George Silver's Bref Instructions Vpõ My Pradoxes Of Defence

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Unpublished, dated: 1599

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Bref Instructions Vpõ My Pradoxes Of Defence

for the true handling of all Mann^r of weapons together w^t the fower grownds & the fower gou^rnors w^ch gouernours are left out in my pradoxes w^tout the knowledge of w^ch no Man can fight saf

By George Silver Gentleman

[1599]

[Sloane MS. No 376.]

To The Reader.

For as much as in my padoxes of Defence I haue admonyſhed Men to take heede of falſe teachers of Defence, yet once againe in these my bref inſtructions I do the lyke, becauſe Diuers have wryten books treating of the noble ſcience of Defence, wherin they rather teach offence then Defence, rather ſhewing men therby how to be ſlayne than to defend them ſelves frõ the Dang^r of their enemys, as we may dayly ſe to the great grief & ouerthrowe of many braue gentlemen & gallent of o^r ever victorious nation of great brytaine, And therfore for the great loue & Care y^t I haue for the well Doing & p^rſ,vation of my Countrymen, ſeeing their Dayly ruens & vtter> ou^rthrow of Diu^rs gallant gent: & others w^ch trust only to that Impfyt fyght of y^t Rapior, yeaſe although they Deyly ſe their owne ou^rthrowes & ſlaughter therby, yet becaus they are trayned vp therin, they thinke & do fully pſwade them ſelues that ther is no fight ſo excellent & wher as amongſt div^rs other their oppynyons y^t leadeth them to this errous on of y^t cheifeſt is, becauſe ther be ſo many ſlayne w^t theſe weapons & therfore they hold them ſo exelent but theſe thinges do cheifly happen, firſt becauſe their fyght is Imprfyt for that they vſe nether the prfyt gronds of true fyght, nether yet the 4 gou^rnors w^tout w^ch no man can fight ſaf, nether do they vſe such other rules w^ch are required in the right vſe of prfyt defence, and also their weapons for y^e most prte beinge of an Imprfyt length, muſt of neceſſytie make an Imprfyt Defence becauſe they Cannot vſe them in due tyme & place, for had theſe valerous mynded men the right prfection of the true fyght w^t the ſhort ſword, & alſo of other weapons of pryft length, I know y^t men would com ſaffer out of the field frõ ſuch bloddye bankets & that ſuch would be their prfections her in, that it would ſaue many 100 mens lyues. But how ſhould men lerne prfection out of ſuch rules as are nothing els but very Imprfectiõ it ſelf. And as it is not fyt for a man w^ch deſyreth y^e clere lyght of the Day to go downe into the bottom of a deepe & Darke Dungion, belyvinge to fynd it there, ſo is it as Impoſſyble for men to fynd the prfyt knowledge of this noble ſcience wher as in all their teachings every thinge is attempted & acted vpõ Imprfyt rules, for ther is but one truth in all things, w^ch I wiſh very hartely were taught & practysed here amongſt vs, & y^t thoſe Imprfyt & murtherous kynde of falſe fyghts might be by them abolyſhed. Leaue now to quaf & gull any Longer of that fylthy brynyſh puddle, seeing yõ may now drink of y^t freſh & clere ſprynge.

O that men for their Defence would but geve their mynde to practiſe the true fyght in deed, & lerne to bere true brytiſh wards for thire defence, w^ch yf they had it in prfyt practyſe, I ſpeak it of myne owne knowledge y^t thoſe Imprfyt Italyon Devyſes w^t rapyor & poynard would be clene caſt aſyde & of no account of al ſuch as blind offections do not lead beyond the bonds of reaſon. Therfore for the verye zealous & unfayned loue y^t I beare vnto yo^r high & royal prſon my Cuntrymen pyttiing their cauſes y^t ſo many braue men ſhould be dayly murthered, & spoyled for want of true knowledge of this noble ſcience & not as ſom Imagyn to be, only y^e excelence of y^e rapior fyght, & wher as my padoxes of defence is to the most sorte as a darke ryddle in many things ther in ſet downe, therfore I have now this ſecond tyme taken ſom paynes to write theſe few breef Inſtructions ther uppõ wher by they may the better attayne to the truth of this ſcyence & laying open here all ſuch things as was ſom thinge Intrycat for them to vnd^rſtand in my p^rdoxes & therfor y^t I haue the ful prfectiõ & knowledge of the prfyt vſe of all mann^r of weapons, it Doth embolden me here in to wryte for the better Inſtructiõ of the Vnſkylfull.

