MA Resource - Digrassi's His True Art of Defense The Sword and Buckler Part 1

[Foreword by Dwight]

Protect yourself against 16th century hook guns (The Harquebus)! The Buckler was effective at the time against the hook guns. The main idea I took out of this text was the ability to keep the enemy or opponent in the line of sight while you are protecting yourself. If you don't keep an eye on your opponent, then you might get attacked in a vulnerable position.

(Corresponding Podcast)

The Sword and Buckler

For as much as the Buckler is a weapon very commodious and much used, it is reason that I handle it next after the Cloak. For my purpose is, to reason of those weapons first which men do most ordinarily use, then of those that are extraordinary and less accustomed, discoursing upon each of them, as much as is requisite when I come unto them. Therefore I will first consider of the Buckler, therewith proceed orderly.

First, his form, as much as appertaineth to this Art. Next the manner how to use it, giving every man to understand that the Buckler and other weapons (which are said to be weapons only of warding) may also be of striking, as I will declare in his proper place.

Of the Form of the Buckler

As the form of the Buckler is round and small, and ought to be a shield and safeguard of the whole body, which is far greater then it: so it is to be understood how it may accomplish the same, being a matter in a manner possible.

Let everyone therefore know, that the little buckler is not equal in bigness to the body simply, but after a certain sort or manner, from which springeth this commodity, that he which understandeth it, shall be resolved of the manner how to bare and handle it, and shall know that in it, which shall not only advantage him in the use thereof, but also of many other weapons.

It is to be understood, that the Buckler bare the self same respect to the body, which the prick or fight, on the top of the harquebus artillery or such like bareth to the object which they respect and behold. For when a harquebusser or gunner, dischargeth happily against a pigeon or tower, if they behold and find that the prick striketh the object, although that prick or fight be very little, and of a thousand parts one: yet I say, the said prick of the harquebus shall cover the whole pigeon and that of the artillery in a manner the whole Tower: the effect proceeding of no other things then of the distance. And it is in this manner. The eye beholding directly through the straight fight, as soon as it arriveth at the object, and may not pass through, teareth it, and sendeth through a line sideways spreading itself like unto the two sides of a triangle, the which overthroweth the foundation, the instrument striketh with which the discharge was made. And if it work otherwise, the commetch either of the defect of the instrument, or of that it was not firm.

Wherefore, applying this example to our purpose I say, that the enemy's sword is as the line of the eye sight, The Buckler, even as the little prick or fight in the harquebus, the body of him that holdeth the Buckler, as the object unto the which the stroke is directed: and so much the rather the Buckler shall be the more like this prick or fight and have power to cover the whole body, by how much it shall be the further of from the thing that is to cover.

As concerning his greatness, standing still on the form of the Buckler, by how much greater it is to by so much the better it voideth the blows, but it is to be regarded, that it hinder not the eye sight, or at least as little as possible. Besides this, there is required, that about the middle thereof, then be a little strong circle of iron. Well nailed and hollowed from the Buckler, so that between that circle and the Buckler the sword may enter, by means where of a man may either take holdfast of the sword, or break a piece of the point. But this is done rather by chance then that any rule may be given how a man should so take hold and break it for the sword commeth not with such slowness and in such quantity of time as is requisite in that behalf.

It shall be also very profitable, that in the midst of the Buckler there be a sharp point or start of iron, to  the end the enemy may be stroken therewith when occasion serveth.