Pedro de Heredia

Pedro de Heredia
Spouse(s)	unknown
Occupation	Governor Captain Fencing master
Nationality	Spanish
Movement	Esgrima común Bolognese swordsmanship
Influences	Girolamo Cavalcabo
Genres	Fencing manual
Language	Middle French
Notable work(s)	Book of Lessons
Principal manuscript(s)	Traite des armes (MS E.1939.65.359) Traite des armes (MS E.1939.65.360) Traite des armes (MS X.911)

Pedro de Heredia is the presumed name of a fencing master who taught young schoolchildren and wrote three French manuscripts. The manuscripts do not contain any attributions, but a catalog description from 25 June 1900 attributed one of the manuscripts to Pedro de Heredia for reasons unknown.^{[citation needed]}

The manuscripts do not contain a title, but the plates in one of the manuscripts refers to the work as Le Livre des Leçons ("The Book of Lessons"). It is a French paraphrase of Girolamo Cavalcabo's Nobilissimo discorso intorno il schermo ("Most Noble Discourse on Defense").

The actual Pedro de Heredia was an early 17th century Spanish servant of the king. He married in 1618 and pursued a military career in the Netherlands. He was a cavalry captain by 1630, and in 1648, he became the governor of Leau (now Zoutleeuw), Netherlands. It is unlikely that de Heredia was a fencing master because of his position.

Treatises

Preface

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	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 put on a posture well. 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 a bit 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, 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 protect, seeing that everything that derives from the other guards can easily (at least in part) be accommodated by this. However having before 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; also it is a decent thing to know how to govern oneself in all guards according to which one can recognize the enemy's inclination. Before putting the said guards in effect, a good master must teach his disciples the steps which are called pacing, rotating, traversing, and following a straight line 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 most 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 or false edge. The sword's correct edge is that which offends and the false edge is that which parries.
	Section 7 - Four ways of pacing. The first pacing performs outward from the enemy's sword. The second will be from the left side, the third will be closing the step going in a straight line. The fourth will be pacing one foot in front of the other; be advised that with this last pacing, 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.
	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 the eye on the lookout such as not to be suddenly surprised, and that you can go in countertime 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.
	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.
	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 your point.
	Section 13 - Some definitions of words that are noted to understand fencing. Pace means to always move without changing intention except when the opportunity arises. Rotate properly speaking means going or turning 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 means a touch given with the point carried by the hand turned with the nails upwards. Low-thrust also means a touch with the point taken with the hand turned with the nails downwards. A stab means a touch both in low-thrust and high-thrust. Disengage 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 turn it to give way to the high-thrust that the enemy shoots. Round outers, and round reversals mean hitting with a reversal and with a hew without moving the hand from where it is except by turning 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. Break 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 with the foot means to feint to push a resolute high-thrust with firm foot such that the enemy must parry and after he does to redouble to another where you will see him exposed. 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.

Single Sword Play

Chapter 1 - Simple lessons of the single sword.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Since the single sword is held above all as the king of weapons and is carried everywhere and in companies, I will put it first and I will show in order the principles or simple lessons that I am accustomed to instruct young students. Article 1 First finding yourself in the fourth guard and the enemy being in third or second, you will cover inward with the strong of your sword on his weak's middle; and having gained, you will push a high-thrust straight from the correct edge to his right shoulder without abandoning his blade. And to perform this cut well, note that it is fitting for the arm to be extended and the body extended before the foot steps to push, so that you are not surprised and the enemy cannot disengage on the raising of the foot. Article 2 You will also be in fourth guard, to subdue the enemy's sword covering it as above; and if he disengages his point and shoots a low-thrust outward, you will parry with your strong on his weak with the hand turned into a low-thrust, and you will at the same time push a low-thrust with the correct edge to the right side, fully extending the body and arms, without abandoning the enemy's sword, quickly recovering into third guard. Article 3 Finding the enemy camped in third guard, you will advance in second with the arm and body; and turning the hand in low-thrust, you will cover his sword with your strong on his weak's middle; and if he changes his point and shoots a stab inward, you will parry again with your strong to his weak, and you will push with the correct edge a high-thrust with firm foot to the right shoulder. Note that the arm and the body are still extended before the foot step in order to push off. Article 4 Being in third guard, you can also likewise hold your point a bit outward below the enemy's sword's strong's middle; then collecting it toward you at the height of the enemy's face, you will cover inward from your strong's middle on his weak's middle, pushing at the same time a high-thrust to the right shoulder without abandoning his blade so as not to receive at the same time, quickly recovering into fourth guard. Article 5 You can still with the same guard, hold your sword point inward below the enemy's guard; and in case he tries to cover your sword, you will disengage and at the same time placing your strong on his weak's middle, turning 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. Article 6 Finding the enemy in first guard, you will put yourself in second, pointing your sword point at opponent's the right eye; who coming to cover your weak with his strong, you will lower your point at the same time below his guard giving him a high-thrust below the armpit, carrying your sword guard well raised to protect the head against slashes that the enemy could shoot if you were caught off guard. This same cut can be done after your enemy has already covered your sword, provided that you take it at the time that it is strong enough to subdue it. Article 7 Finding the enemy in second guard, you will go from third to cover with your strong's middle on his weak's middle, always observing the extension of the arm and body by subduing the sword before performing a step with the right foot; and having gained this measure, if the enemy disengages to push a stab outward, you can counter-disengage passing your sword below his; raising your point and meeting his weak with your strong, you will push with the correct edge a high-thrust from fourth along his blade to the right shoulder, retiring quickly on guard without abandoning the blade. Article 8 Finding the enemy in fourth guard, you will go from third to cover with your strong on his weak outward, turning your hand in low-thrust; and if he disengages his point inward, you can make a counter-disengage, passing your point below his blade and returning to second; having found his weak with your strong, you will push a low-thrust to the right shoulder, retiring to second without leaving the enemy's blade. Article 9 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 advised that all feints must be done with a beat of the front foot, without moving the back one, and that being on guard below the enemy's sword, your point remains two palms backward from his guard, not advancing it, nor making the beating further than this, so as not to be suddenly taken. Article 10 On the aforementioned guard, you can still carry your point below the enemy's sword outward toward his right limb. 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. Article 11 The enemy being in third guard, you can go into fourth; carrying your point below his sword a bit outward, corresponding to his strong's middle, and having gained this measure, you will collect your point inward lodging your strong on his weak's middle to subdue it. And if he wants to press against it, you will disengage your point below his guard, striking a high-thrust to his right shoulder, holding your guard well raised to counterguard your head, then you will return to second. Article 12 If you find the enemy in third, you can go into fourth; holding your point below his sword a bit outward, corresponding to his strong's middle; and having gained this measure, you will collect your point inward, placing your strong on his weak's middle to subdue it; then if he presses against it, you will disengage your point below his guard, hitting with a high-thrust to his right shoulder, having the guard well raised, to counterguard the head. Article 13 If you still find the enemy in third guard, the arm forward, and you are in fourth with your point outward from his sword and corresponding to his strong's middle as above, you will collect your point inward, covering his weak with your strong, stepping forward with the right foot, then approaching the left foot, you will resolutely push a high-thrust to the right shoulder, letting go only the right foot without moving the left, returning into third, still holding the enemy's blade subject as long as you can. Article 14 The enemy still being in third guard, and you in fourth with your point inward to oppose his strong's middle, you will collect your point outward, turning your hand in a low-thrust; and going into second, you will cover his weak with your strong's middle, advancing the right foot and joining the left, you will push a low-thrust to the right shoulder quickly returning into second. Article 15 Being both in the same guard as above, and having covered the enemy's sword with yours, if he shoot a reversal outward, you will parry his first cut with your strong against his weak, turning your hand in a low-thrust, shooting at the same time to his right shoulder with firm footing, returning into second. Article 16 If the enemy is in third and you, being in second, have covered his sword outward with your hand turned in a low-thrust, and when he shoots at you with a heavy-cut inward, you will parry him with the same, turning the hand in a high-thrust with the strong of your sword on his weak, pushing him at the same time a high-thrust from fourth to the right shoulder with firm foot, returning into fourth. Article 17 If you find the enemy in second guard, you can put yourself in third, holding your sword point raised below his strong's middle; from there, advancing a step with the right foot, letting the left follow, you will push a low-thrust from second outward, over his strong's middle to compel him to the parry; in this time, you will disengage your point below his elbow, striking him below the armpit, returning into second. Article 18 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 turn the hand in a low-thrust, striking him from second toward the right shoulder, returning into third. Article 19 If being in first guard, the enemy is trying to cover your sword to shoot you with a first or second high-thrust to the head or shoulder, at the same time as his arm advances to strike, you will turn your hand in a low-thrust, concealing or subtly lowering the body and head, lowering your point a bit, you will strike him from second to the right side below the armpit, returning after into second. Article 20 You can also put yourself in third guard, holding your sword guard near your belt, the hand half-turned in a low-thrust, your point outward that of the enemy's corresponding to his strong's middle; and if he tries from fourth with his arm extended to cover your weak, you will push a resolute low-thrust, straight to the right shoulder, concealing your head a bit, putting yourself backward into second. Article 21 Your enemy being in first guard, his point and his guard of the same height, you will come from second to cover his weak with your blade's middle, having the hand turned in a high-thrust; then turning it into a low-thrust, you will lead his sword outward, pushing at the same time a low-thrust below his guard to the right side, with firm foot or with passing. The same is also done in a high-thrust, depending on how you find the enemy's point disposed, putting you backward into second. Article 22 If you are going into third to cover the weak of the enemy's sword and failing your intention, he disengages his point to shoot you from second a low-thrust in the right shoulder, you will quickly turn your hand into a low-thrust and thus, leaning the body and the head, you will push from second the same low-thrust to the enemy's right side; and having warned him, you will retire into second. Article 23 If you are in first or second guard with your body extended, and you find the enemy in third guard holding his point inward from your sword, and at the same time that you want to gain his weak with your strong, he pushes you a high-thrust below your guard, you will follow his sword, pushing with firm foot from below his guard a high-thrust from third to the right side, recovering promptly into third. Article 24 The enemy being in first guard, and that you are in second or third, and holding his point outward, he is trying to push a thrust to your right shoulder, you will parry on his weak, and following the correct edge, you will push a high-thrust with firm foot to the right side, passing your point below his guard, returning quickly into second. Article 25 If being in second guard and the enemy in fourth, and having covered his weak with your strong's middle, then he shoots a low-thrust outward toward the head, at the same time as he bends his arm to leave, you will turn your hand in a low-thrust, then concealing or leaning the body and the head, you will push a stab with firm foot below the right elbow, raising your guard well to guarantee your head; be advised to have the arm bent before the foot steps to push off, retiring into second. Article 26 Finding the enemy in fourth guard, you will go into third holding your point below his guard, stepping a bit inward; then if the enemy extends his arm, you will carry your point outward, a bit raised above his blade, while knocking with the flat of yours against his false edge, you will push a high-thrust at him with firm and straight foot to the right shoulder, returning promptly into second. Article 27 Finding the enemy in second, you can put yourself in the same guard, holding your sword turned 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 turning 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. Article 28 The enemy being in second, and when he shoots you a low-thrust outward, with the intention, if you parry his low-thrust, redouble another below your guard, in doing so, you will parry his first low-thrust with a bit of a retreat; and with the second you will follow his sword with a straight line to yours inward, turning your hand in a high-thrust, presenting your point to his belt and he will remain struck, retiring promptly into fourth guard.