And I haue added to theſe my breef Inſtructions c^rtaine neceſarie admonytions w^ch I wiſh every man not only to know, but alſo to obſ^rve & follow, Chiefly al ſuch as are deſyrous to enter into the right vſage & knowledge of their weapons, & alſo I haue thought it good to Annexe here vnto my p^rdoxes of Defence because in theſe my bref Inſtructions, I haue referred y^e reader to div^rs rules ther in ſet down.

This haue I wryten for an Infallible truth & a note of remembrance to o^r gallant gent: & others of o^r brave mynded Nation of great bryttaine, w^ch bere a mynde to defend them ſelues & to wyn honour in the feeld by their Actions of armes & ſyngle Combats.

And know y^t I write not this for vaineglorie, but out of An entyre loue y^t I owe vnto my natyve Cuntrymen, as on who lamentith their Loſſes, ſorrye y^t ſo great an errour ſhould be ſo Carefully noryſhed as a ſ^rpant in their boſoms to their vtt^r confusfyõ, as of long tyme haue byn ſeene, wher as yf they would but ſeeke the truth her in they were eaſyly abolyshed, therfore follow the truth & fly Ignorance.

And conſyd^r y^t learnyng hath no greater enemye than Ignorance, nether can the vnſkylfull euer Judge the truth of my arte to them unknowen, beware of raſh Judgement & accept my labours as thankfully as I beſtow them willingly, cenſuer me Justly, let no man Diſpiſe my worke herin Cauſeles, & ſo I refere my ſelf to the cenſuer of ſuch as are skylful herin & ſo I cõmyt yõ to the prtection of the almyghty Jehovah.

yo^rs in al loue & fryendly Affectiõ,
George Syluer.

Admonytions
To The Gentlemen &
Brave Gallants Of Great
Britaine Against Quarrels &
Braules Writen By George Siluer.
Gent.

Wheras I have declaired in my prdoxes of defence of the falſe teachinge of the noble ſcyence of defence vſed here by the Italyon fencers willing men therin to take heed how they trusted ther vnto w^t ſuffytient reaſons & profs why.

And wher as ther was a booke wryten by Vincentio an Italiõ teacher whoſe yll vſinge practiſes & vnſkylfull teaching were ſuch y^t it hath coſt the lyves of many of o^r brave gentlemen & gallants, the vnc^rtaintye of whoſe falſe teaching doth yet remayne to y^e dayly murthering & ouer throw of many, for he & the reſt of them did not teach Defence but offence, as it doth playnlye appere by thoſe y^t follow the ſame Imprfyt fyght according to their teaching or inſtructiõs by the orders from them prceedinge, for be the actors y^t follow them neuer so prfyt or ſkylfull therin one or both of them are eyther ſore hurt of ſlaine in their Incountrs & fyghts, & yf they alledge y^t we vſe it not rightly according to y^e prfectiõ therof, & therfore cannot defend o^r ſelues, to w^ch I anſwer yf themſelues had had any prfection therin, & that their teaching had byn a truth, themſelues would not have byn beaten & ſlayne in their fyghts, & vſing of their weapons, as they were.

And therfore I proue wher a man by their teaching can not be ſaf in his defence following their owne grounde of fyght then is their teaching offence & not defence, for in true fyght againſt the beſt no hurt can be don. And yf both haue the full prfection of true fyght, then one will not be able to hurt the other at what prfyt weapon ſo ever.

For it cannot be ſayd y^t yf a man go to the feld & cannot be ſure to defend him ſelf in fight & to com ſaf home, yf goid be not againſt him whither he fyght w^t a man of ſkyll of no ſkil it may not be ſaid y^t ſuch a man is Mast^r of the Noble ſcyence of defence, or that he hath the prfection of true fyght; for yf both haue the prfection of their weapons, yf by any Device, on ſhould be able to hurt the other, ther were no prfection in the fyght of weapons, & this firmely hold in yo^r mynd for a generall rule, to be the hayth & prfection of the true handling of al maner of weapons.

And alſo wheras y^t ſaid Vincentio in y^t ſame booke hath written diſcours of honour & honorable quarrels making many reaſons to prve meanes & ways to enter y^e feeld &cõbat, both for the lye & other diſgraces, al w^ch diabolicall devyces tendeth only to villayne & diſtruction as hurtynge, Maymynge & Murtheringe or kyllinge.

Annymating y^e mynds of yonge gentlemen & gallants to follow those rules to maintaine their honors & credits, but the end ther of for the moſt prte is eyther kyllinge or hanginge or both to their vtter vndoinge & great gref of themſelues, amp; their friends, but then to late to call it againe. they conſyder not the tyme & place that we lyue in, nor do not throughly looke into the danger of the lawe til it be too late, & for that in diuers other cuntryes in theſe things they have a larger ſcope than we have in these our dayes.

