The Arte of Defense

The Arte of Defense was studied and taught by masters in the late 15th and 16th Centuries. The most famous of the teachers typically came from Italy. Until the advent of the smallsword and the French schools of fence, the Italians and to a lesser degree the Spanish, enjoyed the role of the most sought after teachers of the Arte of Defence.

The English at the end of the 16th Century followed the continental fencers in taking on the use of the rapier. In defense of English technique, George Silver published a treatise called the Paradoxes of Defense. This treatise was used to espouse the use of the English weapons and to downplay the use of the rapier. Silver hated the Italians and Spanish and made sure that his readers knew that these styles were more dangerous for the user than good English practices. He also wrote a treatise on his Paradoxes called Brief Instructions.

I have just acquired a copy of Caranza! As I get parts typed in and translated, I will be placing bits and pieces on the server. Watch here for up and coming translations!

The Period Masters

Fencing schools abounded during the late 16th and early 17th Centuries. Luckily we have historical texts and existing copies of period manuals that lend some information on the philosophy and practice of fence by the masters of these schools at this period of time. New manuscripts keep coming to light from the 16th and 17th Centuries that detail some of the practices & schools of the masters. One such is Sloane MS. 2530. This manuscript details the London Masters of Defense.

A number of people are now studying not only period fencing techniques but also the blades themselves. I have begun a study of period blades and as I obtain information on period pieces I will endeavor to place the information on a blades page. If you have any information you would like to contribute in this area, please contact me.

Period Terms

Many of the schools from the 16th Century looked to the Italians for the practice and philosophy ( terms) used in fence. The English were especially interested by Italian practices as well as clothing styles.

Wolfgang von Hesse from the Barony of Mons Tonitras has placed some of his rapier diagrams on the Web. Click here to view them.

The Arte of Defense

I have included as a service parts of my book Entitled "The Arte of Defense." It is an instructional manual on rapier play that includes not only pratical information but also history and philosophy. I hope you enjoy reading through it. I used to produce a newsletter for fence. The last copy was December 1994.

If you are in the SCA and would like to see a copy of the Atenveldt Rapier rules Click here.

In Anno Societatis XXVIII the Crown of Atenveldt instituted the Order of the Defenders of the White Scarf. This order is a companion order to that used in other Kingdoms (including Ansteora and the Outlands). It is the highest award for fencing in the Kingdom.

Sources of Equipment

I am looking for sources of equipment/catalogs that may be on the net. If you are aware of any that I may have missed please email me with the url.

Groups who take part in Period Fencing

Other Fencing Information

Conclusion

If you are interested in period fencing and wish to send me a note, please mail me at william.wilson@nau.edu.

If you want to see some SCA related images, information about the March of Ered Sul or some of Ioseph of Locksley's works, click here. You can also check out the ftp server at ftp.nau.edu in the sca directory.

I am especially looking for electronic copies and translations of the Italian and Spanish Masters. I currently have copies of Silver, Saviolo, Grassi, Lovino, Pallas Armata and Swetnam (most in hard copy only).

Master Gwylym ab Owain, OP D.W.S., Atenveldt Kingdom Marshal of Fence, Former Captain of the Queen's Musketeers.