Chapter 2 - The discard.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Section 1 How one can throw the sword out of the hand, which one calls discard. Article 1 If the enemy is in second, and you in third, at the same time as he extends his arm in high-thrust, you will parry, covering his sword with your strong on his weak; then turning your hand in low-thrust, you will shoot a reversal on his sword, pulling your false edge backward toward you, and thus you can shoot the sword out of his hands. Article 2 The enemy having gained your sword inward and wanting to give you a high-thrust from fourth, you will parry with the strong of your sword close to his point; then turning your hand in low-thrust, you will shoot a reversal at you on his weak, and thus you will throw the sword from his hands. Article 3 The enemy also wants to shoot low-thrust inward at you, you will shoot him at the same time a slash from second long to the his sword point in order to throw it out of his hand. And if observing the aforementioned rules for throwing the sword out of the enemy's hand, and he wants to leave your sword, at the same time as his point binds, you will shoot a low-thrust to his chest, retiring into third. Section 2 Remedy against the discard. If the enemy having gained the weak of your sword inward on his strong, wants to throw it out of your hand, at the same time as he rotates it with a reversal, you will disengage your point outward, pushing from fourth a stab to his right shoulder; or else you will turn the hand in low-thrust, letting the sword guard slide in your hand; or else at the same time as he wants to rotate his reversal, you will turn your hand in low-thrust, shooting a slash to his head.

Chapter 3 - Double lessons of the single sword.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Article 1 Being in third guard and finding the enemy in the same or in second, you will extend your point below his strong's middle; from there, you will go cover his sword outward, and at the same time as he wants to disengage his point, you will turn your hand into a high-thrust, striking him in a straight line and firm foot to the right shoulder, retiring into second.
	Article 2 Still being in the same guard as above, you will be able to extend your point inward below the enemy's strong's middle; from there, you will go with your strong's middle to cover his weak's middle, and if he disengages his point, you will turn your hand into a low-thrust, pushing a second stab outward with firm foot to the right shoulder, perform a step with the hand before the foot, then recover promptly backward into second.
	Article 3 Finding the enemy still in third, putting yourself likewise, you will extend your point below his strong's middle, and at the same time as he wants to advance his body or his arm toward you, you will beat his sword with your strong on his weak, and if he wants to disengage, you will push a high-thrust with firm foot to his right shoulder.
	Article 4 The enemy still being 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.
	Article 5 If you are in second guard, having your hand turned in a low-thrust and your point below the enemy's strong's middle, and if he goes with the same guard to cover your sword outward, retiring your point, you will push at the same time as 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.

Chapter 4 - Feints.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Article 1 Finding the enemy in third, you can while holding your point outward with the hand turned 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.
	Article 2 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.

