In 1594, Thomas Churchyard published this English translation of Giacomo Di Grassi's sidesword treatise of 1570, Ragioni di adoprar sicuramente l'arme. We know little about Di Grassi himself, beyond the fact that he was from the dutchy of Modena, or of Churchyard (though circumstantial evidence seems to point to this fellow).

The illustrations in the English versions appear to be woodcuts rather than the copper engravings of the original Italian, and often differ subtlely from their Italian counterparts. In fact, they can be downright misleading in some cases. Therefore both the Italian and English illustrations are included in this document. It is suggested that the reader give more weight to the Italian.

Lastly, this is a work in progress. It doubtless contains typos and ommissions, and the second section is still in development.

Di Graſsi his true Arte of Defence,
plainlie teaching by infallable Demonstrations,
apt Figures and perfect Rules the manner and
forme how a man without other Teacher or
Maſter may ſafelie handle all ſortes of
Weapons aſwell offenſive as defenſive;
VVith a Treatiſe
of Deſceit or Falsinge; And with a way or
meane by private Induſtrie to obtaine
Strength, Iudgement and
Activitie.

Firſt written in Italian by the foreſaid
Author, and Engliſhed by
I. G. Gentleman.

Printed at London for I. I and are to be ſold
within Temple Barre at the Signe of
the Hand and Starre
1594.

To the Right Honorable my L. Borrow Lord
Governor of the Breil, and Knight of the moſt
honorable order of the Garder, T.C. wiſheth
continuall Honor, worthines of mind,
and learned knowledge, with increas
of worldlie Fame, &
heavenlie felicitie.

Aving a reſtleſſe deſire in the dailie exerciſes of Pen to preſent ſome acceptable peece of work to your L. and finding no one thing ſo fit for my purpoſe and your honorable diſpoſition, as the knowledge of Armes and Weapons, which defends life, countrie, & honour, I preſumed to preferre a booke to the print (tranſlated out of the Italyan language) of a gentle mans doing that is not ſo gredie of glory as many glorious writers that eagerly would ſnatch Fame out of other mens mouthes, by a little labour of their own, But rather keeps his name unknowen to the world (under a ſhamefaſt clowd of ſilence) knowing that vertue ſhynes beſt & getteth greateſt prayes where it maketh ſmalleſt bragg: for the goodnes of the mind ſeekes no glorious gwerdon, but hopes to reap the reward of well doing among the rypeſt of iudgement & worthieſt of ſound conſideration, like unto a man that giveth his goods unto the poore, and maketh his treaſurehouſe in heaven, And further to be noted, who can tarrie til the ſeed ſowen in the earth be almoſt rotten or dead, ſhal be ſure in a bountiful harveſt to reap a goodly crop of corne And better it is to abyde a happie ſeaſon to ſee how things will prove, than ſoddainly to ſeeke profite where ſlowlye comes commoditie or any benefit wil riſe. Some say, that good writers doe purchaſe small praiſe till they be dead, (Hard is that opinion.) and then their Fame shal flowriſh & bring foorth the fruite that long lay hid in the earth.

This gentleman, perchaunce, in the regard smothers up his credit, and stands careleſſe of the worlds report: but I cannot ſee him ſo forgotten for his paines in this worke is not little, & his merite muſt be much that hath in our Engliſh tongue publiſhed ſo neceſſarie a volume in ſuch apt termes & in ſo bigg a booke (beſides the lively deſcriptions & models of the ſame) that ſhews great knowledge & cunning, great art in the weapon, & great ſuretie of the man that wiſely can uſe it, & ſtoutly execute it. All manner of men allowes knowledge: then where knowledge & courage meets in one perſon, there is ods in that match, whatſoever manhod & ignorance can ſay in their own behalfe. The fine book of ryding hath made many good horſ-men: and this booke of Fencing will ſave many mens lyves, or put comon quarrels out of uſe becauſe the danger is death if ignorant people procure a combate. Here is nothing ſet downe or ſpeach uſed, but for the preſervation of lyfe and honour of man: moſt orderly rules, & noble obſervations, enterlaced with wiſe councell & excellent good wordes, penned from a fowntaine of knowledge and flowing witt, where the reaſons runnes as freely as cleere water cometh from a Spring or Conduite. Your L. can iudge both of the weapon & words, wherefore there needes no more commendation of the booke: Let ſhewe itſelf, craving ſome ſupportation of your honourable ſenſure: and finding favour and paſſage among the wiſe, there is no doubt but all good men will like it, and the bad ſort will bluſh to argue againſt it, as knoweth our living Lord, who augment your L. in honour & deſyred credit.

Your L. in all humbly at commaundement.
Thomas Churchyard.

The Authors Epiſtle unto divers Noble
men and Gentle-men.

Mong all the Prayers, wherein through the whole courſe of my life, I have asked any great thing at Gods hands, I have always moſt earneſtly beſeeched, that (although at this preſent I am verse poore and of baſe Fortune) he would notwithſtanding give me grace to be thankefull, and mindfull of the good turnes which I have received. For among all the diſgraces which a man may incurre in this world, there is none in mine opinion which cauſeth him to become more odious, or a more enimic to mortall men (yea, unto God himſelfe) than ingratitude. Wherefore being in Treuiso, by your honours courteouſly intreated, and of all honourably uſed, although I practiſed litle or nought at all to teach you how to handle weapons, for the which purpoſe I was hyred with an honourable ſtipend, yet to ſhewe my ſelfe in ſome ſort thankefull, I have determined to beſtowe this my worke upon your honours, imploying my whole indevour to ſhewe the way how to handle all ſortes of weapons with the advantage and ſafetie. The which my worke, becauſe it ſhall finde your noble hearts full of valure, will bring foorth ſuch fruite, being but once attentively read over, as that in your ſaid honors will be ſeene in actes and deedes, which in other men ſcarſely is comprehended by imagination. And I, who have beene and am moſt fervently affected to ſerve your Ls. for aſmuch as it is not graunted unto me, (in reſpect of your divers affaires) to applie the ſame, and take ſome paines in teaching as I alwaies deſired, have yet by this other waie, left all that imprinted in your noble mindes, which in this honourable exerciſe may bring a valiant man unto perfection.

Therefore I humbly beſeech your honours, that with the ſame liberall mindes, with the which you accepted of mee, your Ls will alſo receive theſe my indevours, & vouchſafe ſo to protect them, as I have alwaies, and wil defend your honours moſt pure and undefiled. Wherein, if I perceive this my firſt childbirth (as I have only publiſhed it to thentent to help & teach others) to be to the generall ſatiſfaction of all I will ſo ſtraine my endevours in an other worke which ſhortly ſhall ſhew the way both how to handle all thoſe weapons on horſe-backe which here are taught on foote, as alſo all other weapons whatſoever.

Your honours moſt affectionate ſervant
Giacomo di Graſsi of Medena

The Author, to the Reader

Ven as from our ſwathing bands wee carrie with us (as it were) an unbridled deſire of knowledge: So afterwardes, having attained to the perfection thereof, there groweth in us a certaine laudable and fervent affection to teach others: The which, if it were not ſo, the world happily ſhould not be ſeene ſo repleniſhed with Artes and Sciences.

For if men generally were not apt to contemplation and ſearching out of things: Or if God had not beſtowed upon every man the grace, to be able to lift up his minde from the earth, and by ſearching to finde out the cauſes thereof, and to imparte them to thoſe who are leſſe willing to take any paines therein: it would come to paſſe, that the one parte of men, as Lordes and Maſters, ſhould beare rule, and the othe parte as vyle ſlaves, wrapped in perpetuall darkneſſe, ſhould ſuffer and lead a life unworthie the condition of man. Wherefore, in mine opinion it ſtandes with great reaſon that a man participate that unto others which he hath ſearched and found out by his great ſtudie & travaile. And therefore, I being even from my childhood greatly delighted in the handling of weapons: after I had ſpent much time in the exerciſe thereof, was deſyrous to ſee and beholde the moſt excellent and expert maſters of this Arte, whome I have generally marked, to teach after divers ways, much differing one from another, as though this miſterie were deſtitute of order & rule, or depended onely upon imagination, or on the deviſe of hime who profeſſeth the ſame: Or as though it were a matter impoſſible to find out in this honourable exerciſe (as well as in all other Artes and Sciences) one onely good and true way, whereby a man may attaine to the intire knowledge of as much as may be practiſed with the weapon, not depending altogether upon his owne head, or learning one blowe to day of one maſter, on the morowe of another, thereby buſying himſelfe about perticulars, the knowledge whereof is infinite, therefore impoſſible. Whereupon being forced, through a certaine honeſt deſire which I beare to helpe others, I gave my ſelfe wholy to the contemplation thereof: hoping that at the length, I ſhoulde finde out the true principles and groundes of this Arte, and reduce the confuſed and infinite number of blowes into a compendious ſumme and certaine order: The which principles being but fewe, and therefore eaſie to be knowen and borne away, without doubt in small time, and little travaile, will open a moſt large entrance to the underſtanding of all that which is contained in this Arte. Neigher was I in this fruſtrate at all of my expectation: For in concluſion after much deliberation, I have found out this Arte, from the which onely dependeth the knowledge of all that which a man may performe with a weapon in his hand, and not onely with thoſe weapons which are found out in theſe our dayes, but alſo with thoſe that ſhall be invented in time to come: Conſidering this Arte is grounded upon Offence and Defence, both the which are practiſed in the ſtraight and circuler lynes, for that a man may not otherwiſe either ſtrike or defend.

