Description
Book Synopsis
Originally published in 1804 and aimed at the volunteer regiments of the Napoleonic Era, when engagements with swords were still a reality of warfare, The Art of Defence was written for civilians wanting to learn to fence with the sabre, broad-sword or spadroon.
The growing interest in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) has led to a world-wide increase in clubs and societies, and this text is aimed at these new students.
The content is presented in a highly-structured way and in easily accessible language. Although primarily aimed at the novice, the text contains a number of more advanced techniques, from which more experienced fencers can benefit.
This newly transcribed edition puts the complete, original text into a modern typesetting to make it easily accessible during lessons, but is otherwise left unchanged. To ensure the transcription will remain as compatible with other sources that refer to specific parts of the text as the original edition, all content has remained on the same page.
All the plates, including the foldouts, have been photographed and digitally enhanced in order to reproduce them in as much detail as possible.
Trade Review
Table of ContentsPart One: Practice at the Target Of Holding the Sword Position Longeing Medium Guard Inside Guard Outside Guard Introductory Remarks on the Six Cuts Direction of the Cuts Method of practicing the Six Cuts at the Target o Cut I o Cut II o Cut III o Cut IV o Cut V o Cut VI Combining the Six Cuts Part Two: Practice with the Antagonist General Observations Distance The Advance The Retreat Traversing Disengaging Forcing an Adversary’s Guard Timing The Slip Inside Guard o 2d position o 3d position Outside Guard Hanging Guard St George’s Guard Spadroon Guard Bearing Battering Feints Disarming Application of the Point Thrusts Parades Cuts differing from the general principles of the System Cut at the Advanced Leg Parade & Return for the above Remarks on the Spadroon Appendix Opposing the Small Sword § Spadroon § Musket & Bayonet Variations from general prinicples of the System when engaged with Sticks
