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Lulu booklist
Wiktenauer books
100% of proceeds go toward Wiktenauer's costs:
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The Recital of the Chivalric Art of Fencing of the Grand Master Johannes Liechtenauer by Michael Chidester et al. Paperback Drawing on the manuscript scans, transcriptions, and translations hosted by Wiktenauer, this book offers the first ever compilation of the 15th century glosses of Johannes Liechtenauer's famous Recital. Each page contains a single play of the long sword or short sword, carefully laid out with the relevant glosses of Sigmund ain Ringeck, Peter von Danzig, Pseudo-Peter von Danzig, and Pseudo-Hans Döbringer side by side, and where applicable illustrated with gorgeous full-color scans from the Goliath Fechtbuch, the Glasgow Fechtbuch, and the treatises of Paulus Kal and Hans Talhoffer. In this way, it offers the most complete perspective possible on the tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer as it was recorded in the mid 15th century. |
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The Flower of Battle of Master Fiore de'i Liberi - Volume I by Michael Chidester et al. Paperback Drawing on the manuscript scans, transcriptions, and translations hosted by Wiktenauer, this book offers the first ever compilation of the four known copies of the treatise of Fiore de’i Liberi, including a previously unpublished translation of the Florius manuscript. Each page contains a single play—of grappling, baton, dagger, sword vs. dagger, and sword in one hand in volume I, and of sword, axe, spear, or mounted fencing in volume II—carefully laid out with the relevant translations and high-resolution scans from the Morgan Ms. M.303, the Getty Ms. Ludwig XV 13, the BnF Ms. Latin 11269, and Novati's 1902 facsimile of the Pisani Dossi Ms. In this way, it offers the most complete version possible of Fiore's teachings. |
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The Flower of Battle of Master Fiore de'i Liberi - Volume II by Michael Chidester et al. http://www.lulu.com/shop/michael-chidester-and-kendra-brown-and-rebecca-garber-and-colin-hatcher/the-flower-of-battle-of-master-fiore-dei-liberi-volume-ii/paperback/product-22651818.html Paperback] Drawing on the manuscript scans, transcriptions, and translations hosted by Wiktenauer, this book offers the first ever compilation of the four known copies of the treatise of Fiore de’i Liberi, including a previously unpublished translation of the Florius manuscript. Each page contains a single play—of grappling, baton, dagger, sword vs. dagger, and sword in one hand in volume I, and of sword, axe, spear, or mounted fencing in volume II—carefully laid out with the relevant translations and high-resolution scans from the Morgan Ms. M.303, the Getty Ms. Ludwig XV 13, the BnF Ms. Latin 11269, and Novati's 1902 facsimile of the Pisani Dossi Ms. In this way, it offers the most complete version possible of Fiore's teachings. |
Other HEMA books
Since Lulu doesn't support making custom book lists, I put together this list of transcriptions and translations and such available through the site. I'll update it as things come to my attention. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by Wiktenauer, merely a notice that these books exist.
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Swords, Science, and Society: German Martial Arts in the Middle Ages by Jamie Acutt Paperback In medieval Germany, combat was a matter of life and death, and knowing the Art of Fencing was to have control over it: to have the power to save or take lives. Those who knew the Art of Fencing kept such knowledge as a closely guarded secret. In 15th century Bavaria, a small and secretive fellowship of fencing masters encoded their knowledge into a cryptic verse. Their Art, the ‘one true art of the sword’, was reserved only for the initiated. At the head of this fellowship was a grand-master known as Johannes Liechtenauer. Presented within this book is an investigation of the Company of Liechtenauer, tracing their connections and influences through archival records spanning more than a century. Scholarly Fencing is contrasted with what was referred to as ‘Common Fencing’. Separating the common from the initiated, this book demonstrates the Aristotelian and Scholastic approach that defined the secret Art of Liechtenauer, and describes the science of sword-fighting in the 15th and 16th centuries. |
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Nicolaes Petter, the Biography by Jerome Blanes Paperback The ultimate Nicolaes Petter source. Nicolaes Petter was a Wine Merchant and a well-known and undefeated Wrestler in Amsterdam during the 17th century. In 1674 his knowledge about wrestling and self-defence was published in a book with 71 etchings by the famous artist and illustrator Romeyn de Hooghe. According to many martial artists and historians, it is one of the most important martial arts books ever published. This book is the biography of Nicolaes Petter and an introduction to the world around him. Also describes 17th century Amsterdam, the Oude and Nieuwe Doolhof, Wine trade, Crime and violence, Lutherism in Amsterdam. Includes Petter's original books. Full training manual of: Petter's self defence suggestions, examples wrestling, weight lifting with barrels. Foreword by MMA legend and champion Bas Rutten. BIBLIOGRAPHY WITH SOURCES FROM PAGE 641. For more information: www.nicolaespetter.blogspot.com |
