Girard Thibault d'Anvers

Girard Thibault d'Anvers
Born	1574
Died	1627(?)
Occupation	Fencing master
Nationality	Dutch
Movement	La Verdadera Destreza
Influences	Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza Luis Pacheco de Narváez
Genres	Fencing manual
Language	French
Notable work(s)	Academie de l'Espée (1630)

Girard Thibault d'Anvers (ca. 1574–1627) was a 17th century Dutch fencing master and author of the 1628 rapier manual Academie de l'Espée, one of the most detailed and elaborate sources ever written on fencing. Details about Thibault's life are sparse and what we know is based on his book and his album amicorum. The latter contains handwritten notes and celebratory poems from Thibault's friends, relatives, pupils, and colleagues, included among whom are several contemporary fencing masters.

Thibault was born in or around 1574 in Antwerp, son of Hendrick Thibaut and Margaretha van Nispen. Although his father used the surname "Thibaut," Girard used the French form "Thibault." Hendrick Thibaut came from a well-known family in Ypres, living in Ghent and Antwerp before going into exile in the northern Netherlands. Henrick's eldest son, Christiaen, founded the noble family Thibaut van Aegtekerke.

Thibault first studied fencing in Antwerp under Lambert van Someron, who taught between the years of 1564 and 1584. In 1605, Thibault was a wool merchant in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, south of Seville on the Guadalquivir river, and the hometown of Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza. There, he took an interest in fencing, studying the Spanish rapier system of Destreza.

Thibault left Spain to return to the Netherlands, and was in Amsterdam as early as 1610. In or around 1611, he presented his system to an assembly of Dutch masters at a competition in Rotterdam. Thibault won first prize, earning an invitation to the court of Prince Maurice of Nassau, where the Prince observed Thibault's system in a multi-day demonstration.

Although initially met with skepticism, Thibault convinced his fellow Dutch fencing masters, including Johannes Damius of Haarlem, Dirck van Stervergen of Leiden, Cornelis Cornelisz van Heusden of Amsterdam, and Thibault's former teacher Lambert von Someron.

In 1615, Thibault was invited to the court at Cleves and left Amsterdam, where he once again demonstrated his system successfully. Over the next several years, Thibault traveled from Cleves, Amsterdam, to Spain, back to Amsterdam, and finally to Leiden in 1622. There, Thibault studied mathematics at Leiden University. It is unclear whether Thibault taught his system at the university. It is during his time in Leiden that Thibault likely began working on Academie de l'Espée and employed a team of sixteen master engravers.

Thibault died in 1627, years before his masterpiece was finally published (despite the date on the title page of 1626, later manually amended to 1628 in many copies, printing didn't finish until at least 1630).

Treatise

The Academie de l'Espée (1626-30) is presented in two books, each one organized as a series of illustrations called Tables (tabula, tableau, or table) followed by a chapter explaining the significance of the Table; oddly, the pagination starts over at the beginning of each chapter. It begins with a series of dedications and short notes that serve as an introduction, since Thibault himself apparently died without writing one. Book 1 introduces training in the use of his system of swordplay in detail across 33 Tables. Book 2 was incomplete at the time of his death, and its 11 instructional Tables show how to use his style against other weapons, including rapier & dagger, rapier & shield, two-handed swords, and firearms; it also includes two Tables of complex allegorical designs that are labeled "Emblems", which have no explanation provided in the book (presumably because he never wrote one).

Dedications, introductions, and copyright

Note that all the pages of the introduction are somewhat variable in terms of what order they appear in; many copies of the book are also missing one or more of these pages. In this presentation, they are arranged in an order that seems to make sense, but there's no way to really know what the original intent was.

