Foreword
by Dwight
Learn
to defend yourself against 16th century fencing a-holes! In this
section, we will continue our exploration of the shield known as the
Target. The Target was a squarish shield generally made of iron or
iron plated wood. In this second section Digrassi describes the
offensive and defensive positions of the high ward and broad ward. I
will present Digrassi's section on the sword and target then give my
brief musings on this section.
The
Hurt of the High Ward at Sword and Target
Many
deceits, falses, and wards, may be pacified in the handling of the
these weapons: All which I reserve to the treatise of deceit and
falsing, as unto his proper place, training likewise in this as in
all the rest, three ordinary wardes, upon which all the rest depend,
and against which they maybe opposed. Standing
at this high ward, and pretending to strike the enemy, it is first of
all to be provided, that one steal a false pace from behind, and then
discharge a thrust above hand, with the increase of another half pace
forwards, which being warded by the enemy with his target only, not
moving his body, he may then increase a straight pace of the left
foot, and (somewhat lifting up his hand, and abasing the point of his
sword) force a thrust from above downwards between the target and
body of the enemy, with the increase of a pace of the right foot:the
which thrust will safely speed the enemy, if his body be not first
voided. The self same thrust may be delivered in this high ward,
standing with the right foot behind.
The
Defense of the High Ward at Sword and Square Target
The
foresaid thrust may easily be warded, if in the very time that it
commeth it be encountered with the high point of the Target, but yet
with that side which bendeth towards the right hand. And as soon as
the enemy's sword is come one handful within the Target, it must be
strongly beaten off by the Target towards the right hand, increasing
the same instant a left pace. Then with as great an increase of a
pace of the right foot as may be possible, a thrust underneath most
be given, already prepared, because a man ought to stand at the low
ward for the warding of the thrust above hand.
The
hurt of the Broad Ward, at Sword and Square Target
In
this ward likewise, the enemy may be invested on the point of the
sword, by going forwards as straightly as is possible, and by
striking quickly before the enemy. For the Target (whose charge is
only to defend) is so great, that it may easily ward all edgeblows
and those chiefly which come from the knee upwards. Farther, when a
blow is pretended to be delivered, it is manifestly, that a thrust
doth enter by a more narrow straight than any edgeblow doth. And
therefore, when one would strike the enemy standing at the lock or
low ward, he must remember that he approach as near him as he may
possible: and being so near, that with his Target put forth one
handful more forwards, he may beat away the enemy's sword, then by so
beating of it, he shall increase a left pace, and presently after it,
with the increase of a pace of the right foot, deliver him a thrust,
if it so chance that at the first encounter he strike him not
strongly.
The
Defense of the Broad Ward, at Sword and Square Target
Standing
at the low ward, one may ward and defend the thrust of the broad
ward, diverse ways, among all which, there is one way, very easy and
sure and thus it is.
For
the defense of this thrust, it is necessary, that he stand at the low
ward, his sword and arm being in their proper place: and that with
his Target something stretched out from his body, he provoke the
enemy, who being determined in himself, and coming increase of a pace
of the right foot, to strike the enemy with a low thrust, underneath
both his own and his enemy's Target.
Dwight's
Musings
Digrassi
presents some interesting strategy and insight in this section. Since
it is hard to strike an opponent with a Target, you have to figure
out ways around the Target. One would have to either use false
strikes to draw the target off and or use direct thrusts to an area
unprotected by the Target. The same can be applied in a martial
sports setting. If your opponent has a good guard whether in Ju Jitsu
or kickboxing. Quick direct strikes or fake strikes can be a good
strategy to penetrate a defense.
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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