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The Illustrated Meyer by Michael Chidester Hardcover - Paperback This book is a reference and study tool for Joachim Meyer’s treatise of 1570. It includes all 69 of Tobias Stimmer's original prints at their original size, and also the full set of prints from the University of Leipzig’s copy, which were lavishly painted by an unknown artist some time before 1574, printed here at 150% of their original size. Alongside these illustrations are tables indicating all of the references to each one in the text, including the page numbers in both Meyer’s book and Dr. Jeffrey Forgeng’s 2006 translation, as well as the name of the play or description of the action. For completeness, the illustrations from the Lund and Rostock manuscripts are also included in appendixes at the back. This should prove to be an invaluable tool for the study and reconstruction of Meyer’s teachings. |
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Treatise on the Art of Arms by Antoine Texier La Boëssière, Phillip Crawley Paperback M. La Boëssière'e "Treatise on the Art of Arms" bridges the gap between combative Smallsword and Classical Foil. It retains the very analytic principles-based approach of prior Smallsword methods and applies it to what has become in the Post-Napoleonic Era an increasingly recreational practice of swordsmanship. His method is contained in over fifty lessons complete with interactive exercises for the master and student. These are not in the archaic dialogue form. Instead they are scripted demonstrations the fine points of technique. Often the lessons contain detailed analysis of the rationale for the principles behind each action. Phillip Crawley's translation to which are added all the original plates restored by Victor Markland make this a welcome addition to any smallsworder's fencing library. |
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De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi by Philippo di Vadi, I.M. Davis Hardcover - Paperback This book is a simple, straight forward translation of Philippo di Vadi's "De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi" (1482), which covers a theoretical framework for the Italian longsword as well as plays of the sword, sword in armor, spear, poleaxe, and dagger. |
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Encased in Steel Anthology I by Keith Farrell Paperback Celebrating four years of Encased in Steel. The writing team behind the Encased in Steel blog (Keith Farrell, Alex Bourdas and Ben Kerr, with guest author Benjamin Hawkins) have compiled some of the best articles from the last four years into the first Encased in Steel anthology. The articles have been edited heavily and updated significantly, to ensure a high quality of both scholarship and written language. Some new and unique articles have been written specifically for this volume, that are not available on the blog. The book is divided into five thematic parts, each dealing with a different element of the study of historical European martial arts. Topics include chivalry, history and research, studies of weapons, test cutting, and practical concerns. For more information and reviews: Encased in Steel Anthology I |
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Flower of Battle MS Ludwig XV 13 Field Edition by Colin Hatcher Paperback: Volume 2 Fiore de Liberi was a weapons-master from Italy who was active in the 14th and early 15th century. After fifty years of training Italy's elite, he put his art to paper and created the Flower of Battle. The Flower of Battle covers unarmed combat, the use of the dagger, sword, spear, axe as well as other odds and ends. The layout was first created by Tracy Mellow and the text was lovingly translated by Colin Hatcher. The Field Edition is spiral-bound to give instructors an easier time using the book. |
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The Noble Science by Mark Hillyard Paperback: Volume 1 - Volume 2 The journal for the discerning and gentle practitioner. Containing diverse papers on the native European Arts and Sciences of Defence. |
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Fencing Illustrated by Christopher Holzman, Giuseppe Pallavicini Hardcover - Paperback Fencing Illustrated, by Giuseppe Morsicato Pallavicini is one of the late 17th century fencing books from the Neapolitan-Sicilian school of fencing. Originally published in 1670, this book is copiously illustrated, and focuses on the use of the sword alone. Pallavicini cites and quotes to earlier Italian authors, as well as German and Spanish authors. The influence of La Verdadera Destreza is plainly evident in Pallavicini's work. |
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Italian Chivalric Code by Christopher Holzman & Achille Angelini Paperback This dueling code, by Lt. Gen. Achille Angelini, was originally published in Firenze, Italy, in 1883. It explores the moral, social, and legal issues of honor and the reparation of honor in the Kingdom of Italy, that sometimes required members of polite society to commit the crime of the duel to vindicate their honor. Angelini's code also include clear instructions on how to conduct the dispute and the duel, with sword, sabre, or pistol. |
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Regulations of Exercises and Evolutions for the Cavalry by Christopher Holzman Hardcover - Paperback The 1873 Regulations of Exercises and Evolutions for the Cavalry, Book I., are the cavalry regulations of the Kingdom of Italy, and features the sabre fencing method of Milanese fencing master Giuseppe Radaelli, as applied to the use of the cavalry sabre at the regimental level. Maestro Radaelli was a veteran of the Monferrato Cavalry, and saw action at the Battle of San Martino (24th June 1859) in the campaign against Austria, as part of the Italian wars for independence. This book contains marching, calisthenics, gymnastics (vaulting on a horse dummy), sabre and lance exercise, platoon maneuvers on foot, judgement of distances, and instruction for buglers (including sheet music). There are illustrations for the vaulting, sabre, and lance exercises. This is another very important data point documenting the Radaellian tradition of sabre. |