Therfore it behoveth vs not upõ euery abuſe offered wher by o^r bloud ſhalbe Inflamed, or o^r choler kindled p^rſently w^t the ſword of w^t the ſtabb, or by force of Armes to ſeeke Reuenge, w^ch is the propre nature of wild beaſts in their rage ſo to do, being voyde of the vſe of reaſon, w^ch thinge ſhould not be in Men of diſcreatiõ ſo much to Degenerate, but he y^t wil not endure an Iniurye, but will seeke revenge, then he ought to do it by Cyvill Order & prof, by good & holſom lawes, w^ch are ordayned for ſuch Cauſes, w^ch is a thinge far more fyt & requiſted in a place of ſo Cyvell a gou^rnment as we lyve in, then is the other, & who ſo follow^t these my Admonycions ſhalbe accounted as valyent a Man as he y^t fyghteth & farr wyſer. for I ſee no reaſon why a Man ſhould adventure hys lyf & esftate vpõ every tryfle, but ſhould rather put vp diu^rs abuſes offerd vnto him, becauſe it is agreeable both to the Lawes of god & o^r Cuntrye.

Why ſhould not words be Anſwered w^t words againe, but yf a Man by his enemye be charged w^t blowes then may he Lawfully ſeeke the beſt meanes to defend him self, & In ſuch a Caſe I hold it fyt to vſe his ſkyll & to ſhow his force by his Deeds, yet ſo, y^t his dealynge be not w^t full Rygour to the others conſuſyon yf poſſyble it may be eſchewed.

Alſo take heed how yõ appoynt the field w^t yo^r Enemye publickly because o^r Lawes do not prmyt yt, neyther appoint to meet him in pryvat ſort lest yõ wounding him he accuſe yõ of fellownye ſaying you have robbed him &c. Or he may laye companye cloſely to Murther you & then to report he dyd it him ſelf valyently in the feld.

Alſo take heed of thyne Enemyes Stratagems,leſt he fynd Meanes to make yõ to looke a syde vpõ ſomthing, of cauſe yõ to ſhew whether yõ have on a p^rvye Coat, & ſo when you Looke from him, he hurt or kyll you.

Take not armes vpõ every light occaſyon, let not one fryend vpon a word or a tryfle violate another but let ech man zealouſly embrace fryendſhyp, & turne not famylyaritie into ſtrangnes, kyndnes into mallice, nor loue into hatred, noriſh not theſe ſtrange & vnnaturall Alterations.

Do not wyckedly reſolue one to ſeeke the others ou^rthrowe, do not confyrme to end thy Mallice by fight becauſe for the moſt prte y^t endeth by Death.

Conſyder when theſe things were moſt vſed in former Ages they ſought not ſo much by envye the ruen & diſtruction on of another. they never tooke tryall by ſword but in defence of Innocencye to maintayne blotleſs honour.

Do not vpon Euery tryfle make an Action of revenge, or of Defyance.

Go not into the feeld w^t thy fryend at his Intreatye to take his prte but firſt know y^e mann^r of y^e quarrell how Juſtly or vniuſtlye it grow, & do not ther in maintaine wronge againſt ryght, but examyne the cauſe of the contravercye, & yf ther be reaſon for his rage to lead him to y^t mortall reſolution.

Yet be the cauſe neuer ſo Juſt, go not w^t him neyther further nor ſuffer him to fight yf poſſyble it may by any meanes be otherwyſe ended & wyll him not to enter into so dangerous an action, but leaue it till necceſytie requireth it.

And this I hold to be the beſt Courſe for it is fooliſhness & endleſſe troble to caſt a ſtone at euery Dogge y^t barks at you. this noble ſcyence is not to cauſe on man to abuſe another iniuriosſlye but to vſe it in their neceſſyties to defend them in their Juſt Cauſes & to maintaine thier honour & Credits.

Therfore flye al raſhnes, pryde, & doynge of Iniurie all foule faults & errours herin, p^rſume not on this, & therbye to think it lawfull to offer Iniurye to Anye, think not yo^rſelf Invincible, but conſyder y^t often a verye wretch hath kylled a taule man, but he y^t hath humanytie, the more skylful he is in this noble ſcience, the more humble, modeſt, & V^rtuous he ſhould ſhew him ſelf both in ſpeech & Action, no lyer, no vaunter nor quarreller, for theſe are the cauſes of Wounds, Diſhonour & Death.

Yf you talke w^t great men of honourable qualitie w^t ſuch chiefly haue regarde to frame yo^r ſpeeches & Anſwer ſo reverent, y^t a fooliſh word, or froward Anſwer geve no occaſyon of offence for often they breed Deadly hatred, Cruell murthers & extreem ruens &c.

