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Difference between revisions of "Pedro de Heredia"
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<p>'''Article 5'''</p> | <p>'''Article 5'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>You can still with the same guard, hold your sword point inward below the enemy's hilt; and in case he | + | <p>You can still with the same guard, hold your sword point inward below the enemy's hilt; and in case he tries to cover your sword, you will disengage and at the same time placing your strong on the middle of his weak, twisting the hand in a low-thrust, and thus you will shoot from second a straight line stab outward at the right shoulder extending first the arm and body, then returning to the same guard.</p> |
<p>'''Article 6'''</p> | <p>'''Article 6'''</p> | ||
| Line 310: | Line 310: | ||
<p>'''Article 9'''</p> | <p>'''Article 9'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Finding the enemy in third guard, you will go in fourth pointing the sword point toward his guard, making a feint outward, beating the front foot without advancing it. And if the enemy | + | <p>Finding the enemy in third guard, you will go in fourth pointing the sword point toward his guard, making a feint outward, beating the front foot without advancing it. And if the enemy tries to parry, you will disengage inward over the sword guard, striking him at the right shoulder, returning quickly in third guard. Be warned that all feints must be done with a beat of the front foot, without moving the rear one, and that being on guard below the enemy's sword, your point remains two palms behind his guard, not advancing it, nor making the beating further than this, so as not to be taken by surprise.</p> |
<p>'''Article 10'''</p> | <p>'''Article 10'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>On the aforementioned guard, you can still carry your point below the enemy's sword outward toward his right arm. From there, you will feint inward according to the above rule and if he | + | <p>On the aforementioned guard, you can still carry your point below the enemy's sword outward toward his right arm. From there, you will feint inward according to the above rule and if he tries to parry, you will disengage your point outward pushing a high-thrust on his right shoulder, recovering in third.</p> |
<p>'''Article 11'''</p> | <p>'''Article 11'''</p> | ||
| Line 346: | Line 346: | ||
<p>'''Article 18'''</p> | <p>'''Article 18'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>If the enemy | + | <p>If the enemy tries to cover your sword from second outward and having disengaged, he redoubles to again subdue it from third inward, you will advance your sword in fourth until the enemy's middle; come to your strong; and at the same time, you will twist the hand in a low-thrust, striking him from second toward the right shoulder, returning into third.</p> |
<p>'''Article 19'''</p> | <p>'''Article 19'''</p> | ||
| Line 382: | Line 382: | ||
<p>'''Article 27'''</p> | <p>'''Article 27'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Finding the enemy in second, you can put yourself in the same guard, holding your sword twisted in a low-thrust, the point a bit outward of his; then if he | + | <p>Finding the enemy in second, you can put yourself in the same guard, holding your sword twisted in a low-thrust, the point a bit outward of his; then if he tries to shoot a low-thrust along your point, you will let him advance to your guard, then twisting your hand into a high-thrust and collecting your point a bit inward you will meet his weak with your strong, pushing a high-thrust to the right shoulder, beating the wrist, then you retire into fourth.</p> |
<p>'''Article 28'''</p> | <p>'''Article 28'''</p> | ||
| Line 474: | Line 474: | ||
| <p>'''Article 4'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 4'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>The enemy being still in third guard, you can likewise present your point inward having your guard a bit raised at the height of your belt; and if the enemy | + | <p>The enemy being still in third guard, you can likewise present your point inward having your guard a bit raised at the height of your belt; and if the enemy tries to cover your weak with his strong, you will collect your point, passing your blade over his point, cutting him with a high-thrust to the right shoulder with firm foot, recovering into second.</p> |
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| Line 481: | Line 481: | ||
| <p>'''Article 5'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 5'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>If you are in second guard, having your hand twisted in a low-thrust and your point below the middle of the enemy's strong, and if he goes with the same guard to cover your sword outward, retiring your point, you will push at the same time that he advances a low-thrust over his weak to the right shoulder; and if he | + | <p>If you are in second guard, having your hand twisted in a low-thrust and your point below the middle of the enemy's strong, and if he goes with the same guard to cover your sword outward, retiring your point, you will push at the same time that he advances a low-thrust over his weak to the right shoulder; and if he tries to parry, you will disengage your point below his guard, striking him to the right side, with firm foot.</p> |
