Foreword by Dwight
Protect yourself from evil 16th century fencing a-holes! The great Italian Digrassi provides a wealth of information to offset any issues that you may have with these ruffians of the past. His journey takes us to part 2 of the sword and round shield. If you haven't read or listened to the past sections go ahead and catch up!
The Defense of the High Ward at Sword and Round Target
For the defending of the thrust of the high ward, it is most sure standing at the low ward, and to endeavor to overcome the enemy, by the same skill by the which he himself would obtain the victory. In the very same time, that he delivereth his thrust, a man must suddenly increase a slope pace with the left foot, beating of the enemies Target with his own and driving of a thrust perforce with the increase of a pace of the right foot. And with this manner of defense being done with such nimbleness as is required, he doth also safely strike the enemy, who cannot strike him again, because by means of the said slope pace he is carried out of the line in the which the enemy pretended to strike.
The Hurt of the Broad Ward at Sword and Round Target
It is very difficult to strike in this broad ward, if first with much compassing and gathering of the enemy, a man do not affair with the circumference of his Target near his hand, to beat off the enemy's sword. And being so beaten, to increase a left pace and further by adding there unto the increase of a pace of the right foot, to discharge a thrust. But it shall happily be better in the handling of these weapons, not to use this broad ward: for the hand is born out of the straight line, in the which he may strike both safely and readily: and before it return into the said line, there is much time spent.
And further, a man is not then in case with his Target to beat off the enemy's sword: But if happily he be, yet (though he be very ready, as well with the hand as foot) his thrust shall never enter so far that it may hit home: For the enemy, with a very small motion of this Target forwards, may very easily drive the enemy's sword out of the straight line. Therefore, he that would change or shift out of this ward, to the intent to strike, must of necessity be passing nimble and ready, and before he delivereth his blow, must beat the enemy's sword with his Target.
The Defense of the Broad Ward at Sword and Round Target
Because in every occasion or accident a man standeth safe in the low ward, I will endeavor in this case, to place him also in the same ward, for the encountering of the hurt of the broad ward. That therefore which by mine advice he shall do, is that he take great heed, not to suffer his sword to be beaten off any manner of way. And when the enemy without this beating presumeth to enter, he must in the self-same time increase a left pace and safely deliver a thrust underneath with the increase of the right foot. And further, when the enemy shall perform, that is, first, find the sword and beat it off, (seeing of necessity if he would enter and hit home, his sword must pass by circumference of the Target near the hand) then, to withstand the entry, it is requisite that he drive the enemy's sword outwards on the right side with his Target and with the increase of the said pace, that he enter and strike him.
The Hurt of the Low Ward at Sword and Round Target
A man may strike in this ward, the right foot being behind, and before and in both ways, he may bear his sword either within or without. If therefore he find himself to stand with the right foot behind without, he shall say at any hand, before he determine to strike, to find the enemy's sword with his own, and as soon as he finds it shall clap to his Target, and strike perforce with a low thrust, increasing with the right foot. But finding himself to stand within, no more with his sword, then he doth with this Target, he shall prove whether he can find the enemy's sword and having found it, shall strain it fast between his own sword and Target, and then shall deliver a thrust with the increase of a pace of the right foot, the whcih thrust of force speedeth: This being performed, he shall settle himself in this, or in either of these ways in the low ward with the right foot before. And as he so standeth in this ward, he may after the same sort strike either within or without.
Therefore finding himself within, he shall provide to meet with the enemy's sword, and with the increase of a pace of the right foot. And finding himself to bare his sword within the said ward, and with his right foot behind, he shall endeavor to find the enemy's sword with the Target, and having found it, shall close it in between his own sword and Target, and with the increase of a left pace, shall perforce hurt the enemy, with the increase of a pace of the right foot.
Now, all these thrusts, no doubt shall speed every time that the enemy either maketh no traverse motion with his body, either as he striketh, commeth directly forwards, or else being fearful, goeth directly backwards, for it is not possible that one man go to fast directly backwards, as another may forwards. Yet is therefore diligently to be observed in this ward, never to determine to strike, either in the handling of these, or of any other kind of weapons, if (with one of them) he shall not first find the enemy's sword. The which redowneth to the great profit of every man, but especially of those, who have strong arms, for that they are the better able to beat back the enemy's weapon.
Of the Defense of the Low Ward at Sword and Round Target
All the foresaid thrusts are warded, by not suffering the sword to be found by the enemy with either of his weapons. For the enemy (not finding it, will not allure himself, or presume to enter, without first finding of the sword) may most easily be stroken and not strike, if a man increase a slope pace, (to the end he may void his body from hurt) and with the increase of a straight pace of the right foot, do also discharge a thrust beneath. And after this order he may strike safely, (not only when his sword is not found by the enemy, but also when it chanceth to be found) if he be ready and nimble to make his slope pace, and to beat off, as forcible as he may, the enemy's target with his own sword and target, thereby forcing a low thrust to enter in , with the increase of a pace with the right foot. And thus much concerning the true striking and defending of the sword and round Target.
Musings
It is unfortunate that you do not see many people carrying shields anymore. I believe the only shields used today are the riot and ballistic shields used by law enforcement and the military. In the next section, we will look at a Case of Rapiers.
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