Ever ſhun al occaſyons of quarrels, but marſhall men cheiflye generals & great com̅anders ſhould be exelent skylfull in the noble ſcience of defence, therby to be able to anſwer quarrels, Combats & Chalenges in Defence of their prince & Cuntry.

Vale.

Bref Inſtructions vpõ my pradoxes of Defence for the trye handlying of all Mann^r of weapons together w^t the fower grownds & the fower gou^rnors w^ch gouernours are left out in my pradoxes w^tout the knowledge of w^ch no Man can fight ſaf.

Cap. I
The fower grownds or principls of y^t true fyght at all manner of Weapons are theſe 4, viz.
1. Judgment
2. Diſtance
3. Tyme
4. Place.

The reaſon wherof theſe 4 grownds or p^rnciples be the fyrſt & cheefeſt, are the followinge, becauſe through Judgement, yõ kepe yo^r dyſtance, through Diſtance yõ take yo^r Tyme, through Tyme yõ ſafly wyne or gayne the Place of yo^r adu^rſarie, the Place beinge woon or gayned yõ haue tyme ſafly eyther to ſtryke, thruſt, ward, cloze, grype, ſlyp or go back, in the w^ch tyme yo^r enemye is diſapoynted to hurt yõ, or to defend himself, by reason that he hath loſt his true Place, the reaſon y^t he hath loſt his True place is by the length of Tyme through the numb^r of his feet to w^ch he is of neceſſytie Dryven to y^t wilbe Agent.

The 4 gou^rnors are thoſe y^t follow.

1.
The fyrſt gou^rnor is Judgment w^ch is to know when yo^r Adverſarie can reach you, & when not, & when yõ can do the lyke to him, & to know by the goodnes or badnes of his lyinge, what he can do, & when & how he can p^rforme it.
2.
The ſecond gou^rnor is Meaſure. Meaſure is the better to know how to make yo^r ſpace true to defend yo^rſelf, or to offend yo^r enemye.
3.
4.
The third & fourth gou^rners is a tywfold mynd when yõ preſs in on yo^r enemye, for as yõ have a mynd to go forwarde, so you muſt have at y^t inſtant a mynd to fly backwarde vpõ any action y^t ſhalbe offered or don by yo^r adu^rſarie.

Certaine general rules w^ch muſt be obſyved in y^t prfyt vſe of al kynde of weapons

Cap. 2.

1.
Fyrſt when you com into the feeld to encounter w^t yo^r Enemy, obſyve wel the ſcope, Evenness & vneunnes of yo^r grounde, put yo^rſelf in redynes w^t yo^r weapon, before yo^r enemye Com w^tin diſtance, ſet the ſvnn in his face travers yf poſſible yõ can ſtill remembrynge yo^r gou^rnors.
2.
Let all yo^r lyinge be ſuch as ſhal beſt like yo^rſelf. euer conſyderinge out what fyght yo^r Enemye chargeth yõ, but be ſure to kepe yo^r diſtance, ſo y^t nether hed, Armes, hands, body, nor legges be w^tin hys reach, but y^t he muſt fyrſt of neceſſytie put in his foote“Put in his foot,” i.e. advance. [Matthey] or feet, at w^ch tyme yõ haue the Choyſe of iij Actions by the w^ch yõ may endang^r him & go free yo^rſelf.
- 1.
  The fyrſt is to ſtrike or thruſt at him, at y^t inſtant when he haue gayned yõ the place“To wyn or gayne the place;” i.e.to come within ſtriking diſtance. [Matthey] by his cominge in “His cominge in.” It muſt be remembered that in Silver's time the lunge was unknown, at leaſt to English fencers, & the only movement of the feet were “paſſes” and “traverſes,” which with “ſlips” conſtituted a great part of the defence as well as of the attack.
  “Paſſes” were ſteps either forwards or backwards and the “traverſes” were ſteps in a lateral direction. “Slips” were little ſhort sfteps either lateral or backwards. Theſe movements were alſo much uſed in feints of the attack. [Matthey]
- 2.
  The ſecond is to ward, & Aft^r to ſtrike of thruſt from y^t, remembringe yo^r gou^rnors
- 3.
  The thyrd is to ſlippe alyttle backe & to ſtrike or thruſt after hym
but euer remember y^t in the fyrſt motion of your Adverſarye towarde yõ, y^t yõ ſlyde a lyttle back ſo ſhall yõ be p^rpred in due tyme to prforme anye of the iij Actions Aforeſaid, by diſdappointynge him of his true place, whereby yõ ſhall ſaflye defend yo^rſelf & endanger him.

remember alſo y^t yf through fear or polyſye, he strike or thuſt ſhort, & ther w^t go back, or not go back, follow him vpon yo^r twofold gou^rnors, ſo ſhall yo^r warde & ſlype be prformed in lyke mann^r as before, & yo^rſelf ſtil be ſaf.
3.
Kepe yo^r dyſtance & ſuffer not yo^r adu^rſarie to wyn or gayne the place of you, for yf he ſhall ſo do, he may endanger to hurt or kyll you.