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| Line 507: | Line 507: | ||
| <p>'''Article 1'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 1'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Finding the enemy in third, you can while holding your point outward with the hand twisted in a low-thrust, from there, collecting your point toward you, you will cut above his sword point toward his belt with a beat of the foot; and if he | + | <p>Finding the enemy in third, you can while holding your point outward with the hand twisted in a low-thrust, from there, collecting your point toward you, you will cut above his sword point toward his belt with a beat of the foot; and if he tries to parry, you'll disengage below, pushing him outward with firm foot.</p> |
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| Line 514: | Line 514: | ||
| <p>'''Article 2'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 2'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Being both in third guard, you can put your point inward to the enemy's sword, and if he | + | <p>Being both in third guard, you can put your point inward to the enemy's sword, and if he tries to cover it, you will collect your point toward yourself cutting a high-thrust outward on his point to the right shoulder; and if he tries to parry, you will disengage your point below his blade, striking him inward from fourth with firm foot to the right shoulder, retiring into fourth.</p> |
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| Line 562: | Line 562: | ||
<p>'''Article 1'''</p> | <p>'''Article 1'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>If the enemy having gained your weak with his strong | + | <p>If the enemy having gained your weak with his strong tries to shoot a high-thrust inward from fourth to the right shoulder, passing the left foot backward beside the right leg, dodging entirely with the body, you will parry with your strong on his weak, taking his sword inward; you will push a high-thrust with firm foot at the spine, stepping with your left foot backward toward the right shoulder.</p> |
<p>'''Article 2'''</p> | <p>'''Article 2'''</p> | ||
| Line 574: | Line 574: | ||
<p>'''Article 4'''</p> | <p>'''Article 4'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>If you still find yourself in the same guard, the enemy | + | <p>If you still find yourself in the same guard, the enemy tries to cover your sword outward, you will disengage your point inward at the same time without pushing; and if he comes to quarter inward toward your right shoulder, you will parry with the middle of your blade on his weak, leading his sword inward, striking him with a high-thrust to the spine with firm foot or stepping the left foot backward.</p> |
<p>'''Article 5'''</p> | <p>'''Article 5'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>ith the enemy coming from long measure to cover your sword outward, passing with the left foot, you will disengage your point inward at the same time with firm foot without pushing; and if he | + | <p>ith the enemy coming from long measure to cover your sword outward, passing with the left foot, you will disengage your point inward at the same time with firm foot without pushing; and if he tries to quarter inward toward the right shoulder, you will parry with the middle of your blade on his weak, leading his sword inward, striking him with a high-thrust to the spine, with firm foot, or stepping with the left foot backward toward the right shoulder.</p> |
<p>'''Section 3 Remedy against fourth feints.'''</p> | <p>'''Section 3 Remedy against fourth feints.'''</p> | ||
| Line 664: | Line 664: | ||
| <p>'''Article 7'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 7'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Likewise, you can also extend your point outward, the hand twisted in a low-thrust, and the enemy going to gain your weak inward with his strong, at the same time that he advances to cover your weak, you will shoot a low-thrust toward the right eye; and if he | + | <p>Likewise, you can also extend your point outward, the hand twisted in a low-thrust, and the enemy going to gain your weak inward with his strong, at the same time that he advances to cover your weak, you will shoot a low-thrust toward the right eye; and if he tries to parry it, you will at the same time disengage below his guard to the right side, passing with the left foot, having first extended the hand and the body before the left foot steps.</p> |
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| Line 678: | Line 678: | ||
| <p>'''Article 9'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 9'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>You can likewise go to cover the enemy's sword inward with your strong on the middle of his weak and when he | + | <p>You can likewise go to cover the enemy's sword inward with your strong on the middle of his weak and when he tries to shoot an outward reversal, you will parry him with firm foot, going first, extending at the same time the arm and body; then passing with your left foot, you will strike him from second.</p> |
