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Difference between revisions of "Henry de Sainct Didier"

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m (→‎Treatise: minor changes up to fabrice)
m (→‎Treatise: adding to the poem. + fixes)
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| '''To the King.'''
 
| '''To the King.'''
  
'''By Stepehen of Guette, gentleman.'''
+
'''By the gentleman Stephen of Guette.'''
 
<poem>SIRE, it is all but certain that men are made
 
<poem>SIRE, it is all but certain that men are made
And created from nature ignorant imperfect
+
And created from nature ignorant and imperfect
 
Crude in understnading and of earthly essence,
 
Crude in understnading and of earthly essence,
 
And that at first they had no knowledge,
 
And that at first they had no knowledge,
Line 470: Line 470:
 
Heathens having no care besides for food,
 
Heathens having no care besides for food,
 
Them and their babies having no other homes,
 
Them and their babies having no other homes,
Or else the fields of grass, depending on the seasons,</poem>
+
But the fields of grass, depending on the seasons,
 +
At this hour the costs visit others silently, presently
 +
The shelter of a fresh oak not yet filthy
 +
In vigor is the spirit and essence of fire
 +
Who resides above at the head, but in time,
 +
Their eyes open, their eyelids closed.
 +
First made them admire many things,
 +
On earth and the heavens, and to think more closely
 +
At their convenience, arousing them on purpose
 +
I know not desire, I know not envy,
 +
To change my manner and live another life.
 +
</poem>
  
 
| '''Au Roy.'''
 
| '''Au Roy.'''
Line 1,681: Line 1,692:
 
And to do this well, the Lieutenant needs to have done one of the said drawings while moving the left foot on the footprint marked number 1 for the first strike, and to execute this strike the said Lieutenant must advance the right foot on the footprint marked number 2, and throws a steep high thrust, keeping the nails on the sword hand up, and the left hand over the right lap, as shown above at the portraiture marked number 71 behind the hat.
 
And to do this well, the Lieutenant needs to have done one of the said drawings while moving the left foot on the footprint marked number 1 for the first strike, and to execute this strike the said Lieutenant must advance the right foot on the footprint marked number 2, and throws a steep high thrust, keeping the nails on the sword hand up, and the left hand over the right lap, as shown above at the portraiture marked number 71 behind the hat.
  
This is how the said Lieutenant must begin to make a strike in the manner of the rectangle, imagined as such on the ground.
+
''This is how the said Lieutenant must begin to make a strike in the manner of the rectangle, imagined as such on the ground.''
  
 
''The following is how the said Prevost must defend himself from the strike that is made and thrown by the said Lieutenant, imagined and represented by a rectangle on the ground, as shown above.''
 
''The following is how the said Prevost must defend himself from the strike that is made and thrown by the said Lieutenant, imagined and represented by a rectangle on the ground, as shown above.''
Line 1,693: Line 1,704:
 
Et pour le bien faire, est besoin pour le premier coup que le Lieutenent, ayant fait un desdits desgainements demoure sur le pied gauche, qui est sur la semelle cotté en chiffre 1, & pour executer ce coup faut que cedit Lieutenent advance le pied droit sur la semelle où est cotté en chiffre 2, & tirer un roide estoc d’hault, tenant la main que tient l’espée les ongles en haut, & la main gauche sur son giron droit, comme est monstré cy dessus à sa pourtraiture, cotté en chiffre au derriere du chapeau 71.
 
Et pour le bien faire, est besoin pour le premier coup que le Lieutenent, ayant fait un desdits desgainements demoure sur le pied gauche, qui est sur la semelle cotté en chiffre 1, & pour executer ce coup faut que cedit Lieutenent advance le pied droit sur la semelle où est cotté en chiffre 2, & tirer un roide estoc d’hault, tenant la main que tient l’espée les ongles en haut, & la main gauche sur son giron droit, comme est monstré cy dessus à sa pourtraiture, cotté en chiffre au derriere du chapeau 71.
  
Voila comment il faut que ledit Lieutenent commence à faire ce coup, en maniere de quatriangle, le feignant ainsi estre en terre.
+
''Voila comment il faut que ledit Lieutenent commence à faire ce coup, en maniere de quatriangle, le feignant ainsi estre en terre.''
  
 
''Sensuit comment il faut que ledit Prevost se deffende de ce coup, fait & tiré par ledit Lieutenent, faignant & figurant un quatriangle en terre, tel que cestuy cy dessus.''
 