Illustrations	Incomplete Translation (2021) by Bruce G. Hearns	First Edition (1626-30)  Transcribed by Michael Chidester
	Academy of the Sword by Girard Thibeault of Antwerp, wherein is demonstrated by means of mathematical rules, upon the foundation of the mysterious Circle, the Theory and Practise of the true and, until present, unknown secrets of the handling of arms both on foot and on horseback. 1628	[Ttl] Academie de L' ESPÉE de Girard Thibault d'Anvers ou se demonstrent Par Reigles mathematiques sur le fondemont d'un Cercle mysterieux la Theorie et Pratique des vrais et jusq'a present incognus secrets du maniement DES ARMES a Pied et a Cheval. Ⅿ. ⅠↃⅭ. ⅩⅩ ⅥⅠⅠ.
	In tranquil reason, not impatient in his work, leads us courageously along his meandering path. Girard Thibault of Antwerp Rejoice. Patience endures.	[ⅲ] TRANQUILLA RATIO, NEC SUI IMPATIENS LABOR, MODUM EVAGANTI PRÆSTRUIT FEROCIÆ. Girard Tibault d'Anvers [Banner:] Gaudet Patientia duris
	To the most august, most high, most powerful, high, magnificent Emperors, Kings, Princes, Dukes, Counts, and all other Lords and noble Teachers and Amateurs, of the most noble science of handling Arms.	[ⅴ] Aux TRESAUGUSTE, TRESHAULTS, TRESPUISSANTS, TRESILLUSTRES, HAUTES, MAGNFIQUES, EMPEREUR ROYS PRINCES DUCS COMTES ET TOUTS AUTRES SEIGNEURS ET NOBLES Fauteurs & Amateurs DE LA TRESNOBLE SCIENCE de Manier les Armes.
		[ⅵ] IN NOB. ET EXIMII VIRI D. GERARDI THIBAULTII Gladiatoriam artem, Symbolo ac praemio AB ILLUSTRISSIMO PRINCIPE MAURITIO à NASSAU, &c. donatam. INter se geminas ferro concurrere dextras,  Fortuna suerat, nunc erit artis opus. Nam hoc Roma parens, quamuis Mauortia, non hoc  Lectorem docuit Gratia tota suum. Temporibus nosstris, ipsa se teste, vetustas  Vincitur, & fassas dat supera manus; Artis inops: totus quam dum confiderat orbis,  Tyronem unius se videt esse viri. Hanc rude donatus Veianius ineret arenam.  Intrata est numquam dicet arena mibi. Trecius au debit cum Myrmillone sub armis  Stare, nec hic illi jam metuendus erit. Hanc Samnis teneat, teneat qui prouocat, artem;  Ignauo neuter sanguine tinget hamum. Hanc colit, hac nosstrum Thibautius imbuit auum,  Hanc nondum genitis nobile donat opus. Nec negat hoc Martis soboles Nassouius Heros,  Et jam victori præmia certa dedit: Instructorque operis, plausuque opibusque parenti  Adfuit, & partem vindicat ipse sibi. Quælibet arguto peragenda est judice causa:  Hac à non victo Pricipe palma datur. D. Heinsius.
		[ⅶ.1] EPIGRAMMA IN MONOMAXIAN Nobilißimi Præstantißimique Viri, GERARDI THIBAUT. SI qua fuit stricti seu vis seu gloria ferri,  Atque aliquod precium Martius ensis habet, Quo defensa diu, quo tandem victa fuere  Pergama, quo victrix Roma superba stetit, Quo super extremum grassata est Græcia Gangen,  Et posuit tumidas Africa tota minas, Quo Latijs aegrè ceßit Germania sceptris,  Victricesque aquilas non semel ulta fuit, Plurima cui celebres debent certamina lauros,  Tutaque Libertas pilea ferre dedit; Non moritura novæ surgent encomia chartæ,  Qua duce iam leges accipit ille suas. Barbarico quondam maduerunt rostra cruore,  Sentijt indoctas prisca saburra neces. Nunc alio versat gladium molimine Belga,  Nec jam dextra valens vulnera docta dabit. Optabis sic posse mori, vulgaria non sunt  Funera, quæ pugnans ista machæra facit. Tu qui sacra truci fecisti vota Gradivo,  Iustaque magnanimus prœlia sanguis amas, Hic prius in picto libra tua brachia campo,  Longius atque armis vivere disce tuis. Victor habes precium & rarâ virtute triumphas,  Si cadis, augustâ victus ab arte cadis. Hanc Princeps, Rex, Cæsar amant. sic vivere tutò,  Sic hostem tutò lædere posse datur. En rudis in circo Mavors concstringitur arcto,  Discit & ignota ponere lege pedes. Cuncta metu vigilant, oculi, pes, dextera, mucro.  Exitii culpam parvulus error habet. Quæ dum scire facit nostrum Thibautius orbem,  Ut calcata prius norit arena nihil, Dignus erit famæ nunquam morientis honore,  Dignus erit famæ nunquam morientis frui. Qui vitam, vitæque suum decus asserit armis,  Creditis hunc, cœli Numina posse mori? Caspatus Barlæus, Med. Doct.