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| <p>'''Article 11'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 11'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>With your enemy in second guard, you will go into first holding the hand in a low-thrust, you will cover his weak outward with your strong; and if he | + | <p>With your enemy in second guard, you will go into first holding the hand in a low-thrust, you will cover his weak outward with your strong; and if he tries to disengage his point to give you a high-thrust inward, you will parry with the middle of your blade on his weak letting your point drop; then twisting the hand in a low-thrust, you will pass from left foot extending your point below the guard striking his right side.</p> |
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| <p>'''Article 16'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 16'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>You can still extend your point inward below the middle of your enemy's guard, then passing your point below his blade with your hand twisted in a high-thrust, you will cover with the same edge his weak outward with your strong; and if the enemy | + | <p>You can still extend your point inward below the middle of your enemy's guard, then passing your point below his blade with your hand twisted in a high-thrust, you will cover with the same edge his weak outward with your strong; and if the enemy tries to disengage his point, you will twist your hand in a low-thrust and going into second, you will pass with left foot toward the right shoulder; and if he disengages again, you will quickly twist your hand in a high-thrust, striking his right shoulder in the same action.</p> |
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| <p>'''Article 17'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 17'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Finding the enemy in fourth guard, you can likewise holding the hand in high-thrust to carry your point outward below his blade; and from there, with the same high-thrust collecting your point to yourself, you can cut on his presenting a high-thrust straight toward the head so that he | + | <p>Finding the enemy in fourth guard, you can likewise holding the hand in high-thrust to carry your point outward below his blade; and from there, with the same high-thrust collecting your point to yourself, you can cut on his presenting a high-thrust straight toward the head so that he tries to parry; performing this you will go at the same time twisting your hand in a low-thrust and passing the left foot with the same edge, you will strike him to the right shoulder.</p> |
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| <p>'''Article 21'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 21'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Finding your enemy in third or fourth, you can from the same guard, extend your point below the enemy's guard; then collecting your point a bit above, you will gain the middle of his weak inward from the middle of your strong; and when the enemy | + | <p>Finding your enemy in third or fourth, you can from the same guard, extend your point below the enemy's guard; then collecting your point a bit above, you will gain the middle of his weak inward from the middle of your strong; and when the enemy tries to press against you, you will disengage below his guard outward to the right shoulder passing with the left foot.</p> |
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| <p>'''Article 2'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 2'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Being still in the same guard holding your sword point outward, if the enemy | + | <p>Being still in the same guard holding your sword point outward, if the enemy tries to subdue your sword outward, as soon as you feel that he presses your sword with his, you can disengage your point pushing a high-thrust to the right shoulder inward with firm foot.</p> |
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<p>'''Article 1'''</p> | <p>'''Article 1'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Your enemy being in third or high fourth, you will lodge your sword inward; from there, you will shoot a feint outward over his hilt; and in case he | + | <p>Your enemy being in third or high fourth, you will lodge your sword inward; from there, you will shoot a feint outward over his hilt; and in case he tries to parry the feint, at the same time you will lodge your left hand on his weak one in order to keep his point out of your presence; disengaging your point below his guard, you will strike his right side with firm foot. Be advised that for all feints where the hand assists, it is necessary in performing the feint that the right foot advances and the left comes to join it. But when you shoot the real high-thrust, you will perform it with firm foot.</p> |
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| <p>'''Article 7'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 7'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Finding the enemy still in high third, first or second, and when he | + | <p>Finding the enemy still in high third, first or second, and when he tries to cover your weak with his strong, you will shoot at the same time an outward reversal; when the enemy wants to parry strongly, you will disengage your point below his arm, and securing with your left hand on his weak, you will push at the same time a low-thrust with firm foot to the right shoulder.</p> |