Know y^t the place is, when on may ſtryke or thruſt home w^tout puttinge in of his foot.

Yt may be obiected againſt thys laſt ground, y^t men do often ſtrike & thruſt at the half ſword, & yet the ſame is prfytly defended, wher to ansfwer y^t that defence is prfytly made by reason y^t the warder hath his true ſpace before the ſtryker or thruſter is in his force or entred into his action.

Therfor alwaies do p^rvent both blow & thruſt, the blow by true ſpace, & the thruſt by narrow ſpace “Space” is the diſtance which the ſword blade has to traverſe in changing from one poſition to another: thus from “medium” to “quarte” or “tierce” would be a “narrow ſpace,” while from “tierce” to “ſeptime” or from “feconde” to “quarte” would be a very “wyde ſpace.” [Matthey] y^t is true croſſinge it before the ſame com into their full force, other wyſe the hand of the Agent beinge as ſwyft as y^e hand of the patient, the hand of y^e Agent beinge the fyrsft mou^r, muſt of necessytie ſtrike of thruſt y^t prte of y^e patient w^ch ſhalbe ſtryken or thruſt at becauſe the tyme of y^t hand to the tyme of y^e hand, beinge of lyke ſwyftnes the fyrſt mou^r hath y^e aduantage.
4.
When yo^r enemy ſhall preſs vpon you, he wilbe Open in one place or other, both at ſyngal & dubble weapon, or at the leaſt he wilbe to weake in his ward vpon ſuch p^rſſinge, then ſtrike or thruſt at such open or weakeſt prte y^t yo ſhal fynd neereſt.
5.
When yõ attempt to wyn the place, do it vpon gard, remembringe yo^r gou^rnors, but when he p^rſſeth vpõ yõ & gayneth yõ The place, then ſtrike of thruſt at him in his cõmynge inA time hit of thruſt [Matthey].

Or yf he ſhal ſtryke or thruſt at yõ, then Ward it, & ſtryke of thruſt at him from yo^r warde, & fly backe Inſtantly accordinge to yo^r gou^rnorsParry and Riposte. Silver is very careful to emphaſiſe the neceſſity of “flying backe,” i.e. getting away, immediately after an attack, whether it be ſucceſſful or otherwiſe [Matthey], ſo ſhall yõ eſcape ſaflie, for that the fyrſt Motion of the feete forwarde, wher byyo^r regreſſyon wilbe more ſwyfter, then his courſe in prgreſſyon to Anoye you, the reaſon is, that in the fyrſt motyon of his prgreſſyon his Numb^r & Waight is greater then yo^rs are, in yo^r firſt motyon of yo^r regreſſyon, neu^rtheleſs al men knowe that the cõtynual courſe of the feet forwarde is more ſwyft then the Contynuall Courſe of y^e feet backwards.
6.
yf yo^r enemye lye in varyable fyght, & ſtryke or thruſt at yõTime hits & thruſts. [Matthey] then be ſure to kepe yo^r Diſtance & ſtrike or thruſt at ſuch open prte of him as are neereſt vnto you, viz, at the hand, Arme, hed, or legg of himm, & go back w^t all,
7.
yf ij men fight at varyable fyght. & yf w^tin disftance, they must both be hurt, for in ſuch fight they Cannot make a true Croſſe, nor haue tyme trulye to Judge, by reaſon y^t the ſwyft motyon of the hand, beinge a ſwyfter moue^r, then the eye Deceyveth the eye, at what weapon soeuer you ſhal fyght w^tall, as in my pradoxes of defence in the chapter therof doth appere.
8.
Looke to the grype of yo^r Enemye,The “grype” is the ſeizing of the ſword-hilt with the left hand, – for this purpoſe a “guanto da preſa,” or gripping gauntlet with the palm protected with fine mail, was ſometimes uſed. [Matthey] & vpõ his ſlype take ſuch a warde as ſhal beſt fyt your hand, from w^ch warde ſtrike or thruſt, sftil remembrynge yo^r gouernors,
9.
yf yõ can Indirect yo^r enemyeTo “indirect” is to either manœuvre or force him from the true line of direction. [Matthey] at any kynde of weapon, then yõ haue the aduantage, becauſe he muſt moue his feet to direct him ſelf Againe, & yõ in the meane tyme may ſtike or thruſt at him, & fly out faſt, before he can offer anything at you, his tyme wilbe ſo longe.
10.
When you ſhal Ward blow of thruſt, made at yo^r right or left prte, w^t any kynd of weapon, rememb^r to Draw yo^r hynde foot a lyttle c^rculerlye,A Demi-volte. [Matthey] from that prte to w^ch the fame ſhalbe made, wher by yõ ſhall make yo^r defence the more prfyt, & ſhal ſtand the more Apt to strike or thuſt from yt.