		[ⅶ.2] APPLAUSUS Super ingeniosissimo GERHARDI THIBAUTI Opere Palæstrico, Johannis vonder Borch, in Holtz-hausen & Langentrier hæredis, Sereniss. ac Potentiss. Elect. Brandenburg. Georgii Guilhelmo olim Eductoris, ejusdemq; Celsitud. nunc Consiliarii, &c. TEutona Nobilitas Thibauti agnoscite nomen: Surge age, quæ reperit, fruere. Eheu quantus in armis Cresces, ad virtutis opus quicunque periclis Grassaris magno properare facillime mortem Nisu? est in dextra fati modus, usus eundem Armorum verus servat, quem recta paravit Cognitio, ingenium primordia straverat artis, Firmabat ratio, variata indage: gubernat Hunc prudens animus: sed fonia pectora tantum Exercent opus. O Juvenis! quantum ipse feroci Virtute exuperas, tanto est impensius æquum Consulere, atque omnes metuentem expendere casus Tecum Thibauti, excellens à quo incrementum Sumere multipotens non dedignata Palæstræ est. Quos juuat inter sese ensis certamina stricti Conferre hîc Thibauth, justissima cura Palæstræ Vulnera dirigere, & fortes consurgere in arma Edocet; ancipitis pugnæque lacescere tempus! Idque laborato libro præcepta notavit; (En poterit num mundities ei mundior addi?) Discendique modum, quo non præstantior alter, Ingenio magnus comprendit acumine miro. Judicii felicis opus stupet ipsa Minerva: Terque quaterque Erato pectus, consueta Cytheris Tardipedisque Dei pugnas cantare, ferit; nec Muneris esse sui credit describere ferri Pondera, mensurasque: quibus parere necesse est, Sit quamvis virtus animusque in corpore præsens. Hem Salvator, ades, quod & hic mireris habebis: Progressumque arti prona gratabere mente. Pro se quisque virum, tam claram juverit artem; Et dubitatis adhuc à nostro velle doceri Thibauto, quibus est artis perfectio cardi? Quo fessum rapis ô Prudentia? quidve moneri Per me (namque manus hic sola animumnque ministrat) Circumspecta jubes? ait hæc: ne fidite Marti, Discrimen dubium est: non arti fìdite, rara Merces est; Scylla nunc mergitur, atque Charybdi: Sit robur, validæ vires, animæque manusque Hostibus æquales; temere haud fiducia fìngat Gressus: est ars certa quidem; tamen est via vestra, Mortales, nimium (proh) lubrica, mensque futuræ Nescia fortunæ: Sortem favor Omnipotentis Tutatur Domini. Hoc animum tandem omine tollo, Teutonicæ gentis Consultor maximus olim, Quod bene condiderat Landgravius inclytus Heros, Qui Domino fidit, felici navigat unda.
		[ⅷ.1] ALIUS APPLAUSUS Super eodem Opere. Nobilis Viri GABRIELIS von DANUF. SAlvatoris eram quondam admirator & ipse,  Cum gladiatoriis luderet ille modis; En reputans toties, anne hic perfectio quædam est?  Mars mihi Censor eris, vel age testis eris. Error: quin dicam? rumpantur ut ilia Marti  In Salvatore, Pallade Mars caruit. An caruit? Caruit. Num planè? Ignoscite dicam  Sitque auris verbis vestra adapetta meis: Salvator, gladiatorum clarißime quondam,  Mars permulta tibi, ast pauca Minerva dedit: Ponderis, & Numeri, Mensuræ & Temporis (usum  (Artis opus:) Prodens nonne Minerva negat? Horum Inventorem magno celebramus honore  Thibauldum, cui lux nulla videt similem! Cui Mars, cui Pallas, cui vos, puto, cuncta dedistis,  Quæ artem hanc absolvunt, condecorantque simul. Magnus Salvator, major Thibautius ille  Cui Mars nulla negat, cuncta Minerva tulit. Hinc Palladi, hinc Marti, herois simul omnibus isthinc,  Regibus hinc charus principibusque viris.
		[ⅷ.2] AMy Lecteur, n'attendez pas que par quelque longue preface on vous recommande l'entreprinse, les peines & depense excessive que l'Auteur à employé en ce grand & precieux ouvrage; Les Princes & Seigneurs à qui il l'a de dié, de qui on voit à l'entree d'iceluy les armories, sont ceux qu'on prent en tesmoins des admirables preuves & effects qu'il à donné en leur presence de l'Excellence de l'art qu'il y enseigne, qui pourtant l'ont eu en grand estime & l'ont honorè en plusieurs endroits de leur faveur & beinveuillance & poussé a en donner part a la posterité.