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The Roman-Neapolitan School of Fencing by Christopher Holzman Hardcover - Paperback The Roman-Neapolitan School of Fencing is an English translation of the collected works of 19th century Italian fencing master Masaniello Parise. Maestro Parise was the director of the Italian military's fencing masters school from 1885 until 1910. The translations contained in this book are of Maestro Parise's 1884 textbook, "Theoretical-Practical Treatise on the Fencing of the Sword and Sabre", his 1897 Chivalric Code, or dueling code, and his 1904 work "Fencing on the Ground", a work which describes specifically how to fence as if preparing for a duel. The work includes an extensive synoptic table of fencing actions, and is copiously illustrated with figures from both the 1884 and 1904 editions of the work. This is an incredibly important text for both the classical fencing movement today, and historically for Italian fencing in general. |
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Rules of Fencing by Christopher Holzman & Francesco Marcelli Hardcover - Paperback Rules of Fencing, originally published in 1686 by Neapolitan fencing master Francesco Antonio Marcelli, treats the use of the sword alone, sword and dagger, small sword, and the use of companion weapons including cape, buckler, and lantern. It also discusses fencing at night, and provides some instruction on the use of the sabre. In addition to the technical and tactical discussion of fencing, Marcelli's work contains a wealth of pedagogical advice. This is a must-have work for students of the Italian school of fencing. |
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Sabre Fencing on Horseback by Christopher Holzman. Hardcover Sabre Fencing on Horseback is an English translation of fencing master Cav. Ferdinando Masiello's 1891 book, "La Scherma di Sciabola a Cavallo." This book presents a course in the mounted use of the sabre, in the method of Maestro Giuseppe Radaelli. The course consists of solo and paired drills that teach the cavalry soldier use of the sabre against cavalry and infantry. |
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The Science of Fencing by Christopher Holzman, et al. Hardcover - Paperback La Scienza della Scherma, in English as The Science of Fencing, by Giuseppe Rosaroll-Scorza and Pietro Grisetti, first published in 1803, presents a thorough treatment of Neapolitan fencing. This book was hugely influential in Italy, and was cited and appealed to as authority by Maestri Masiello and Parise, among many others. Technically, the book treats fencing with the sword alone, and includes parries with the unarmed hand, grappling and throws, and counters to those. There is also a wealth of tactical advice provided by the authors, who were officers in the military of the Italian Republic. |
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The Expert Sword-Man's Companion, 1728 by Ben Kerr Paperback A story so incredible, it was believed to be historical fiction. Donald McBane is a figure from history much loved by those who have had the joy of studying his autobiography. Growing up in Inverness and later joining the British regiments, McBane travelled across Europe pimping, duelling, blowing himself up, and performing other incredible feats of a not always admirable nature. The last we hear of him is when he comes out of his retirement in his fifties to fight one last bout in Edinburgh against an uppity Irish youngster, where he defeated his opponent and walked off with barely a scratch himself. Yet for all his heroic and sometimes crazy actions, he is remembered only for a single act of cowardice on maps marked as the "Soldier's Leap". This is a highly accurate reproduction of McBane's original work from 1728, created by the historian Ben Kerr. It features reproductions of all the original image plates as well as a full and accurate transcription of McBane's original text including his teaching on self-defence, an account of his life and adventures and the art of gunnerie. For more information and reviews: The Expert Sword-Man's Companion, 1728 |
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The Art of Defence on Foot, 1798 by Ben Kerr, Keith Farrell Paperback In 1798, Charles Roworth published his first edition of The Art of Defence on Foot with the Broadsword and Sabre, uniting the Scotch and Austrian methods into one Regular System. Although not a fencing master himself, Roworth's book provides an easy-to-follow system for a student of the broadsword or sabre. His instructions are clear and presume no prior knowledge of the sword; the book works well for beginners, yet even experienced swordsmen will benefit from Roworth's explanations of and rationales for techniques. This facsimile has been recreated from the original treatise owned by the Academy of Historical Arts in Glasgow. Each page has been photographed carefully and edited to provide an exacting reproduction of the highest quality. Additionally, the work includes a biography of Charles Roworth by Keith Farrell, and a brief essay by Ben Kerr on the Long-S character found within the original printed text. For more information and reviews: The Art of Defence on Foot, 1798 |