A declaraton of al the 4 generall fyghts to be uſed w^t the ſword at dubble of ſyngle, longe or ſhort, & w^t Certaine p^rticuler rules to them Annexed.

Cap. 3.

1.
Open fyght is to Carrye yo^r hand & hylt a loftThe “Guardia alta” of Marozzo & “Terza guardia” of Viggiani. [Matthey] aboue yo^r hed, eyther w^t poynt vpright, or point backwards w^ch is beſt, yet vse that w^ch yõ ſhall fynd moſt apteſt, to ſtrike, thruſt, or ward.
2.
Gardant fyght A “hanging” guard. [Matthey] in gen^rall is of ij ſorts, y^e fyrsft is true gardant“True gardant” is a High Prime. [Matthey] fyght, w^ch is eyther prfyt or Imprfyt.

The prfyt is to carry yo^r hand & hylt aboue yo^r hed w^t yo^r poynt doune to wards yo^r left knee, w^t yo^r ſword blade ſomewhat neer yo^r bodye, not bearing out your poynt, but rather declyninge in a lyttle towards yo^r ſaid knee, y^t yo^r enemye croſe not yo^r poyntCommand [Matthey] & ſo hurt you, ſtand bolt vpright in this fyght, & yf he offer to preſſe in then bere yo^r hed & body a lyttle backwarde.

The ImprfytTo ſtand with the body leaning forward is an “imperfect” poſition. [Matthey] is when yõ bere yo^r hand & ſword hylt prfyt hayth aboue yo^r hed, as aforeſayd but leanynge or ſtoopinge forwarde w^t yo^r body & therby yo^r ſpace wilbe to Wyde on both ſyds to defend the blow ſtryken at the feft ſyde of yo^r hed or to wyde to defend a thruſt from the ryght ſyde of the body,

Alſo it is Imprfyt, yf yõ bere yo^r hand & hylt as aforeſayd, berynge yo^r poynt to farr out from yo^r kneee, ſo y^t yo^r enemy May Croſ, of ſtrike Aſyde yo^r poynt, & therby endanger you,

The ſecond is baſtard gardant“Baſtard gardant” is a kind of high ſeconde, but more central. [Matthey] fyght w^ch is to Carrye yo^r hand & hylt below yo^r hed, breſt hye or lower w^t yo^r poynt downwarde towarde yo^r left foote, this baſtard gardant ward is not to be vsed in fyght, ecept it be to Crosse yo^r enemyes Ward at his comynge in to take the grype of him of ſuch other aduantage, as in diu^rs placs or y^e ſword fyght is ſet forth.
3.
Cloſe fyght is when yõ Croſ at y^e half ſword eyther aboue at forehand ward“Forehand ward” is a medium guard. [Matthey] y^t is w^t poynt hye, & hande & hylt lowe, or at true or baſtard gardant ward w^t both yo^r poynts doun.

Cloſe is all mann^r of fyghts wherin yõ have made a true Croſe at the half ſword w^t yo^r ſpace very narrow & not Croſt, is alſo cloſe fyght.
4.
Variable fyght is al other mann^r of lyinge not here before ſpoken of, wher of theſe 4 that follow are the cheefest of them.The Italian terms were imperfectly underſtood in England at the end of the XVIth century, & Silver has evidently miſconſtrued them. [Matthey]
- (1.)
  Stocata:“Quinta guardia” of Capo Ferro. [Matthey] w^ch is to lye w^t yo^r right legge forwarde, w^t yo^r ſword or rapior hylt back on the out ſyde of yo^r right thygh w^t yo^r poynt forewarde to ward yo^r enemye, w^t yo^r dagg^r in yo^r other hand extendinge yo^r hand to wards the poynt of yo^r rapior, holdinge yo^r dagg^r w^t y^e poynt vpright w^t narrow ſpace betweene yo^r rapior blade, & the nayles of yo^r dagg^r hand, kepynge yo^r rapior poynt back behind yo^r dagg^r hand yf poſſyble,
  