Chapter 5 - Voids and remedies.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Section 1 The voids. Article 1 To perform the voids well, you will hold your sword guard close to the belt, the legs widened to be in your strength; and if the enemy shoots a low-thrust, you will disengage your point inward against his blade's middle and removing the body, you will push with firm foot to the right shoulder. Performing the voidance, note that it is necessary removing or dodging the body, that the toes turn backward, and the heels forward, such that what was behind goes forward, and what was forward back, all at once. Article 2 You can also hold your sword point outward opposite of the enemy's strong's middle; with which you want to shoot a right high-thrust, you will shoot at the same time from fourth inward to the right shoulder above his guard, removing the body and foot as above. Article 3 You can still put yourself in high guard with your arm extended, and with the enemy trying to subdue your sword outward, you will disengage your point below his guard to the right shoulder, dodging the body and turning your feet; but this turn must be performed by advancing the forward foot, unlike the two previous lessons, where it is necessary to turn in place because the enemy does not strongly extend the body when covering your sword like he does in shooting a stab. Article 4 You can also hold the guard close to your belt, and with the enemy trying to pass over you with your left foot outward, you will disengage your sword inward with the dodging of the body and turning your foot without advancing it. Section 2 Remedy against all types of disappearances that can be performed. Article 1 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. Article 2 The enemy having gained your sword as above, and performing the same fourth, he carries his point to strike you below your guard to the right side, you will parry with your strong on his weak, letting your point lower below his blade, striking him with a high-thrust to the spine with firm foot, or stepping well with the left foot backward toward the right shoulder. Article 3 If the enemy finds you in third guard and having gained your weak with his strong, he is trying to pass from fourth as above to strike outward on your right shoulder, you will parry, collecting your weak outward against his side, and leading his sword inward; you will strike him with a high-thrust on the spine with firm foot or stepping the left foot backward. Article 4 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 tries to quarter inward toward your right shoulder, you will parry with your blade's middle 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. Article 5 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 your blade's middle 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. Section 3 Remedy against fourth feints. Article 1 Being in second guard and your enemy in fourth and he is trying to show a feint outward, you will parry him with firm foot outward, so that he has an opportunity to quarter inward; doing so, you will parry with your blade's middle on his weak, letting your point drop below his blade, striking his spine with a high-thrust with firm foot, or stepping the left foot backward toward the shoulder. Article 2 Still being in the same guard, if the enemy shows you the feint inward toward the head, you will parry inward, and if he performs his fourth carrying his point below your guard to the right side, you will parry with the your blade's middle on his weak, dropping your point below his blade, striking his spine with a high-thrust with firm foot, or stepping forward with your left foot. Article 3 If you have gained the enemy's sword's weak with your strong on his weak's middle outward, you will push a second low-thrust to his right shoulder; and if the enemy parries with the same sword edge by quartering to give to your right shoulder, at the same time, turning your hand in a high-thrust, you will strike his spine, keeping your guard well-raised, in order to protect your head. Be advised that when the enemy performs the fourth in short measure, you will parry with a retreating left foot, letting the right follow. I don't want to make any mention of the lessons that might be observed in performing the aforementioned fourths, instead only to show the remedies against these; especially since I do not approve of them as good, because of the great danger one incurs in performing them, as much for the turning of the back as of the head, and even from the peril from being thrown down by wrestling.

Chapter 6 - The passings.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Article 1 Finding your enemy in third guard, you can put yourself likewise, holding your sword point inward to his, corresponding to his strong's middle; then you will disengage your point outward, covering with your strong his weak near his blade's middle and thus you will pass with the left foot from second in a low-thrust to the right shoulder. Note that to perform this cut well, the hand and the body must first be on the way before passing the left foot.
	Article 2 With the enemy in fourth or third guard, you will put yourself in the same and you will go to cover his sword with your strong's middle on his weak's middle; and if he disengages and shoots and low-thrust at you from second, you will parry with your strong on his weak with firm foot, extending your arm and body and turning your hand in a low-thrust; you will pass at the same time with the left foot, striking his right shoulder from second.
	Article 3 Having likewise covered your strong's middle with the enemy's sword's weak's middle, you will push with firm foot a high-thrust to the enemy's right shoulder, passing a bit above his guard; then trying to press against your sword to parry it, you will turn your hand in a low-thrust, disengaging your point below his guard, you will pass with the left foot forward; but always observe to extend the arm and body before the foot steps to pass.
	Article 4 If you are in second guard, holding your sword in an outward low-thrust, and the enemy tries from the same guard to cover your sword outward with his strong on your weak, you will at the same time disengage your point inward below his elbow, passing with the left foot, striking his right shoulder; but let the arm and body be extended before the left foot passes.
	Article 5 Being in first guard, with your hand turned in a high-thrust and holding your point outward straight to the enemy's eye and when he wants to cover your weak inward with his strong, at the same time as he is coming, you will turn your hand in a low-thrust, disengaging your point below his guard to the right side; passing with the left foot, you will strike him from second, extending the arm and body as above.
	Article 6 You can still from second guard, having the hand turned in a low-thrust, extend your point inward opposite of the enemy's strong's middle, in order to entice him to gain your weak with his strong; having performed this you will disengage your point, extending your strong on his weak and passing with the left foot, you will push the same low-thrust to the right shoulder, extending the arm and body before the left foot moves.
	Article 7 Likewise, you can also extend your point outward, the hand turned in a low-thrust, and the enemy trying to gain your weak inward with his strong, at the same time as 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.
	Article 8 Being in third guard, you can, holding your sword in a high-thrust, extend your point below the the enemy's strong's middle a bit outward from there, you will go cover his weak inward with your strong; and the enemy wanting to shoot a low-thrust outward, you will parry it with firm foot, and at the same time, you will pass with the left foot striking his right shoulder from second, extending the body and arm before moving the foot.
	Article 9 You can likewise go to cover the enemy's sword inward with your strong on his weak's middle 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.
	Article 10 You can also from second, while turning your hand in a low-thrust, cover with your strong the enemy's weak's middle; and in case he shoots a slash inward during this, you will parry it with firm foot, extending your arm and body; and passing with your left foot you will push from fourth a high-thrust to his right shoulder.
	Article 11 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 your blade's middle on his weak letting your point drop; then turning the hand in a low-thrust, you will pass from left foot extending your point below the guard striking his right side.
	Article 12 You can also from second go with your body extended, cover the enemy's weak outward with your strong, the hand turned in a low-thrust passing with the same edge from the left foot to the right shoulder.
	Article 13 You can still put yourself in third, and finding your enemy likewise, going into fourth you will cover his weak's middle inward with your strong's middle, having your arm and body extended; then passing the same edge with the left foot you will strike him with a high-thrust to the right shoulder.
	Article 14 Finding the enemy in third guard, you can likewise extend your point right below his guard; then collecting your point a bit high, you will beat your strong against his weak, and the enemy trying to disengage, you will pass with your left foot, striking him with a high-thrust, beating your right wrist to the shoulder.
	Article 15 Likewise, you can also extend your point inward and the enemy trying to cover it, you will collect it at the same time toward you and cut with your blade's middle above his point; you will pass with the left foot in a high-thrust to the right shoulder.
	Article 16 You can still extend your point inward below your enemy's guard's middle, then passing your point below his blade with your hand turned 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 turn 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 turn your hand in a high-thrust, striking his right shoulder in the same action.
	Article 17 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 turning your hand in a low-thrust and passing the left foot with the same edge, you will strike him to the right shoulder.
	Article 18 If the enemy goes from fourth to cover your sword inward, you will collect your point to yourself, and cutting with the correct edge over his point, you will present the high-thrust toward his right eye; and the enemy trying to parry outward, you will disengage the point of your sword below his elbow and, passing at the same time with your left foot, you will grab his right shoulder. Note that when cutting, the body should be extended.
	Article 19 Finding your enemy in third guard, you can put yourself in fourth holding the hand in low-thrust, your point outward; and the enemy trying to cover your weak outward, you will turn your hand in high-thrust, and beating with your wrist, you will pass from the left foot outward to the right shoulder. This passing, you can perform it while the enemy tries the subjection of your sword.
	Article 20 If being in first guard and the enemy in third, and he presents you with a high-thrust going in fourth below your guard to the right side, following his point with your strong, you will lower your point below his guard turning your hand in low-thrust and you will pass with the left foot striking to his right side.
	Article 21 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 his weak's middle inward from your strong's middle; 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.
	Article 22 Still being in the same guard, you can go cover the enemy's weak with your strong, and he is trying to shoot a reversal outward to you, you will parry him with firm foot with the body extended, and you will shoot a low-thrust to his right shoulder passing with the left foot.
	Article 23 You can still gain the enemy's weak with your strong going into second having the hand turned in low-thrust; and when the enemy is trying to shoot an inward slash to you, you will parry him with firm foot with your body extended, and you will at the same time shoot a high-thrust to his right shoulder passing with your left foot. Be advised at no passing is performed except on the crossing of the body or the advance of the enemy's foot, otherwise one will run into danger.
	Article 24 You can still, with the same guard, extend your point below the enemy's sword's weak's middle; and when he is trying to shoot a high-thrust inward toward your right shoulder, you will parry him with a retreat of the left foot backward, raising his sword inward with the strong of yours; and at the same time passing with the left foot, you will give him a low-thrust below his guard to the right side.
	Article 25 You can still hold the sword point outward below the enemy's strong's middle, and when he is trying to shoot a low-thrust at you outward, you will parry him with a retreat with your left foot, covering his weak with your strong inward, raising it at the same time; and passing with the left foot you can give a low-thrust below his sword guard to his right side.
	Article 26 You can still put yourself in high third with your hand in high-thrust a bit crossed inward holding the point outward, and the enemy trying to shoot you a high-thrust from high fourth inward, you will not parry him with the sword, thus only breaking the measure, retiring the left foot backward, and stealing or lowering the body at the same time; then you will push a low-thrust below his guard to the right side passing the left foot forward.