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The Guards and Lessons of the Highland Broadsword, 1799 by Ben Kerr, Keith Farrell Paperback In 1798, Henry Angelo, a member of famed Angelo dynasty of sword masters, published Hungarian and Highland Broadsword, twenty-four plates designed by Thomas Rowlandson. This was a collection of 24 posters illustrating guards, defences and striking techniques for a man on foot or on horseback. In fact, only five of the 24 posters dealt with men on foot; the remaining 19 posters illustrated the use of the sword when mounted. The following year, in 1799, he published a poster called The Guards and Lessons of the Highland Broadsword, in which he set out his "10 lessons" (sometimes called the "10 divisions"), a set of sequences with which the Army regiments could drill and learn the system. This facsimile has been recreated from the collection of original posters owned by the Academy of Historical Arts in Glasgow. Each poster has been photographed carefully and edited to provide an exacting reproduction of the highest quality. The larger poster of 10 lessons has been provided in its original form, and also broken up to demonstrate the lessons on individual pages with higher resolution. Additionally, the work includes a brief biography by Keith Farrell describing the Angelo Dynasty, their schools and their publications. For more information and reviews: The Guards and Lessons of the Highland Broadsword, 1799 |
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Swordplay in the Age of Shakespeare by Stephen Hand Hardcover A detailed analysis of the four fencing manuals published in England during the period that William Shakespeare was writing his famous plays. Giacomo Di Grassi's True Arte of Defence, Vincentio Saviolo's His Practice, George Silver's Paradoxes of Defence (and his unpublished manuscript Bref Instructions Upon my Paradoxes of Defence) and Joseph Swetnam's Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence were all published at the time Shakespeare was working and show the type of swordplay that he was exposed to. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare plays on anecdotes mentioned by Silver, as well as describing a fencing sequence that is move for move out of Saviolo. This volume is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in recreating the systems of swordsmanship in use in Shakespeare's day, whether they are recreating the systems as martial arts, historical re-enactment or as fight choreography in Shakespearean plays. |
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The Ambraser Codex by Master Hans Talhoffer by Hugh Knight Hardcover - Paperback Fight Master to the Stars! Hans Talhoffer was one the most famous and prolific of the 15th-century German fight masters with at least six fight books attributed to him that have survived to the present day. His Ambraser Codex from 1449 is one of the lesser-known fight books, but it contains a wealth of information about armored combat, dagger fighting, wrestling and mounted combat that makes it tremendously valuable to students of historical combat. Written for Talhoffer’s patron, Leutold von Königsegg, the Ambraser Codex gives us a fascinating blow-by-blow account of what judicial duels were like from start to finish. More than just a translation, the author has used other fighting manuals of the period to interpret Talhoffer’s techniques. This important book belongs on the shelves of everyone with an interest in the middle ages. |
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The Gladiatoria Fechtbuch by Hugh Knight Hardcover - Paperback This is the first-ever complete translation of the anonymous fifteenth-century fightbook commonly known as the Gladiatoria Fechtbuch. It contains detailed information on armored spear combat, halfsword combat, dagger combat, and ground fighting along with unarmored techniques for Long Shields, sword and buckler and staff combat. This book is a must have item for anyone with an interest in medieval combat or knighthood. Please Note: A few of the pictures in this book are of poor quality, however I have done what I could to clean these pictures and all of them are clear enough to interpret. I have made an effort to show some of the plates in the preview available here so that you, the customer, have a fair notion of what you're getting. |
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Alfieri by Tom Leoni Paperback This book is the integral translation (with the original illustrations) of Francesco Alfieri's important Italian rapier treatise, La Scherma (1640). Experienced rapier teacher, researcher and translator Tom Leoni is offering this translation with an introduction on Alfieri and his work, and with ample annotations throughout the text. This book is ideally suited for historical-fencing enthusiasts, rapier fencers and instructors, as well as history-buffs interested in European martial arts, dueling and military culture in general. |
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Angelo Viggiani: Lo Schermo (Book III, English Translation) by Tom Leoni Paperback With this book, experienced historical-fencing author Tom Leoni has translated the fencing section of Angelo Viggiani's important text, Lo Schermo (written circa 1550). This book, in dialog form, is important because it is the only one that describes, in great details, the biomechanics of the Bolognese single-sword fencing style of the time. As such, it is not only a valuable historical-fencing resource in itself--but it also serves as a key to interpret other texts of the time (e.g., Marozzo, Manciolino, Dall'Agocchie) more accurately. Includes a historical and stylistic introduction, and the full translation of Book III, amply annotated to be more useful to the student of the sword. The original illustrations of the tree-diagrams of attacks and guards, as well as of the seven guards described by Viggiani. |
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Fiore de' Liberi's Fior di Battaglia by Tom Leoni Paperback A revised edition has since been published through Freelance Academy Press, but it appears to be out of print. They now offer a much larger and more expensive edition including Tom's translation. This book is the first English translation of Fiore de' Liberi's "Fior di Battaglia," the 1409 swordsmanship and martial arts text that is the oldest extant in the Italian tradition. The book survives in four known manuscripts. One of them, housed at the Getty museum in Los Angeles, CA, is held to be the most complete, and is the basis of this translation. Writing for an audience of illustrious students including the powerful marquis Nicolo' d' Este, Fiore presents detailed instruction on wrestling as well as the use of several weapons including longsword, axe, dagger, staff, lance and others. Fiore's text has been translated by experienced historical martial artist Tom Leoni of the Order of the Seven Hearts and reviewed by Maestro Sean Hayes of the Northwest Academy of Arms and by Greg Mele of the Chicago Swordplay Guild. Fourth revision. Text only. |