  “Prima guardia” of Capo Ferro, “Guardia alta” of Alfieri, & “Guardia di becha poſſa” of Marozzo. [Matthey] Or he may lye wyde below vnd^r his dagg^r w^t his rapior poynt doun towards his enemyes foote, or w^t his poynt fourth w^t out his dagg^r.
- Imbrocata: is to lye w^t yo^r hylt hyer then yo^r hed, beringe yo^r knuckles vpwarde, & yo^r point depending towarde yo^r Enemys face of breſt.
- Mountanta:“Quarta guardia” of Alfieri. [Matthey] is to Carrye yo^r rapier pummell in the palm of yo^r hand reſting it on yo^r lyttle fynger w^t yo^r hand belowe & ſo movnynge it vp a loft, & ſo to com in w^t a thruſt vpõ yo^r Enemyes face or breſt, as out of y^e Imbrocata.
- 4.
  Paſſata: is eyther to paſs w^t y^e Stocata, or to carrye yo^r ſword or rapior hylt by yo^r right flanke, w^t yo^r poynt directly againſt yo^r Enemyes belly, w^t yo^r left foote forwarde, extendinge fourth yo^r dagg^r hand w^t the poynt of yo^r dagger forwarde as yõ do yo^r ſword, w^t narrow ſpace between yo^r ſword & dagg^r blade, & ſo to make yo^r paſſage vpon him.
Alſo any other kynd of varyable fyght or lyeinge whatſoeuer a man can deviſe not here expreſſed, is cōtayned vnder this fight.

Of the ſhort ſyngle ſword fyght againſt the lyke weapon.

Cap. 4.

The “ſhort ſyngle ſword fight” was a fight with a one-hand ſword, and without the aſſiſtance of a defenſive weapons in the left hand. The “ſword dubble” is any kind of ſingle-hand ſword aſſiſted by a defenſive weapon in the other. [Matthey]

1.
Yf yo^r enemye lye a loft, eyther in the open or true gardantA high prime. [Matthey] fight, & then ſtrike at the left ſyde of yo^r hed or body yo^r beſt ward to defend yo^rſelf, is to bere it w^t true gardant ward & yf he ſtrike & com in to the cloze, or to take the grype of you yõ may then ſafly take the grype of him as it appereth in the chapter of the grype,
2.
but yf he do ſtryke & not com in, then inſtantly vpõ yo^r ward, vncroſe & ſtrike himA direct “riposte.” [Matthey] either on the right or left ſyde of y^e hed, & fly out“Fly out” ſuggeſts a lateral movement of the feet, but might alſo mean a backward one. [Matthey] inſtantly.
3.
Yf yõ bere this w^t forhand ward, be ſure to ward his blowe, or kepe yo^r diſtance, otherwuſe he ſhall decue you w^t euery falſe, ſil endanggeringe yo^r hed, face, hand, Armes, bodye, & bendynge knee, w^t blow or thruſt. Therfore kepe well yo^r dyſtance, becauſe yõ can very hardly deſerne (being w^tin dyſtance), by w^ch ſyde of yo^r ſword he will ſtryke, nor at w^ch of thoſe prts aforeſayd, becauſe the ſwyft motion of y^e hand deveyveth the eye,
4.
yf he lye a loft & ſtrike as aforeſaid at yo^r head,A ſimilar guard is favoured by ſome modern Auſtrian ſabre players. [Matthey] yõ may endanger him yf yõ thruſt at his hand, hilt or Arme, turninge yo^r knuckles dounwarde,A time thruſt in “quarte” at the ſword hand. [Matthey] but fly back w^t all in the inſtant y^t yõ thruſt,
5.
yf he lye a loft as aforeſaid, & ſtrike a loft at the left ſyde of yo^r hed, yf yõ wil ward his blow w^t forehand ward, then be ſure to kepe yo^r diſtance, except he com ſo c^rtaine that yõ be ſure to ward his blow, at w^ch tyme yf he com in w^t all, yõ may endanger him from y^t ward eyther by blow, thruſt or grype,A “quarte” parry. followed by “riposte” or “grip.” [Matthey]
6.
yf he lye a loft & yõ lye a lowe w^t yo^r ſword inthe varyable fyght, then yf yõ offer to ward his blow made at yo^r hed, w^t true gardant ward yo^r tyme wilbe to longe Due in tyme to make a ſure ward, for that it is bett^r to bere it w^t forehand ward, but be ſure t okepe yo^r diſtance, to make him com in w^t his feet, wher by his tyme wilbe to longe to do y^t he intendeth.
7.
yf ij Men fight both vpõ open fyght he y^t firſt breaketh his diſtance, yf he attempt to ſtryke at the others hed, ſhalbe ſurely ſtryken on the hed himſelf, yf the patient Agent ſtrike ther at in his Comynge in, & ſlyp a lyttle back w^t all, for y^t ſlydinge back maketh an indirection, wherby yo^r blow Croſſeth his hed, & maketh a true ward for yo^r owne,A time hit with “opposition.” [Matthey] this will yt be, becauſe of his length of tyme in his comynge in,
8.
Alſo yf ij fyght, it is better for the patient to ſtrike home ſtrongly at the Agents hed, when the ſaid Agent ſhal preſs vpon him to wyn the place then to thruſt, becauſe the blow of the patient is not only hurtful to the Agent, but it alſo maketh a true Croſe to defend his owne hed,
9.
yf he charge yõ a loft, out of the open or true gardant fyght, yf yõ anſwer him w^t y^e Imprfyt gardant fyght, w^t yo^r body leanynge forwarde, yo^r ſpace wilbe to wyde on both ſyde to make a true ward in due tyme, & yo^r arme And body wilbe to neere vnto him, ſo that w^t the bending in of his body w^t the tyme of hand & foote, he may take the grype of you,

