée'' and employed a team of sixteen master engravers.<ref>Fontaine 1978, pp. 296, 310.</ref>
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Thibault died in 1627, years before his masterpiece was finally published (despite the date on the title page of 1626, later manually amended to 1628 in many copies, printing didn't finish until at least 1630).<ref>Greer 2006, pp 1-2.</ref>
  
 
== Treatise ==
 
== Treatise ==
  
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The ''[[Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers)|Academie de l'Espée]]'' (1626-30) is presented in two books, each one organized as a series of illustrations called Tables (''tabula'', ''tableau'', or ''table'') followed by a chapter explaining the significance of the Table; oddly, the pagination starts over at the beginning of each chapter. It begins with a series of dedications and short notes that serve as an introduction, since Thibault himself apparently died without writing one. Book 1 introduces training in the use of his system of swordplay in detail across 33 Tables. Book 2 was incomplete at the time of his death, and its 11 instructional Tables show how to use his style against other weapons, including rapier & dagger, rapier & shield, two-handed swords, and firearms; it also includes two Tables of complex allegorical designs that are labeled "Emblems", which have no explanation provided in the book (presumably because he never wrote one).
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{{master begin
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| title = Dedications, introductions, and copyright
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| width = 90em
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}}
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Note that all the pages of the introduction are somewhat variable in terms of what order they appear in; many copies of the book are also missing one or more of these pages. In this presentation, they are arranged in an order that seems to make sense, but there's no way to really know what the original intent was.
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{| class="master"
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! <p>Illustrations</p>
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! <p>{{rating|start}} (2021)<br/>by [[user:Bruce Hearns|Bruce G. Hearns]]</p>
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! <p>First Edition (1626-30){{edit index|Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf}}<br/>Transcribed by [[Michael Chidester]]</p>
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|-
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| [[File:Academie de l'Espée (Thibault) Title 1.jpg|400px|center]]
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| <p>'''''Academy of the Sword''''' by Girard Thibeault of Antwerp, wherein is demonstrated by means of mathematical rules, upon the foundation of the mysterious Circle, the Theory and Practise of the true and, until present, unknown secrets of the handling of arms both on foot and on horseback.</p>
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<p>1628</p>
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|5|lbl=Ttl}}
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|-
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| [[File:Academie de l'Espée (Thibault) Portrait 2.jpg|400px|center]]
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|
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In tranquil reason, not impatient in his work, leads us courageously along his meandering path.
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Girard Thibault of Antwerp
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Rejoice. Patience endures.
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|7|lbl=ⅲ}}
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|-
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|
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| <p>To the most august, most high, most powerful, high, magnificent '''Emperors, Kings, Princes, Dukes, Counts,''' and all other Lords and noble Teachers and Amateurs, of the most noble science of handling Arms.</p>
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|9|lbl=ⅴ}}
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|-
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|
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|
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|10|lbl=ⅵ}}
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|-
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|
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|
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|
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{{section|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf/11|1|lbl=ⅶ.1|p=1}}
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|-
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|
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| {{section|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf/11|2|lbl=ⅶ.2}}
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|-
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| {{section|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf/12|1|lbl=ⅷ.1}}
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|-
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| {{section|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf/12|2|lbl=ⅷ.2}}
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|-