''Sensuit comment il faut que ledit Prevost se deffende de ce coup, fait & tiré par ledit Lieutenent, faignant & figurant un quatriangle en terre, tel que cestuy cy dessus.''
Line 1,975: Line 1,986:
 
Et pour ce faire, le Lieutenent fera, & se mettra comme dit est, en garde basse, sur le pied gauche, assituant la pointe de l’espée comme dit est, droit la braye ou ceinture du Prevost comme est cotté en chiffre cy dessus à leurs pourtraitures 89 & 90. Et pour faire, & executer ceste seconde prinse pour cedit Lieutenent, qui est assaillant demonstrateur, estant sur la garde basse, que dit est, advancera le pied droit, faisant semblant de tirer un maindroit ou estoc d’hault, provenant d’iceluy. Le Prevost se voyant ainsi chargé d’un tel coup, se vouldra deffendre, croisant & rabatant l’espée dudit Lieutenent & alors cedit Lieutenent advancera le pied gauche, & luy tirera un arrieremain sur sa teste. Le Prevost le vouldra rabatre de rechef de son espée, alors cedit Lieutenent advancera le pied gauche à un instant, & luy prendra la garde de son espée avec sa main gauche & luy presentera un estoc à son estomac, comme est monstré à sa pourtraiture cotté en chiffre au derriere de son col 91.
 
Et pour ce faire, le Lieutenent fera, & se mettra comme dit est, en garde basse, sur le pied gauche, assituant la pointe de l’espée comme dit est, droit la braye ou ceinture du Prevost comme est cotté en chiffre cy dessus à leurs pourtraitures 89 & 90. Et pour faire, & executer ceste seconde prinse pour cedit Lieutenent, qui est assaillant demonstrateur, estant sur la garde basse, que dit est, advancera le pied droit, faisant semblant de tirer un maindroit ou estoc d’hault, provenant d’iceluy. Le Prevost se voyant ainsi chargé d’un tel coup, se vouldra deffendre, croisant & rabatant l’espée dudit Lieutenent & alors cedit Lieutenent advancera le pied gauche, & luy tirera un arrieremain sur sa teste. Le Prevost le vouldra rabatre de rechef de son espée, alors cedit Lieutenent advancera le pied gauche à un instant, & luy prendra la garde de son espée avec sa main gauche & luy presentera un estoc à son estomac, comme est monstré à sa pourtraiture cotté en chiffre au derriere de son col 91.
  
''Voicy la fin de la seconde prinse, & demonstration d’icelle, pour ledit Lieutenent, contre le Prevost.
+
''Voicy la fin de la seconde prinse, & demonstration d’icelle, pour ledit Lieutenent, contre le Prevost.''
  
Sensuit se que doit faire ledit Prevost, pour la seconde prinse contre ledit Lieutenent.''
+
''Sensuit se que doit faire ledit Prevost, pour la seconde prinse contre ledit Lieutenent.''
  
 
Et pour ce faire, ledit Prevost estant aussi sur le pied gauche, en garde moyenne comme est cotté cy dessus à sa pourtraiture en chiffre 90. Le Lieutenent ayant tiré un maindroit ou un estoc d’hault, à son obtion, le Prevost a tiré le pied gauche arriere & a croisé & rabatu l’espée du Lieutenent, du fort le foible, & voyant qu’il a esté circonvenu par la desmarche & prinse susdite dudit Lieutenent, ledit prochain Prevost voyant ladite circonvention, fait signe de sa main gauche qu’il veult detourner & rabbatre l’estoc que luy veult, & peult tirer ledit Lieutenent, comme est monstré cy dessus à sadite pourtraiture & figure plus prochaine cotté en chiffre au derriere de sa teste 92.
 
Et pour ce faire, ledit Prevost estant aussi sur le pied gauche, en garde moyenne comme est cotté cy dessus à sa pourtraiture en chiffre 90. Le Lieutenent ayant tiré un maindroit ou un estoc d’hault, à son obtion, le Prevost a tiré le pied gauche arriere & a croisé & rabatu l’espée du Lieutenent, du fort le foible, & voyant qu’il a esté circonvenu par la desmarche & prinse susdite dudit Lieutenent, ledit prochain Prevost voyant ladite circonvention, fait signe de sa main gauche qu’il veult detourner & rabbatre l’estoc que luy veult, & peult tirer ledit Lieutenent, comme est monstré cy dessus à sadite pourtraiture & figure plus prochaine cotté en chiffre au derriere de sa teste 92.
Line 2,008: Line 2,019:
 
''Voila que faut que face & qu’a peu faire le Prevost, à cestedite seconde prinse contre le Lieutenent.''
 
''Voila que faut que face & qu’a peu faire le Prevost, à cestedite seconde prinse contre le Lieutenent.''
  