	Louis de Bourbon, called the Just, by grace of God, most-Christian King of France and Navarre, thirteenth of this name. 1628	[ⅸ] [Banner:] PIETATE ~ ET ~ JUSTITIA LOUIS DE BOURBON DICT LE JUSTE, PAR LA GRACE DE DIEU TRES-CHRESTIEN ROY DE FRANCE ET DE NAVARRE, TREIZIESME DE CE NOM. 1628.
	To the valiant heart, nothing is impossible. Arms and sundry titles of Georg Wilhelm (1595–1640) of the House of Hohenzollern, Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia from 1619.	[ⅺ] AU COEUR VAILLANT RIEN N’EST IMPOSSIBLE. Serenissimo Principi ac Domino Domino Georgio Guiliermo Marchioni Brandenburgensi S. Romani imperii Archicamerario et Electori; Borussiæ, Juliæ, Cliviæ, Montium, Stetini, Pomeraniæ, Cassubiorum, Vandalorum et in Silesia Crosnæ, Carnoviæ’que Duci: Burggravio Norimbergensi Principi Rugiæ: Comiti Marchiæ Ac Ravensbergi: Dynastæ Ravensteiny, &c.
	Work well without pause, and the hours pass quickly. Arms and sundry titles of Johann Sigismund (1572–1619), Elector of Brandenburg (1608–1619) of the House of Hohenzollern, Elector of Brandenburg from 1608 and Duke of Prussia, through his wife Anna, from 1618.	[ⅹⅲ] Fais bien sans demeure, En peu de temps se passe l’heure. Serenissimo Principi ac domino, D. Joachimo Sigismundo. Marchioni Brandenburgensi, Borussiæ, Juliæ, Cliviæ, Montium, Stetini, Pomeraniæ, Cassubiorum, Vandalorum, et in Silesia Crosnæ, Carnoviæque Duci etc.
	Everything with God, Nothing without Reason. Arms and title of Christian (the Elder) (1566–1633), Duke of Brunswick and Lunenbourg.	[ⅹⅴ] Tout avec Dieu Rien sans Raison Serenissimo Principi ac Domino Domino Christiano Duci Brunswicensi et Lunenburgensi.
	(Order of the Garter – Shame to him who thinks evil) I maintain Arms and titles of Maurice of Nassau (1567–1625), who became Prince of Orange in 1618.	[ⅹⅶ] [Garter:] HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE JE MAINTIENDRAY Illustrissimo Heroi Mauritio Principi Auraico; Comiti Nassoviæ, Cattimeliboci, Viandæ, Diestii, Lingæ, Mursiæ, Bueræ, Leerdami, &c. Marchioni Veriæ, ac Flissingæ; Baroni Bredæ, Civitatis Graviæ, ac ditionis Cuyckiæ, Heerstal, Cranendonc, Warneston, Arlaii, Sti Viti, Daesburgi ec. Vicecomiti Hæreditario Antwerpiæ, et Bizantii, &c. Gubernatori Geldriæ, Hollandiæ, Lelandiæ, West Frisiæ Lutphaniæ, Ultraiecti, Transisalaniæ, Groningæ et Omlandiæ; Summo earundem Provinciarum terra mariq; militiæ Duci.
	Of the homeland. With the homeland. Arms and titles of Frederick Henry (1584–1647), Prince of Orange (1625–1647)	[ⅹⅸ] Patriæ que Patrique Illustrissimo Principi ac Domino D. Frederico Henrico Principi Auraico, Comiti Nassoviæ, Domino Geertrudis-Bergæ, utriusque Swaluæ, Naeldwici Marischalco Hæreditario Hollandiæ Unitarum Provinciarum Equitum Præfecto Generali &c.
	Constant Arms & titles of Ernest Casimir (1573–1632), Count of Nassau-Dietz (1606–1632)	[ⅹⅺ] CONSTANT. Illustmo Principi Ernesto Casimiro Comiti Nassoviæ, Catimeliboci, Viandæ, Diestii; Domino Bilsteiniæ, Castrorum Unitarum Provinciarum Præfecto; Gubernatori Frisiæ &c.
	God and all Dedication and Arms of Simon VII (1587–1627), Count of Lippe (1613–1627), and his brother Otto (1589–1657), Count of Lippe-Brake (1621–1657)	[ⅹⅹⅲ] Deo et Cunctis Generosis, Vereque; Germanis Fratribus, Simoni et Otthoni, Comitibus et Nobisibus Dominis De Lippia.
	Nothing without God Arms of Stephan Gans, Baron Putlitz	[ⅹⅹⅴ] Rien sans Dieu. Nobilissimo, Generosissimoque; Heroi Domino Stephano Gans, Libero Baroni Potlitz Ⅰ, Nec non Wolffshagiæ, Turmæ equestris sub ductu et moderamine Illustrissii Principis Auraici Præfecto.