And becauſe I purpoſe to teach how to handle the Weapon, as orderly and plainly as is poſſible: I have firſt of all layd down the principles or groundes of all the Arte, calling them Advertiſements, the which, being of their owne nature verie well knowen to all thoſe that are in their perfect wittes: I have done no other then barely declared them, vvithout rendring any further reaſon, as being a thing ſuperfluous.

Theſe principles being declared, I have next handled thoſe things, which are, and be, of themſelves, Simple, then (aſcending vp to thoſe that are Compound) I ſhewe that which may be generally done in the handling of all Weapons. And becaſe, in teaching of Artes and Sciences, Things are more to be eſteemed of than VVordes, therefore I would not chooſe in the handling hereof a copious and founding kinde of ſpeach, but rather that which is more briefe and familiar. Which maner of ſpeach as in a ſmall bundle, it containeth divers weightie things, ſo it craveth a ſlowe and diſcreete Reader, who will ſoft and faire pearce into the verie Marrowe thereof.

For this cauſe I beſeech the gentle Reader to ſhewe himſelfe ſuch a one in the reading of this my preſent worke, aſſuring him ſelfe by reading it, to reape great profite and honour thereby. And Not doubting but that he (who is ſufficientlie furniſhed with this knowledge, and hath his bodie proporcionably exerciſed thereunto) ſhall far ſurmount anie other although he be indewed with equal force and ſwiftnes.

Moreover, becauſe this art is a principal member of the Militarie
profeſsion, which altogether (with learning) is the ornament
of all the World, Therefore it ought not to be exerciſed in
Braules and Fraies, as men commonlie pracitſe in
everie ſhire, but as honorable Knights, ought to
reſerve themſelves, & exerciſe it for the
advantage of their Cuntry, the honour
of weomen, and conqueringe
of Hoſtes and armies.

An Advertisement to the
curteous reader.

Ood Reader, before thou enter into the diſcourſe of the hidden knowledge of this honourable exeriſe of the weapon now layd open and manifeſted by the Author of this worke, & in ſuch perfectnes tranſlated out of the Italian tongue, as all or moſt of the marſhal mynded gentlemen of England cannot but commend, and no one perſon of indifferent iudgement can iuſtly be offended with, ſeeing that whatſoever herein is diſcourſed, tendeth to no other uſe, but the defence of mans life and reputation: I thought good to advertiſe thee that in ſome places of this booke by reaſon of the equivocation of certaine Italian wordes, the weapons may doubtfully be conſtrued in Engliſh. Therefore ſometimes fynding this worde Sworde generally uſed, I take it to have beene the better tranſlated, if in ſteede thereof the Rapier had beene inſerted: a weapon more uſuall for Gentlemens wearing, and fitteſt for cauſes of offence and defence: Beſides that, in Italie where Rapier and Dagger is commonly worne and uſed, the Sworde (if it be not an arming Sworde) is not ſpoken of. Yet would I not the ſence ſo ſtrictly to be conſtrued, that the uſe of ſo honourable a weapon be utterly reiected, but ſo redd, as by the right and perfect underſtanding of the one, thy iudgement may ſomwhat be augmented in managing of the other: Knowing right well, that as the practiſe and uſe of the firſt is commendable amongſt them, ſo the ſecond cannot ſo farre be condemned, but that the wearing thereof may well commend a man of valour and reputation amongſt us. The Sworde and Buckler fight was long while allowed in England (and yet practiſe in all ſortes of weapons is praiſworthie,) but now being layd downe, the ſworde but with Serving men is not much regarded, and the Rapier fight generally allowed, as a wepon becauſe moſt perilous, therefore moſt feared, and thereupon private quarrels and common frayes ſooneſt ſhunned.

But this peece of work, gentle Reader, is ſo gallantly ſet out in every point and parcell, the obſcureſt ſecrets of the handling of the weapon ſo clerely unfolded, and the perfect demeaning of the bodie upon all and ſudden occaſions ſo learnedly diſcourſed, as will glad the underſtander thereof, & found to the glory of all good Maſters of Defence, becauſe their Arte is herein ſo honoured, and their knowledge (which ſome men count infinite) in ſo ſinguler a ſcience, drawen into ſuch Grounds and Principles, as no wiſe man of an unpartiall iudgement, and of what profeſsion ſoever, but will confeſse himſelf in curteſie farre indebted both to the Author & Tranſlator of this ſo neceſsarie a Treatiſe, whereby he may learne not onely through reading & remembring to furniſh his minde with reſolute inſtructions, but alſo by practiſe and exerciſe gallantly to perfourme any conceited enterpriſe with a diſcreete and orderly carriage of his bodie, upon all occaſions whatſoever.

Gentle Reader, what other eſcapes or miſtakings ſhall come to thy viewe, either friendly I intreate thee to beare with them, or curteouſly with thy penne for thine owne uſe to amend them.

Fare-well.

The Sorts of VVeapons handled
in this Treatiſe.

He ſingle Rapier, Or ſingle Sworde.
The rapier and dagger &c.
The rapier and cloak &c.
The ſword and Buckler.
The Sword and ſquare target.
The ſworde and round target.
The Case of Rapiers.
The two hand Sword.
The weapons of the Staffe, As
The Bil, Parteſan, Holberd and Iavelin

Falſing of Blowes and Thruſts.

At ſingle rapier &c.
At rapier and dagger &c.
At Cloak and rapier.
At ſword & buckler, ſquare target and
round target.
At the two rapiers
At the two hand ſword
At the Bill, Parteſan, Iavelin, and Holberd.
At the Pike.

The true Art of Defence exactlie
teachinge the manner how to handle weapons
safelie, aswel offensive as defensive,
With a Treatise of Disceit or Falsing,
And with a mean or waie how a man
may practise of himselfe to gett
Strength, Judgement,
and Activitie.

Here is no doubt but that the Honorable exerciſe of the Weapon is made right perfect by meanes of two things, to witt: Iudgment and Force: Becauſe by the one, we know the manner and time to handle th e wepon (how, or whatſoever occaſion ferneth:) And by the other we have power to execute therewith, in due time with advauntage.

And becauſe, the knowledge of the manner and Time to ſtrike and defende, dooth ol it ſelfe teach vs the ſkil how to reaſon and diſpute thereof onely, and the end and ſcope of this Art conſiſteth not i n reaſoning, but in dooinge: Therefore to him that is deſierous to prove ſo cunning in this Art, as is needfull, It is requiſite not onelie that he be able to iudg, but alſo that he be ſtronge and active to put in execution all that which his iudgement comprehendeth and ſeeth. And this may not bee done without ſtrength and activitie of bodie: The which if happelie it bee feeble, flowe, or not of power to ſuſtaine the weight of blowes, Or if it take not advauntage to ſtrike when time requiereth, it utterlie remaineth overtaken with diſgrace and daunger: the which falts (as appeareth) proceed n ot from the Art, but from the Inſtrument badly handled in the action.

Therefore let everie man that is deſierous to practiſe this Art, indevor himſelfe to get ſtrength and agilitie of bodie aſſuringe himſelf, that iudgment without this activitie and force, availeth litl e or nothinge: Yea, hapelie giveth occaſion of hurt and ſpoile. For men beinge blinded in their owne iudgements, and preſuminge thereon, becauſe they know how, and what they ought to doo, give manie times the onſet and enterpriſe, but yet, never perfourme it in act.