''Cy aprés sera monstré par pourtraicture & escrit, comment le Lieutenent ayant monstré audit Prevost, le Prevost luy en fait autant, car ce n’est rien de scavoir qui ne le scait monstré.
+
''Cy aprés sera monstré par pourtraicture & escrit, comment le Lieutenent ayant monstré audit Prevost, le Prevost luy en fait autant, car ce n’est rien de scavoir qui ne le scait monstré.''
  
 
Page''
 
Page''
Line 2,193: Line 2,204:
 
''La fin de cedit coup pour ledit Lieutenent assaillant.''
 
''La fin de cedit coup pour ledit Lieutenent assaillant.''
  
''Moyen de soy deffendre, au Prevost de ce susdit maindroit, ou estoc d’hault, tiré par ledit Lieutenent, pour
+
''Moyen de soy deffendre, au Prevost de ce susdit maindroit, ou estoc d’hault, tiré par ledit Lieutenent, pour puis aprés executer ladite quatriesme prinse.''
puis aprés executer ladite quatriesme prinse.''
 
  
 
Et pour ce faire, faut que ledit prochain Prevost estant sur le pied gauche, en garde moyenne, comme est monstré cy dessus à sa pourtraiture, cotté en chiffre 106. Et pour la deffence de cedit maindroit, ou estoc d’hault, tiré par ledit Lieutenent, est besoin, & faut que cedit prochain Prevost tire le pied gauche arriere, & croise de son espée celle dudit Lieutenent, soit maindroit, ou estoc d’haut, du fort le foible, tout ainsi comme on a fait cy dessus à une desdites opposites & suittes, & presenter un estoc au visage dudit Lieutenent, tenant le dessus de la main que tient l’espée en bas, & les ongles en hault, & la main gauche droit son tetin, assituant la pointe de l’espée droit la bouche dudit Lieutenent comme est monstré & fait cy dessus à la pourtraiture dudit Prevost, cotté en chiffre au derriere du col 108.
 
Et pour ce faire, faut que ledit prochain Prevost estant sur le pied gauche, en garde moyenne, comme est monstré cy dessus à sa pourtraiture, cotté en chiffre 106. Et pour la deffence de cedit maindroit, ou estoc d’hault, tiré par ledit Lieutenent, est besoin, & faut que cedit prochain Prevost tire le pied gauche arriere, & croise de son espée celle dudit Lieutenent, soit maindroit, ou estoc d’haut, du fort le foible, tout ainsi comme on a fait cy dessus à une desdites opposites & suittes, & presenter un estoc au visage dudit Lieutenent, tenant le dessus de la main que tient l’espée en bas, & les ongles en hault, & la main gauche droit son tetin, assituant la pointe de l’espée droit la bouche dudit Lieutenent comme est monstré & fait cy dessus à la pourtraiture dudit Prevost, cotté en chiffre au derriere du col 108.
Line 2,260: Line 2,270:
 
''Sensuit la deffence de ce coup pour ledit Prevost''
 
''Sensuit la deffence de ce coup pour ledit Prevost''
  
Et pour ce faire, faut que ledit Prevost aye fait mesme desmarche garde, & assituation, que dessus est monstrée, à la pourtraiture dudit Prevost, cotté en chiffre 114. Et pour se deffendre de ce coup, qui est un maindroit de bas au jarret, à luy tiré par ledit Lieutenent, Ledit Prevost estant ignorant comme beaucoup de demonstrateurs, a tiré le pied gauche arriere, & a croisé de son espée l’espée dudit Lieutenent, qui n’est à
+
Et pour ce faire, faut que ledit Prevost aye fait mesme desmarche garde, & assituation, que dessus est monstrée, à la pourtraiture dudit Prevost, cotté en chiffre 114. Et pour se deffendre de ce coup, qui est un maindroit de bas au jarret, à luy tiré par ledit Lieutenent, Ledit Prevost estant ignorant comme beaucoup de demonstrateurs, a tiré le pied gauche arriere, & a croisé de son espée l’espée dudit Lieutenent, qui n’est à presumer ignorance, mais l’estre tout à fait, attendu qu’il a laissé le propre, & prend l’impropre, qui est dit & monstré cy dessus à sadite pourtraiture, cotté en chiffre au derriere dudit Prevost 116.
presumer ignorance, mais l’estre tout à fait, attendu qu’il a laissé le propre, & prend l’impropre, qui est dit & monstré cy dessus à sadite pourtraiture, cotté en chiffre au derriere dudit Prevost 116.
 
  
 
''Voyla comment ledit Prevost se deffent de ce premier coup, tiré par ledit Lieutenent. Mais il s’en deffend comme il l’entend, & comme le monstrent plusieurs, suivant la nature humaine car elle en fait autant sans avoir jamais aprins aucun art.''
 
