Ye Olde Masters of Defense Inigo: You're using Bonetti's defense against me, ah? Man in Black: I thought it fitting, considering the rocky terrain -- Inigo: Naturally, you must expect me to attack with Capo Ferro -- Man in Black: -- naturally -- but I find Thibault cancels out Capo Ferro, don't you? From Dueling to Fencing Fencing Treatises Translated Giacomo DiGrassi Di Grassi was one of the three premiere Elizabethan masters. He published his book "His True Arte of Defense" in 1570 and 1599. Di Grassi analyzed lines of attack and defense that have been used in fencing to the modern day. He is called the forefather of the smallsword and was one of the first masters of fence to hint at using the sword to parry attacks. He also was a great proponent of using the dagger as a defensive weapon. Camilo Agrippa This master was a theorist who simplified Marozzo's eleven guards to four. He was regarded as the man who defined the rapier as a thrusting weapon as well as one to be used for cutting. He published his book "Trattato di Scienza d'Arme" in 1568. Ridolfo Capo Ferro Capo Ferro's works are the pinnacle of Italian theory. Like Silver he described proper blade lengths. He taught that the cut has little place in rapier play. He taught a linear style of fence. He published his work "Gran Simulacro dell' Arte e dell' uso della Scherma" in 1610. Achille Marozzo A Bolognese fencing master, he published his book "Opera Nova" in 1536 and 1550. Marozzo's study included single dagger, single sword, sword and buckler, case of swords, sword and cloak, sword and dagger, and other combinations. Like most early masters he also covered polearms. Marozzo included a whole chapter dedicated to honor. Rocco Bonetti Master of a school of fence at Blackfriars in London during the late 1500's. He was critically injured by Austen Bagger, an Englishman, outside of the school. Bonetti was succeeded by Jeronimo, who was either Bonetti's son or close assistant. Vincentio Saviolo Saviolo arrived in England from Padua in 1590. He is also considered one of the premiere Elizabethan masters. An eclectic, he taught a mixture of Italian and Spanish theory and practice. He taught of the superiority of the thrust over the cut. His book "His Practice" covers honor as well as practical swordsmanship. He categorized cuts (similar to Marozzo) as well as thrusts. His moves (footwork) were more after the Spanish than the Italian style. He taught with Jeronimo in London. Joseph Swetnam Published his book "The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defense" in 1617. He was the fencing instructor for Prince Henry of England and also Charles I. He taught rapier and dagger unlike Silver and while some on the continent and in Italy were moving towards shorter rapiers Swetnam still preferred the long rapier for rapier play. Girard Thibault A French master of the 17th Century who taught the Spanish style of fence. He published his book "Academie de l'Espee. Some of his teachings are similar to those of George Silver. Salvatore Fabris This master was born in Bologna in 1544. He crystallized the best of the 16th Century theory and practice. He was known to have travelled Germany, France and Spain and it is surmised that he studied fence in these countries. In 1606 he published "Sienz e Practica d'Arme." Fabris insisted his students use the thrust. He taught a flexible and supple play and also taught the use of the sword itself to parry with. Henri Sainct Didier This French master published his book "Traite Contenant les Secrets du Premier Livre sur l'Espee Seule etc." in 1573. He is the first known French master that acknowledged the supremacy of Italian theory. He taught how to hold the left hand in single sword some two years before Vigianni. However, he only taught counter attacks; no true parries. His book details how to disarm an opponent by siezing their sword. Jeronimo de Caranza This Spanish Master published his book "De la Philosofia de las Armas" in 1569. His works assumed a knowledge of mathematics and philosophy. The Spanish school was radically different from the Italian in that the Italians codified and taught a series of attacks while the Spanish devoted more to defense. The Spanish system was so successful that it lasted as a concise system for over 300 years. Caranza was the father and founder of this system 'La Destreza." Angelo Viggiani An Italian master, Viggiani published his book "Lo Schermo" in 1575. He taught of the superiority of the thrust over the cut. His guard position lead to further developments of using a single sword in combat by always coming on guard with the right foot foreward. He is also the father of the lunge which he called the punta sopramano. Charles Besnard By 1653 Charles Besnard, a Frenchman, was the first to explain the turn of the wrist, as from carte to tierce, and the salute, which he mentions under the name of "reverence". His book did much to advance the Art of Fencing in France that it was considered by the French and English to take first place as a school for the science, a position formerly held by Italy. No doubt the Italians felt that the "title" had never changed hands. Joachim Meyer Thorough descriptions of the free Knightly and Noble Art of Fencing with various customary weapons with many beautiful and useful illustrated figures affected and presented. George Silver Great Fencing Masters Online Treatises Historical and Rare Fencing Manuals for Sale |
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