Foreword by Dwight
Learn to defend yourself against 16th century fencing a-holes! In this section, we move away from the small shield or buckler and move onto the shield known as the Target. The Target was a squarish shield generally made of iron or iron plated wood. It is funny that is was referred to as a target, which makes me wonder if that is where the modern definition of target, an object selected for the aim of an attack. I will present the section on the sword and target then give my brief musings on this section.
(Corresponding Podcast)
Of the Sword & Target, called the Square Target
It is most manifest, that the Target is the most ancient weapon, found out only for the use of warfare, and not for frays and peculiar quarrels between man and man. Albeit, since the finding thereof, there have been devised by the industry of man a thousand ways to serve them at their need: From whence it hath come to pass, (because it seemed convenient unto the professors of this Art) that this weapon was very commodious and profitable, as well for this fashion, as for that it is a mean or middle weapon, between the buckler and the round target. That they have framed a special kind of play there with, although it differeth from the other two weapons in no other thing then in the fashion. Therefore, diverse professors of this Art, being moved, some by reason of the from, some by the bigness, and some by the heaviness thereof, have accustomed to bare it after diverse ways, those who make most account of heaviness, would for some confederation, that the right and proper baring thereof was to hold it leaning on the thigh, not moving there hence, but being greatly constrained there unto.
Others, who esteemed the form and bigness thereof, because it seemed unto them that the Target without any other motion was most apt of it self to ward all that part of the body which is betwixt the neck and the thigh, bare it with their arm drawn back close to their breast. The which opinion, I mean not at this present to confute, for as much as by the shewing of mine own opinion, it shall appear how mightily they were deceived in the holding there of, from the true holding where of springeth all the profit which his form and bigness doth give it.
The manner how to hold the Square Target
Being desirous to bare great respect as well to all the qualities of this Target (which are, the form, the bigness and heaviness) as unto that where with it may either help or hurt, I say (if a man would that the form thereof do bring him profit without hurt) it is to be holden with the high point thereof upwards respecting the head: the part opposite, the low parts of the body: the right part thereof, the right side, and the left, the left side: from this manner of baring spring these advantages. First, a man may more easily see his enemy, and view what he doth by the point of the corner, which is on the one side, and that is by the high point by which, if would behold his enemy, from the head to the feet, it is requisite that he carry his target, to low, that he discover not too much of his body which is above it: to the warding whereof he cannot come again, but discommodiously, and in long time.
Besides, the said commodity of beholding the enemy, there is also another that is of warding: For the Target being born after this manner (framing a triangle) that sharp corner thereof respecteth the forehead, and the sides thereof so spread themselves, that through the least motion, any big man who so ever, may stand safe behind them. And if blows come at the head, be they thrusts or edgeblows, all of them light upon one of the said sides, behind which standeth the head safe without hindering of the eyesight.
The other two sides of the target, right and left with very small motion, ward the right and left side of the body, in such sort, that a man may also draw back his arm: For the left side of the target wardeth the elbow, which it doth not do, when the high side thereof is carried equal. To conclude therefore, that in holding the Target, his bigness may the better ward, for the causes above said being superfluous to be repeated again, I counsel, it to be holden with the arm stretched forth from the body, no accompting the heavens to be hurtful, because a man contiunueth not long in so holding it: and fi the too long holding be painful, he may draw back his arm, and rest himself. The better to do this and to be able to see the enemy, i say he shall hold it, his arm stretched out, with the high point outwards, respecting the forehead.
Musings by Dwight
What I liked about this section was the shield was designed to help ward off attacks with a small efficient amount of motion, just as a thrust was designed to attack a target with the least amount of movement. You can apply the same principle to unarmed combat, using defensive movements in efficient manners, say like a parry.
So how do you defend against an evil fencing a-hole with a target? Shoot him in the foot of course!
References:
"Shields: History and Terminology." Shields: History and Terminology. Pitt Rivers Museum. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/Kent/shieweap/shgenex3.html
Digrassi, Giacomo. "His True Art of Defence." University of Massachusetts and Raymond J. Lord. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. http://www.umass.edu/renaissance/lord/pdfs/DiGrassi_1594.pdf
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