''Voyla comment ledit Prevost se deffent de ce premier coup, tiré par ledit Lieutenent. Mais il s’en deffend comme il l’entend, & comme le monstrent plusieurs, suivant la nature humaine car elle en fait autant sans avoir jamais aprins aucun art.''
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| ''The following is a treatise on exercise and certain points required to know the tennis, for all those who love it, written by the said Author, since it requires the same steps and to know the same strikes of the said fencing, as will be seen by this treatise, and the said Author because of the said affinity and friendship they have together, leads to alert and give instruction to the unlearned, which do not understand the terms of this exercise, and not for the learned and skillful.''
 
| ''The following is a treatise on exercise and certain points required to know the tennis, for all those who love it, written by the said Author, since it requires the same steps and to know the same strikes of the said fencing, as will be seen by this treatise, and the said Author because of the said affinity and friendship they have together, leads to alert and give instruction to the unlearned, which do not understand the terms of this exercise, and not for the learned and skillful.''
  
The said author having considered that tennis, and fencing are closely related, as was said above, and whoever will be able to play said tennis easily would also have learned to throw sword strikes, and so is the opposite, but the one better than the other is fencing, because they preserve the health and honor of those who are afraid of losing it. Anyone could ask why are said fencing and tennis related? The Author responds to this and says that from the same strikes that one throws from said weapons to overcome his enemy in times of peace or to win money or some celebration, which are.
+
The said author having considered that tennis and fencing are closely related, as stated above, and whoever is able to play said tennis easily would also have learned to throw sword strikes, and so is the opposite, but the one better than the other is fencing because they preserve the health and honor of those who are afraid of losing it. Anyone could ask why the said fencing and tennis are related. The Author responds and says that the same strikes that one throws from the said fencing to overcome his enemy in times of peace or to win money or some celebration, which are:
  
 
# Right-hand
 
# Right-hand
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# Thrust
 
# Thrust
  
It is true that one of the aforesaid strikes must be removed, which is the thrust, and only two will remain which are.
+
It is true that one of the aforementinoed strikes must be removed, which is the thrust, and only two will remain which are:
  
 
# Right-hand
 
# Right-hand
 
# Backhand
 
# Backhand
  
The reason why I remove the said thrust is, since the racket has no point, and thus one would not be able to make a thrust.
+
The reason why I remove the said thrust is since the racket has no point, and thus one would not be able to make a thrust.
  
It is true that sometimes we strike and beat down with the racket, when the ball comes straight to the face or higher, which is that we return the ball, and we beat it down with the racket when it comes from high or to the face keeping it straight, and leaning neither on the right nor left, and yet in the said game of tennis, there are only the aforementioned two strikes, right-hand and backhand. But it is necessary to multiply them properly to 4 targets, from high and low, for example right-hand from below, and right-hand from high, backhand from below, and backhand from high, and thus it is necessary to be very dextrous and graceful to know how to strike because they strike at each other as they do with said fencing. And knowing how to strike skillfully, we must observe the words of our ancestors who are skilled tennis players, (who said) whoever leaps to forsake the volley, will never be an esteemed player, it is necessary to take heed here, which is that when you can volley, you should never wait for a leap. The reason is that with a leap, several accidents can occur, yet on the volley, never, if one is well trained, and is safe.
+
It is true that sometimes we strike and beat down with the racket when the ball comes straight to the face or higher, which is that we return the ball, and we beat it down with the racket when it comes from high or to the face keeping it straight, and leaning neither on the right nor left, and yet in the said game of tennis, there are only the aforementioned two strikes, right-hand and backhand. But it is necessary to multiply them properly to 4 targets, from high and low, for example right-hand from below, and right-hand from above, backhand from below, and backhand from above, and thus it is necessary to be very dextrous and graceful to know how to strike because we strike at each other as we do with the said fencing. And knowing how to strike skillfully, we must observe the words of our ancestors who are skilled tennis players, who said whoever leaps to forsake the volley, will never be an esteemed player; it is necessary to take heed here, which is that when you can volley, you should never wait for a leap. The reason is that with a leap, several accidents can occur, yet on the volley, never, if one is well trained, and is safe.
  
The accident that can happen to the said volley is to crack the wood of the racket, but this is not an accident, instead it is a fault committed by the one who made the wood, and not from the inside of the racket to the ball. For this reason I want to warn those who are not yet sure of the leap, who practice the said volley, because it should never be done, but they are the ones who fail it, and if it is necessary, we still have recourse to the said leap, and yet who can, must always take said volley, and not said leap.
+
The accident that can happen to the said volley is to crack the wood of the racket, but this is not an accident, instead it is a fault committed by the one who made the wood and not from the inside of the racket to the ball. For this reason I want to warn those who are not yet sure of the leap, who practice the said volley, because it should never be done, but they are the ones who fail it, and if it is necessary, we still have recourse to the said leap, and yet who can, must always take said volley, and not said leap.
  