But leaſt I ſeeme to ground this Art uppon dreames and monſtrous imaginations (havinge before laid downe, that ſtrength of bodie is very neceſſarie to attaine to the perfection of this Art, it beinge one of the two principall beeginninges firſt layd downe, and not as yet declared the way how to come by and procure the ſame) I have determined in the entrance of this worke, to preſcribe firſt the manner how to obtaine iudgemet, and in the end thereof by way of Treatiſe to ſhew the meanes (as farre forth as appertaineth to this Art) by the which a man by his owne indevoure and travaile, may get ſtrength and activitie of bodie, to ſuch purpoſe and effect, that by the inſtructions and reaſons, which ſhal be here given him, he may eaſely without other maſter or teacher, become both ſtronge, active and ſkilful.

The meanes how to obtain Judgement.

Lthough I have verye much in a manner in all quarters of Italie, ſeene moſt excellent profeſſors of this Art, to teach in their Schols, and practiſe privately in the Liſtes to traine up their Schollers. Yet I doo not remember that ever I ſaw anie man ſo throughly indewed with this firſt part, to wit, Iudgement, as is in that behalfe required.

And it may bee that they keep it in ſecreat of purpoſe: for amongſt divers diſorderlie blowes, you might have ſeen ſome of them moſt gallantlie beſtowed, not without evident coniecture of deepe iudgment. But howſoever it bee ſeeinge I purpoſe to further this Art, in what I may, I wil ſpeak of this firſt part as aptly to the purpoſe, as I can.

It is therefore to be conſidered that man by ſo much the more waxeth fearefull or boulde, by how much the more he knoweth how t' avoid or not to eſchew daunger.

But to attain to this knowledg, it is moſt neceſſarie that he alwaies kepe ſtedfaſtly in memorie all theſe advertiſements underwritten, from which ſpringeth al the knowledge of this Art. Nether is it posſible without them to perfome any perfect action for the which a man may give a reſon. But if it ſo fall out that any man (not having the knowledg of theſe advertiſements) performe any ſure act, which may be ſaid to be handled with iudgement, that proceedeth of no other thing, then of very nature, and of the mind, which of itſelfe naturally conceiveth all theſe advertiſementes.

Firſt, that the right or ſtreight Line is of all other the ſhorteſt: wherefore if a man would ſtrike in the ſhorteſt lyne, it is requiſite that he ſtrike in the ſtreight line.
Secondly, he that is neereſt, hitteth ſooneſt.. Out of which advertiſment a man may reap this profit, that ſeeing the enemies ſword farr off, aloft and readie to ſtrik, he may firſt ſtrik the enemie, before he himſelfe be ſtriken.
Thirdly, a Circle that goeth compasſinge beareth more force in the extremitie of the circumference, then in the center thereof.
Fourthly, a man may more eaſely withſtand a ſmall then a great force.
Fifthly, everie motion is accompliſhed in tyme.

That by theſe Rules a man may get iudgment, is moſt cleere, ſeing there is no other thinge required in this Art, then to ſtrike wiht advantage, and defend with ſafetie.

This is done, when one ſtriketh in the right line, by giving a thurſt, or by delyvering an edge blow with that place of the ſword, where it carrie th moſt force, firſt ſtriking the enemie beefore he b e ſtroken: The which is perfourmed, when he perceiveth him ſelfe to be more nere his enemie, in whic h caſe, he muſt nimbly deliver it. For there are few nay there is no man at all, who (perceiving him ſelfe readie to be ſtroken) gives not back, and forſaketh to performe everie other motion which he hath begun.

And foraſmuch, as he knoweth that every motion is made in time, he indevoreth himſelfe ſo to ſtrik and defend, that he may uſe as few motions as is posſible, and therein to ſpend as litle time, And as his enemie moveth much in divers times he may be advertiſed hereby, to ſtrike him in one or more of thoſe times, ſo out of al due time ſpent.

The division of the Art

Efore I come to a more perticuler declaration of this Art, it is requiſite I uſe ſome generall diviſion. Wherefore it is to be underſtood, that as in all other arts, ſo likewiſe in this (men forſaking the true ſcience thereof, in hope peradventure to overcome rather by diſceit then true manhood) have found out a new maner of ſkirmiſhing ful of falſes and ſlips. The which becauſe it ſomewhat and ſome times prevaleth againſt thoſe who are either fearfull or ignorant of their groundes and principals, I am conſtrayned to divide this Art into two Arts of Sciences, callinge thone the True, the other, the Falſe art: But withall giving everie man to underſtand, that falſehood hath no advauntage againſt true Art, but rather is moſt hurtfull and deadlie to him that uſeth it.

Therefore caſting away deceit for this preſent, which ſhal hereafter be handled in his proper place and reſtraining my ſelfe to the truth, which is the true and principall deſier of my hart, preſuppoſing that Iuſtice (which in everie occaſion approcheth neereſt unto truth) obteineth allwaies the ſuperioritie, I ſay whoſoever mindeth to exerciſe hemſelfe in this true and honorable Art or Science, it is requiſite that he be indued with deep Iudgement, a valiant hart and great activitie, In which thre qualities this exerciſe doth as it were delight, live and floriſh.

Of the Sword.

Lbeit Wepons aſwel offenſive as defenſive be infinite, becauſe all that whatſoever a man may handle to offend an other or defend hemſelfe, either by flinging or kepinge faſt in his hand may in my opinion be tearmed Weapon. Yet notwithſtading, becauſe, as I have before ſaid, they be innumerable ſo that if I ſhold perticularly handle everie one, beſides the great toile and travaile I ſhould ſuſtaine, it would alſo doubtles be unprofitable, becauſe the principels and grounds which are laid downe in this Art, ſerve only for ſuch weapons as are commonlye practiſed, or for ſuch as happely men will uſe: and ſo leaving al thoſe which at this preſent make not for my purpoſe, I affirme, that amongſt al the wepons uſed in theſe daies, there is none more honorable, more uſual or more ſafe then the ſword.

Comming therefore firſt to this weapon, as unto that on which is grounded the true knowledge of this Art, beeinge of reaſonable length, and having edges and point, wherein it ſeemeth to reſemble everie other weapon, It is to be conſidered, that foraſmuch as it hath no more the two edges and one point, a man may not ſtrike with anie other then with theſe, nether defend himſelf with anie other then with theſe. Further all edg blowes, be they right or reverſed, frame either a circle or part of a circle: Of the which the hand is the center, and the length of the ſworde, the Diameter.

Whereupon he that would give either an edg blow in a great compaſſe, either thruſt with the point of the ſword, muſt not onely be nimble of hand, but alſo muſt obſerve the time of advatag, which is, to know when his own ſword is more nere and readie to ſtrik then his enemies. For when the enemie fetcheth a compaſſe with his ſword, in delivering his ſtroke, at the length of the arme: if he them perceive himſelfe to be nerer by halfe an arme, he ought not to care to defend himſelfe, but with all celeritie to ſtrike. For as he hitteth home firſt, ſo he preventeth the fal of his enemies ſword. But if he be forced to defend him ſelfe from anie edge blow, he muſt for his greater ſafetie and eaſe of doinge it, go and incounter it on the halfe ſword that is hindermoſt: in which place as the enemies ſword carrieth leſſe force, ſo is he more nere at hand to offend him.

Concerning thruſting, or the moſt perilous blowes of the point, he muſt provide ſo to ſtand with his bodie, feet and armes, that he be not forced, when he wold ſtrik, to loſe time: The which he ſhal do, if he ſtand either with his arme ſo forward, either with his feete ſo backward, either with his bodie ſo diſorderly, that before he trhuſt he muſt needs draw back his arme, helpe himſelf with his feet, or uſe ſome daungerous motion of the bodie, the which when the enemie perceyveth, he may firſt ſtrik before he be ſtroken. But when a man ſtandeth in due order (which ſhall hereafter be declared) and perceiveth that there is leſſe diſtance from the point of his ſword, unto his enemie, then there is from his enemies ſword unto him, In that caſe he muſt nimbly force on a ſtrong thruſt to the end he may hitt home firſt.

The division of the Sword

Or aſmuch as the Effects which procede from the legth of the ſword, are not in everie part thereof equall or of like force: It ſtands with reſon beſides the declaration of the cauſe, that I find out alſo the propertie and name of ech part, to the end everie man may underſtand, which are the parts of the length wherewith he ought to ſtrike, and which the parts, wherewith he muſt defend.