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<p>'''Article 1'''</p> | <p>'''Article 1'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>If being in high third or in second and when holding your point in a straight line, the enemy | + | <p>If being in high third or in second and when holding your point in a straight line, the enemy tries to beat it with his hand inward, you can at the same time avoid<ref>"Derobement" is a modern fencing term to mean avoiding an entrapment of some sort.</ref> him, disengaging it below his left arm, hitting him with a low-thrust or high thrust to the left side.</p> |
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| <p>'''Article 3'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 3'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>You can still from the same guard, while the enemy | + | <p>You can still from the same guard, while the enemy tries to lead your point outward with his hand disengage it below his left arm, inward, striking him with a high-thrust to the left side.</p> |
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|- | |- | ||
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| <p>'''Article 2'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 2'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>If, having shot a high-thrust inward toward the enemy's right shoulder, he | + | <p>If, having shot a high-thrust inward toward the enemy's right shoulder, he tries to it parry inward having his hand twisted in high-thrust, and when he passes at the same time over you wanting to seize your guard with his left hand, you will immediately pull your right foot and the sword hand backward, advancing your left arm to put your hand on his guard.</p> |
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| <p>'''Article 7'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 7'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>If both still being in the same guard as above, the enemy | + | <p>If both still being in the same guard as above, the enemy tries to raise his sword to cover yours with his strong to your weak, at the same time retiring the left foot backward letting the right follow, you will lower your point below his guard; and if he goes again to gain measure, at the same time that he moves, you will cover his sword with your strong to his weak inward, advancing the right foot and joining the left, to push a high-thrust to the right shoulder.</p> |
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<p>'''Article 1'''</p> | <p>'''Article 1'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Having gained with your strong the weak of the enemy's sword inward, you will shoot a high-thrust to the right shoulder, advancing the right foot; and if the enemy | + | <p>Having gained with your strong the weak of the enemy's sword inward, you will shoot a high-thrust to the right shoulder, advancing the right foot; and if the enemy tries to parry it, you will shoot a reversal outward, raising the left foot in the air; then releasing the said reversal, you will retire the left foot backward, letting the right follow.</p> |
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| <p>'''Article 2'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 2'''</p> | ||
| − | <p>Having also gained with the middle of your strong the middle of the weak of the enemy's sword outward, you will shoot from second a low-thrust to the right shoulder; and if the enemy | + | <p>Having also gained with the middle of your strong the middle of the weak of the enemy's sword outward, you will shoot from second a low-thrust to the right shoulder; and if the enemy tries to parry it, you will shoot him with a heavy-cut inward raising the left foot in the air when you release the cut, then retiring it backward letting the right follow.</p> |
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| <p>'''Article 3'''</p> | | <p>'''Article 3'''</p> | ||
| − | <p></p> | + | <p>If being in low third and the enemy in high third and while holding your point below his guard, he tries to extend the body holding his point in a straight line, at the same time that he moves, you will open his sword with your correct edge outward; Entering with the right foot forward, you will shoot a reversal raising the left foot in the air, releasing the cut, and retiring it backward letting the right follow.</p> |
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Revision as of 20:51, 29 September 2022
| Pedro de Heredia | |
|---|---|
| Spouse(s) | unknown |
| Occupation |
|
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Movement |
|
| Influences | Girolamo Cavalcabo |
| Genres | Fencing manual |
| Language | Middle French |
| Notable work(s) | Book of Lessons |
| Principal manuscript(s) |
|
Pedro de Heredia was a 17th century Spanish governor of a region in Belgium and a cavalry captain from 1615-1645. He wrote three manuscripts.
De Heredia's Le Livre des Leçons ("The Book of Lessons") is influenced by Girolamo Cavalcabo's Nobilissimo discorso intorno il schermo ("Most Noble Discourse on Defense").
Contents
- 1 Treatises
- 1.1 Preface
- 1.2 Single Sword Play
- 1.2.1 Chapter 1 - Simple lessons of the single sword.
- 1.2.2 Chapter 2 - The discard[9].
- 1.2.3 Chapter 3 - Double lessons of the single sword.
- 1.2.4 Chapter 4 - Feints.
- 1.2.5 Chapter 5 - Voids[10] and remedies.
- 1.2.6 Chapter 6 - The passings.
- 1.2.7 Chapter 7 - Times and counter-times.
- 1.2.8 Chapter 8 - Lessons on sword attack.