Chapter 7 - Times and counter-times.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Section 1 Observations on shooting at the time of the foot. Article 1 Finding your enemy in second third or fourth, and that you can gain his weak's middle by covering him with your strong's middle, you will perform a call retiring the left foot a bit, leaving very little to follow the right; and with the enemy trying to advance the foot or the body to gain measure, you will resolutely push at the same time as he moves, a high-thrust to the right shoulder with firm foot.
	Article 2 Being in third or high fourth, and when the enemy tries to plant in guard in your presence, you will push at the same time as he wants to cross, a high-thrust to the right shoulder, with a firm foot.
	Article 3 Being in the same guard and when you have gained the exact measure, if the enemy still wants to gain a step at the same as that he raises his foot, you will resolutely push a high-thrust to the right shoulder suddenly surprising him; and with this, he will neither be able to countertime nor riposte.
	Article 4 Being in the exact measure, and when the enemy with his legs widened wants to approach with the left foot toward the right, you will shoot at the same time as he raises his foot a resolute high-thrust to the right shoulder with firm foot to surprise him.
	Article 5 Being both on guard with the same strength and in short measure, with the enemy wanting to extend his body, you will shoot at the same time a high-thrust to the right shoulder.
	Article 6 Still being in the same guard and in long measure, if the enemy happens to turn in presence, you will shoot a resolute high-thrust to the right shoulder at the same time as he raises his right foot to rotate; this can be taken whether the enemy is stepping in or out.
	Section 2 The time of the hand. Article 1 When you have gained with your strong's middle the enemy's sword's weak's middle, and being both in exact measure, if the enemy happens to disengage his point to disengage in presence, you will shoot at the same time a resolute high-thrust to the right shoulder with firm foot.
	Article 2 Being in high third and when the enemy having gained your weak with his strong, and you want to shoot a high-thrust to the right shoulder, at the same time as he abandons the sword, you will push with counter-time to the right shoulder.
	Article 3 If being in third or high fourth guard, your enemy is trying to perform some feint inward or outward with beating of the foot and hand, at the same time as he performs this movement, you will push a high-thrust with firm foot to the right shoulder.
	Article 4 On the aforementioned guards you can again cover the enemy's sword inward with your strong on his weak to oblige him to disengage; when the enemy is performing and is trying to shoot a low-thrust at you from second outward, at the same time you will disengage your point to go to the right shoulder.
	Article 5 You can also gain the enemy's sword with your strong to his weak outward; and when the enemy is disengaging his point inward to subdue you, you will at the same time disengage your sword, shooting a low-thrust from second to his right shoulder with firm foot. Being both in third and in exact measure, you will go with your strong to gain the enemy's weak; which wanting at this time to retire his own sword in your presence, at the same movement, you will push a resolute high-thrust to the right shoulder. All these times can be performed as much from high-thrust as from low-thrust, depending on how you will assess the proper occasion to your design.
	Section 3 The counter-time. Article 1 Finding first your enemy in high third, you will go from second to gain his weak's middle with your strong's middle; and when he is trying to shoot you a high-thrust inward, you will turn the hand in high-thrust striking with counter-time inward to his right shoulder. But note that with all counter-time, it is necessary that the hand and the body be extended before the foot steps, and that it is fitting to execute these cuts well so that your strong in parrying passes over the enemy's weak.
	Article 2 Being in high third and the enemy having gained your weak with his strong, and you want to shoot a high-thrust to the right shoulder, at the same time as he abandons the sword, you will push from counter-time to the right shoulder.
	Article 3 Your enemy being in high third and you in low, you will hold your point below his blade around his strong's middle; and if he shoots with a high-thrust inward, you will leave in counter-time to the right shoulder in the manner from above.
	Article 4 You can also hold your point outward below the enemy's sword's strong's middle and if the enemy shoots a second low-thrust outward at you, disengage your sword, you'll shoot a high-thrust at him in counter-time to the right shoulder in the manner as above.
	Section 4 The counter-time to the head. Article 1 If the enemy is trying to gain your weak inward with his strong and when he wants to shoot a high-thrust to your right shoulder, abandoning your sword, you will push in counter-time straight to the head passing your strong on his weak.
	Article 2 You can also hold your sword outward with the point below the enemy's guard; while trying to shoot a high-thrust to your body, you will push with counter-time straight to the head with firm foot, passing the strong of your sword on the enemy's weak. Be advised not to shoot counter-time, except if the enemy is already committed with the arm extended.

Chapter 8 - Lessons on sword attack.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Article 1 If being in high third holding your sword point toward your enemy's right eye, and when he goes for the second time to subdue your sword with his strong on your weak inward pressing forcefully against it, at the at the same time as he presses, you will disengage your sword below his guard pushing outward to the right side with firm foot.
	Article 2 Still being 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.
	Article 3 You can also go subdue the enemy's sword by covering it with your strong on his weak; and at the same time that that you feel that he is performing strongly to resist the opposition, you will disengage your point below his guard pushing a high-thrust with firm foot to the right side.
	Article 4 Wanting to perform the same subjection outward, as soon as the enemy presses to resist with his sword against yours, you will disengage your point at the same time, pushing from high-thrust to the right shoulder with firm foot.
	Article 5 If the enemy is trying to gain your sword by turning or rotating inward or outward depending on what you can notice, you will push a high-thrust or a low-thrust at him, depending on what you prefer, at the same time as he raises the foot to rotate.
	Article 6 If you are finding both in short measure, with the enemy trying to cover your sword by pressing or forcing it either with firm foot or with raised foot, you will let go at the same time his own striking it with a high-thrust to the right side outward or inward, whichever you think is most appropriate.