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Marozzo Book 1 by Tom Leoni Paperback Publishing in 1536, Achille Marozzo is one of the most important Italian fencing authors of the Renaissance, as well as a towering figure in what we call the “Bolognese style.” His book Opera Nova was reprinted in the course of the 16th century and at the beginning of the next, as evidence of the popularity of his instruction. Experienced Renaissance swordsmanship instructor and professional translator Tom Leoni has tackled this complex project to offer the modern historical European martial artist (and historian) Marozzo’s text in fluent, readable English. Because of the complexity of the work, it will be offered one book at a time (total of five books). This first volume deals with the “queen” of Bolognese weapon-combinations, the sword and small buckler. Other volumes—sword and other companion weapons, two-handed sword, polearms, and advice on dueling (plus dagger grapples) are forthcoming. |
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Salvator Fabris Scienza d'Arme by Tom Leoni Paperback Salvator Fabris (1544-1618) was one of the most influential masters of the Italian rapier. His long career culminated with his employment as royal fencing master at the court of the king of Denmark, Christian IV. It was the king himself who also sponsored the printing of his treatise Lo schermo, overo scienza d’arme (on fencing, or knowledge of arms), a lavishly-illustrated manual on the theory and practice of the Italian rapier first published in Copenhagen in 1606. Apart from explaining rapier alone, rapier and dagger and rapier and cape in painstaking detail, the treatise became the basis for a northern German fencing tradition that is documentable until well into the 1800’s. Admired by his contemporaries and celebrated by later fencing masters as “a name of the greatest reputation in our profession,” Fabris has also become a household name in the modern revival of historical martial arts. This book is a fully illustrated reprint of Tom Leoni’s English translation, originally published in 2005. |
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Vienna Anonymous On Fencing: a Rapier Masterclass from the 17th Century by Tom Leoni Paperback If there ever was an invaluable glossa to two of the major Italian rapier fencing treatises, the Vienna Anonymous—also known as Della Scherma or MS 381 in the Fürstliche Sammlung des Palais Liechtenstein (Vienna)—deserves the title. An anonymous fencer took it upon himself to write a detailed explanation of the art of the single rapier by referencing (and expanding on) the writings of Salvator Fabris and Ridolfo Capoferro. Finished in 1614, the Anonymous bridges the gap between the high-level rapier treatises of the time and the minutiae of salle instruction, thereby gifting us with a wealth of technical and tactical details that would otherwise have faded forever into the dark night of history. The intricate handwriting of the Anonymous has been meticulously deciphered, transcribed and translated by experienced Italian rapier scholar Tom Leoni. This book includes a historical introduction, glossary, translation and transcription of the text, amply annotated for the benefit of today's rapier student. |
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The Art of Fencing: A Manual of Sword Fencing; Historical Techniques by an 18th Century Master (Hardcover) by Monsieur L’Abbat & Andrew Mahon Hardcover - Paperback Monsieur L’Abbat was an early 18th century tutor of fencing and sword fighting, who instructed many students in France with the techniques contained in this guidebook. Discussing techniques, tactics, stances, and movements essential for the skilled swordsman, L’Abbat treats the pivotal motions with great attention. With the aid of pictorial examples alongside, we learn how to assume a good battle stance, how to lunge or thrust in attack or defend with a parry or riposte. The finer points of conduct during a sword fight are given much attention, with L’Abbat relating experiences with other masters of the craft. Monsieur L’Abbat lived at the time the culture of the musketeers was at its height. Emblematic of French bonhomie and martial prowess, these soldiers were expected to gain mastery of both the musket firearm and the thin, lengthy sabre. Many would hone their techniques with both weapons for years in special military barracks. |
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Lessons on the Thrust by Reinier van Noort Paperback In 1664, Jéann Daniel L'Ange published the Deutliche und gründliche Erklärung der adelichen und ritterlichen freyen Fecht-Kunst in Heidelberg, Germany. This was one of the first concise and systematic treatises on the typically German style of rapier fencing that evolved from the teachings of Fabris and his German students. L'Ange presents his personal point of view on this fencing style, which includes a rather large selection of brutal grappling moves. This first English translation of L'Ange's treatise, made by Reinier van Noort and published exactly 350 years after the original edition, provides a fascinating viewpoint on a fencing style that is underrepresented in the modern studies on historical martial arts. In this translation, Jéann Daniel L'Ange's view on fencing is presented in a way that is both close to the original, and clearly understandable by a modern reader. Meticulously cleaned scans of the 61 page size plates from the original treatise are also included. For more information and reviews: Lessons on the Thrust |