I have ſaid elſwhere, that the ſword in ſtrikinge frameth either a Circle, either a part of a Circle, of which the hand is the center. And it is manifeſt that a wheel, which moveth circulerly, is more forcible and ſwift in the circumference then towards the Center: The which wheel ech ſworde reſembleth in ſtriking. Whereuppon it ſeemeth convenient, that I divide the ſworde into fower equal parts: Of the which that which is moſt neereſt the hand, as moſt nigh to the cauſe, I will call the firſt part: the next, I wil terme the ſecond, then the third, and ſo the fourth: which fowerth conteineth the point of the ſword. Of which fower partes, the third and fowerth are to be uſed to ſtrike withal. For ſeeing they are neereſt to the circumference, they are moſt ſwift. And the fowerth part (I mean not the tip of the point, but fower fingers more within it) is the ſwifteſt and ſtrongeſt of all the reſt: for beſides that it is in the circumference, which cauſeth it to be moſt ſwift, it hath alſo fower fingers of counterpeize therby making the motion more forcible. The other two partes, to wit, the firſt and ſecond are to be uſed to warde withall, becauſe in ſtriking they draw litle compas, and therefore carrie with them but ſmal force And for that their place is neere the hande, they are for this cauſe ſtrong to reſiſt anie violence.

He Arme likewiſe is not in everie part of equall force and ſwiftnes, but differeth in everie bowing thereof, that is to ſaie in the wriſt, in the elboe and in the ſhoulder: for the blowes of the wriſt as they are more ſwift, ſo they are leſſe ſtronge: And the other two, as they are more ſtrong, ſo they are more ſlow, becauſe they performe a greater compas. Therefore by my counſel, hee that would deliver an edgeblow ſhall fetch no compaſſe with his ſhoulder, becaus whileſt he beareth his ſword farre off, he giveth time to the warie enemie to enter firſt: but he ſhall onely uſe the compas of the elboe and the wriſt: whcih as they be moſt ſwift, ſo are they ſtronge inough, if they be orderly handled.

English: The Compass of the Arm, Elbow, and Wrist

Italian: The Compass of the Arm, Elbow, and Wrist

That everie blow of the point of the sword striketh circulerly and how he that striketh with the point, striketh streight.

Aving before ſaid and laid down for one of the principels of this art, that the ſtreit Line is the ſhorteſt of all others (which is moſt true.) It ſeemeth needfull that I make demonſtration thereof. And further having ſuggeſted for a troth, that the blow of the point is the ſtreight ſtrook, this is not being ſimplie true, I think it expedient before I wade anie further, to ſhew in what maner the blowes of the point are ſtroken circulerly, and how ſtreightly. And this I will ſtraine my ſelf to performe as plainly and as briefly as posſibly I maie. Neither wil I ſtrech ſo farre as to reaſon of the blowes of the edg, or how all blowes are ſtroken circulerly, becauſe it is ſufficiently and clerely handled in the diviſion of the Arme and ſword.

Comming then to that which is my principall intent to handle in this place, I wil ſhew firſt how the arme when it ſtriketh with the point, ſtriketh circulerlie.

It is moſt evident, that all bodies of ſtreight or long ſhape, I mean when they have a firme and immoveable head or beginninge, and that they move with an otherlike head, alwaies of necesſitie in their motion, frame either a wheel or part of a circuler figure. Seeing then the Arme is of like figure and ſhape, and is emmoveably fixed in the ſhoulder, and further moveth onely in that parte which is beneth it, there is no doubt, but that in his motion it figureth alſo a circle, or ſome parte thereof. And this everie man may perceive if in moving his arme, he make trial in himſelfe.

Finding this true, as without controverſie it is, it ſhal alſo be as true, that all thoſe thinges which are faſtned in the arme, and do move as the Arme doth, muſtneeds move circulerlie. Thus much concerning my firſt purpoſe in this Treatiſe.

Now I will come to my ſecond, and wil declare the reaſons and waies by which a man ſtrikinge with the point ſtriketh ſtraightly. And I ſay, that when ſoever the ſworde is moved by the onelie mocion of the Arme, it muſt alwaies of neceſitie frame a cirkle by the reaſons before alleaged. But if it happen, as in his motion make a circle upwardes, and the hand moving in the wriſt frame a part of a circle downewards then it wil com to paſſe, that the ſword being moved by two contrarie motiõs in going forwards ſtriketh ſtraightly.

But to thentent that this may be more plainlie perceived, I have framed this preſent figure for the better underſtading whereof it is to be known, that as the arme in his motion carrieth the ſworde with it, and is the occaſion that beeing forced by the ſaide motion, the ſworde frameth a circle upwards, So the hand moving it ſelfe in the wriſt, maie either lift up the point of the ſword upwards or abaſe it downwards. So that if the hand do ſo much let fal the point, as the arme doth lift up the handle, it commeth to paſſe that the ſwords point thruſteth directly at an other prick or point then that it reſpecteth.

Wherefore let A.B. be the circle which is framed by the motion of the arme: which arme, if (as it carrieth with it the ſword in his motion) it would ſtrike at the point D. it ſhould be conſtrained through his motion to ſtrik at the point B. And from hence procedeth the difficultie of thruſtinge or ſtriking with the point. If therefore the arm wold ſtrik directly at the point D. it is neceſſary that as much as it lifteth the hãdwriſt do move it ſelf circulerlie downward, making this circle AC & cariyng with it the point of the ſword downewardes, of force it ſtriketh at the point D. And this would not ſo come to paſſe, if with the only motion of tharme, a man ſhould thruſt forth the ſword, conſidering the arme moveth onelie above the center C.

Therefore ſeing by this diſcourſe it is manifeſt that the blow of the point, or a thruſt, can not bee delivered by one ſimple motion directly made, but by two circuler motions, the one of the Arme the other of the hand, I wil hence foreward in all this work tearme this blow the blow of the ſtreit Line. Which conſidering the reaſons before alleaged, ſhall breed no inconvenience at all.

English: The Thrust as a Compass of the Arm

Italian: The Thrust as a Compass of the Arm

Oſt great is the care and conſiderations which the paces or footſtepps requier in this exerciſe, becauſe from them in a maner more the from anie other thine ſpringeth all offence and defence. And the bodie likewiſe ought with all diligence to be kept firme and ſtable, turned towards the enemie, rather with the right ſhoulder, then with the breſt. And that beecauſe a man ought to make himſelf as ſmal a mark to thenemie as is poſible, And if he be occaſioned to bed his body any way, he muſt bend it rather backwards then forwards, to thende that it be far of from danger, conſidering the bodie can never greatly move it ſelf anie other waie more then that and that ſame waie the head maie not move being a member of ſo great importance.

Therefore when a man ſtriketh, either his feet or his arme are thruſt forwards, as at that inſtant it ſhall make beſt for his advauntage. For when it hapneth that he may ſtrongly offend his enemie without the increaſe of a pace, he muſt uſe his arm onely to perfourme the ſame, bearing his bodie alwaies as much as he maie and is required, firme and immoveable.

For this reaſon I commend not their maner of fight, who continually as they fight, make theſelvs to ſhew ſometimes litle, ſometimes great, ſometimes wreſting themſelves on this ſide, ſometimes on that ſide, much like the moving of ſnailes. For as all theſe are motions, ſo can they not be accompliſhed in one time, for if when they beare their bodies low, they would ſtrike aloft, of force they muſt firſt raiſe them ſelves, and in that time they may be ſtroken. So in like maner when their bodies are writhed this way or that waie.

Therefore, let euerie man ſtand in that order which I have firſt declared, ſtraining himdelf to the uttermoſt of his power, when he would either ſrik or defend, to performe the ſame motions, but rather in half a time or motion, if it were posſible.

As concerninge the motion of the feete, from which grow great occaſions aſwell of offence as defence, I ſaie and have ſeene by divers examples that as by the knowledg of their orderlie and diſcreet motion, aſwel in the Liſtes as in common fraies, ther hath bin obtained honorable victorie, ſo their buſie and unrulie motion have bine occaſion of ſhamefull hurts and ſpoils. And becauſe I can not laie downe a certein meaſure of motion, conſidering the difference betwene man and man, ſome being of great and ſome of litle ſtature: for to ſome it is comodious to make his pace the length of and arme, and to other ſome half the length or more. Therefore I advertiſe everie man in al his wards to frame a reaſonable pace, in ſuch fort that if hee would ſtep forward to ſtrik, he lengthen or increas one foot, and if he would defend himſelf, he withdraw as much, without peril of falling.

And becauſe the feet in this exerciſe doe move in divers maners, it ſhall be good that I ſhew the name of everie motion, to thend that uſinge thoſe names through al this work, they maie the better be underſtood.