''Next will be declared the points which are necessary in this game, and exercise of tennis, which must be observed.''
+
''Next will be declared the points which are necessary in the game and exercise of tennis which must be observed.''
  
The first requirement of one who wants to attack another, and consequently to take shoes with leaded or else heavy heels, and wear them for two or three hours, before starting his game, after this time passes, one comes to leave these said heavy heels and be satisfied with his shoes, or he gives himself light slippers, which are well in his point, and in doing so, such will find themselves more ready and skillful than those who will not do so, for experience is the master of all arts.
+
The first requirement of one who wants to attack another, consequently is to take shoes with leaded or else heavy heels and wear them for two or three hours before starting his game; after this time passes, one will leave these said heavy heels and be satisfied with his shoes, or he gives himself light slippers which are well in his point, and in doing so, he will find themselves more ready and skillful than those who will not do so, for experience is the master of all arts.
  
 
The second requirement is to demand and choose the primary racket that is lightest in the hand. Just as all of the said fencing requires a light sword and a heavy dagger, tennis also must have a light racket and a weighted ball, weighing not too much nor too little, because everything that is too much or too little is worthless.
 
The second requirement is to demand and choose the primary racket that is lightest in the hand. Just as all of the said fencing requires a light sword and a heavy dagger, tennis also must have a light racket and a weighted ball, weighing not too much nor too little, because everything that is too much or too little is worthless.
Line 2,390: Line 2,399:
 
The third point that is required is that we have to watch that when we are playing tennis to have another racket other than the one we want to use, and tell the opposing party to throw the racket, to see which will be in or out, and they when then say to throw your own if he lets you, throw the bad one and not the good one for the reason that will be declared afterwards, and if he wants to throw his own, let him throw it away because throwing it weakens the cord, wasting it since the cords are loosened, and thus it will not be able to serve as well as it had done before. One could say that he will ask for another, but respond to this that it is possible to not be able to find as good in the hand as the one that had been previously found that he did not want to keep because very often a racket is an advantage just as a good sword is also an advantage that one will overcome his enemy.
 
The third point that is required is that we have to watch that when we are playing tennis to have another racket other than the one we want to use, and tell the opposing party to throw the racket, to see which will be in or out, and they when then say to throw your own if he lets you, throw the bad one and not the good one for the reason that will be declared afterwards, and if he wants to throw his own, let him throw it away because throwing it weakens the cord, wasting it since the cords are loosened, and thus it will not be able to serve as well as it had done before. One could say that he will ask for another, but respond to this that it is possible to not be able to find as good in the hand as the one that had been previously found that he did not want to keep because very often a racket is an advantage just as a good sword is also an advantage that one will overcome his enemy.
  
The fourth point, having carefully observed all that is said, remains to be seen on which step, it is necessary to take to perform well the said art of the said tennis, and to serve the ball well on the roof, and give a wicked game as much as possible throughout the game. I say that as good practice for all the said strikes being multiplied, and to serve well, it is necessary to be held on the left foot for the first time, and almost always while doing a pirouette on it: look for the ball on the side it will travel. Some might say I don't know where the ball will go and cannot decide. One should consider when deciding where the ball will be hit by their opposing party. Observe him and decide where he wants to hit it, this is very good. But I'll give one that's better, and the apparent reason. This aforementioned judgment is often deceptive because by the observing; one cannot surely decide what the inside wants to do and execute, which is to direct and cast the ball. I only want to decide based on where the opposing party can cast it. Do not observe him because he will deceive you, but instead look closely at the ball being served. And never lose sight of the said ball because whoever is outside direct and leads without being misled by the inside, and the will of your opposing party, and yet being sure of your hand, without fail you will easily defeat your opponent without observing, because looking at him you will think that he casts the ball at you in the opposite direction of his gaze yet the inside will be entirely different, and nevertheless, you could be deceived by looking at your opposing party, yet you will never be looking at the ball. And it is the argument that I have made of said fencing, which must look at the tip of the sword, and not at the intent of the man.
+
The fourth point, having carefully observed all that is said, remains to be seen on which step, it is necessary to take to perform well the said art of the said tennis, and to serve the ball well on the roof, and give a wicked game as much as possible throughout the game. I say that as good practice for all the said strikes being multiplied, and to serve well, it is necessary to keep on the left foot initially and almost always while doing a pirouette on it: look for the ball on the side it will travel. Some might say I don't know where the ball will go and cannot decide. One should consider when deciding where the ball will be hit by their opposing party. Observe him and decide where he wants to hit it is very good. But I'll give one that's better and the apparent reason. This aforementioned judgment is often deceptive because by the observing, one cannot surely decide what the inside wants to do and execute which is to direct and cast the ball. I only want to decide based on where the opposing party can cast it. Do not observe him because he will deceive you, but instead look closely at the ball being served. And never lose sight of the said ball because whoever is outside direct and leads without being misled by the inside which is the will of your opposing party; and yet being sure of your hand, without fail you will easily defeat your opponent without observing because if you look at him you will think that he casts the ball at you in the opposite direction of his gaze yet the inside will be entirely different, and nevertheless, you could be deceived by looking at your opposing party; yet you will never be looking at the ball. And it is the argument that I have made of said fencing where you must look at the tip of the sword and not at the intent of the man.
  
