Paradoxes of Defence (Additional MS 34192)

Paradoxes of Defence
Additional MS 34192, British Library London, United Kingdom
Hagedorn Leng —
Wierschin — Hils —
Type	Fencing manual
Date	1599
Place of origin	London, England
Language(s)	English
Author(s)	George Silver
Dedicated to	Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Material	Paper
Size	47 folia
Format	Double-sided
Treatise scans	Black and white facsimile

Paradoxes of Defence (Additional MS 34192) is an English fencing manual written in 1599 by George Silver. The original currently rests in the holdings of the British Library in London, United Kingdom. This is the presentation copy of Silver's famous work Paradoxes of Defence.

Provenance

The known provenance of the Additional MS 34192 is:

• Written in 1599 for Lord Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex.
• before 1892 – owned by Edwin H. Lawrence (sold at auction, London, 1892)
• 1892-present – held by the British Library

Contents

As this manuscript is not currently available for direct study and Matthey's edition does not give folio information, this table of contents cannot be completed at this time.

Folio	Section
	Dedication To the Right Honorable Robert, Earle of Essex
	An Admonition to the Noble, Ancient, Victorious, Valiant, and Most Brave Nation of Englishmen
	Issues with claimed Swordmasters
	The Acquisition of Skill
	The Principles of Fighting
	Of Weapons and Vantages
	Questions and Answers between the Scholar and the Master
	Of Skilled Men and Valiant Men
	Of Rapiers and Poniards
	Conclusions
	A Brief Note on Three Italian Teachers of Offense

Additional Resources

• di Grasso, Giacomo; Saviolo, Vincentio; Silver, George. Three Elizabethan Fencing Manuals. Ed. James Louis Jackson. Scholars Facsimilies & Reprint, 1972. ISBN 978-0820111070
• Silver, George. The Works of George Silver. Ed. Cyril G. R. Matthey. London: George Bell and Sons, 1898.
• Wagner, Paul. Master Of Defence: The Works of George Silver. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1581607239