		[ⅹⅹⅶ] EXEMPLAR PRIVILEGII S. CÆSAREÆ MAJESTATIS. FErdinandus Ⅱ, Divina favente clementia, electus Romanorum Imperator, semper Augu­stus, ac Germaniæ, Hangariæ, Bohemiæ, Dalmatiæ, Croatiæ, Sclavoniæ Rex, Archidux Austriæ, Dux Burgandiæ, Stiriæ, Carinthiæ, Carniolæ & Wittembergæ, Comes Tirolis, &c. Agnoscimus & notam facimus tenore præsentium universis: Quod demisse nobis exponi curarint Gerardi Tibault civis Ant­werpiensis hæredes, dictum Gerardum Tibault Artem digladiandi & arma, tam equestria quam pedestria, tractandi, secundum regulas Mathematicas tradidisse; eamque artem in unum opus congessisse; illudquc multis ac variis iconibus æri incisis illustrasse: quod prœli beneficio in lucem edere ac publici juris facere decreverint: vereri autem, ne, quod subinde accidere solet, æmulorum fraude ac dolo, qui primas hujusmodi editiones præpropere & nonnumquam vitiose imitari consueverint, ipsi sperato laboris & impendij sui fructa ad alios inique translato fraudentur: Ideoque demisse nos rogarint, ut indemnitati suæ hoc loci Privilegio nostro Cæsareo clementer consulere dignaremur: Nos hujusmodi precibus (quod opus illud paßim utile futurum agnoscamus) gratiose annuendum duxerimus; uti vigore præsentium annuimus. Ac proinde omni­bus & singulis typographis, bibliopolis, & aliis quibuscunque librariam negotiationem exercentibus, serio inhibemus ac vetamus, ne quisquam prædictum opus quocunque modo, charactere aut forma, sive integrum, sive aliquam ejus partem, citra memoratorum Gerardi Tibault hæredum volantatem & assensum, intra annos duodecim proximos, à prima editionis die computandos, recudere aut alii recudendum dare, sive alibi etiam impressum intra sacri Romani Imperij Regnorumque & Dominîornm nostrorum hæreditariorum fines, apportare, vendere vel distrahere audeat ac præsumat. Si quis autem edictum hoc nostrum transgredi, violare aut contemnere deprehendatur, eum non solum hujusmodi libris perperam recusis & apportatis, quos dicti hæredes, ubicunque inventi fuerint, sive propria sive magistratus ibidem authoritate atque auxilio, sibi vendicare poterunt, privandum, sed & pœna duodecim marcarum auri puri, cujus semis dictis Authoris heredibus, alter vero semis fisco nostro Imperiali fraudis vindici, toties quoties contra factum fuerit, penda­tur, omni spe veniæ sublatâ mulctandum decernimus: dummodo tamen memoratum opus nihil in se scandalosum aut Orthodoxæ Reli­gioni Catholicæ Sacrique Romani Imperij constitationibus adversum, vel bonis moribus contrarium, sive in præfatione sive in contextu, seu alias quocunque modo contineat, & sœpedicti hæredes, aut typographus cui imprimendi cura commissa fuerit, quaterna ut minimum dicti operis exemplaria suis sumtibus quam primum ad Cancellariam Imperialem aulicam transmiserint. Mandamus ergo universis no­stris & S. R. Imperii Regnorumque ac ditionum nostrarum hæreditariarum subditis, cujuscunque flatus, gradus, ordinis, conditionis aut dignitatis existant, tam Ecclesiasticis quam Secularibus, præsertim vero iis qui in Magistratu constituti vel proprio vel superiorum nomine & loco jus ac justitiæ administrationem exercent, ne quenquam Privilegium hoc nostrym Cæsareum temere & impune transgredi aut violare patiantur, quin potius contumaces, si quos forte compererint, præscripta pœna mulctari aliisque modis idoneis coerceri carent, quatenus & ipsi eandem mulctam evitare voluerint: Harum testimonio literarum manu nostra subscriptarum & sigilli nostri Cæsarei im­preßione munitarum. Datum in civitate nostra Viennæ; die vigesima mensis Maji, anno Domini millesimo sexcentesimo trigesimo, Regnorum nostrorum, Romani undecimo, Hungarici duodecimo, Bohemici vero decimotertio. FERDINANDUS. Ad mandatum Sacræ Cœsareœ Majestatis proprium GERH. à ZWETHENG.  Ut P. à STRALENDORFF.