''I do not put these said reasons for those who understand them, but on the contrary for those who do not understand them.''
+
''I do not put these said reasons for those who already understand them, but on the contrary for those who do not understand them.''
  
I was kind enough to speak of tennis because a brave man who is one of the good players came to see me two or three times only, and having learned well two or three strikes, he increased his skill almost by fifteen, and the said brave man throws a fronthand and backhand very gracefully, and thus tennis and the said fencing, as said is, have a great affinity.
+
I was kind enough to speak of tennis because a brave man who is one of the good players came to see me two or three times only, and having learned effectively two or three strikes, he increased his skill almost by fifteen; and the said brave man throws a fronthand and backhand very gracefully, and thus tennis and the said fencing, as said, have a great affinity.
  
 
END.
 
END.
Line 2,438: Line 2,447:
 
| Friendly reader,
 
| Friendly reader,
  
Whoever among you buy these books from and won't find in them the name and initials of the Author written by his hand, such books will not be sold by their will, for this reason, he asks you to have them brought to his house, and he will give you back the money that they cost you, telling him who have sold them to you, and if he will give you as much what he will bring, which will cost you nothing, and besides you will show the said author and will declare the contents of him, which will cost you nothing to have recourse in justice against those who such books will have sold and will please him.
+
Whoever among you buy these books from and won't find in them the name and initials of the Author written by his hand, such books are not to be sold by their will, for this reason, he asks you to have them brought to his house, and he will give you back the money that they cost you, telling him who have sold them to you, and if he will give you as much what he will bring, which will cost you nothing, and besides you will show the said author and will declare the contents of him, which will cost you nothing to have recourse in justice against those who such books will have sold and will please him.
  
 
|  Amy lecteur.
 
|  Amy lecteur.
Line 2,447: Line 2,456:
 
| FRIENDLY READER,
 
| FRIENDLY READER,
  
The author is cognizant that fencing and the law are two virtues most required to acquire the friendship of Kings, Princes, and Lords, even of Ladies. For this reason the said Author preferred to choose and follow the art and practice of this than of the said law: not that he abandoned them at all: but in this were practiced for the space of thirty years, and after many long days, God bestowed him the grace which he dedicated and in fact presented this treatise to one of the greatest Christian Monarchs under heaven. And by his command took with his Highness the said fencing, and with my Lord the Duke of Guise and others of his court, of which the Author has praised and praises God, who has made him well and fortunate and with favor of His said Majesty. Because of this, he once again took courage and daring, after being privileged by the said Sir to have it printed, and put in light for the relief and satisfaction of his nobility and for public good. There may be some who may slander against the said Author for the reasoning of the said treatise and other little discourse, and advices made on the exercises and tennis. The said Author has not dealt with what was said, for those who are skillful and have experimented and who understand the real terms, which are required in the said two exercises; but good for those who do not understand them, that is to say fencing and tennis.
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The author is cognizant that fencing and law are two virtues most required to acquire the friendship of Kings, Princes, and Lords, even of Ladies. For this reason the said Author preferred to choose and follow the art and practice of this than of the said law: not that he abandoned them completely; but in this were practiced for the space of thirty years and after many long days, God bestowed him the grace with which he dedicated and in fact presented this treatise to one of the greatest Christian Monarchs under heaven. And by his command took with his Highness the said fencing, and with my Lord the Duke of Guise and others of his court, of which the Author has praised and praises God, who has made him well and fortunate and with favor of His said Majesty. Because of this, he once again took courage and daring, after being privileged by the said Sir to have it printed, and put in light for the relief and satisfaction of his nobility and for public good. There may be some who may slander against the said Author for the reasoning of the said treatise and other little discourse, and advices made on the exercises and tennis. The said Author has not dealt with what was said, for those who are skillful and have experimented and who understand the real terms, which are required in the said two exercises; but good for those who do not understand them, that is to say fencing and tennis.
  