- 1.2.9 Chapter 9 - On the use of the free hand.
- 1.2.10 Chapter 10 - On sword-takings and their remedy.
- 1.2.11 Chapter 11 - The gainings[13] or the subjections of the sword.
- 1.2.12 Chapter 12 - Slashes[14], reversals, and their remedies.
- 1.2.13 Chapter 13 - Single sword play in mathematics form.
- 1.2.14 Chapter 14 - Discourse and advice of the single sword play, both for gaining land and other required subtleties.
- 1.2.15 Chapter 15 - Rule to avoid being surprised on the time of the foot.
- 1.2.16 Chapter 16 - Single sword play against sword and dagger.
- 1.2.17 Chapter 17 - On the short sword.
- 1.2.18 Chapter 18 - On the use of the cloak.
- 1.2.19 Chapter 19 - The grapples of the single sword.
- 1.2.20 Chapter 20 - Against the left-hander.
- 1.3 Sword and Dagger Play
- 1.3.1 Chapter 1 - First the dagger parries.
- 1.3.2 Chapter 2 - The simple lessons of sword and dagger.
- 1.3.3 Chapter 3 - The feints of the said sword and dagger play.
- 1.3.4 Chapter 4 - On the beats of both sword and dagger.
- 1.3.5 Chapter 5 - On the long play.
- 1.3.6 Chapter 6 - The double intentions.
- 1.3.7 Chapter 7 - The passes and their remedies.
- 1.3.8 Chapter 8 - The disappearances.
- 1.3.9 Chapter 9 - On times and counter-time.
- 1.3.10 Chapter 10 - The encroachment.
- 1.3.11 Chapter 11 - The advancing[15] on the long and short play.
- 1.3.12 Chapter 12 - On the breaking.[16]
- 1.3.13 Chapter 13 - The slashes of the sword and dagger play.
- 1.3.14 Chapter 14 - Binding and unbinding.
- 1.3.15 Chapter 15 - Subjugation, disengagement, and avoidance of engagement.
- 1.3.16 Chapter 16 - Lessons of dagger cuts.
- 1.3.17 Chapter 17 - How one can throw the sword out of the hand.
- 1.3.18 Chapter 18 - On the left foot.
- 1.3.19 Chapter 19 - Against the left-hander.
- 1.3.20 Chapter 20 - Discourse and advice of the sword and dagger play.
- 1.3.21 Chapter 21 - Know who has more advantage being in a mountainous place, he who holds the top or the bottom.
- 1.3.22 Chapter 22 - Know who has more advantage, the left-hander or the right-hander.
- 1.3.23 Chapter 23 - Rule against those withdrawing that we want to catch off guard while you pursue.
- 1.3.24 Chapter 24 - Know who has more advantage, the sword and cape or the sword and dagger.
- 1.3.25 Chapter 25 - Advice on how a little man needs to control a big man.
- 1.3.26 Chapter 26 - The grapples of the sword and dagger.
- 1.3.27 Chapter 27 - The guard takes against dagger cuts.
- 1.4 Copyright and License Summary
- 2 Additional Resources
- 3 References
Treatises
Illustrations |
Transcribed by | |
|---|---|---|
| The strong will be from the back half for defense. And the weak for offense from the point until the middle.
The sword can also be divided into three as you see above. As for the guards on which I rest my foundation, I stand with the common opinion of those who have made a profession of handling arms well that there are four guards, in the order that they are consecutively attributed; which nevertheless can be reduced to two, joining the first and second in one, and the third and fourth in the other. So let's say before going over what it is to be perfectly on guard. To be on guard consists of two things, namely: the accommodation of the body and that of the sword. |
||
| Section 1 - How one must accommodate the body to get into a good posture.