	GRANT OF PRIVILEGE BY THE KING OF FRANCE By grace and privilege of the King, it has been permitted and granted to Gerard Thibault native of Antwerp, to print, sell, and distribute the present book and figures, in such character and volume as to him seems fit, in all the Kingdoms, lands, and holdings of his Majesty during a period of nine years counting from the day he shall have it printed, with all protections from all persons of whatever quality and condition they may be, to sell and distribute the said book, in part or portion thereof, whether a lithograph, woodcut, etched plate, stolen or counterfeit, or to sell the said figures alone or with summary of what they represent, either separately or jointly, on pain of contravention of loss of goods and five thousand pounds fine, half applicable to his Majesty, and the other to the said Thibault; who, moreover carries full letters to this effect, given in Paris, the XXI Day of December, in the year of grace one thousand six hundred and twenty and in fourth of the reign of the said King. Signed by the King in his Council and sealed with the great seal of his Majesty in yellow wax on a ribbon.	[ⅹⅹⅸ.1] EXTRAICT DU PRIVILEGE DU ROY DE FRANCE PAr grace & Privilege du Roy, il a esté permis & octroyé à Gerard Thibault natif d’Anvers, d’imprimer vendre & debiter le present livre & figures, en tel character & volume que bon luy semblera, par tous les Royaumes pays terres & Seigneuries de sa Majesté, pandant le temps de neuf ans à compter du jour qu’il sera achevé d’imprimer: avec deffences à toutes personnes de quelque qualité & condition qu’ils soyent, de vendre & debiter ledict livre part ou portion d’iceluy, avec lesdites figures seuls ou sans icelles, soit taille douce, de bois, eau forte, de les pocher ou contrefaire, ou vendre lesdites figures seules ou avec somaire de ce qu’elles representent, soit separemant ou conjoinctement, sur pene au contrevenant de perte des exemplaires, & de cincq mille livres d’amande; moitie applicable à sa Majesté, & l’autre audict Thibault; comme plus a plein est porté aux lettres sur ce obtenues, données à Paris le ⅩⅩⅠ. Jour de Decembre, l’an de grace mil six cent vengt, & du regne du dict Seigneur le quatriesme. Seignées par le Roy en son Conseil Perrochet, & scellees du grand seau de sa Maiesté en cire jaune à queue pendant.
	PRIVILEGE The Estates General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, have consented and granted, and do consent and grant to the heirs of Giraldo Thibault, that be during the time of next thirty years to come, alone in these united Lands, affiliated lands and towns, full rights and privileges that they may print, sell, and distribute this treatise, engravings, instructions, knowledge, & exercises entitled Academie de Girard Thibault d'Anvers, ou se demonstrent d'un cercle myssterieus la theorie & praćticque des vrais, & justes à present ingcognus secrets du maniement de Armes à pied & à cheval. Forbidding one and all within the jurisdiction of these lands, to offer for sale copies of the aforesaid book for the aforesaid time of thirty years, directly or indirectly, in whole, or in part either greater or lesser, neither the imprint, nor the engravings, nor the explanations of the engravings. Upon pain of forfeiture of all copies and payment of a fine of the sum of nine hundred guilders. One third part thereof to be given to the officer who performed the arrest, the second third to the watchmen, and the remaining third to the aforesaid heirs of Girardo Thibault. Given in Graven-Hague this fifth of June Sixteen-Twenty-Seven. Gaspar van Vosgbergen. By order of the President of the Estates-General. I. van Goch.	[ⅹⅹⅸ.2] PRIVILEGIE DE Staten Generael der Vereenighde Nederlanden, hebben gheconsenteert ende gheoctroyeert, consenteren ende octroyeren by dese d’erfghenamen van Giraldo Thibault, dat sy gheduerende den tijdt van dertich eerst-komende Iaren, alleene in dese vereenighde Landen, gheassocieerde Landtschappen ende Steden, sullen moghen Drucken, doen Drucken, ende uytgheven seeckere Wapen-konst, bestaende in Figuren, met regulen, aenwijsinghen ende leer-stucken, gheintituleert Academie de Girard Thibault d’Anvers, ou se demonstrent d’un cercle mysterieus la theorie & practicque des vrais, & jusques à present incognus secrets du maniement des Armes à pied & à cheval. Verbiedende