It is to be knowen that the feete move either ſtreightly, either circulerly: If ſtreitly, then either forwardes or backwards: but when the move directly forwards, the frame either a halfe or a whol pace. By whole pace is underſtood, when the foot is carried from behind forwards, kepinge ſtedfaſt the forefoot. And this pace is ſometimes made ſtreight, ſometimes crooked. By ſtreight is meant when it is done in the ſtreit line, but this doth ſeldome happen. By croked or ſlope pace is underſtood, when the hinderfoot is brought alſo forewards, but yet a thwarte or croſſing: and as it groweth forwardes, it carieth the bodie with it, out of the ſtraightline, where the blowe is given.

The like is ment by the pace that is made directly backwardes: but this backe pace is framed more often ſtreight then croked. Now the midle of theſe backe and fore paces, I will terme the halfe pace: and that is, when the hinder-foote being brought nere the foorefoote, doth even there reſt: or when from thence the ſame foote goeth forwardes. And likewiſe when the fore-foote is gathered into the hinder-foote, and there doth reſt, and then retireth it ſelfe from hece backwards. Theſe half paces are much uſed, both ſtreit & croked, forwards & backwardes. And in like ſorte, halfe paces forwardes & backewardes, ſtreight and crooked.

Circuler paces, are no otherwiſe uſed than halfe paces, and they are made thus: When one hath framed his pace, he muſt fetch a cõpaiſe with his hinder foote or fore foote, on the right or lefte ſide: ſo that circuler paces are made either when the hinder-foot ſtanding faſt behinde, doth afterwards move it ſelfe on the lefte or right ſide, or when the fore-foote being ſetled before doth move likewiſe on the right or left ſide: with all theſe ſort of paces a man may move everie waie both forwardes and backewardes.

Of Paces

Of the Agreement of the Foot and Hand

He right legge ought alwaies to be the ſtrength of the right hand, and likewiſe the lefte legge of the left hand: So that if at any time it ſhall happen a thruſt to bee forciblie delivered, reſon would that it be accompanied with the legge: for otherwiſe, by meanes of the force and waight, which is without the perpendiculer or hanging line of the body, having no prope to ſuſtain it, a man is in daunger of falling. And it is to be underſtood, that the pace doth naturally ſo much increaſe or diminiſh his motion, as the hand, Therefore we ſee when the right foote is behinde, the hand is there alſo: ſo that who ſo ſtraineth himſelfe to ſtand otherwiſe, as he offereth violence unto nature, ſo hee canne never indure it: wherefore when he ſtandeth at his ward, bearing his hand wide, there alſo the foote helpeth by his ſtrength, being placed towards that parte: & when the hand is borne a lowe, & the right foote before, if then he would lifte his hand alofte, it is neceſſarie that he draw backe his foote: And there is ſo much diſtance from the place where the foot doth parte, to ioyne it ſelfe to the other foote, as there is from the place whence the hande parteth, to that place wher it remaineth ſtedfaſt, litle more or leſſe: wherefore, preſuppoſing the ſaid rules to be true, he muſt have great care to make his pace, & move his hand at one time together: And above all, not to ſkip or leape, but keepe one foote alwaies firme and ſtedfaſt: and when he would move it, to do it upon ſome great occaſion, conſidering the foote ought chiefely to agree in motion with the hand, which hande, ought not in any caſe what ſoever happen to varie from his purpoſe, either in ſtriking or defending.

Of wards

Ards in weapons are ſuch ſites, poſitions or placings which withſtand the enemies blowes, and are as a ſhield or ſafegarde againſt them. For he who hath no ſkill to carrie his bodie and beare theſe weapons order lie, which either cover, or eaſely maie cover the whole bodie, cannot be ſaide to ſtand in warde, inſomuch that a man ought to uſe great diligence in the apt carriyng if his bodie and weapons, For manie times he ought to ſettle and repoſe himſelf in his ward, therein deliberating upon ſome new deviſe, or expecting when his enemie wil miniſter occaſion to enter upon him.

The Wards which maie be uſed with the ſingle ſword are threefold, Neither in my opinion maie they be anie more: for that one onlie ſtraight line, which is the ſword, maie not cover, defend and eaſelie offend after amie other maner.

The high ward.

His high warde, which alſo might be called the firſt, beeinge the very ſame which every man frameth at the drawing of the ſword out of the ſheath, may ſo farre foorth, and in ſomuch be termed a warde, in how much, by turning the poynt of the ſworde downewarde, it wardeth the whole perſon, and for that, by gathering in of the hinderfoote, & increſing forwardes with the right foote, a man may diſcharge a ſtrong thurſt above hande at his enemie.

In this, and in al other wardes, it is diligently to be noted, that he beare his weapons ſo orderly diſpoſed, that the ſtreight lyne which goeth from the ſwords point be ſtil bet to ſtrike the enemy, ether in the face or in the breſt: for if the point be ſo borne that it reſpect over the enemies head, the enemie may eaſely firſt enter underneth & ſtrike before the fall or diſcend thereof: And by holding the poynt two lowe, he may be beating it ſomewhat downwards cauſe it to be quit void of his bodie, and ſo ſafelie come in to ſtrik, the which hath bine manie times ſene.

The broad ward.

His ſecond warde from the effecte ſhall be called the broad or wide warde, becauſe the Arme widning and ſtretching it ſelfe directlie as much as is poſsible from the right ſide, beareth the ſword ſo farre off from the bodie, that it ſeemeth to give great ſcope to the enimie to enter, albeit in truth it be nothing ſo. For although the hand & the handle of the ſworde, be both farr from the bodie, and quite out of the ſtreight line, yet the poynt of the ſworde, from which principallie procedeth the offence, is not without the ſaide lyne: For it is borne ſo bending towarde the left ſide that it reſpecteth directlie to ſtrike the enimie, and being borne in that ſorte, it may verie well both ſtrike and defend. And when the poynt of the ſword is borne out of the ſtreight lyne, as the hand and handle is, then a man is in daunger to bee hurte eaſelie by the enimie, the which happeneth not when the poynt is bending, for in ſuch order, it is as a barre and defence to the whole bodie.

The low Ward.

His is alſo from the effect is called the baſe ward or lock: Neither is this name improperlie given by the Profeſſors of this Art, for that it is more ſtrong, ſure and commodious then anie other ward, and in the which a man may more eaſelie ſtrik, ward & ſtand therein with leſſe paine. This ward is framed in the Schools after dyvers faſhions, either bearing the hand low before the knee, either verie much ſtretched forwardes, either betweene both the knees. All which faſhions, (if we regard naturall reaſon, and the motions uſed therein) are to ſmall purpoſe: for, beſides that they are all violent, and for a ſmall time to be endured, they are alſo ſuch, in the which a man may not ſtrike but in two tymes, or at the leaſt in one, and then verie weakly. Wherefore, caſting all theſe aſide, I will frame ſuch a warde, as ſhalbe applyed, to time, to nature, and to ſafetie: And it is, when one beareth his arme directly downwardes neere his knee ( but yet without it) and his ſworde with the point ſomewhat rayſed, and bearing towards the left ſide, to the end, it may arme and defend that part alſo, in ſuch ſort, that (being borne without violence) he may continue long. And if he would ſtrike, he may in one time, forcibly deliver a great thruſt. But this he cannot do, if he beare his ſword directly befor him, for then he muſt either draw backe his arme when he would ſtrike, or els ſtrike in one time, but verie weakly.

This warde therfore muſt be framed with the arme ſtretched downwards neere the knee, but yet on the outſide thereof, becauſe after this manner a man ſtandeth ſafely, commodiouſly, and more readie, both to ſtrike and defend.

The manner how to strike.

Ithout all doubt, the thruſt is to be preferred before the edge blowe, aſwell becauſe it ſtriketh in leſſe time, as alſo for that in the ſaide time, it doth more hurt. For which conſideratio, the Romanes (who were victorious in all enterpriſes) did accuſtome their ſouldiers of the Legions to thruſt onely: Alleaging for their reaſon, that the blowes of the edge, though they were great, yet they are verie fewe that are deadly, and that thruſtes, though litle & weake, when they enter but iii. fingers into the bodie, are wont to kill. Therefore I laye down this for a firme and certaine rule, that the thruſt doth many times more readily ſtrike, and give the greater blowe againſt the enimie. And to the end, a man may thruſt it out with the greateſt force at the moſt advantage, and uttermoſt length that may be, he muſt alwaies remember to carrie his left foote compaſsing behind him in ſuch ſort, that the hinderfoot ſo compaſsing may alwaies be in the ſtraight lyne of the hand and ſworde, as a Diameter in the middeſt of a Circle. And in finiſhing of the blowe, to drawe his hinder-foote a halfe pace forwardes, and ſo by that meanes the blow is longer & ſtronger, and the ſhoulder and ſide are onely oppoſite to the enimie, and ſo farre off from him, that they may not be ſtrooken: and it is not poſsible for a man to frame a longer blowe than this.