Now the accommodation of the body to be on guard will be holding the body straight with the right side a bit forward, turning the left side a bit backward, leaning the body on the left leg, of which the knee must be bent; the left arm is raised near the face like a semi-circle, the right leg extended or slightly bent, the two heels face-to-face to one another showing only the flank; you will cover with your right arm well extended below and a bit in front above the right thigh, the sword point looking in front of the enemy's right shoulder a bit higher than the fittings[1], and traversed somewhat inward, properly going on all sides to the enemy's sword. It is the third guard that I hold to be the most perfect, and in which all observations of good technique can be better preserved, since everything that derives from the other guards can easily (at least in part) be accommodated by this one. However having previously spoken of the four guards, I want to explain each of them in their place, to show that it is not necessary to rest in only one, because I hold them all good when performed well. Before putting the said guards in effect, a good master must teach his disciples the steps which are called passing, turning, traversing, and linear following before putting the sword in their hand, to make them more agile and swift in all movements, which having understood, he will give them sword in hand, teaching them the ensuing guards from which all the others derive as their principal element. |
||
| Section 2 - The four principle guards of the single sword.
Article 1 The first guard is when one holds the arm at shoulder height. Article 2 The second will be when the hand is a bit lower than the shoulder. Article 3 The third is when the arm is a bit forward past the knee as it has been said above. Article 4 The fourth will be holding the sword forward from the left side. |
||
| Section 3 - Counterguards to the aforementioned.
The counterguard of the aforementioned first will be the fourth guard. The counterguard of the second will be the same. The counterguard of the third will likewise be the same in passing outward from the enemy's sword. The counterguard of the fourth will be the third, your sword covering that of the enemy's with your strong on your opponent's weak. |
||
Section 4 - It is also fitting to know how our body can operate. Our body can be divided in two parts, one for offense, the other for defense. The right part will be used for offense, and the left for defense. |
||
Section 5 - The most notable points of advice that must be observed in several places. First, note when you are on guard with the enemy that you have a view of his eye, so that you have the proper means to discover all of his intentions. If you see the enemy's foot narrow, it will be to offend, if it is wide it will be to wait. |
||
Section 6 - Knowing which is the sword's correct[2] or false edge. The sword's correct edge is that which offends and the false edge is that which parries. |
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Section 7 - Four ways of passing. The first passing is made outward from the enemy's sword. The second will be on the left side, the third will be narrowing the step going in a straight line. The fourth will pass one foot in front of the other; take heed that with this last passing, the left foot must move first. |
||
Section 8 - Knowing which are the kind of times. Time of the sword, time of the foot, and time of the body movement are those that one can take in measure, when one wants to offend his enemy. |
||
Section 9 - Which kind are being in and out of measure. The measure consists of the distance from which one can reach each other with a single extended step, for there are three kinds, namely: exact, narrow, and far measure. The exact measure is when one can reach one another in one step, the narrow measure is when one can reach one another solely by extending the sword or an unforced half-step. The far measure is when one cannot easily reach with only one step; so to perfect it, we put a half step forward with a forced follow-up, another step to reach at what is the true resolute cut. Out of measure means when one cannot reach one another. |
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Section 10 - How to gain the measure. The measure, whatever it is, is gained by four kinds of accommodation of the foot which are called: advancing, approaching, joining, and chasing of the foot. The advancing of the foot is when, being in narrow or true step, you gain the measure advancing the right foot forward to double again with the right foot or go with the left foot as you see fit. The approaching of the foot is when, finding yourself in a wide step, you approach your left foot halfway to go to the right, then after with your right foot. Joining is when, finding yourself in true or narrow step, you join your left foot to the right to have means of advancing the right foot. The chasing of the foot is when, finding yourself in wide step, you approach with the left foot and chase the right further forward than it was. It is also curiously fitting to note and observe, before any accommodation of foot, to advance the sword a bit toward the enemy's weak and to have an eye on the lookout so as not to be caught by surprise, and that you can go in countertimes to your advantage. I in no way approve of the stamping of the feet being an improper and uncomfortable thing. As also I entirely blame those who shoot their high-thrust, stretch their bodies and hold their heads back, thinking that this makes a better cut, in which they are mistaken. On the contrary, they more often than not abandon themselves to the discretion of their enemy, for they are not assured of delivering their cut, which having just been parried, they find themselves so rushed and so committed that they cannot recover time without receiving. Also, it removes the protection of the left hand; therefore I cannot approve of these big steps, and I say that it is better to hold the body straight with strength by extending his cuts to be always prompt in the delivery. |
