Foreword
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. Now we move onto explore part 2 of a case of dual
Rapiers. The Rapier originated in Spain. It is a slender pointed
sword with a beautifully designed protective hilt. Generally used for
thrusting.
Of
the Hurt of the Broad Ward at the Two Rapiers
This
broad ward, may in the self same manner be framed two ways, and it
may deliver the self same blows, in the one as in the other: This
ward is framed with one foot before, and one foot behind, the arm
(which is born on the side of the hinder foot) being stretched wide,
and broad outwards. Therefore when one standeth at this ward, and
would deliver as straight and as safe a thrust as is possible, he
shall first prove with his low rapier, whether he can find the
enemy’s rapier, which being found, he shall turn his fist outwards,
and force the enemy’s rapier so much, that it may do no hurt and
then with all increasing presently a slope pace, shall go forwards to
strike the enemy in the thigh, with the wide thrust.
He
might as well also thrust him in the flank, or in the head, but yet
the other thrust is used, because the Rapier, which is directed to
the thigh, is in place to hinder the enemy’s other rapier to light
on the legs.
And
as in the high ward, so likewise in this, he must always stand
without and having delivered the wide thrust, he ought presently to
widen the other arm, and settle himself in the broad ward.
Of
the Defense of the Broad Ward at the Two Rapiers
For
the defense of the thrust of the broad ward, it is necessary that a
man stand at the low ward, and there with all diligently observe, the
motions of the enemy’s body, how it compass and passeth to and fro,
by knowledge and due considerations whereof, he may easily defend
himself. Yet therefore the right arm be stretched out wide, the right
foot also (being behind) shall be in like manner widened, the which,
when it increaseth forwards, shall also carry with it the right
shoulder, voiding always with the left side.
And
the self same must be considered, and practiced, when he standeth at
his ward, the contrary way. That therefore which he must do, for the
defense of himself, shall be to void that part of his body, which may
be hurt by the enemy’s wide and broad thrust, and to oppose himself
against that part of his enemy, which commeth forwards pretending to
strike: And this he shall do, at what time the enemy (finding the
sword) would come forwards in his thrust. And in the self same time,
(assuring himself with his own low sword) shall increase a slope
pace, thereby investing and encountering that part of the enemy,
which came striking, and with the which he framed the broadward.
Neither can it be safe striking at any other place, for either, he
shall find nothing to encounter, by means of the motion of the body,
or else if he do not oppose himself against that shoulder of the
enemy which carrieth the hurt, he is in hazard to be stroken by the
enemy’s broad thrust.
Of
the Hurt of the Low Ward at the Two Rapiers
The
low ward shall be framed after two ways, the one with the right foot
before, the other with the left, and each of them may strike, either
within, either without. The way which striketh within, hath one blow,
the way which striketh without hath two, and in all, they are six. I
will lay down but three, because they differ not from the other
three, but only in the hand and foot, which must be placed before, so
that they are the self same, for I have already presupposed, that he
who taketh upon him to handle these weapons, can as well use the one
hand, as he can the other. He may therefore find himself to stand
with his right foot before and within, (I understand by within, when
he bareth one of his swords between both his enemy’s swords, and
likewise when the enemy carrieth one of his, between the other two.
Yet is likewise true, that this also may be said within, to wit, when
both weapons are born in the middle between the other two. But I
suppose no man so foolish, who handling these weapons, will suffer
both his swords to be without, being a very unsure ward whereof I
leave to speak.
That
therefore, which he is to do, (finding himself with both his rapiers
below, and within, with his right foot before, and after the said
first way of being within) shall be, that marking when he my close in
the enemy’s Rapier, between the which the enemy’s rapier shall be
so shut in and barred, that it may do no hurt, and one of two
rapiers, that is to say, the right rapier shall pass under the
enemies rapier and thrust safely. And his other rapier albeit, it may
thrust directly, yet (for the better saving of himself, form the
enemy’s other rapier that is at liberty) he shall bare it somewhat
abasing his hand, with the point upwards, the which point shall
safeguard him, from the enemy’s said rapier, although this last
note, be superfluous. Foreseeing the enemy must ward himself from the
thrust that hurteth him, he hath no leisure, nor happily mindeth to
strike, but only to defend himself, either by voiding his body, or
else by some other shift, which he shall then find out.
The
way of warding without, may strike directly after two ways: the
first, by beating off the enemy’s rapier, with his own that is
before, and by delivering a thrust, either at the breast or head,
with the rapier that is behind, increasing the there with all a slope
pace and settling himself in the low ward, with his left foot before.
The
second is, by taking opportunity, which he may do, if he be nimble.
And he ought with the increase of a slope pace, to drive the point of
his former rapier directly towards the enemy, and above the enemy’s
rapier. And his other own rapier, which before the increase was
behind, he must force on, under the enemy’s rapier. And thus, not
giving over, these two thrusts must be strongly and nimbly driven
towards the enemy, by means whereof being overtaken, the enemy hath
no other remedy to save himself, then to retire back: for he may not
come forwards, but he must run himself upon the weapons, and that he
will not do. So then, the enemy retiring himself may be followed, as
far as the increase of the right foot will bare, then, settling in
the low ward.
Of
the Defense of the Low Ward at the Two Rapiers
All
three thrusts of the low ward, by standing at the same ward, may
easily be warded, and that after one manner. If a man remember first
to void his body from hurt, by the increase of a pace, that is very
slope, or crooked, either before the enemy commeth thrusting, either
as soon as he moveth himself for the same purpose, or if he be active
and nimble to traverse, and in defending himself to strike the enemy.
Therefore
when any of the same three thrusts come and before he perceiveth his
rapier to be closed, and barred in, he shall move a slope pace, to
the intent to avoid himself from hurt, and with his rapier, which is
at liberty, he shall go forwards and deliver a thrust at the enemy’s
face, which thrust, doth surely speed, if he be resolute to enter.
Musings
At
one point during this section, the author notices the advantage of
gaging your opponent. Although, it must have extremely difficult to
gage a good fencer, especially since this art tends to be very
quick, nimble and accurate. It only takes two inches to be a lethal
strike or thrust. Being able to pick up the rhythm of your opponent
would be invaluable whether in martial sports or self defense,
especially if you want to defend and counter attack. Which it feels
like fencing focuses on quite a bit.
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
ARMA
Director John Clements answers email on swords and
swordsmanship:Questions and Answers About the Rapier .
(n.d.). Retrieved August 24, 2016, from
http://www.thearma.org/Youth/rapieroutline.htm#.V74817OVs8o