When it is better to strike with the edge.

Or no other cauſe, the edge is preferred before the poynt, then for the time: the ſhortnes whereof, is ſo to be eſteemed above all other things in this Arte, that (omitting the point and edge) it ought to be given for the beſt and chiefe counſell, that ſame to be the better blowe, in which a man ſpendeth leaſt time. And therfore when this happeneth and may be done with the edg, then the edg is to be preferred before the point: the which as occaſion ſerveth ſhalbe further declared.

When I reaſoned of the blow of the point or thurſt I ſaid, that a man ought to thruſt when the point is in the ſtraight line, becauſe the blowe is then performed in one time. But the edg differeth from the point, in that that being out of the ſtrait line, it indevoreth to come into the ſame againe. Therefore when it happeneth the point to be borne either on the right, either on the left ſide, either aloft, out of the ſtrait line, if then on would thruſt in the right line, he cannot performe it but in two times, where as if he would ſtrik with thedg be it right or reverſed, or downwards, he may do it in one time. It ſhalbe alſo verie commodious rather to ſtrik with the edg, when as ſometime a man bearinge his ſword in the ſtriat line, and the enimie ther finding it, doth with his hand beat it on this ſide or that ſide: In which caſe, if he would return it again into the ſaid line of purpoſe to ſtrik, he ſhalbe conſtrained to doe it with great violence and much time.

For theſe reaſons I hold it better to let the ſworde ſwaie to that ſide, whereto the enemie beateth it, and to ioin unto it ſuch force, as he may to help the motion, and (fetching withall a compas) to ſtrik with the edg.

The which blow is ſo readie & ſtrong, that thenimie can hardly have time to withſtand it, being alredy occupied in beating aſide the ſword & pretending to ſtrik: nothing at al expecting that thadverſaries ſworde wil ſtrik again either ſo quickly, or with the edge, on that ſide from which it was beaten.

English: The Lines of the Edge and the Point

Italian: The Lines of the Edge and the Point

The Line of the edg is from A to B,
The line of the point from C to D,
and from D to E.

The meanes how to defend.

He meanes of defending a blowe given either with the edg or point of the ſword, are three. One is when the weapon is oppoſed to the blow, in ſuch ſort that the weapon which cometh ſtriking either at the head or at the bodie, cannot hit home to the place whereuto it is directed, but hindered by ſome thing or other then ſet againſt it, be it ſword, dagger, target, bil, Iavelin, or anie thing els, which at that inſtant a man hath in his hand. For it chanceth not alwaies to weare or carrie weapons of purpoſe, or ordained to that entent. Neither happelie is it thought ſhoulier or gentlemanlike, not to know how to ſtrike or defend, but onely with wepons framed to that end: for which cauſe, it may wel be ſaid, that the ſoldier differeth from other men, not becauſe he is more ſkilful in handling the ſword or iavelyn, but for that he is expert in everie occaſion to know the beſt advantage & with iudgement both to defend himſelf with anie thing whatſoever, and therewithal ſafelie to offend the enimie: In which & no other thing conſiſteth true ſkirmiſhing.

He that perſwads hemſelf that he can learn this Art by the exerciſe of a few perticuler ſtroks of the point and edg is utterlie deceived: for beſids, that by thoſe perticuler triks, there is ſmal knowledge gotten: So the chaunces in this Arte are ſo daungerous & divers, that it is impoſſible to deliberat ſuddenly, except he have the univerſall knowledg and underſtandinge of all the rules and principels hereof, being grounded upon offending & defending, and not only opon the ſword, the dagger, the target, the iavelin & the bil. For a man at al times (when he is occaſioned to ſtrike or defend) doth not carrie theſe weapons about him, but is conſtrained to defend himſelfe with a ſtoole or fourme from a ſworde, or with a cloake from a dagger, in which caſe men commonly uſe many other things not ordained for that purpoſe, doing that therewith which naturall inſtinct teacheth them. And this inſtinct is no other thing then the knowledge of the rules before laide downe: which knowledge, becauſe it is naturally graffed in the mynde, is ſome thing the rather holpen and quallified by Arte, and maketh a man ſo aſſured and bolde, that he dares to enter on any great daunger, and iudgeth (when he ſeeth the qualitie of the weapon, and the ſyte wherein it is placed) what it maye do, or in how many waies it may either ſtrike or defend. From which his iudgement ſprings the knowledge of all that he hath to do, and how he hath to handle himſelfe to encounter any danger.

But returning to my purpoſe, to wit, of the way how to defend, which is to carrie the weapon oppoſite, this maner is commonly uſed, but is not ſo profitable, being uſed as it is. And the reaſon is, becauſe when men endevour themſelves to encounter or oppoſe themſelves againſt the weapon which commeth to ſtrike them, (neither making bolde that their weapon can, neither knowing how it ſhould defend) they withdraw their bodie with their foote, and commit all theſe faultes following.

1 Firſt, by withdrawing of themſelves, they encounter the enimies ſworde towardes the poynt, in which place it beareth moſt force, and therefore with great difficultie they ſuſtaine the blowe.

2 Another is, if they would ſtrike the enimie, of force they muſt returne their feete and weapons thither, where they were before, and yet encreaſe forwards ſomewhat more, if they would ſtrongly ſtrike him: And in this they ſpend ſo much time, that the enimie may not onely eaſily defend, but alſo, verie well and ſafely ſtrike. To him then what woulde uſe this manner of defence without danger, it is neceſſarie and needefull, when he encountreth the enimies ſworde, that he do not withdrawe himſelfe, but with his left foote increaſe a crooked or ſlope pace forwardes, the which ſhall encounter the ſword, which before was comming ſtriking with the edge, on that parte thereof, in which it hath leaſt power to offend, and ſhal by that meanes eaſily withſtand the blowe, But if the ſworde come with a thruſt, he muſt finde it and beat it aſide: for every litle motion is ſufficient to drive the poynt farre enough from danger of hurte. And there is this advantage gotten, aſwel in the blow of the edge as of the point, that the bodie is voided out of the ſtraight lyne, by meanes of the ſaid ſlope pace: and it ſtandeth ſo apt and ſo neere to offende the enimie, that one may ſtrike in the verie inſtant, neither can the enimie ſo much withdrawe himſelfe as is ſufficient to avoyde the ſtroke: For a man hath to uſe the ſtraight pace of the right foote to follow the enimie, which pace is ſo ſtrong and ſo ſwift, that the enimie may not avoide it. And becauſe this manner of defence, in mine opinion, ſeemeth to be moſt ſure and ſhort, I will uſe it above all other.

There is another waie, to wit, when one perceiveth the enimies ſworde in the deliverie of an edge blowe, to fetch a great compaſſe, he may ſtrike him before the fall of his ſword with a thruſt: or els when the enimie thruſteth, (but yet ſpendeth many times in doing therof) he may likewiſe ſtrike him in as ſhorte time as may be. The which manner of defending is moſt profitable, & perchaunce the better of the two. For there is no man that will runne himſelfe hedlong upon the weapon, or that, perceiving himſelfe readie to be ſtrooken, will not ſuddenly drawe backe and with-hold that blowe which he had alreadie prepared to diſcharge. And although there be ſome, who being ſtrooken runne raſhly on, yet generally, men wil not ſo do, albeit the be ſtrooken when they are moſt collorick, but will, when they are ſtrooken or wounded, give backe and be diſmayed and by reaſon of the bloud which goeth from them, alwaies more & more be weakened.

But yet when they be ſo wounded, it ſhall be for their profit to be well adviſed, and not to diſcomfort themſelves for the greatnes of the blowe, but to beare it paciently: for that which they doe in diſdaine and furie ſhal turne them to much diſpleaſure.

3 The third manner of defence is, when the bodie voideth out of the ſtraight lyne towardes this or that ſide, but this is ſeeldome uſed alone & by it ſelfe, but rather accompanied with the oppoſing of the weapon, or with the ſecond manner of defence aforeſaid. If it be uſed alone, the manner is to let ſlipp the blow, and to ſtrike the enimie in the ſame time that he is over reached in his blowe.

