Foreword by Dwight
Learn to defend yourself against 15th century a-holes! This is the last section on the sword and square target. Digrassi describes the offense and defense in the high an low wards. If you haven't been following along, go back and read part 1 and part 2 or listen on the podcast.
(Corresponding Podcast)
Of the Hurt of the Low Ward, at Sword and Square Target
There are many blows to be bestowed, standing at the low ward, all which I esteem as vain and to no purpose, considering the manifold and abundant defense of the Target. Therefore I will refrain myself unto two only which are very strong and hardly to be warded. And they are two thrusts, the one within, the other without, with the right foot both before and behind.
When one findeth himself within, with his right foot before, and so near his enemy, that by the increase of a left pace, he may with the right side of his Target, beat away the enemy's sword in the middle thereof, then he caught nimbly to increase that left pace, and (clothing in the enemy's sword between his Target and his own sword) to deliver a forcible thrust at the thighs, with the increase of a pace of the right foot. He may also do the very self same when he findeth himself to stand with his right foot behind, but then he must farther increase a pace of the right foot first, and then continuing still force his sword and paces directly onwards, if he hit not the enemy as he would at the first.
But if it chance that he find himself without, then he must (having first found out fit opportunity to beat off the enemy's sword with his Target) increase a left pace and placing the high side of his Target under the enemy's sword and his own sword upon it, closing it in, in the middle, increase a pace of the right foot, and discharge a forcible thrust, at the breast or face. And he may do the self same, when he standeth with the right foot behind.
Of the Defense of the High Ward at Sword and Square Target
For the warding of those two thrusts of the low ward, it is necessary, that a man stand at the same ward. And as the enemy commeth resolutely determined to thrust within, he must as soon, or more readily then he, increase a left pace, and with the right side of his Target close in the enemy's sword, between it and his own sword, and then to enter perforce and thrust either between the two Targets or else under them, with the increase of a pace of the right foot.
But if the enemy come without, he must increase the self same slope pace, and with the right side of his Target beat off the point of the enemy's sword and then thrust either above, either beneath, as in that occasion it shall be most for his advantage with the increase of the pace of the right foot. And when in consideration of the abundant defense of the Target, he may neither increase his paces , nor deliver a thrust, he must settle himself in the low ward with the right foot behind, which ward I will largely handle in the treatise of deceit of falsing, being as it were his proper place, here ending the true handling of the sword and square Target.
Musings
I love counter attacks. It is a vital strategy for any martial artist. Being able to parry, defend or avoid an strike and at the same time attack your opponent, is an incredibly useful skill. It doesn't matter if you are in mixed martial arts or a practitioner of self defense. Train your body and train your mind you sweet people.
-Dwight
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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