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| [[File:Academie de l'Espée (Thibault) Dedication 1.jpg|400px|center]]
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|
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<br/><br/>
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'''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XIII_of_France Louis] de Bourbon, called the Just, by grace of God, most-Christian King of France and Navarre, thirteenth of this name.'''<br/><br/>
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1628
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|13|lbl=ⅸ}}
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|-
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| [[File:Academie de l'Espée (Thibault) Dedication 2.jpg|400px|center]]
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|
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'''To the valiant heart, nothing is impossible.'''
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''Arms and sundry titles of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_William,_Elector_of_Brandenburg Georg Wilhelm] (1595–1640) of the House of Hohenzollern, Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia from 1619.''
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|15|lbl=ⅺ}}
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|-
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| [[File:Academie de l'Espée (Thibault) Dedication 3.jpg|400px|center]]
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|
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''Work well without pause, and the hours pass quickly.''<br/><br/>
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Arms and sundry titles of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Sigismund,_Elector_of_Brandenburg Johann Sigismund] (1572–1619), Elector of Brandenburg (1608–1619) of the House of Hohenzollern, Elector of Brandenburg from 1608 and Duke of Prussia, through his wife Anna, from 1618.
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|17|lbl=ⅹⅲ}}
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|-
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| [[File:Academie de l'Espée (Thibault) Dedication 4.jpg|400px|center]]
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|
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''Everything with God, Nothing without Reason.''
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'''Arms and title of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian,_Duke_of_Brunswick-Lüneburg Christian (the Elder)] (1566–1633), Duke of Brunswick and Lunenbourg.'''
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|19|lbl=ⅹⅴ}}
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|-
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| [[File:Academie de l'Espée (Thibault) Dedication 5.jpg|400px|center]]
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|
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(Order of the Garter – '''Shame to him who thinks evil''')
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''I maintain''
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''Arms and titles of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice,_Prince_of_Orange Maurice] of Nassau (1567–1625), who became Prince of Orange in 1618.''
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|21|lbl=ⅹⅶ}}
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|-
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| [[File:Academie de l'Espée (Thibault) Dedication 6.jpg|400px|center]]
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|
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'''Of the homeland. With the homeland.'''
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''Arms and titles of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Henry,_Prince_of_Orange Frederick Henry] (1584–1647), Prince of Orange (1625–1647)''
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|23|lbl=ⅹⅸ}}
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|-
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| [[File:Academie de l'Espée (Thibault) Dedication 7.jpg|400px|center]]
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|
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''Constant''
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''Arms & titles of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Casimir_I,_Count_of_Nassau-Dietz Ernest Casimir] (1573–1632), Count of Nassau-Dietz (1606–1632)''
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|25|lbl=ⅹⅺ}}
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|-
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| [[File:Academie de l'Espée (Thibault) Dedication 8.jpg|400px|center]]
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|
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'''God and all'''
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''Dedication and Arms of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_VII,_Count_of_Lippe Simon VII] (1587–1627), Count of Lippe (1613–1627), and his brother [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto,_Count_of_Lippe-Brake Otto] (1589–1657), Count of Lippe-Brake (1621–1657)''
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|27|lbl=ⅹⅹⅲ}}
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|-
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| [[File:Academie de l'Espée (Thibault) Dedication 9.jpg|400px|center]]
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|
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'''Nothing without God'''
  