The Single Rapier

English: The Parts of the Sword at Engagment

Italian: The Parts of the Sword at Engagment

The methode which shall be used in handling the Chapters following

Oraſmuch as I ought in the Chapters folowing to teach more particularly all the blowes and defences in every warde, (to the ende that no man doe mervaile why I do not perfourme the ſame, and do thinke that the inſtruction is therefore imperfect) I thinke good (becauſe my purpoſe is now to intreat of that only which pertaineth to true Arte, to the which the blow of the point, or thruſtes, are moſt agreeable, being more readie and ſtrong than ony other) to handle them principally, and yet not ſo, but that I will alſo talke of edg blows when in my treatiſe I come to that place where it ſhalbe commodious to ſtrike therewith, placing them neere to their wardes and defenſes, anthough againſt all edgebloſe this is the beſt defence, to ſtrike by the right lyne before the fall of the enimies ſword, for, being delivered in the ſhorter time, it withſtandeth their fall and lighting. The order I ſay, which I will obſerve, ſhalbe, to laie downe every warde, their blowes and defences, but principally of the poynt, then of the edge, if neede require.

The hurt of the high warde at single Rapier.

He trueſt, and ſureſt blowe that may be given when a man lyeth at the high warde, is, the thruſt above hande, aſwell for that it is in the ſtraight lyne, as alſo, becauſe it naturally ſtayeth it ſelfe in the lowe warde: So that from the beginning to the ending of this blowe, there is never any time given to the enimie to enter, by reaſon, that the point ſtandeth alwayes directly againſt him. But in the diſcharging of this blowe, a man muſt remember to drawe his left foote neere his right foote, & deliver it as forcibly as he may, ſtaying him ſelfe in the lowe warde.

True it is, that he may alſo deliver a right and reverſed edgeblowe at the head: or els, ſtrike downwardes from the wriſt of the hand: but becauſe he is not able to turne his wriſt in ſo ſmall a compaſſe, in the diſcharge of an edgeblowe, either high or lowe, but that the poynt of the ſworde will be out of the ſtraight lyne, by the length of a ſworde, in the which (before it returne) the enimie hath ſufficient time to ſtrike: Therefore I would not councell any man to uſe them either alone, or both togither. But yet betweene two thruſts, they may be verie well uſed togither, by continuing the one after the other (though tye be voyded) untill the laſt thruſt, the which doth ſafely reſt it ſelfe in the lowe ward. The uſe of them is one this manner.

When one having diſcharged a thruſt from the highe warde, perceiveth that it doth not hurt, becauſe it was voyded by the enemies ſword, he muſt turne a right edgeblowe from th wriſt athwart the enemies head, fetching a compaſſe with his foote behind him toward the right ſide, to the ende the blow may be the longer, which is the longeſt blowe of all others. But if the enemie voide this in like caſe (which is very difficult) then he muſt ſuddenly turn the reverſe from his elblowe encreaſing therewithall a ſlope pace with the hinder foote. And it is to be noted, that in delivering a reverſe, the ſlope pace is in a manner alwaies to be uſed, to the ende that he may go foorth of the ſtraight lyne, in which (if he ſhould deliver it) he may eaſily be ſtrooken. Having uſed this pace & reverſe, whether it hit or not, the ſworde in the ſame inſtant is ſomething to be drawen or ſlyded: which drawing is profitable in this, that in giving the reverſe it doth both cauſe the weapon to cut, and make the greater blowe. Wherefore it is to be underſtood, that all edgeblowes ought to be delivered, that they may cut: for being directly given without any drawing, they cauſe but ſmall hurt.

Comming therefore to my purpoſe, I ſay: that as ſoone as he hath drawen his ſworde, he ought with the ſtraight pace of the right foote, diſcharge a thruſt underneath, being already prepared, the which thruſt is ſo ſtrong, both for the aptnes thereof and encreaſe of the pace, that it pearceth through any impediment withſtanding it. And all theſe blowes (beginning from the thruſt above hand, till the ende of the thruſt underneath) being roundly delivered one after another with ſuch ſwiftnes as is required, are in a manner not to be warded. Beſides, they have ſo great increaſe of pace, that it is not almoſt poſſible for the enemie to retyre ſo much backwarde, as theſe encreaſe upon his forward

The defence of the thrust of the high warde at Single Rapier

Ll the furie in ſtriking before ſpoken of, is utterly fruſtrated, when, as here it may be ſeene, a man withſtandeth and incountereth the firſt thruſt. For the defence whereof it is needfull that he ſtand at the lowe ward, and as the thruſt cometh, that he encounter it without, with the edge of the ſword, and increaſe a ſlope pace forward, with the hinder foote at the verie ſame time, by which pace he moveth out of the ſtraight line, and paſſeth on the right ſide of the enemie. And he muſt remember to beare always the poynt of the ſword toward the enemie: So that the enemie in comming forwardes, ether runneth himſelf onthe ſword, which may eaſely happen, and ſo much the rather, when he commeth reſolutelie determined to ſtrike, or elſe if he come not ſo farre forwardes that he encountereth the ſword, yet he may be ſafelie ſtroken, with the encreaſe of a ſtraight pace: to which pace, having ſuddenly ioyned a ſlope pace, a man muſt returne and increaſe againe though the enemie were ſtrooken at the firſt increaſe of that pace: For if at the firſt ſtroak and increaſe, the enemie were not hit in the eye, it ſhall be to ſmall purpoſe. Therefore as ſoone as he hath uſed the crooked or ſlope pace, he muſt preſentlie encreaſe an other ſtraight pace, the which doth ſo much gather upon the enemie, that is he would ſtrike him in the breſt, he may thruſt his ſword up to the hiltes.

Now for the loftie edge-blowes, both right and reverſed, the rules aforeſaide may ſuffice: To witte, the edge-blowe ſectheth a compaſſe. The blowe of the poynt or thruſt is the ſhorteſt, & in this blowe, he that is neareſt hitteth ſooneſt: So then he muſt thruſt under any of theſe edgeblowes. And farther, for aſmuch as it is naturallie given to everie man to defend himſelfe, he may encounter the right edge-blowe after an otherwaie, and that is, to encounter it with the edge of his ſworde, and preſentlie, to drive there withall a foote, towardes the right ſide behinde, to the ende, that the thruſt may be lengthned and his bodie thereby covered, conſidering he ſhall then ſtand right behinde his ſword.

This manner of defence, may ſerve to warde all right blows of the edg, delivered from the high ward, and it is the beſt waie of all other, becauſe it doth not onely warde, but alſo in one and the ſelfeſame time, both ſtrike and defend ſafely.

This manner of thruſt is called the reverſed thruſt. But if one would warde areverſe, he muſt oppoſe the edge of his ſword without, and therewithall increaſe a ſlope pace, & then deliver a thruſt with the increaſe of a ſtraight or right pace. And this may ſuffice for all that which may be uſed againſt a loftie, reverſed, edgeblowe, as farfoorth as a man endevoureth to oppoſe himſelfe againſt the weapon. And this is the verie ſame alſo which may be uſed for the warding of the thruſt.

The hurt of the broad warde at Single Rapier.

He moſt ſure, moſt true & principall blowe that may be uſed in this warde is the thruſt underhand, ſo that a man draw his left foote neere his right foote, and then diſcharge it with the increaſe of the ſaide foote, and ſettle himſelfe in the lowe warde.

He may alſo in this warde with the ſaid increaſe of the right foote, deliver a right edgeblowe from the wriſt of the hand, and ſtay himſelfe in the low warde. And perchaunce he may (although with great daunger) beſtowe alſo a reverſe: yet conſidering he ſhall do it out of the ſtraight lyne, in the which onely he ſtriketh ſafely, I do not thinke it good, that he uſe either the ſaide reverſe, either the ſaide right blowe except it be verie ſeldom, & for the ſame cauſe, aſſuring himſelfe in the blow of the poynt, or thruſt, the which he ſhall not give, except it be verie commodious, or that he be forced of neceſſitie, conſidering this thruſt doth not onely eaſily and commodiouſly defend, but alſo, at one inſtant, ſafely ſtrike, and offend, as ſhalbe ſhewed in the defence of this warde. That therefore which he may ſafely do, in this warde, is to expect and watch for the enimies comming.

The Defence of the broad Ward at Single Rapier.