Chapter 9 - On the use of the free hand.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Section 1 Lessons of the hand. Article 1 Your enemy being in third or high fourth, you will lodge your sword inward; from there, you will shoot a feint outward over his guard; 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 tries to join it. But when you shoot the real high-thrust, you will perform it with firm foot.
	Article 2 Finding the enemy camped in second or high third, you will hold your point inward; from there, going in second, you will push a low-thrust outward to his blade's middle; when he is wanting to parry it, you will jerk with your left hand to his weak, disengaging at the same time your point below his elbow striking with a low-thrust inward to his right shoulder with firm foot as above.
	Article 3 If being in second guard, as the enemy will want the same to come with the hand in low-thrust to gain your weak outward with his strong, you can at the same time beat his weak outward with the hand; in passing your sword below his guard, you will push from high-thrust inward with firm foot to the right shoulder.
	Article 4 You can also from the same guard or from high third hold your point toward the enemy's right eye, who meanwhile is trying to gain your weak inward with his strong, you will beat his point with your left hand inward pushing at the same time a high-thrust below his guard to his right side with firm foot.
	Article 5 The enemy being in second or high third holding his point straight, you can hold your point below his guard outward; and at the same time that your enemy moves his foot to advance, you will lead his point outward with your hand; disengaging your point inward at the same time, you will push from low-thrust inward to the right shoulder with firm foot.
	Article 6 You can also hold your point below the enemy's strong's middle, and from there, push a second low-thrust outward; and with the enemy trying to parry, enter with your foot such that you nearly come guard to guard, you will disengage at this time your point below his arm, securing with the hand on his weak, pushing the low-thrust inward without moving the right foot. This lesson can be executed as soon as you shoot the low-thrust nearly to the guards, or else as the enemy shoots.
	Article 7 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.
	Article 8 You can also from high third hold your point inward in order to invite the enemy to go cover it; performing so, you will disengage with a call of the left foot backward; and the enemy wanting to continue a low-thrust outward, you will shoot a high-thrust inward to the right shoulder accompanying at the same time the hand.
	Article 9 You can still go to cover the enemy's sword with your strong to his weak; and when he is wanting to pass over you from low-thrust outward, at the same time turning your hand into low-thrust, you will change your point with a retreat of the left foot backward, letting the right follow, and with your hand leading his point outward, you will push from second to the right shoulder without moving the foot.
	Article 10 The enemy being in high third or in second, you will hold your sword point below his; and if he wants to pass inward, you will turn the hand in low-thrust; and with the hand leading his sword outward, you will push at the same time a low-thrust to the right shoulder, retiring the left foot backward, letting the right follow a bit.
	Article 11 Being both in third and in short measure, and with the enemy wanting to shoot a low-thrust outward, you will parry it from second in low-thrust; and the said enemy redoubling from second carrying his point in low-thrust to the right side below your guard, you will let your hand go in low-thrust; and leading his point at the same time outward, you will push the low-thrust to the right shoulder, retiring the left foot backward letting the right follow.
	Article 12 You can also hold your point below the enemy's guard, and when he is trying to pass in high-thrust with the left foot inward, you will parry his point with the hand inward and turning your sword at the same time in low-thrust, you will push from second below his guard to the right side, retiring the left foot a bit backward, letting the right follow. All the above lessons can be executed, both in passing and with firm foot.
	Section 2 Remedy against those who beat the sword with the hand. Article 1 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 him, disengaging it below his left arm, hitting him with a low-thrust or high thrust to the left side.
	Article 2 Likewise, when the enemy is trying to beat your sword inward with the hand, you can still (disengaging your point below his left arm) hit him with a low-thrust below his arm to the left shoulder.
	Article 3 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.

Chapter 10 - On sword-takings and their remedy.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Section 1 The sword-takings. Article 1 Being in third guard, holding your point inward opposite of the enemy's strong's middle, you can from there, going in second, shoot a low-thrust outward; and with the enemy trying to parry it with the low-thrust, you will pass with the left foot forward in having grabbed his guard, you will snatch it with the hand turning it above with his fist below. Be advised to stay with your sword in low-thrust until you have performed the taking. This lesson, you can perform it whether you shoot the low-thrust or the enemy shoots it to you.
	Article 2 You can also holding in low third hold your point below the enemy's sword; who wanting to pass over you with a high-thrust, or to shoot with firm foot, you will parry it with firm foot inward; and at the same time you will put your left hand on his guard, and with the force of your sword's parry, you will pull it out of his hand.
	Article 3 You can still hold your point below the enemy's guard inward, and finding his a bit high, you will disengage below his guard to the arm joint outward; the point a bit inward from the arm, to better to cross it; and at the same time you will lead his sword outward with your hand, below your sword, so that he is compelled to leave the sword.
	Article 4 You can still gain the enemy's weak with your strong inward, shooting a high-thrust to the right shoulder; and if in parrying he performs very forcefully inward, you will step with the left foot and will go to the taking of his guard striking him where you will find an opening.
	Article 5 You can also cover the weak of the enemy's sword with your strong inward, and the enemy wanting to pass over you outward, you will parry him in low-thrust retiring the right foot toward the left, removing the body; and at the same time, you will perform the taking to his guard and then push where you will find an opening.
	Article 6 The enemy being in high third or second, you can lodge your point below his guard; and when he is trying to pass with the left foot inward, you will parry him with firm foot, and at the same time, you will perform the take to his guard with the left hand; and if he shoots with a firm foot, you will perform the taking [by] passing with the left foot. Note that if the enemy passes with the left foot forward, you will perform the take with firm foot, and if he pushes with firm foot, you will perform the taking by passing with the left foot.
	Section 2 The remedy against those who go to the guard-takings. Article 1 If, being in second guard, you have shot a low-thrust outward, and the enemy parries it likewise, and at the same time he passes with the left foot to seize your guard with his hand, you will retire your right foot at the same time with a step backward, holding the sword in first, then advancing your left arm to put the hand on his guard.
	Article 2 If, having shot a high-thrust inward toward the enemy's right shoulder, he tries to it parry inward having his hand turned 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.
	Article 3 If the enemy shoots a large low-thrust at you outward in the time of the foot and at the same time passes with the left foot advancing his arm to seize your guard, you will retire your right foot at the same time with a step backward, retiring at the same time the sword arm in second, advancing the left arm to put the hand at his guard. These remedies against the takings can be dared against those who rely on their strength to always want to seize the guard; and thus, a little man will prevent a big one from having advantage over him.

Chapter 11 - The gainings or the subjections of the sword.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Article 1 The enemy being in high third or in second, you can lodge your point below his strong's middle; and at the same time as he moves his front foot or approaches with his back foot, you will cover his weak with your strong in order to hold him subject and carry the high-thrust from fourth to his right shoulder inward if you find it appropriate.
	Article 2 The enemy still being in the same guard as above, at the same time that the enemy moves his foot, you will cover his sword with your strong to his weak outward, advancing the right foot, letting the left follow; and from there, you can, with a low-thrust outward or with a good high-thrust, shoot a stab to the right shoulder.
	Article 3 Having also covered the enemy's sword with your strong to his weak inward, and when he disengages outward in retiring, you will pursue with two steps forward by reloading outward; and if he disengages again inward while retiring, you will still pursue him inward until you have gained the measure, to shoot [him].
	Article 4 If the enemy has gained your weak with his strong inward, and he wants to shoot a high-thrust from there at you, at the same time as he raises his foot to shoot, you will collect your strong from his weak, stepping with your right foot inward and joining the left, then you will shoot a high-thrust from fourth to the right shoulder.
	Article 5 If you have gained the enemy's weak with your strong, and when he wants by retiring to regain your weak outward, you will also always disengage the same inward advancing the right foot forward letting the left follow; and so you will pursue him, always subduing his sword, until you have gained measure to strike him where you will find it fitting.
	Article 6 If you are in high third or in second holding your point toward the enemy's eye, and when he is in low third or fourth holding his point below your guard to come and gain your weak with his strong inward by raising the foot, you can counter-disengage with firm foot collecting at the same time your strong to his weak and thus push a high-thrust to the right shoulder.
	Article 7 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 as 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.
	Article 8 The enemy having gained your weak with his strong, such that you cannot disengage without risk of receiving, the measure being too short, you will collect your strong from his weak raising your point inward without abandoning his blade, and retiring your left foot backward letting the right follow; then if the enemy again wants to regain your weak, you will push at the same time a high-thrust to the right shoulder with firm foot. All of these lessons can be performed as well from low-thrust outward or high-thrust inward remembering to always extend your arm and body before moving the foot.

