Foreword by Dwight
Protect yourself from 16th century fencing A-holes! Learn techniques and thoughts from treatise of old as we explore Digrassi's His True Art of Defense. I think I have had enough of the sections on shields. Now we move onto explore Rapiers. The Rapier originated in Spain. It is a slender pointed sword with a protective hilt. We are not talking about a single rapier either. What could be better than just a single rapier? Well dual rapiers! In this section, we will review dual rapiers!
Of the Case of Rapiers
There are also used now-a-days, as well in the schools, as in the lists, two Swords or Rapiers, admitted, and approved both of Princes and of the professors of this art, for honorable and knightly weapons, albeit thy be not used in the wars. Wherefore I shall not very from my purpose, if I reason also of these, as fare as is agreeable to the true art. To him that would handle these weapons, it is necessary that he can as well manage the left hand as the right, which thing shall be (if not necessary) yet most profitable in every other kind of weapon. But in these principally he is to resolve himself, that he can do no good, without that kind of nimbleness and dexterity. For seeing they are two weapons, and yet of one self-same kind, they ought equally and indifferently to be handled, the one performing that which the other doth, and every of the being apt as well to strike as defend.
And there-fore a man ought to accustom his body, arms and hands as well to strike as defend. And he which is not much practiced and exercised therein, ought not to make profession of this art: for he shall find himself to be utterly deceived.
The Manner How to Handle Two Rapiers
It is most manifest that both these weapons may strike in one and the same time: for there may be delivered jointly together two downright edgeblows on high and two beneath: two reverses, and two thrusts, and are so rich and plentiful in striking that it seemeth they may be used only to strike. But this ought not to be practiced, neither may it without great danger for all that, what so ever may be done with either of them, is divided into striking and defending. That this is true, it may be perceived in the single sword, which a sayeth to strike and defend. And those who have taken no such heed, but have been bent only to strike being moved either through collar, either believing, that they had to deal with an ignorant person, have remained thereby mightily wounded. Of this, there might be laid down infinite examples, which I leave to the extent I may not swerve from my purpose. I say therefore that of the two Rapiers which are handled, the one must be applied towards the other to strike, regarding always to use that first which wardeth, then that which striketh: for first a man must endeavor to defend himself, and then to strike others.
Of the High Ward at Two Rapiers
Presupposing always, that either hand is very well exercised, as well in striking as in defending, this high ward shall be framed after two ways, which yet in manner is all one. The one with the right foot, the other with the left, so working continually, that the hinder arm be aloft, the former beneath in manner, as when the low ward is framed at the single sword. And as a man striketh, he must always maintain and continue his high ward, which at the two rapiers, is the most perfect and surest and he may easily perform and do it: for whilest he entreth to give a high thrust with his hinder foot, although that foot be behind yet it must accompany the arm until it hath finished his thrust, and settled itself in the low ward. The other sword and hand (which was born together with the former foot in the low ward) remaining behind by reason of the increase of the high thrust, must presently be lifted up, and be placed in the same high ward.
Therefore it is to be noted, that whosoever meaneth to shift from this ward and strike, whether it be with his right or left foot, before or behind, it is requisite that he stand without, and when he would strike, he shall first prove with this low sword, whether he can find the enemy's weapons and having suddenly found them, he shall nimbly beat them back, and (in a manner) in the same instant force on a high thrust, with the increase of a pace of the right foot: from the which, if the enemy (for saving of himself) shall hastily and directly give backwards, he shall follow him, delivering presently the other high thrust will safely hit home and speed, because it is not possible that one may go so fast backwards, as another may forwards.
Farther, as well in this ward, as in others, the ward may be framed with the right foot before, and the right arm lifted, and so contrary-wise. But because there is small force in this ward both in the feet and hands, which stand not commodiously either to strike or defend, and seeing there is required in the handling of those weapons, great strength and steadfastness I have thought good, not to lay it down, as to small purpose.
The Defense of the High Ward
The direct opposition and defense of the high ward is the low ward, the manner whereof shall be seen in his proper place. That which principally is to be considered (for the low ward also, in like sort as the other may be framed after two sorts) is this, that of necessity a man stand with the same foot before as the enemy doth, to wit: if he bare the right foot before, to put forth the right foot also, and to endeavor as the enemy doth, to stand without, for of both ways this is of more advantage and safety. Finding himself therefore without, in the low ward, he must not refute, but rather suffer his sword to be found and beaten by the enemy: for this doth redown much more to his own advantage then to his enemy's because the enemy carrieth small force in his low hand where with he endeavoreth to find and beat off the sword, considering it is born to far off from the other: for that which is slenderly united, is less forcible: whereas standing at the low ward, he bareth both his hands low near together and sufficiently strong. Therefore, as soon as the enemy having beaten back the sword, shall resolve himself to give a thrust, he must increase a slope pace, and with his hinder low sword, drive the enemy's high thrust outwards toward the right side, if it chance that he were in the low ward with his right foot before, and suddenly with the other low sword behind (which was suffered to be beat off by the enemy, because it might turn the more to his disadvantage: for seeing the enemy's sword being slenderly united, as I have said before, carried but small force, it was rather beaten off and disappointed: so that as soon as the slope pace is increased, and the said high thrust warded, before the enemy place his other sword also in the high ward, he may with the straight pace of the right foot deliver a low thrust continuing still to beat down the enemy's sword with his own low sword, that is born forever. And this manner of warding is most safe and sure: for besides that it striketh the enemy with the slope pace, it doth likewise in such sort deliver the body from hurt, that of force the enemy is disappointed. Neither is there any other sure way to ward this high thrust, being so strong, and besides, having so great increase of pace.
This manner of defense is most strong and sure, and is done with that sword which is farthest off. Yet there is another way and that is, with the low sword before, the which is no less stronger and sure than the other, but yet much shorter. For look in what time the other defendeth, this striketh.
Therefore in the low ward it is to be noted, (when the enemy moveth, pretending to beat off the sword and there withall to enter) that then the point of the sword before be lifted up, keeping the hand so steadfast, that is oppose it self and keep outwards the enemy's high thrust, and having made this bare, to keep out his weapons, then and in the self same time, he shall increase a straight pace, and with the low sword behind shall strike the enemy in the breast, to whom it is impossible to do any effectual thing, or to avoid the said stroke, for that (by means of the point of the sword lifted up in manner aforesaid) both his swords are so hindered, that they may not safely strike, either with the edge or the point.
Musings
Whenever I think about two swords, I usually think about Alexandre Dumas's Three Musketeers, "He thinks he can challenge the Mighty Porthos with a sword". It is wonderful to have a weapon that is versatile enough to act offensively as defensively. I tried to think of what type of weapon in this day and would be the equivalent and thought maybe a stun gun, which could be offensive or defensive, but it just doesn't have the beauty or the finesse of a rapier.
References:
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