allen ende een yeghelijck Inghesetenen van dese Landen, de voorschreven Wapen-konste binnen den voorschreven tijdt van dertich Iaren, directelijck ofte indirectelijck, in’t geheel, ofte ten deele, in’t groot ofte in’t kleyne, na te Drucken, ende uyt te gheven, ofte elders na ghedruckt, hier te Lande te brenghen om verkost te worden, by verbeurte van alle de na-ghedruckte exemplaren, ende daer-en-boven van de somme van neghen hondert guldens; ’t appliceren een derdendeel daer van ten behoeve van den Officier die de calangie doen sal, het tweede derdendeel ten behoeve van de armen, ende het resterende derdendeel ten behoeve van de voorschreven erfghenamen van Girardo Thibault. Ghedaen in s’Graven-Haghe op den vijfden Iunij sesthien-hondert seven en twintich. Gaspar van Vosberghen Vt. Ter ordonnantie van de Hooch-ghemelte Heeren Staten Generael. I. van Goch.
	NOTICE CONCERNING the figures of this book. Because the reader shall find it strange that many of the images are not placed upon the ground, but are above or below the horizon, we think it best they be conceived of as paintings upon the walls; this being because of the unequal circles above the horizon compared to the ground, and for more convenient representation of the doctrine, & for easier intelligibility in a manner which does not extend perspectives. Thus in Table 3, high on both sides, we see 4 men painted on the walls, & in Table 5 there are four pieces in the form of paintings in the middle of the masonry wall each with its own appropriately-sized circle. In Tables 6, 16, 21, 22, 25, & 28 we find painted canvasses & murals on the sides, and on the lower parts of the walls. In Tables 7 & 27 we understand they are made in the form of charts. In Table 19, a tapestry hangs in the middle, in which the doctrines are embroidered. The Tables 5, 8, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, & 29 likewise have painted walls, but the most important parts are shown alive on the ground or as painting on the wall base, because we have put there the means to see how the position of the swords relates to the lines of the Circle in the form of shadows on the lower line or base. We can see the positions of the blades, on the ground of the circle, by which means the capability to work out the movements of the swords the figures have in their hands becomes quite easy.	[ⅹⅹⅹ] ADVERTISSEMENT SUR LA CONSIDERATION DES FIGURES DE CE LIVRE. POurce que le spectateur trouveroit estrange, que plusieurs Images ne sont fixement posées sur le fondement, tant au dessus qu’au dessoubs de l’Horison: nous avons trouvé bon de l’advertir, qu’il les faut concevoir comme estant despeintes aux murailles; cela estant fait à cause des Cercles inegaux tant au dessus de l’Horison que sur le plan, pour la representation plus commode de la doctrine, & pour l’intelligence plus facile du commun qui n’entend les perspectives: ainsi au Tableau 3. au dessus d’un & d’autre costé sont despeints 4. hommes aux parois, & en la Table 5. il y à quatre pieces en forme de peinture au millieu de la muraille ou massonnerie, desquels Cercles chascun suffit pour soy, & es Tables 6. 16. 21. 22. 25. & 28. au millieu des toilles peinturées, & au costez sont despeintes à la paroy, es Tables 7. & 27. faut entendre que cela est fait en forme de chartes, & en la Table 19. un tapi tendu ou pendu au millieu, dans lesquel les doctrines sont tissues, & es Tables 5. 8. 14. 17. 18. 20. 22. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. de mesme despeint aux murailles, mais les premieres pieces se demonstrent plus vivement sur le fond ou base que les autres, car la se voit la façon des accords des espées & leur operation par les lignes du Cercle; pour ce que en forme d’Esquierre de la ligne Inferieure ou base, on trouve un accord des lames, fait au fond ou Cercle, par lequel, le jugement des operations mouvantes des espees que les figures tiennent en main, est rendu tres-facile.