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Of the Single Rapier by Reinier van Noort Paperback In 1671, Johannes Georgius Bruchius published the Grondige Beschryvinge van de Edele ende Ridderlijcke Scherm- ofte Wapen-Konste in Leiden, in the Netherlands. In his work, Bruchius described a style of rapier fencing that evolved from the teachings of Fabris. He presents this style through a brief explanation of the principles of fencing followed by 212 lessons. Bruchius' weapon was the rapier: a dangerous yet elegant sword of the 17th century. Its usage was dynamic and effective, with a focus on personal safety through controlling the opponent's blade. Not only does this treatise discuss bladework by way of thrusts and parries, Bruchius teaches grappling and disarming techniques, and provides many solutions to common problems that occur during fencing practice. Reinier van Noort first made a draft English translation of Bruchius' treatise available in 2009. In this new book, he presents his fully reworked and improved English translation of this important treatise, along with a detailed biographical study on the fencing master Bruchius. For more information and reviews: Of the Single Rapier |
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Fencing on the Thrust and Cut by Reinier van Noort Paperback Johann Georg Paschen (1628-1678) was a fencing master and prolific author in the 17th century, producing numerous treatises on for example fencing, fighting with the pike, and vaulting. Not much is known about Erhardus Henning, who published a small treatise on Cut-fencing in Königsberg in 1658. This book contains both these treatises, translated into English by Reinier van Noort, founder of the School voor Historische Schermkunsten in the Netherlands. In addition, photographs of the plates of Paschen are included with the text. |
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Johann Andreas Schmidt’s Life-saving and enemies-defying Art of Fencing by Reinier van Noort Paperback Johann Andreas Schmidt was a student of Johannes Georgius Bruchius in Amsterdam, and once acquired a position as court fencing master by repeatedly disarming two other fencing masters in the presence of his future employer. Furthermore, as a bet he once ejected six strong peasants from a tavern using only a staff, and he could punch a dent into an oak table with his right fist. At least, if the Nürnbergische Gelehrten-Lexicon is to be believed. Whether or not these claims are true, Schmidt also wrote the Leib-beschirmende und Feinden Trotz-bietende Fecht-Kunst, which is one of the earliest German books on fencing with what can clearly be identified as a smallsword. In this book, Reinier van Noort presents a clear English translation of Schmidt’s complete treatise, including the sections on fencing, proceeding with resolution, vaulting and grappling. Also included are a discussion on Johann Andreas Schmidt, and his work in its context. |
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Scandinavian Smallsword by Reinier van Noort Hardcover In the 18th century, Scandinavia was divided between the kingdoms of Sweden (which included most of modern Finland) and Denmark-Norway (which included Greenland, Iceland and parts of modern Germany). Once the Treaty of Nystad ended the Great Northern War in 1721, it was a relatively stable and peaceful period for the two Nordic nations. Scandinavian Smallsword presents English translations of three fencing treatises published in Scandinavia in the 18th century.
Together, these three books provide an interesting overview of the diversity of fencing instruction in 18th century Scandinavia. |
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The Spada Maestra of Bondì di Mazo by Reinier van Noort Hardcover - Paperback Bondì di Mazo's La Spada Maestra was published in Venice in 1696. It thus affords a valuable insight into the culmination of the use of the Italian rapier before it was ultimately supplanted by the adoption of the smallsword and the development of classical fencing. In this extensively illustrated work, di Mazo discusses and demonstrates a lively style of fencing characterized by dynamic use of measure, evasions such as the inquartata, use of both edge and point, and grips and disarms. From the single rapier, he moves on to provide advice and examples of fencing with the addition of the dagger, the targa (a form of buckler), and the cape. This book is the first complete English translation of La Spada Maestra. It includes a brief introduction with historical notes, and annotations in the form of footnotes, appendices, and glossaries. Above all, it is clearly written so as to be readily understood and usable to scholars and practitioners of the Western martial arts. |
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Transcription of Bruchius' Scherm- ofte Wapen-Konste by Reinier van Noort Hardback This is a full transcription of the Rapier fencing treatise written in Dutch by Johannes Georgius Bruchius, and published in Leiden in 1671. Additionally, this book contains black and white photo reproductions of all the plates contained in the original book. |
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De Werken van Christiaan Siebenhaar by Reinier van Noort Hardcover This is a full transcription of the third edition of Christiaan Siebenhaar's "Handleiding voor het Onderwijs in de Schermkunst" (1861), which include photo reproductions of all plates included in the original. In addition, a full transcription of Christiaan Siebenhaar's "Wenken en Aanwijzingen voor den Onderwijzer in de Schermkunst" (1877) is included in this book. Please note that all text in this book is in Dutch. |
