The basic movements and concepts of the European long sword are strategically covered in this comprehensive guide. Detailed photo sequences and illustrations that clearly depict stance and movements pair with engaging prose that perspicuously explicates the origins of long sword tactics. This complete look into the basics of long sword fighting is designed for sword fighting fans as well as long time practitioners and features instruction on balance, maintaining guard, proper grip, cuts, wards, stance, tempo, footwork, parries, and basic offense and defense.
Recorded over six centuries ago, the teachings of the 14th-century Master-at-Arms Johannes Liechtenauer have been given new life by a world-wide community of modern swordsmen and women, fascinated by the elegance, efficiency and depth of his unique martial art. Christian Henry Tobler was one of the pioneers in reviving the medieval Master's art, creating the first, published syllabus for training with the two-handed longsword back in 2004. This fully rewritten, revised and expanded edition brings to bear a decade of refinement, creating a definitive, "how to" guide for students. Beginning with a short historical overview of the art, Mr. Tobler teaches stance, footwork, methods for gripping the sword, and step-by-step instructions for executing the core techniques of the Liechtenauer tradition. Additional chapters introduce students to wrestling, spear and armoured combat; demonstrating the art's depth and breadth. Heavily photo-illustrated, the book also makes use of decision-trees and training drills to aid in learning. Used as a complete, self-contained course, or a primer for studying the original medieval works themselves, this unique book will be invaluable to martial artists, reenactors, medieval historians, or anyone who has ever wondered "how did knights fight?"
Ever wonder how good you’d be with a sword? This book is for you. Do love movie sword fights? Learn how real sword fights work. Are you into stage combat? Add depth with historically accurate technique. You’re a bad uncle looking for a present for your niece? Get her this book, though her parents might hate you. Or do you just like swords? If you’ve ever wanted to turn your sword dreams into reality, then this book is for you. Anyone can learn the medieval Art of the longsword. This book will give you a thorough grounding in the techniques and tactics from the 600-year-old manuscript Il Fior di Battaglia, and includes free access to additional resources such as videos and full-sized images, to help you translate the movements from page to real life. Sure, it’s a 600-year old manuscript, but you know what? People who studied this manuscript lived. Why not stick with something that works? The Medieval Longsword covers everything you need to know from tools of the trade, to footwork, strikes and defences, to how to exploit your adversary’s mistakes, and how to disarm your opponent. This complete and approachable guide to the Art of Arms provides a gateway to a world-wide community of likeminded people also practicing this historical martial art. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a competent fencer, this book by author and internationally renowned swordsman Guy Windsor will guide you towards mastery of this ancient Art.
Celebrate two decades of historical martial arts development with the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Swordsman's Companion by Guy Windsor. This seminal guide has transformed the lives of thousands of swordsmanship enthusiasts worldwide, becoming a timeless classic in historical martial arts literature. This special edition retains the original's practical approach with detailed instructions, illustrations, and drills, which were state-of-the-art in 2004. The field has moved on considerably, so this book includes access to Guy's fully updated interpretation of Fiore's longsword techniques in The Medieval Longsword. Whether you're revisiting this influential text or discovering it for the first time, The Swordsman's Companion is a fascinating resource for both beginners and seasoned martial artists. Join the community of dedicated practitioners who have begun their martial arts journey through this book.
This sixteenth-century German guide to sword fighting and combat training is a crucial source for understanding medieval swordplay techniques. Following his translation of Joachim Meyer’s The Art of Combat, Jeffrey L. Forgeng was alerted to an earlier version of Meyer’s text, discovered in Lund University Library in Sweden. The manuscript, produced in Strasbourg around 1568, is illustrated with thirty watercolor images and seven ink diagrams. The text covers combat with the longsword (hand-and-a-half sword), dusack (a one-handed practice weapon comparable to a sabre), and rapier. The manuscript’s theoretical discussion of guards sheds significant light on this key feature of the historical practice, not just in relation to Meyer but in relation to medieval combat systems in general. The Art of Sword Combat also offers an extensive repertoire of training drills for both the dusack and the rapier, a feature largely lacking in treatises of the period and critical to modern reconstructions of the practice. Forgeng’s translation also includes a biography of Meyer, much of which has only recently come to light, as well as technical terminology and other essential information for understanding and contextualizing the work.
From the author of Renaissance Swordsmanship comes the most comprehensive and historically accurate view ever of the lost fighting arts of Medieval knights, warriors and men-at-arms. Based on years of extensive training and research in the use of European swords, it contains highly effective fighting techniques for the sword, sword & shield, long-sword, great-sword, pole-arm and more. And with more than 200 illustrations and rare historical documents, it is a scholarly reference as well as a hands-on training guide for martial artists of all levels.
A comprehensive introduction to the subject of sword fighting: Herbert Schmidt explains the fundamentals of fighting with the long sword, the guards, cuts and Master Cuts, as well as advanced techniques and tactics for practical fighting. These also include wrestling at the sword. Typical combat sequences, equipment tips, cutting tests, training and free fighting, plus an extensive glossary round out this new standard work. Its modern approach and numerous photos make this book a valuable textbook and reference work. Herbert Schmidt is the leader of Ars Gladii, the Austrian swordfighting club, and is part of an international research community that is reconstructing historical European swordfighting and awakening it to new life. He is acknowledged as an expert far beyond the borders of Austria.
This book builds on the foundation laid in The Medieval Longsword, and teaches you how to train Fiore dei Liberi’s Art of Arms, as shown in his 1410 manuscript ll Fior di Battaglia. Renowned swordsman and author Guy Windsor explains three of the longsword forms that are used every day in The School of European Swordsmanship: The Cutting Drill, The Farfalla di Ferro, and The Longsword Syllabus Form. Each form is explained step by step and application by application, with abundant photographs and images from Fiore’s manuscript. Guy takes you through each step first as a pair drill, then as part of the form, then as a starting point for further training, or for further research into Il Fior di Battaglia. Within these pages you will find in-depth instructions and analysis, dozens of tips for how to improve your skills, and enough material for years of study.