Chapter 12 - Slashes, reversals, and their remedies.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Section 1 The slashes and reversals. Article 1 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.
	Article 2 Having also gained with your strong's middle the enemy's sword's weak's middle 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.
	Article 3 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 as 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.
	Article 4 Being in high third or in second guard, if the enemy tries to envelop your weak with his strong inward, you will shoot at the same time a reversal outward, raising the left foot in the air and retiring it backward by releasing the cut, letting follow the right.
	Article 5 Still being in the same guard and when the enemy tries to shoot a low-thrust outward, you will parry it outward with your same sword edge, shooting him a reversal in the aforementioned manner.
	Article 6 The enemy being in high third or second, you can from third shoot him a high-thrust inward passing your blade over the weak of his sword; when he is wanting to parry, you will retire your point a bit toward you, and you will give him a slash below the guard at the arm joint with the left foot raised in the air, retiring it as said.
	Article 7 You can also hold yourself in a straight line, and the enemy trying to cover your sword inward, you will collect your point inward; carrying it over his, you will cut a wound on his large arm muscle raising the left foot in releasing the cut, and retiring it.
	Article 8 You can still hold your point below the guard of the enemy's sword; such that in shooting you a high-thrust toward the right shoulder inward, you will parry it likewise with firm foot; then retiring your arm toward you, you will give a reversal to the right side, raising your foot as said.
	Article 9 Likewise, you can inward, when the enemy tries to shoot you with high-thrust inward toward the right shoulder, which you will parry inward, releasing the slash also inward.
	Article 10 If being in high third or in second, the enemy tries to gain with his strong your weak inward to subdue you, you will shoot him a low-thrust outward toward the head, entering with a large step with the right foot; and in case the enemy parries it, you will force your sword against his to avert his point from your right shoulder; then passing with the left foot, you will shoot a slash inward to the leg.
	Article 11 You can also put yourself in third or low fourth holding your point below the enemy sword opposite his strong's middle; and if he tries to shoot a high-thrust inward toward your right shoulder, you will shoot at the same time a high-thrust likewise, against him entering with the right foot, holding the hand well raised to protect the head; and at the same time, passing with the left foot inward, you will shoot a slash inward to his leg
	Article 12 From the same guards as above, you can also, when the enemy shoots you a high-thrust inward, shoot against him entering with the right foot, raising well the hand to protect the head; from there you will shoot a reversal to the right leg.
	Article 13 You can still from third guard, hold your sword point below the enemy's strong's middle; and if he tries to shoot with a high-thrust inward toward your right shoulder, you will parry by raising his sword; and so you will shoot a slash inward below his guard at the arm joint or to the leg raising the left foot in the air, and retiring it backward, in releasing the cut, letting the right follow.
	Article 14 You can also from the same guard as above hold your point below the enemy's sword's strong's middle turning the hand in high-thrust; and if the enemy shoots you a low-thrust outward, you will parry it with the same sword edge, shooting at the same time a reversal outward on his arm's elbow or to the back of his knee, raising the left foot in the air, and retiring it back by releasing the cut letting it follow the right.
	Article 15 If being in second guard with the hand turned in low-thrust, the enemy tries to subdue your sword by covering it with his own outward, you will shoot at the same time a slash inward below his sword guard to the arm, accompanied by the legs as above.
	Section 2 The feints of the slashes Article 1 Finding you both in second or in high third, you will pretend to shoot a reversal outward; and at the same time as the enemy goes to parry it, you will release a slash inward raising the left foot in the air then retiring backward letting the right follow.
	Article 2 You can still being in the same guard as above pretend to shoot a slash inward; and if the enemy goes to parry it, you will shoot a reversal outward raising the right foot then retiring it backward, releasing the cut.
	Article 3 Being both in second with the hands turned in low-thrust, and the enemy is trying to shoot a slash inward, you will parry it turning the hand in high-thrust; and at the same time, you can shoot him a slash inward with the left foot in the air retiring it backward in releasing the cut.
	Article 4 Being both in high third, if the enemy shoots a reversal outward, you will parry him with the same sword edge , and at the same time, you will shoot a reversal on his head raising the left foot, and retiring it in releasing the cut.
	Article 5 Still being in the same guard as above, and the enemy shoots a reversal outward to your knee, at the same time, you will shoot a reversal outward to his head, retiring the left foot behind letting the right follow.
	Article 6 Being both in second with the hand in low-thrust and the enemy wanting to shoot a slash inward to your leg at the same time, you will shoot a slash inward to his head, retiring the left foot backward letting the right follow. Note that all reversals and slashes must be given by raising the left foot; and in releasing the cut, you will retire it backward, letting the right follow, because of the danger that one incurs when giving them in entering with the right foot; also because in giving them, as it is said, the sword offends more with the edge. You must also take care not to shoot slashes or reversals, unless you have first presented a high-thrust or low-thrust toward the enemy's head or chest so that he is bin this way forced to go to parry it; at which point, you can shoot slashes or reversals where you assess it appropriately.
	Section 3 Remedy against the slashes Article 1 Having gained with your strong the enemy's weak's middle and he shoots you a reversal outward, at the same time as he turns his hand for letting the cut go, you will shoot a high-thrust with firm foot to his right shoulder. This is the true remedy to prevent him from being able to use the reversal. And if you have missed this first time for pushing the high-thrust while he is rotating the reversal, you will turn your hand in low-thrust parrying the cut outward and at the same time, you will shoot a low-thrust to his right shoulder
	Article 2 Being both in second for subduing one another's sword, and when the enemy shoots a slash inward, at the same time as he raises his hand to shoot the cut, you will push with firm foot a high-thrust to his right shoulder with your hand up to protect your head. And if you have taken too long to take the time, you will parry it by turning the hand in high-thrust with the your sword's strong; and at the same time; you will shoot a high-thrust to his right shoulder with firm foot. And in case you have lost the first and second time, you will parry the reversal or high-thrust by retiring the left foot backward letting the right follow. And if he shoots a reversal, you will parry him turning your hand in low-thrust with the your sword's strong outward; if he shoots a slash, you will parry it turning your hand in high-thrust with your sword's strong to his weak; then you will shoot a high-thrust or low-thrust whichever you think is most appropriate.