F a man would defend himſelfe from the blowes of the foreſaide broad warde, it is good that he ſtande againſt the enimie in the lowe warde: for whileſt he is ſo oppoſite in the ſame warde, the enimie may neither eaſily enter, neither commodiouſly defend himſelfe. So that he which is in the lowe warde may very eaſily withſtand the downright blow, and the reverſe by giving a thruſt, for that he ſhall hit him firſt, And if he would onely oppoſe his ſworde, and not ſtrike alſo therewithall, he muſt encounter the enimies ſword with the edge of his owne, and turning the ſame edge fetch a reverſe, ſtriking at the face of the enimie. And as he ſo turneth his hand and edge of his ſworde, it ſhalbe good that he carrie his forefoote a halfe crooked or ſlope pace towards his right ſide, ſtaying himſelfe in the broad warde. For defence of the reverſe, it is to be marked, when the enimie lifteth up the point of the Rapier out of the ſtraight lyne, becauſe then of force he fetcheth a compaſſe: And whileſt he ſo doth, a man muſt make a ſtraight pace forwardes, and with his left hande take holdfaſt of the ſworde hande of the enimie, and incontinently wound him with a thruſt underneath alreadie prepared.

Now, the verie ſame defence is to be uſed againſt the thruſt underneath, which is againſt the right edgeblowe. Neither is there any other difference between theſe two defences, but that whileſt the right blowe fetcheth his compas, a man may give a thruſt and hit home firſt: For the thruſt underneath, muſt onely of neceſſitie be warded, becauſe, coming in the ſtraight lyne, it miniſtreth no advantage or time to hit home firſt.

The hurt of the Lowe warde at Single Rapier.

Man may in like maner in this ward, as in others, deliver a thruſt, a right blowe, and a reverſe: but the true and principall effect of this warde, is to expect the enimie, aſwell for that a man beareth him ſelfe without warineſſe, as alſo, becauſe it is apt and readie to defende all blowes either high or lowe: For being in the middle, it is as eaſily ſomewhat lifted up, as ſomething borne downe: So that when one ſtandeth in this warde, he may not (as for his advantage) be the firſt that ſhall give either the down-right blowe, or the reverſe: for both the one and the other (departing out of the ſtraight lyne) are deadly, becauſe they give time to the enimie to enter nimbly with a thruſt, The thruſt therefore, may be only uſed when one meaneth to ſtrike firſt, and it is practiſed either within, or without, alwaies regarding in either of the waies, ſo to beare and place his arme, that he have no neede (before he thruſt) to drawe backe the ſame. And if the enimie warde it, by the traverſe or croſſe motion of his Rapier, as many uſe to do, then he ought to encreaſe a ſtraight pace and lift up his ſword hand, holding the point thereof downwards betwixt the enimies arme and his bodie, & with the encreaſe of a ſtraight pace to deliver a thruſt. And this maner of thruſt doth eaſily ſpeede, becauſe it increaſeth continually in the ſtraight lyne in ſuch ſort that the enimie can do no other then give backe, and eſpecially when it is done without, for then the ſworde is ſafe from the traverſe motion of the other ſworde.

The Defence of the Lowe warde at Single Rapier.

Ecauſe both the down-right blowe, and the reverſe are verie eaſily defended in this warde, I will not ſtand to ſpeake of any other then of the thruſt, reſtraining my ſelfe thereunto. The which thruſt, if at the firſt it be not withſtoode, may prove verie mortall & deadly. Therefore, when this thruſt is given within, it muſt be beaten inwardes with the edge of the Rapier, requiring the turne of the hand alſo inwards, and the compaſse of the hinder foote, ſo farre towards the right ſide, as the hande goeth towardes the right ſide. And the enimie ſhall no ſooner have delivered the thruſt, and he found the ſword, but he ought to turne his hand, and with a reverſe to cut the enimies face, carying alwaies his forefoote on that ſide where his hand goeth. If the enimies thruſt come outwardes, then it is neceſsarie, that with the turne of his hand he beat it outwards with the edge of his ſword encreaſing in the ſame inſtant one ſlope pace, by meanes whereof he delivereth his bodie from hurt. And therewithall (encreaſing another ſtraight pace, and delivering his thruſt alreadie prepared) he doth moſt ſafely hurt the enimie.

The Rapier and Dagger.

Aving as briefely as I might poſsibly finiſhed all that which might be ſaide, of true knowledge of Single Rapier: it ſeemeth convenient, that comming from the ſimple to the compound, I handle thoſe weapons firſt, which from the Rapier forwards are either moſt ſimple or leaſt compound: And eſpecially thoſe which noweadayes are moſt uſed, and in the which men are moſt exerciſed, the which weapons are the Rapier & Dagger accompanied togither, and are a great encreaſe and furtherance both in ſtriking and defending.

Wherefore, it is firſt to be conſidered, that with theſe and the like weapons, a man may practiſe that moſt deſired and renowmed manner of ſkirmiſhing, which is ſaide to ſtrike and defend both in one time, which is thought to be impoſsible to be done with the ſingle Rapier, and yet in truth it is not ſo: For there are ſome kinde of blow in the defence of which one may alſo ſtrike (as in the blowes of the edge, downe right and reverſed) both high and lowe, and other high blowes which here are not ſpoken of.

Wherefore ſeing with theſe weapons a man may verie commodiouſly, both ſtrike and defend, for that the one is a great helpe to the other, it is to bee remembred, that becauſe theſe weapons are two, and the one of leſser quantitie then the other, to each one bee allotted that part both of defendinge and ſtrikinge, which it is beſt hable to ſupport. So that to the Dagger, by reaſon of his ſhortnes, is aſsigned the left ſide to defend downe to the knee: and to the ſword all the right ſide, & and the right and left ſide ioyntly downwardes from the knee. Neither may it ſeeme ſtrange that the onely Dagger ought to defend all the blowes of the left ſide: for it doth moſt eaſily ſuſtaine everie edgeblowe, when it encountreth the ſworde in the firſt and ſecond parte thereof.

But yet let no man aſsure himſelfe, to beare any blowe, with his only Dagger when he meeteth with the ſword of the thirde and fourth parte thereof, becauſe that parte carrieth more force with it then may be ſuſtained with the onely Dagger. And yet for all that, no man ought to accuſtome himſelfe to defende blowes with the Rapier and Dagger both together, which manner of defending is now commonly uſed becauſe men beleeve, that they ſtand more aſsuredly by that meanes, although in trueth it is not ſo. For the Rapier and Dagger are ſo bound thereby, that they may not ſtrike before they be recovered, and therein are ſpent two tymes, under the which a man may be ſtrooken when he that ſtriketh continuing by the ſtraight lyne, encreaſeth forwards, perceiving his enimie to be occupied and troubled in defending of himſelfe. And albeit this is not ſeene to come to paſs many times, yet that is becauſe the advantage is not knowen, or being known, men either are not readie to execute it, either ſtand greatly in feare to do it.

Therefore leaving aſide this maner of defence, let each man uſe to oppoſe, one only weapon againſt the enimies ſworde, keeping the other free, that he may be able to ſtrike at his pleaſure.

And it is diligently to be noted, that not onely the blowes of the ſworde, but alſo of any other weapon be itnever ſo great, may with the onely Dagger be ſuſtained and defended, when a man doth boldly encounter it towards the hand.

It is therefore to be knowen, that in the handling of theſe two weapons one may with leſse danger give a blowe with the edge then at the ſingle Rapier: For albeit the poynt of the Rapier be moved out of the ſtraight lyne: yet for all that there is not free power given to the enimie to ſtrike, conſidering there is an other weapon contrariwiſe prepared to defend: but this doth not ſo fall out at the ſingle Rapier, which bearing it ſelfe farre off when it ſtriketh with the edge, doth preſent & give the meanes to the enimie to hit home firſt. And yet for all that, I would counſell no man, either in this or in any other ſort of weapon to accuſtome himſelfe to give blowes with the edge: for that he may under them be moſt eaſily ſtrooken by a thruſt.

Of the Wardes.

N the handling of theſe weapons, men uſe to frame manie wardes, all which, becauſe many of them carrie no reaſon, for that they are ether out of the ſtreight line, either under them a man maie eaſelie bee ſtroken, I wil caſt aſide as impertinent to my purpoſe, & regrain my ſelf unto thoſe three with the which a man may ſafele ſtrike & defend, wherunto all the reſt maie be reduced.

How to defend with the Dagger.

have ſaid elſwhere that the left ſide of the perſon is that part which the dagger ought to defend, that is to ſaie, from the knee upwards: the lower parts together with the right ſide ought wholy to bee warded with the ſword.

Concerning the dagger, that which is to bee done therewith, it is to be noted, that for great advantage, it would be holden before with the arme ſtreched forth & the point reſpecting the enemie, which although it be far from him, yet in that it hath a point, it giveth him occa