For this reason the Author requests that the Readers only to take it in good part and to excuse him. And do not look at the language nor to the letter nor the skin<ref>lit. bark or shell, outer layer. Idiom similar to "Don't judge a book by its cover.</ref> of it, because at times it can find itself, for such things will contradict it and will want to slander what he does not know and does not know how to do, and having wanted and spoken to the said Author who may discuss with you for an explanation, and effectively show the contents of the said treatise, of which the said contradictors (if any are found) may be content, if the wise and their thoughts are determined and facts will not do it, thus they will address the Author who will be able to make them content with the reason for his sayings.
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For this reason the Author requests that the Readers only to take it in good faith and to excuse him. And do not look at the language nor to the letter nor the skin<ref>lit. bark or shell, outer layer. Idiom similar to "Don't judge a book by its cover.</ref> of it, because at times it can find itself, for such things will contradict itself and will want to slander what he does not know and does not know how to do, and having wanted and spoken to the said Author who may discuss with you for an explanation, and effectively show the contents of the said treatise, of which the said contradictors, if any are found, may be satisfied, if the wise and their thoughts are determined and facts will not do it, thus they will address the Author who will be able to make them satisfied with the reason for his explanations.
  
 
This treaty finished printing on June 4, 1573.
 
This treaty finished printing on June 4, 1573.

Revision as of 04:02, 10 February 2021

Henry de Sainct Didier
Born 1530s (?)
Pertuis, Provence
Died after 1584
Paris, France (?)
Occupation Fencing master
Patron Charles IX of France
Influences
Influenced Salvator Fabris (?)
Genres Fencing manual
Language Middle French
Notable work(s) Les secrets du premier livre sur l'espée seule (1573)
Translations Traducción castellano
Signature Henry de Sainct Didier sig.png

Henry de Sainct Didier, Esq. was a 16th century French fencing master. He was born to a noble family in Pertuis in the Provence region of France, son of Luc de Sainct Didier. Sainct Didier made his career in the French army, ultimately serving 25 years and seeing action in Piedmont, Italy from 1554 - 1555. He wrote of himself that he "lived his whole life learning to fight with the single sword" and eventually "reached a point of perfection" in his art. Apparently he became a fencing master of some renown, for in ca. 1573 he secured a royal privilege for a period of ten years for treatises on a number of weapons, including the dagger, single side sword, double side swords, sword and buckler, sword and cloak, sword and dagger, sword and shield (both rotella and targe), and greatsword. Unfortunately, only his treatise on the single side sword, titled Les secrets du premier livre sur l'espée seule ("Secrets of the Premier Book on the Single Sword") and printed on 4 June 1573, is known to survive; it seems likely that the others were never published at all.

Treatise

Additional Resources

  • Hyatt, Robert Preston and Wilson, Devon. "The Single Sword of Henry de Sainct Didier." Masters of Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts. Ed. Jeffrey Hull. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58160-668-3
  • Sainct Didier, Henry de. The Single Sword of Henry de Sainct-Didier (Traicté Contenant Les Secrets Du Premier Livre Sur L'Espée Seule). Trans. Robert Preston Hyatt and Devon Wilson. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2009. ISBN 978-1581607048
  • Slee, Chris. Secrets of the Sword Alone. LongEdge Press, 2014. ISBN 978-0646926353

