The Italian school of swordsmanship was highly influential amongst the major courts of Europe and produced scholarly writings that are still reprinted and studied today. The rapier was the weapon of choice in the Renaissance at the peak of the duelling era; heavier than its modern counterparts, capable both of thrusting and cutting, it was often used along with a dagger, shield, or cloak. Devon Boorman sets out the foundation for the art of the rapier through a clear modern approach. Beginning with the basics of body mechanics, through the techniques of movement, and the aspects of timing and blade control that made the Italian school so revered. Guidance on training and development of the techniques presented here are valuable and informative for practitioners of nearly any hand-to-hand weapons tradition.

Long before "fencing" was associate with white jackets, light-weight foils and the Olympic games,the rapier was a tool of life and death. Heavier than its modern counterparts, capable both of thrusting and cutting, it was often used along with a dagger, shield, or cloak. The rapier was the weapon of choice in the Renaissance at the peak of the duelling era. The Italian school of swordsmanship was highly influential amongst the major courts of Europe and produced scholarly writings that are still reprinted and studied today. The system of Italian fencing is efficient, athletic, and strategic. In these pages Devon Boorman lays out the foundation for the art of the rapier through a clear modern approach. Starting first with healthy and powerful body mechanics, you will then progress through the techniques of movement, attack, and defence. From there, you will learn the aspects of timing and blade control that made the Italian school so revered. These skills are then tied together into a clear strategic framework, along with guidance on effectively training and conditioning tactical responses into your body to achieve long-term mastery. Not only is Italian Rapier a beautiful martial art in its own right, but the techniques and theory presented here are valuable and informative for practitioners of nearly any hand-to-hand weapons tradition.

Featuring more than 40 beautiful illustrations, this stunning work presents one of the world’s most influential fencing treatises. Ridolfo Capo Ferro was a legend in his own lifetime. His intricate instructions were emulated throughout a Europe bewitched by this grace and style and are a window into his mastery of swordsmanship. This updated edition includes a new introduction and a revised glossary with many technical terms now translated. Additionally, a modernized translation makes it easier for the reader to understand Capo Ferro's intention. Capo Ferro begins by examining the rapier in detail – its component parts and their suitability – before discussing the actual use. He details the timing and distance needed to control your adversary, while looking at defensive aspects such as the guards, parries and the importance of quick footwork. He also covers using the rapier with auxiliary weapons such as the dagger, cloak and shield. Presented by fencing master Jared Kirby, this handsome volume is a vital historical record and essential reading for any historical swordfighter, student of martial arts or military historian.

"The only attribution I have seen concerning the illustrations ... is to the Bolognese engraver Edoardo Fialet."--Introd.

The most detailed and comprehensive treatise on swordsmanship ever written, Gerard Thibault's Academy of the Sword offers an extraordinary glimpse into a forgotten landscape of ideas, in which Pythagorean sacred geometry illuminated the lethal realities of rapier combat to create one of the Western world's only thoroughly documented esoteric martial arts. Translated by the widely respected occultist and scholar John Michael Greer, this stunningly illustrated and precisely detailed manual of Renaissance swordsmanship is a triumphant document of Renaissance culture-as well as a practical manual of a martial art that can still be studied and practiced today.

Dating from the 1520's, Bolognese swordsmaster's Antonio Manciolino's Opera Nova is the earliest surviving printed book on Italian martial arts. This seminal and eclectic Renaissance work contains clear and systematic instruction on the use of the sword and small buckler, sword and large buckler, sword and targa, sword and dagger, sword and cape, two swords, sword alone, and sword and rotella, plus a fascinating compendium on the use of polearms. Clearly and elegantly written, Manciolino's text is one of the best and clearest presentations of the martial skills required of the ideal Renaissance man. For the first time since its original publishing, this book has been translated into English by experienced historical fencing instructor Tom Leoni. Also included is a valuable and extensive technical introduction, complete with illustrations from both original sources and modern photographs, making it easy to follow Manciolino's instructions, sword-in-hand, even by beginners, while providing years of training for veteran martial artists.

This short text with beautiful watercolour illustrations dates from 1595, and details fencing with the single sword, rapier and dagger, rapier and buckler, halberd, and full pike. Schermkunst is one of the oldest known martial arts treatises from the Low Countries and provides a glimpse into the `Art of Defence' as it was practiced during a particularly volatile time in Netherlands history. Rebellion against Philip II of Spain led to independence of the Calvinist Northern provinces from Catholic Spain. In the same year, the spice trade expedition set into motion events culminating in the formation of the Dutch East India Company, and a golden age of Dutch history that spanned the 17th century. The original anonymous manuscript is held in the special collections of the Newberry Library of Chicago. - Verlagstext.