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''Arms of Stephan Gans, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gans_zu_Putlitz Baron Putlitz]''
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|29|lbl=ⅹⅹⅴ}}
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|-
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|
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|
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|31|lbl=ⅹⅹⅶ}}
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|-
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|
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|
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'''GRANT OF PRIVILEGE BY THE KING OF FRANCE'''
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By grace and privilege of the King, it has been permitted and granted to Gerard Thibault native of Antwerp, to print, sell, and distribute the present book and figures, in such character and volume as to him seems fit, in all the Kingdoms, lands, and holdings of his Majesty during a period of nine years counting from the day he shall have it printed, with all protections from all persons of whatever quality and condition they may be, to sell and distribute the said book, in part or portion thereof, whether a lithograph, woodcut, etched plate, stolen or counterfeit, or to sell the said figures alone or with summary of what they represent, either separately or jointly, on pain of contravention of loss of goods and five thousand pounds fine, half applicable to his Majesty, and the other to the said Thibault; who, moreover carries full letters to this effect, given in Paris, the XXI Day of December, in the year of grace one thousand six hundred and twenty and in fourth of the reign of the said King.
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:''<small>Signed by the King in his Council and sealed with the great seal of his Majesty in yellow wax on a ribbon.</small>''
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| {{section|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf/33|1|lbl=ⅹⅹⅸ.1}}
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|-
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|
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|
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'''PRIVILEGE'''
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<small>''The Estates General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, have consented and granted, and do consent and grant to the heirs of ''Giraldo Thibault'', that be during the time of next thirty years to come, alone in these united Lands, affiliated lands and towns, full rights and privileges that they may print, sell, and distribute this treatise, engravings, instructions, knowledge, & exercises entitled ''Academie de {{sc|Girard Thibault}} d'Anvers, ou se demonstrent d'un cercle myssterieus la theorie & praćticque des vrais, & justes à present ingcognus secrets du maniement de Armes à pied & à cheval''.''</small>
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<small>''Forbidding one and all within the jurisdiction of these lands, to offer for sale copies of the aforesaid book for the aforesaid time of thirty years, directly or indirectly, in whole, or in part either greater or lesser, neither the imprint, nor the engravings, nor the explanations of the engravings.''</small>
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<small>''Upon pain of forfeiture of all copies and payment of a fine of the sum of nine hundred guilders.''</small>
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<small>''One third part thereof to be given to the officer who performed the arrest, the second third to the watchmen, and the remaining third to the aforesaid heirs of ''Girardo Thibault''.''</small>
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<small>''Given in Graven-Hague this fifth of June Sixteen-Twenty-Seven.''</small>
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::Gaspar van Vosgbergen.
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:<small>''By order of the President of the Estates-General.''</small>
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:::I. van {{sc|Goch}}.
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| {{section|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf/33|2|lbl=ⅹⅹⅸ.2}}
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|-
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|
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|
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'''NOTICE CONCERNING''' the figures of this book.<br/><br/>
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Because the reader shall find it strange that many of the images are not placed upon the ground, but are above or below the horizon, we think it best they be conceived of as paintings upon the walls; this being because of the unequal circles above the horizon compared to the ground, and for more convenient representation  of the doctrine, & for easier intelligibility in a manner which does not extend perspectives. Thus in Table 3, high on both sides, we see 4 men painted on the walls, & in Table 5 there are four pieces in the form of paintings in the middle of the masonry wall each with its own appropriately-sized circle. In Tables 6, 16, 21, 22, 25, & 28 we find painted canvasses & murals on the sides, and on the lower parts of the walls. In Tables 7 & 27 we understand they are made in the form of charts. In Table 19, a tapestry hangs in the middle, in which the doctrines are embroidered. The Tables 5, 8, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, & 29 likewise have painted walls, but the most important parts are shown alive on the ground or as painting on the wall base, because we have put there the means to see how the position of the swords relates to the lines of the Circle in the form of shadows on the lower line or base. We can see the positions of the blades, on the ground of the circle, by which means the capability to work out the movements of the swords the figures have in their hands becomes quite easy.
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| {{pagetb|Page:Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf|34|lbl=ⅹⅹⅹ}}
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|}
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{{master end}}
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{{master begin
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| title = Book 1, Table 1–11
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| width = 60em
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}}
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{{main| Girard Thibault d'Anvers/Tables 1-11}}
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{{master end}}
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{{master begin
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| title = Book 1, Table 12–22
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| width = 60em
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}}
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{{main| Girard Thibault d'Anvers/Tables 12-22}}
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{{master end}}
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! <p>Illustrations</p>
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! <p>{{rating}}<br/></p>
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! <p>First Edition (1626-30){{edit index|Academie de l'Espée (Girard Thibault d'Anvers) 1630.pdf}}<br/>Transcribed by [[Michael Chidester]]</p>
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For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the [[Talk:{{PAGENAME}}| discussion page]].
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| work        = Images
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| work        = Translation
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| authors    = [[translator::Bruce G. Hearns]]
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== Additional Resources ==
 