References

  1. Pristin : ancien, antérieur
  2. Insertion du « a ».
  3. Dupuis describes this as a wooden board placed in the back wall of the tennis court which, if hit by a volley, is scored immediately. In modern tennis, this board is replaced by a grid.
  4. « L'es », habituellement orthographiée « ais », désigne une planche de bois placée dans le mur du fond de la salle de jeu de paume qui, si elle est touchée par un coup de volée, donne le point immédiatement. Dans le jeu de paume moderne, cette planche est remplacée par une grille. Il est possible que cet « ais » ait donné le terme anglais d'« ace » que les étymologies modernes confondent avec l'« as » du jeu de carte. Voir la définition d' « ais » de l'Encyclopédie de Diderot et d'Alembert.
  5. L’esteuf : ancien nom pour la balle.
  6. précéder. « Préaller » subsiste en français sous la forme « préalable ».
  7. Il s’agit très probablement du maître d’arme italien Fabris Salvator de Padoue (1544-1617). Voir la note sur Fabris Salvator de Vigeant p. 162 et aussi les références à ses publications (Vigeant p. 55-56)
  8. Version alimentaire de l’adage « blanc bonnet et bonnet blanc ».
  9. Transcription la plus sûre du texte : « gran d erre »
  10. Serviteur du grand prêtre venu arrêter Jésus au Mont des Olivier et dont l’oreille coupée a été immédiatement guérie. Selon la lecture du passage, il est parfois pris pour celui qui soufflète Jésus.
  11. Un des anciens nom de l’abeille.
  12. Sens incertain ; peut-être s'agit-il d'une mauvaise graphie de « filial ».
  13. drillant : étincellant, brillant (dictionnaire de Nicot).
  14. Correction du texte d’origine donnant « peid ».
  15. Cette correction sur les images d'Henri de Saint-Didier indique que celles-ci ont été réalisées avant la version finale du texte.
  16. Le « o » de troisiesme est curieusement placé en exposant.
  17. Suppression du doublement de l'esperluette.
  18. Dupuis states the original says left but is incompatible with the rest of the text and the engraving.
  19. Proposition de correction de l’édition originale qui donne « gauche », en incohérence avec la gravure et le texte plus bas qui confirme que la posture du Lieutenent est identique à celle de la section précédente où c’était bien le pied droit qui était reculé.
  20. Deuxième remarque de l'auteur sur les gravures montrant que le texte a été retouché après réception des gravures. À comparer avec une remarque similaire faite dans le i.33.
  21. per Dupuis's transcription, it's literally "backhand" as opposed to the technique before named "renver" for whatever reason Didier thought to use a different word this time. I've included a hyphen to differentiate but I think it's supposed to be the same.
  22. Correction du texte d’origine donnant « Leiutenent ».
  23. In modern fencing, dérobement is a fencing term for disengage.
  24. Correction de l'édition originale qui omet lors d'un changement de page le début du mot « haute »
  25. The position of the hand illustrates the fingers down, in opposition to the text.
  26. La position de la main illustrée a les doigts au-dessus, en opposition avec le texte.
  27. Proposition de correction pour « bessoin »
  28. Proposition de correction pour « avan-main »
  29. Proposition de correction pour « couté »
  30. Proposition de correction pour « Vola ».
  31. Proposition de correction pour « ongle »
  32. Sens inconnu.
  33. The technique.
  34. La tuition est un synonyme de « garde », « défense », très souvent employé à cette époque pour appuyer le mot « défense ».
  35. Proposition de correction pour « Provost »
  36. Proposition de correction de « du–sixiesme »
  37. Proposition de correction pour « persent ».
  38. The triangle represented here is not correct. The one marked 65 seems to better reflect the proposed movement.
  39. Proposition de correction pour « le ongles ».
  40. Le triangle représenté ici n'est pas correct, celui cotté 65 paraît rendre mieux compte du déplacement proposé.
  41. Dupuis thinks 75 represents this correct and that 73 is incorrect.
  42. Proposition de correction pour « Lieutent ». La marque indiquant une contraction a probablement été omise.
  43. On pourrait compléter : « ...et le mettre en 4 ». L'illustration 73 est incorrecte puisque le pied gauche est resté sur la semelle 1 et n'est pas placé sur la semelle 3 (à gauche) comme demandé ; la position des pieds de l'illustration 75 correspond à ce qui aurait dû être représenté.
  44. The Prevost shown at the portraiture does not correspond to the text since he is on the right foot
  45. Proposition de correction pour « dh’aut »
  46. Sic.
  47. Le prévôt représenté ici ne correspond pas au texte puisqu'il se tient sur le pied droit.
  48. The Prevost of 80 isn't on the left foot as written but is coherent with 78.
  49. Le prévôt de la figure 80 n’est pas sur le pied gauche comme écrit et mais reste cohérent avec la figure 78.
  50. It is meant to read as Prevost here.
  51. Il faut évidemment lire ici « Prevost ».
  52. Proposition de correction pour « suprint »
  53. Sic.
  54. Suppression du doublement de l'esperluette dans « sa cuisse gauche, & & tous ».
  55. Sic. Au XVIe siècle, le genre des mots était encore indécis.
  56. The author is announcing here another edition to augment his book which has never has been written.
  57. L’auteur annonce ici une prochaine édition augmentée de son oeuvre qui n’a a priori jamais eu lieu.
  58. Proposition de correction pour « ou ».
  59. Proposition de correction pour « mostré »
  60. Du latin médiéval « inquinatum » signifiant « pour combien »
  61. lit. bark or shell, outer layer. Idiom similar to "Don't judge a book by its cover.
  62. Dilection : attachement, amour pur.
  63. Un vidimus est la copie certifiée d'un acte antérieur.
  64. Il doit s'agit de Pierre ou Jean Brûlart (tout deux avait une charge au Parlement) qui signe pour le roi.