martial arts
The Art of Sword Fighting in Earnest: Philippo Vadi’s De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi
From the late fifteenth century comes a detailed manuscript on knightly combat, written by Philippo Vadi. Dedicated to one of the most famous Italian condottiere of the age, Guidobaldo, Duke of Urbino, this book covers the theory of combat with the longsword, as well as dozens of techniques of the sword, the spear, the pollax, and the dagger. This black and white paperback edition of The Art of Sword Fighting in Earnest includes a detailed introduction, setting Vadi and his combat style in their historical context, a complete translation of the manuscript, and a detailed commentary from the perspective of the practising martial artist.
The Art of Swordsmanship by Hans Lecküchner
This translation, complete with all illustrations from the manuscript, makes the treatise accessible for the first time since the author's untimely death less than a year after its completion left his major work to be lost for generations. An extensive introduction, notes, and glossary analyze and contextualize the work and clarify its technical content.
Cutting with the Medieval Sword: Theory & Application
This book lays bare the principles of the use of the sword with unprecedented detail—principles that are universal across nearly all cultures and time periods, including our own. This information comes from centuries-old living lineage martial arts, medieval fencing treatises and decades of combined research, experimentation and application. It is accessible to anyone, from a complete beginner to a seasoned expert.
The Art of Sword Combat: A 1568 German Treatise on Swordmanship
The manuscript, produced in Strassburg around 1568, is illustrated with thirty watercolor images and seven ink diagrams. The text covers combat with the long sword (hand-and-a-half sword), dusack (a one-handed practice weapon comparable to a saber), and rapier. The manuscript’s theoretical discussion of guards is one of the most critical passages to understanding this key feature of the historical practice, not just in relation to Meyer but in relation to the medieval combat systems in general.
Going Medieval
Historian and weapons expert Mike Loades takes us on a high-energy, action filled, fact-rich rampage through the medieval world. Along the way, Mike separates myth from reality and finds out what it was like to live, work, and fight through this extraordinary time.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Duelling: Of Honour & Honourable Quarrels
Originally published under the title Of Honour and Honourable Quarrels Saviolo's guide is devoted to the art of settling a duel in a gentlemanly manner. It was written in a time when honour, virtue and codes of behaviour were of grave importance; and rapier play was seen as ideally suited to the requirements of a gentleman.
The Medieval Archer
This is a study of the archer and his weapon, from the Norman Conquest to the Wars of the Roses.