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Antonio Manciolino by Steven Reich Paperback Published in 1531, this was the first treatise on swordsmanship published in the Italian language. Antonio Manciolino was a master of the Bolognese school of swordsmanship and his treatise covers nearly all of the classic weapons of that tradition, including the Assalti of sword and small buckler and the techniques for earnest swordsmanship for the sword and broad buckler or targa, sword and dagger, sword and rotella, sword and cape, sword-alone and two swords. In addition, Manciolino includes material for various polearms including the Partisan, Ronca, Spiedo, and Lance. |
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The Sword of Combat or The Use of Fighting With Weapons by Rob Runacres, Thibault Ghesquiere Paperback - eBook In the 17th century Italy was the place to learn the art of the sword. Travellers visited training salles and across Europe Italian works on fencing were translated and Italian schools sprang up. France was no exception. Francois Dancie’s 1623 treatise L’Espee de Combat (The Sword of Combat) is therefore an anomaly. Dancie’s views are blunt and acidic. He says that many who teach fencing are a ‘bunch of libertines’. He has no truck with the geometry that had crept into fencing since Agrippa’s work of 1553 and had contempt for that author’s use of illustration. Dancie’s style follows an Italian form, but rather than following other authors by providing an explanation of tempo and measure, Dancie prefers to concentrate on what temperament is required in a confrontation. His is a direct, fighter’s treatise, dedicated to a military man of similar temperament, his methods and descriptions speak more of the street than the salle. |
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Treatise or Instruction for Fencing: By Hieronymus Calvacabo of Bologna and Patenostrier of Rome by Rob Runacres Paperback - eBook In 1597 the great French traveller Seigneur de Villamont translated a fencing manuscript by his teacher, Girolamo (in French ‘Hieronyme’) Cavalcabo of Bologna, along with a shorter piece by Paternostrier of Rome. This treatise seems to have brought Cavalcabo to the attention of the French court and he, and later his son César, would be invited to teach the future Louis XIII. This treatise may represent survival of the great fencing tradition of Bologna, and could have influenced the development of French swordplay in the early seventeenth century. Now translated into English, this treatise offers an insight into the fighting style of the period. |
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Archives of the Masters of Arms of Paris by Chris Slee & Henri Daressy Paperback - eBook The Corporation of the Master in Deeds of Arms of Paris was founded under the auspices of Charles IX in 1567 and, for the next 225 years, it regulated the conduct and teaching of fencing in Paris until its demise in the French Revolution. The Corporation included many of the most celebrated names of the French fencing world such as Pompée, Cavalcabo, Saint-Ange, de la Touche, le Perche, Liancour, De Brye, Danet, Boëssière, and many others. Henry Daressy, whose father and grandfather were also famous fencing teachers, collected the Corporation's scattered documents over a thirty year period. His Les Archives des Maîtres d'Armes de Paris (1888) presents these documents which outline the changing the rules and regulations of the Corporation and detail some of its legal battles with unlicensed fencing teachers. He includes a number of brief portraits of famous members of the organisation. |
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The Art of Fencing Reduced to a Methodical Summary by Chris Slee & Jean de Brye Paperback - eBook Jean de Brye's The Art of Fencing (1721) is a manual for fencing instructors and coaches showing how to break down the discipline into four broad developmental stages. He begins with the basics of posture, balance, guard positions and simple actions before progressing to chaining together these actions to make complex attack phrases and later moving on to sparring with another opponent. It is not a book which teaches early French smallsword techniques but it describes a small collection of techniques for illustrative purposes. Historical European Martial Arts instructors and historians will find The Art of Fencing useful in understanding Enlightenment period fencing pedagogy as well as proving a useful framework for teaching period swordsmanship in the modern day. There are a great many practical examples of how de Brye's teaching framework was and can be put into action in the training hall. This is a book which deserves to be found on every fencing instructor's bookshelf. |
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La Canne Royale by Chris Slee, Larribeau, Eugène Humé Paperback - eBook La Canne holds a unique position in the development of martial arts in the nineteenth century. It was at once a weapon for self-defense taught in the boxing and savate clubs across France and Belgium as well as a tool for gymnastics and physical education. The canne was taught to the officer class in military academies and to children in public schools. This volume presents two mid-century methods for learning the canne which encompass both these aspects of its use. Larribeau's 1856 A New Theory of the Art of the Canne concentrates more on self-defence and introduces lessons against a mannequin as a teaching method. Humé's 1862 Treatise and Theory of La Canne Royale centres more on the gymnastic and athletic aspects of the canne. Both provide a fascinating insight into the canne before it was codified by Vigny and incorporated into the composite English martial art of Bartitsu. |