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Section 11 - What is the strong and the weak of the sword. The strong will be for defense, from the back half; and weak for offense from point until the middle. |
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Section 12 - Understanding when one is on guard with advantage. The advantage will be when you have the sword point right at the enemy's shoulder, and his sword does not face you. |
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Section 13 - Some definitions of words that are noted to understand fencing. Pass means to always move without changing intention except when the opportunity arises. Rotate[3] properly speaking means going or twisting toward the part that one wants to offend whether it is inward or outward. Step means going step by step both forward and backward. Collect the foot means to bring the foot backward to therefore break the measure with discretion. High-thrust[4] means a touch given with the point carried by the hand twisted with the nails upwards. Low-thrust[5] also means a touch with the point taken with the hand twisted with the nails downwards. A stab means a touch both in low-thrust and high-thrust. Disengage[6] means when one feints high and goes low, or feints low and goes high. Call means pulling a step or uncovering a part of the body, to provoke the enemy to attack, in order to execute what one desires. Firm foot means to give a long high-thrust or low-thrust without passing. Riposte is the high-thrust that the enemy shoots at he who shot first, whether a thrust or a hew. Straight line is to pursue the enemy without rotating or crossing anywhere. Dodge the body means to twist it to give way to the high-thrust that the enemy shoots. Round outers[7], and round reversals mean hitting with a reversal and with a hew without moving the hand from where it is except by twisting it. Hew the sword is to beat the enemy's sword with one's own. Cover the sword means to extend your sword onto that of the enemy's to subdue him or to compel him to disengage. Puncture the sword is to force the enemy to change guard. Sometimes if one is said to shoot a stab to the face or a cut to the head, that may be a feint, therefore, one must use discretion. Beating of the foot means feinting to push a resolute high-thrust with firm foot so that the enemy must parry and after he does to redouble to another where you will see him open. Flourish means to vary your point below the enemy's sword, both outward and inward, so that the enemy cannot know your intention, nor cover your sword. Recover or return in first, second, third, or fourth means to retire on guard with order. |
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For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.
| Work | Author(s) | Source | License |
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| Illustrations |  |
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| Transcription | Lionel Lauvernay, Olivier Dupuis, Philippe Errard, Didier de Grenier | Livre des Lecons |  |
Additional Resources
References
- ↑ According to Lauvernay, fourniment is the powder case of arquebusiers and musketeers (sometimes extended to all the equipment carried). The word is only used once to indicate a place on the body, probably a bit below the shoulder.
- ↑ Droit can mean "right" or "correct" (as in not incorrect) or "true".
- ↑ Volter is an Italian loanword of voltare which means "to turn".
- ↑ Estocade is the French loanword for the Italian stoccata and is used in this treatise as "supination".
- ↑ Brocade is the French loanword for the Italian imbroccata and is used in this treatise as "pronation".
- ↑ Caver is the French loanword for the Italian cavare, which means "to dig or to excavate".
- ↑ Lit. translated as "right-hands".
- ↑ Estramaçon is a loanword for the Italian stramazzare which means "to fall heavily". It is also French for greatsword.
- ↑ Credits to Alan Bloniarz for providing context to the word "garatusa" which is a Spanish card game where one discards their cards to win.
- ↑ Écarté is the French loanword for the Italian technique "inquartata" and means "discarded"
- ↑ "Derobement" is a modern fencing term to mean avoiding an entrapment of some sort.
- ↑ "Tirer" is normally translated as "shoot" but in this case I believe "pull" makes more sense.
- ↑ Gannance is a loanword derived from the Spanish word "ganancia", which means "gain". It is used to describe a situation where your blade is used to restrict the opponent's blade movement. Credit to Tim Riviera for the explanation.
- ↑ The Spanish word "cortar" simply means "to cut".
- ↑ Chassement means "chasing". In this case, it is the back foot chasing the front. In modern fencing, this is known as advancing.
- ↑ Crèvement means "to burst or to puncture." In the treatise, it is used to describe breaking guards.
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