Book 1, Table 1–11

Main article: Girard Thibault d'Anvers/Tables 1-11

Book 1, Table 12–22

Main article: Girard Thibault d'Anvers/Tables 12-22

Book 1, Table 23–33

Main article: Girard Thibault d'Anvers/Tables 23-33

Book 2

Main article: Girard Thibault d'Anvers/Tables 34-46

Epitaph and colophon

Illustrations	No Translation	First Edition (1626-30)  Transcribed by Michael Chidester
		[xxⅺ.1] ADVERTISSEMENT AU LECTEUR. LE Lecteur sera adverti, que l'Autheur ayant eu le dessein de produire la science de l'exercice à Cheval, avec celle à pied, comme il en est faict mention au frontispice de ce livre, la mort l'ayant prevenu, ne l'a peu mettre en effect, mesmes l'impression du present livre en à esté retardée iusques à present.
		[xxⅺ.2] A LEYDE, Imprimé en la Typographie des ELZEVIERS, Au moys d'Aoust, l'An ⅽⅠↄ Ⅰↄ ⅽⅹⅹⅹ.

Copyright and License Summary

For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.

Work	Author(s)	Source	License
Images	courtesy of Reinier van Noort	Thibault.zip
Translation	Bruce G. Hearns	Wiktenauer
Transcription	Bruce G. Hearns	Wiktenauer

Additional Resources

• Howden, Matthew. "Comparison of Thibault’s Circle and the Leiden Circle". Sworded Contemplations. April, 2008. Retrieved 08 February 2015.

The following is a list of publications containing scans, transcriptions, and translations relevant to this article, as well as published peer-reviewed research.

• Chan, Eleanor (2019). "The Vital Breath: Mathematical Visualizations in England and the Netherlands around 1600." Ad vivum? Visual Materials and the Vocabulary of Life-Likeness in Europe before 1800: 247-271. Ed. by Thomas Balfe; Joanna Woodall; Claus Zittel. Brill. doi:10.1163/9789004393998_009. ISBN 978-90-04-32994-2.
• Fontaine Verwey, Herman de la (1978). "Gerard Thibault and his Academie de l'Espée." Quaerendo 8(4): 283-319. doi:10.1163/157006978X00188.
• Majár, János; Zoltán Várhelyi (2014). "Thibault and Science I. Measure, Distances and Proportions in the Circle." Acta Periodica Duellatorum 2(1): 67-104. doi:10.1515/apd-2015-0014.
• Pascha, Johann Georg; Heinrich von und zum Velde (2018). Proper Description of Thrust-Fencing with the Single Rapier. Trans. by Reinier van Noort; Jan Schäfer. Glasgow: Fallen Rook Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9934216-7-9.
• Saviello, Julia (2018). "Girard Thibault: Bewegung in Harmonie mit dem Körper (1630)." Schönheit ― Der Körper als Kunstprodukt: Kommentierte Quellentexte von Cicero bis Goya: 287-300. Ed. by Romana Sammern; Julia Saviello. Heidelberg: Arthistoricum.net. doi:10.11588/arthistoricum.425.c5753.
• Thibault, Gérard (2006). Academy of the Sword. Trans. by John Michael Greer. Highland Village: Chivalry Bookshelf. ISBN 978-1-891448-40-9.
• Thibault, Gérard (2017). Academy of the Sword. Trans. by John Michael Greer. London: Aeon Books. ISBN 978-1-190465-884-9.
• Thomas, Rémy (2022). Pratiques et apprentissage de l'escrime dans l'Academie de l'espée de Girard Thibault d'Anvers (1630) [Unpublished thesis]. Liège: Université de Liège. http://hdl.handle.net/2268.2/15440
• Van Noort, Reinier; Jan Schäfer (2017). "An analysis and comparison of two German thrust-fencing manuscripts." Acta Periodica Duellatorum 5(1): 63-74. doi:10.36950/apd-2017-002.