Chapter 13 - Single sword play in mathematics form.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Section 1 The parries of the mathematics game. Article 1 If the enemy shoots you a high-thrust outward, you will parry it with your strong to his weak going in fourth and stepping with your foot outward.
	Article 2 If he shoots inward, you will also parry with your strong to his weak stepping inward, arming your body with your sword guard toward the belt.
	Article 3 Being both in high guard and the enemy shoots a high-thrust inward, below your guard, to the right side, you will parry with your sword's strong to his weak, letting your sword pass or drop below his while stepping inward.
	Article 4 The enemy wanting to shoot a high-thrust below your guard outward, you will also parry it outward with your strong's middle on his weak's middle with your sword's same edge, letting it drop or pass below his while stepping outward.
	Article 5 To put yourself in good defense, you will hold your sword guard raised a palm and a half above your belt, the point low and the body straight. And when you want to attack, you will hold the arm and the body extended.
	Article 6 If you want in this game to use the hand, you can perform it in the same way as we have discussed above; which you will perform quite easily as long as the enemy's arm and sword are always extended in a straight line.
	Section 2 The lessons of offense and defense with said mathematics game. Article 1 Being both in high guard and the enemy wanting to give a high-thrust below your guard to your right side, you will let at the same time your point drop, pushing below his guard with high-thrust or low-thrust.
	Article 2 You can also go to the subjection of the enemy's sword, covering it with your strong's middle to his weak's middle outward; and the enemy wanting to give you a high-thrust inward, you will let your point drop below his blade pushing him inward a high-thrust below his guard to the right side.
	Article 3 If the enemy has gained the sword inward with his strong to your weak, you will advance your sword very little, and at the same time turning your hand in low-thrust, you will strike likewise to his right shoulder.
	Article 4 If having gained the enemy's sword with your strong on his weak inward, he tries to disengage outward, you will push likewise with the correct edge a high-thrust outward to his right shoulder.
	Article 5 If being with your point below the enemy's sword's strong's middle, a bit outward, he makes some movement, you will push a high-thrust inward along the length of his blade to his right shoulder.
	Article 6 You can also (having gained with your strong the enemy's weak's middle, and that he wants from there, to shoot you a high-thrust below your guard inward), with the same edge let your point drop outward; and at the same time turning your hand in low-thrust, you will likewise push inward to the right shoulder.
	Article 7 You can still put yourself in high third, holding your point in a straight line. And if the enemy tries from low third with his strong, to raise your weak outward, in order to push a low-thrust outward down below your guard to the right side, at the same time as he turns his hand in low-thrust to strike you, you will also turn your hand in low-thrust and you will push with the same design a low-thrust outward to his right side below his guard.
	Article 8 If being still in the same guard, the enemy tries to cover your sword with his own's strong inward in order to subdue it, at the same time as he extends his arm, you will turn your hand in low-thrust, striking likewise to his right side below his guard.
	Article 9 Likewise [if] the enemy is trying again to gain your sword as above, at the same time as he advances, you will push a high-thrust below his guard to his right side with the hand well-raised, in order to protect your head. This lesson, you will be able to execute it even if the enemy does not touch your sword.
	Article 10 You can also cover the enemy's sword with your strong on his weak's middle, then leading his blade inward, you will shoot him a high-thrust or low-thrust outward below his guard to the right side.
	Article 11 The enemy trying to subdue your sword's weak inward with his strong, and wanting to lead your sword to shoot a high-thrust or low-thrust outward to your right side below your guard, at the same time as he wants to push, you will turn your hand in low-thrust and you will shoot a low-thrust against him below his guard to his right side.
	Article 12 Finding your point outward below the enemy's guard, you can cut him with high-thrust a stab above his point inward; and at the same time as he wants to parry, you will turn your hand in low-thrust and passing with the left foot, you will give him a low-thrust to his right shoulder.
	Article 13 You can also hold your point inward to the opposite of the enemy's strong's middle. And in case he tries to cover your sword's weak with his strong inward, you will collect your point toward yourself, cutting a stab above his point outward to his right shoulder.
	Article 14 Being in high guard and when the enemy tries to subdue your sword's weak with his strong, at the same time as he advances, you will disengage your point below his guard, and you will push him from a straight line a high-thrust outward to the right shoulder.
	Article 15 If on the same guard the enemy tries to subdue your sword's weak with his strong outward, at the same time as he advances the arm to cover your sword, you will disengage your point inward shooting a high-thrust to his right shoulder.
	Article 16 If being still in the same guard the enemy tries from low to raise your point in order to give you a low-thrust from below your guard, at the same time as he tries to lift your sword, you will disengage the point with this below his guard, and you will push a low-thrust to the right side raising to protect the head.
	Section 3 The feints against the mathematics game. Article 1 Having your point below the enemy's sword inward, you will feint by beating with the right foot pushing a stab inward toward the right shoulder; and when the enemy is going to parry outward, you will disengage your point below his guard pushing a high-thrust inward to the right shoulder.
	Article 2 Holding your point outward, you will feint beating with the right foot with pushing a stab inward toward the right shoulder; and in the time that the enemy wants to parry, you will disengage your point outward below his guard pushing a high-thrust to the right shoulder.
	Article 3 If being in a straight line, the enemy tries to subdue your sword outward turning from the same side, at the same time as he performs forcefully against your sword, you will disengage your point below his guard pushing a high-thrust inward to his right side with the hand raised to protect the head.
	Article 4 The enemy, in order to subdue, holds your sword with his strong to your weak inward, step or rotate outward or inward, at the same time as he goes to gain your sword, you will push a high-thrust below his guard to his ride side.
	Article 5 If he tries to gain your sword inward stepping with the same, at the same time as he presses your sword, you will disengage the point with this below his guard, and you will shoot a stab with the correct edge to his right shoulder outward.
	Section 4 To outmaneuver the enemy. You will hold your guard high with the hand wrist raised, and your sword point low below the enemy's sword's strong's middle; and from there you will make point movements inward and outward, moving only the wrist in order to outmaneuver and to open him so to be able to push your high-thrust to the exposed.
	Section 5 The remedy against the movements or flourishes. Article 1 The enemy being in high guard with his point lowered below your guard and that from there, he performs movements with his point inward and outward so quickly that your eye is not subtle enough to catch it the first time, at the same time as he moves his point inward, you will lower your point to his blade's middle, stepping inward, and from this manner, you will avoid these movements
	Article 2 Likewise, you can perform [this] outward, provided that letting lower your point to his blade's middle, you also step outward.
	Section 6 The Subjections of the sword. Article 1 When the enemy tries to envelop your sword in turning, at the same time, you will counterenvelop turning to the same side as he turns, whether inward or outward.
	Article 2 If being in high guard holding your point lowered below the enemy's guard, he moves the foot or the body in presence, you will go with the right foot forward, letting follow the left, to envelop his sword's middle's weak with your strong's middle inward, turning your blade on the flat, bracing with your guard toward his belt, to prevent the enemy from cutting you with a high-thrust below the guard. And if enveloping his sword, he disengages, you will push a high-thrust with the same edge outward to the right shoulder; and if he does not want to disengage, you will shoot a high-thrust inward to the right shoulder.
	Article 3 You can still put the guard above, also holding your point likewise; and in the time as the enemy moves the foot or the body, you will go with the same edge to envelop his sword's weak's middle from your strong's middle, outward, advancing a step forward with the right foot, letting follow the left. And if having eveloped it he does not want to disengage, you will turn the hand in low-thrust striking likewise outward to his right shoulder. If he disengages, you will push with the correct edge a high-thrust inward to his right shoulder.
	Section 7 The slashes. Article 1 If the enemy tries to cover or subdue your sword inward, you will shoot at the same time your point to yourself, and you will rotate a slash above his arm raising the left foot, and retiring it backward, releasing the cut, letting the right follow.
	Article 2 The enemy trying still to envelop your sword's weak inward with his strong, at the same time as you feel that he presses against your sword, you will shoot a reversal outward above his head, raising the left foot, and retiring it backward, releasing the cut, letting the right follow.
	Article 3 The enemy trying to envelop your sword's weak outward with his strong, at the same time as he presses to your sword, you will shoot a slash inward to his head, raising the left foot and retiring it backward, releasing the cut, and letting the right follow.
	Article 4 The enemy trying still to envelop your sword by subduing it inward, you will pretend to shoot him a reversal outward, and at the same time you will shoot a slash inward; and if he tries to cover your sword outward, you will pretend to shoot a slash inward and at the same time you will shoot a reversal outward. All slashes and reversals of the ordinary single sword game can also be effective against the mathematics game. Take care to never turn in the presence of the enemy, as do everyone who plays the mathematics game. And in shooting all sorts of stabs or high-thrusts, advancing always the right foot forward, without moving the left, in the same manner as the ordinary game; and that the hand and the body be always lodged before the foot steps.