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Secrets of the Sword Alone by Chris Slee Paperback A modern English translation of Henry de Sainct-Didier's 1573 fencing training manual. Sainct-Didier taught a style of swordsmanship informed by more than two decades as a soldier on the battlefields of France's Italian Wars. He demonstrates techniques which are straight forward and direct, without the niceties of the Italian and Spanish salles of the period. This is a textbook of lesson plans teaching basic cuts and thrusts, how to counter them, and the ways to respond to and defeat these defenses. It is written so that each action builds step by step into complex two-person drills in which initiative passes back and forth between the combatants. No interpretation of Sainct-Didier's text has been attempted, allowing his words to stand on their own merits. |
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German Sabre of the Berliner Turnschule by Jeremy Steflik Paperback The fencing style of the Berliner Turnschule developed with close ties to the Prussian military early in the 19th century. Variations of the style are found in manuals spanning more than 80 years and its terminology can still be found to some extent in modern German sport and academic fencing. In his 1843 manual, Ernst Friedrich Seidler adapts the style for the cavalry weapons of the day: the heavily curved m1811 light cavalry sabre and the straight-bladed Kürassierdegen of the heavy cavalry. Presented here for the first time in English, Seidler's Fechten mit dem Säbel und dem Kürassierdegen, together with translations of selected sections of E.W.B. Eiselen's Deutsche Hiebfechten der Berliner Turnschule, gives an introduction to a unique sabre system and a glimpse into the larger Berliner Turnschule tradition. |
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A Treatise on the Science of Arms, with a Philosophical Dialogue, by Camillo Agrippa: an Annotated Translation by Camillo Agrippa, W. Jherek Swanger Hardcover - Paperback Camillo Agrippa’s “Trattato di Scientia d’Arme, con un Dialogo di Filosofia”, published in 1553, is widely regarded as the seminal text of scientific fencing. Agrippa analyzed fencing in terms of geometry, biomechanics, and timing, laying the groundwork for centuries of fencing theory that followed him. This translation is thoroughly annotated, with a particular emphasis on aiding scholars and practitioners of historical fencing to follow Agrippa’s descriptions of combative sequences. An extensive introduction provides background on terminology, the author, and the text itself, places Agrippa’s system within the historical continuum of Italian fencing, and provides a thorough overview of the theoretical and technical aspects of the system. The latter part of the text, Agrippa’s “Philosophical Dialogue”, addresses various topics of geometry and pre-Copernican astronomy. Includes bibliography, appendices covering both the Treatise and Dialogue, and glossary. Please see the preview for sample pages |
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The Duel, or the Flower of Arms for Single Combat, Both Offensive and Defensive, by Achille Marozzo by W. Jherek Swanger, Achille Marozzo Hardcover Achille Marozzo’s Opera Nova (1536) was the most highly renowned text of the cut-and-thrust school of “Bolognese swordsmanship”. It describes armed combat with the single-handed sword, alone and with a variety of companion arms (bucklers, shield, dagger, second sword, cape, etc.); the dagger alone or with cape; the two-handed sword; a variety of pole arms; and grappling techniques, both armed and unarmed. This translation was prepared with the practitioner of historical fencing in mind. It encompasses the entirety of the Opera Nova with the exception of the discussion of the dueling code in Book 5, is highly annotated, and includes all of the numerous original illustrations. The translator has provided an extensive introduction covering history, technical elements, and theory, as well as a glossary and a gallery of guards. Please see the preview. |
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The Way to Employ Arms with Certainty by Giacomo di Grassi, W. Jherek Swanger Hardcover - Paperback Giacomo di Grassi’s “Ragione di adoprar sicuramente l'arme…” was originally published in 1570, discussing the use of the sword alone and with various companion weapons, as well as pole arms and the two-handed sword. Upon being translated and published with inferior illustrations in 1594 as “Giacomo di Grassi, His True Art of Defense…” it became the first text on swordplay to be published in English. Unfortunately, the Elizabethan English of the 1594 translation is not always easy on the modern reader, and, critically, suffers from inapt choices of terminology and numerous errors of translation. This wholly new translation has rectified these problems; it was made exclusively with reference to the original Italian text, rendering it into clear modern English, and reproduces the superior illustrations of the original. This translation renders di Grassi readily accessible, to the benefit of scholars, stage combat directors, and historical fencers alike. |
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Flower of Battle MS Latin 11269 Field Edition by Benjamin Winnick & Richard Marsden Paperback The (full color) Field Edition of the Flower of Battle MS Latin 11269 is perfect for instructors. With its spiral binding, it is easy to keep the pages open to where you need when training or teaching. Fiore de Liberi was a fencing master who in the early 15th century put his thoughts and techniques down in his Flower of Battle. There are four surviving copies of the Flower of Battle and the MS Latin 11269 shows Fiore's work in full color with a greater sense of perspective. Benjamin Winnick has translated the Latin and Richard Marsden has provided his own interpretation as well as comparison to the other versions of the Flower of Battle. The Flower of Battle covers mounted combat, wrestling, the dagger, the sword in one hand and two, as well as the spear, pole-axe and other odds and ends. |