== Additional Resources ==
  
 
* Howden, Matthew. "[http://matthewhowden.wordpress.com/comparison-of-thibaults-circle-and-the-leiden-circle/ Comparison of Thibault’s Circle and the Leiden Circle]". ''Sworded Contemplations''. April, 2008. Retrieved 08 February 2015.
 
* Howden, Matthew. "[http://matthewhowden.wordpress.com/comparison-of-thibaults-circle-and-the-leiden-circle/ Comparison of Thibault’s Circle and the Leiden Circle]". ''Sworded Contemplations''. April, 2008. Retrieved 08 February 2015.
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* [[Gérard Thibault d'Anvers|Thibault, Gérard]]. ''Academy of the Sword''. Trans. John Michael Greer. Highland Park, TX: [[Chivalry Bookshelf]], 2006. ISBN 978-1891448409
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== References ==
 
== References ==
  
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Latest revision as of 23:51, 6 December 2025

Girard Thibault d'Anvers
Born 1574
Died 1627(?)
Occupation Fencing master
Nationality Dutch
Movement La Verdadera Destreza
Influences
Genres Fencing manual
Language French
Notable work(s) Academie de l'Espée (1630)

Girard Thibault d'Anvers (ca. 1574–1627)[1] was a 17th century Dutch fencing master and author of the 1628 rapier manual Academie de l'Espée, one of the most detailed and elaborate sources ever written on fencing. Details about Thibault's life are sparse and what we know is based on his book and his album amicorum.[2] The latter contains handwritten notes and celebratory poems from Thibault's friends, relatives, pupils, and colleagues, included among whom are several contemporary fencing masters.[3]

Thibault was born in or around 1574 in Antwerp, son of Hendrick Thibaut and Margaretha van Nispen.[4] Although his father used the surname "Thibaut," Girard used the French form "Thibault."[4] Hendrick Thibaut came from a well-known family in Ypres, living in Ghent and Antwerp before going into exile in the northern Netherlands.[4] Henrick's eldest son, Christiaen, founded the noble family Thibaut van Aegtekerke.[5]

Thibault first studied fencing in Antwerp under Lambert van Someron, who taught between the years of 1564 and 1584.[6] In 1605, Thibault was a wool merchant in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, south of Seville on the Guadalquivir river, and the hometown of Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza.[2] There, he took an interest in fencing, studying the Spanish rapier system of Destreza.[2]

Thibault left Spain to return to the Netherlands, and was in Amsterdam as early as 1610.[2] In or around 1611, he presented his system to an assembly of Dutch masters at a competition in Rotterdam.[7] Thibault won first prize, earning an invitation to the court of Prince Maurice of Nassau, where the Prince observed Thibault's system in a multi-day demonstration.[6]

Although initially met with skepticism, Thibault convinced his fellow Dutch fencing masters, including Johannes Damius of Haarlem, Dirck van Stervergen of Leiden, Cornelis Cornelisz van Heusden of Amsterdam, and Thibault's former teacher Lambert von Someron.[6]

In 1615, Thibault was invited to the court at Cleves and left Amsterdam, where he once again demonstrated his system successfully.[8] Over the next several years, Thibault traveled from Cleves, Amsterdam, to Spain, back to Amsterdam, and finally to Leiden in 1622.[9] There, Thibault studied mathematics at Leiden University.[10] It is unclear whether Thibault taught his system at the university.[10] It is during his time in Leiden that Thibault likely began working on Academie de l'Espée and employed a team of sixteen master engravers.[11]

Thibault died in 1627, years before his masterpiece was finally published (despite the date on the title page of 1626, later manually amended to 1628 in many copies, printing didn't finish until at least 1630).[12]

Treatise

The Academie de l'Espée (1626-30) is presented in two books, each one organized as a series of illustrations called Tables (tabula, tableau, or table) followed by a chapter explaining the significance of the Table; oddly, the pagination starts over at the beginning of each chapter. It begins with a series of dedications and short notes that serve as an introduction, since Thibault himself apparently died without writing one. Book 1 introduces training in the use of his system of swordplay in detail across 33 Tables. Book 2 was incomplete at the time of his death, and its 11 instructional Tables show how to use his style against other weapons, including rapier & dagger, rapier & shield, two-handed swords, and firearms; it also includes two Tables of complex allegorical designs that are labeled "Emblems", which have no explanation provided in the book (presumably because he never wrote one).

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.

References

  1. ↑ Fontaine 1978, pp. 288, 297. Fontaine gives the date of death as '29, but it must have occurred by '27 since a copyright privilege was granted to his heirs that year.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Fontaine 1978, p. 289.
  3. ↑ Fontaine 1978, p. 297.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Fontaine 1978, p. 288.
  5. ↑ Fontaine 1978, pp. 288-289.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Fontaine 1978, p. 290.
  7. ↑ Fontaine 1978, pp. 289-290.
  8. ↑ Fontaine 1978, p. 294.
  9. ↑ Fontaine 1978, pp. 294-296.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Fontaine 1978, p. 296.
  11. ↑ Fontaine 1978, pp. 296, 310.
  12. ↑ Greer 2006, pp 1-2.


Early Iberian traditions
Esgrima común M 1-3-3 176r (detail).png
Verdadera
destreza
Carrancista
Pachequista
Indeterminate
Others
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