Chapter 14 - Discourse and advice of the single sword play, both for gaining ground and other required subtleties.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	You will gain ground with the right foot forward, advancing it bit by bit to prevent the enemy from being able to suddenly surprise you. And if you find yourself wide, you will close or aproach with the left foot toward the right, in order to be stronger to reinforce your high-thrust.
	If the enemy pushes a high-thrust, in the time that you want to approach the left foot, you will parry by retiring the left foot backward without moving the right, and thus, you break the measure from two sword palms. Likewise, you will be able to use all sorts of parries.
	If you meet a man both subtle and with such good eye that he knows how to surprise you on the time of the foot, in place of raising the right foot, you will glide it slowly along the ground; and having gained ground, you will push a stab where you will find an opening.
	If the enemy being in third guard with low third and when he wishes to push you a low-thrust inward, you will remedy it by going (gliding the right foot along the ground) to subdue his sword with yours on his own, holding it in the air, without touching his blade; then having gained the short measure, you will push where you will see him exposed.
	If you desire to go envelop the enemy's sword by subduing it, you will have more strength performing it with the arm bent than having extended it; the reason being that the bent arm being near to the body has more strength than being reinforced or extended.
	Being both in short measure, you will take care not to turn in presence of the enemy fearing that he will suddenly surprise you or with the first time.
	When you want to perform movements with your point outward and inward, you will hold your point below the enemy's guard; and holding the arm a bit bent, you can perform the said movements on the blade's middle, turning only the wrist without moving the arm; the reason being that performing these movements in the blade's middle, the enemy will not be able to surprise you at the first time, but performing them toward the guard he would take you.
	If the sun and the wind is great, you will always choose the wind to the right shoulder and the sun to the left shoulder.
	If you have gained some advantage with ground height, and that the enemy tries to remove it from you, at the same time that you being to turn to regain the advantage, you will turn against it, with the same side that he turns, in gaining the measure. And if then, he turns still in presence, you will push a stab where you will see an opening.
	Being both, straight and masterful, to plant in guard and you have the left foot backward, you will advance it forward crossing the left leg on the right about a foot or so more; then from the back, you will advance your right leg forward, planting yourself on guard, letting strongly the left backward, to better cross the enemy.
	If being in short measure, the enemy wants to turn in presence, you will push a stab at the time that he moves where you will find an opening.
	f the enemy wants to retire in presence, you will turn with the right foot inward, crossing the left leg, and thus you will compel him to lose his advantage.
	If being in the exact measure, the enemy wants to turn advancing the left foot backward, crossing the right leg, you will step at the same time against him with the right foot, crossing the left leg behind, gaining ground. And the enemy still wanting to rotate in presence, you will push a stab where you will find an opening.
	Remember to never turn in the enemy's presence, nor change guard, nor retire the arm, nor perform movements with the feet or sword.
	Be advised also not to plant in guard in the enemy's presence, for danger of being suddenly taken.
	The best is to always plant first in guard from long measure, and from there, being closed, gain the short.
	The enemy being with the body lowered and the legs widened, holding the left always reinforced backward, with the intention of passing above or below, on the contrary you will hold the body lowered, your legs narrow; and thus you will envelop the enemy's sword's weak with your strong, gaining ground bit by bit, advancing the right foot, having the eye on the lookout to prevent the passing, and taking care that your arm is not extended, being a bit near the body to brace your belly.
	The most subtle means to gain ground is to glide the right foot along it, without raising [the right foot], because he who raises the foot always loses a half-time.

Chapter 15 - Rule to avoid being surprised on the time of the foot.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	If, being in short measure the enemy gains ground by advancing the right foot, at the same time as he raises the foot, you will break the measure by retiring the left foot backward; and the enemy wanting to approach the left foot to the right, you will retire at the same time the right foot a bit backward.
	Being still in short measure if the enemy performs a call by retiring the left foot backward at the same time, you will follow him a bit with the right foot forward; and if he retires his right foot toward the left, you will approach at the same time your left foot to the right, and in this manner the enemy will not be able to suddenly take you.
	Being both in long measure to enter-and-gain ground, you will gain first by advancing your right foot forward. And if the enemy is slow to gain ground at the encounter, at the same time as he tries to plant himself, you will push a stab to the exposed part.

Chapter 16 - Single sword play against sword and dagger.

Illustrations	Draft Translation by John Tse	Transcribed by
	Article 1 The enemy being in long third having his dagger backward, you will go to the subjection of his sword inward with your strong's middle to his weak's middle; and if he permits the measure, you will push a long high-thrust from his blade to the right shoulder. And if you find an opening below the dagger's limb, you will shoot with high-thrust below it to the left side. And if he advances the dagger while arming himself low, you will shoot your point to yourself cutting him a low-thrust above the dagger's point, to the left shoulder.
	Article 2 If the enemy puts himself in short third having his dagger advanced and his sword backward, you will always govern your sword outward from his dagger, in order to be able to shoot below it, or above with a low-thrust, or cut well above his dagger's point a high-thrust between the two weapons or otherwise.
	Article 3 If the enemy tries to break your sword with both weapons, you will retire the arm to yourself holding the hand inward on the low-thrust to prevent him from being able to gain the short measure.
	Article 4 Be advised to always hold your point in action, so that the enemy cannot perform some opening with his sword to attack you with his dagger. When you have shot a high-thrust or low-thrust, you will quidkly cover his sword so that he cannot riposte.

Chapter 17 - On the short sword.

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Chapter 18 - On the use of the cloak.

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Chapter 19 - The grapples of the single sword.

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Chapter 20 - Against the left-hander.

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Sword and Dagger Play

Chapter 1 - First the dagger parries.

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Chapter 2 - The simple lessons of sword and dagger.

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Chapter 3 - The feints of the said sword and dagger play.

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Chapter 4 - On the beats of both sword and dagger.

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Chapter 5 - On the long play.

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Chapter 6 - The double intentions.

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Chapter 7 - The passes and their remedies.

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Chapter 8 - The disappearances.

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Chapter 9 - On times and counter-time.

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Chapter 10 - The encroachment.

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Chapter 11 - The advancing on the long and short play.

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Chapter 12 - On the breaking.

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Chapter 13 - The slashes of the sword and dagger play.

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Chapter 14 - Binding and unbinding.

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Chapter 15 - Subjugation, disengagement, and avoidance of engagement.

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Chapter 16 - Lessons of dagger cuts.

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Chapter 17 - How one can throw the sword out of the hand.

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Chapter 18 - On the left foot.

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Chapter 19 - Against the left-hander.

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Chapter 20 - Discourse and advice of the sword and dagger play.

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Chapter 21 - Know who has more advantage being in a mountainous place, he who holds the top or the bottom.

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Chapter 22 - Know who has more advantage, the left-hander or the right-hander.

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Chapter 23 - Rule against those withdrawing that we want to catch off guard while you pursue.

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Chapter 24 - Know who has more advantage, the sword and cape or the sword and dagger.

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Chapter 25 - Advice on how a little man needs to control a big man.

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Chapter 26 - The grapples of the sword and dagger.

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Chapter 27 - The guard takes against dagger cuts.

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Copyright and License Summary

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

Work	Author(s)	Source	License
Illustrations
Translation	John Tse	Wiktenauer
Transcription	Lionel Lauvernay, Olivier Dupuis, Philippe Errard, Didier de Grenier	Livre des Lecons

Additional Resources

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

• Dupuis, Olivier (2016). "The French Fencing Traditions, from the 14th Century to 1630 through Fight Books." Late Medieval and Early Modern Fight Books. Transmission and Tradition of Martial Arts in Europe: 354-375. Ed. by Daniel Jaquet; Karin Verelst and Timothy Dawson. Leiden and Boston: Brill. doi:10.1163/9789004324725_014. ISBN 978-90-04-31241-8.
• Heredia, Pedro de (2017). Book of Lessons. Trans. by Rob Runacres. Glasgow: Fallen Rook Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9934216-5-5.