ARTE
OF DEFENCE
An Introduction to the Use of the Rapier
William E. Wilson
180
pages, 8 1/2" x 11" Softcover
Includes more than 200 illustrative
photographs
"I'm a dyed-in-the wool medievalist who's never really had any interest in the rapier. But after reading William's book, I found myself wondering where I could get a couple of Italian rapiers to go out and practice with...."
Christian
Henry Tobler
SECRETS OF GERMAN MEDIEVAL SWORDSMANSHIP
No sword and no style of swordsmanship is
as romanticized as is the rapier of the Italian Renaissance. From the
quarrels, brawls and duels of Shakespeare to the raucous abandon of the Three
Muskateers, the rapier has long been associated with swashbuckling elegance
and rugged excitement.
The Italian fencing master was renowned throughout Europe for his skill at arms. Italian swordmasters traveled throughout Europe, establishing schools in many cities and earning for themselves envy and anger from "domestic" teachers. Drawing upon more than a century of fencing prowess begining with the Bardi school and in the tradition of Fiore dei Liberi and Filipo Vadi, Italian masters such as Achille Marozzo, Manciolino, Ridolfo Capo Ferro, Salvatore Fabris and Camillo Agrippa not only captured prowess for themselves, but immortalized their scientific methods of teaching fencing in fine treatises that survive to the present day.
Today thousands of fencers, stage combatants, martial artists and reenactors are exploring the legacy of these masters through the study and reconstruction of their deadly techniques. At Renaissance Faires throughout the world tens of thousands wear Italian rapiers upon their hips, though few have been able to find out much about how to use its languid blade.
Now for the first time, the techniques
of the famous Italian masters are distilled into lessons, drills and
principles simple enough even for a beginner to follow. Starting with a
background on the sidesword--the spada da lato--William lays the foundations
upon which the masters should be studied, covering stance, grip, footwork, the
four hand positions, guards, defenses and attacks. It presents drills for the
development of all the basic skills, and more importantly, gives keys to
understanding useful for intermediates and instructors who have to teach and
compete with historical technique.
While the work focuses on the single rapier technique of Ridolfo Capo Ferro and Salvatore Fabris, it also presents a chapter on "fighting double," the use of rapier & dagger, rapier & cloak, rapier & buckler and the "case of swords," two rapiers! These techniques will provide a useful tactical edge for competitive fencers as well as reenactors, as nothing seems to work so well in combat as techniques proven through four hundred years of testing.
For intermediate and advanced fencers, there are also hundreds of subtle tricks that will enhance the joy of the fence or the competitive edge. William discusses mental preparation, techniques of instruction, and even offers a complete syllabus for introducing new students to the art.
Regardless of your level of experience, this book promises to become a classic primer and reference.
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