but yf yõ ſtand vpright in true gardant fyght, then he cannot reach to take the grype of you, nor otherwiſe to offend yõ yf you kepe yo^r diſtance, w^tout puttinge in of his foote or feete wherin his number wilbe to great, “Number wilbe to great,” i.e. will have to make too many ſteps or paſſes. [Matthey] & ſo his tyme wilbe to longe, & yõ in that tyme may by puttinge in of yo^r body take the grype of him, yf he preſs to com in w^t vſing only yo^r hand, or hand & foote, & ther vpon yõ may ſtryke or thruſt w^t yo^r ſword & fly out w^tall accordinge to yo^r governors, ſe more of this, in the chapter of the grype.
10.
yf he wil ſtil prſſe forcibly a loft vpõ you, Charginge yõ out of the open fyght or true gardant, fyght, Intendinge to hurt yõ in the face of hed, or to take the grype of yõ Againſt ſuch a on, you muſt vſe both gardant & open fyght, wherby vpon euery blow or thruſt that he ſhall make at you, you may from yo^r wards ſtrike or thruſt him on the face hed or bodye as it appeareth more at large in the 5th Chapter of theſe my Inſtructions.
11.
yf yõ fyght w^t on y^t ſtandeth only vpon his gardant fyght or yf he ſeeke to com in to yõ by the ſame fyght, then do yõ ſtrike & thruſt Contynually at al mann^r of open place that ſhall com neereſt vnto you, ſtill remembringe yo^r gou^rnors, ſo ſhall he Contynually be in dang^r, & often wounded, & weryed in that kynd of fyght, & you ſhalbe ſaf, the reaſon is, he is a c^rtaine marke to you, & yõ are an uncertaine marke to hym.

And further becauſe he tyeth him ſelf unto on kynd of fyght only, he ſhalbe wearyed for want of Change of lyinge,A variety of guards to be uſed in order to prevent fatigue. [Matthey] & yõ by reaſon of many changes ſhal not only ſtyll fyght at eaſe, & much more braue, but you haue lykewyſe iiij fyghts to his one, to wytt, gardant, open, cloſe, & variable fyght, to his gardant only, therfore y^t fight only is not to be ſtode vpon or vsed.
12.
But yf al this will not ſ^rue, & although he hath receyved Many Wounds, wyl contynually run on to com in, & forcibly breake yo^r dyſtance, then may you ſaffly take the grype of him, & hurt him at yo^r pleaſure w^t yo^r ſword, as appreareth in the chapter of the grype, & he can nether hurt nor take y^e grype of yõ, becauſe the numb^r of his feet are to many, to bringe his hand in place in due tyme, for ſuch a on ever geueth yõ the place, therfore beſure to take yo^r tyme herin.

In the lyke ſort may yõ do at ſword & dagg^r, or ſword & buckler, at ſuch tyme as I ſay, y^t yõ Maye take the grype at the ſyngle ſword fyght, yõ may then inſteed of the grype, ſoundly ſtryke him w^t yo^r buckler on the hed or ſtabb him w^t yo^r dagg^r In “Sword and Buckler” or “Sword and Dagger” fighting, ſtrike with the defenſive weapon inſtead of gripping, and trip up his heels. [Matthey]& inſtantly eyther ſtryke vp his heeles or fly out, & as he lyketh y^t coolinge card to his hot braine, ſyck fyt,Lonergan, 1771. “ſyck fyt” (ſic fit). [Matthey] ſo let him com for another.
13.
yf ij fyght & that both lye vpõ the true gardant fyght & that one of them will neede ſeek to wyn the half ſword by preſſinge in, y^t may yõ ſaflye do, for vpõ y^t fyght the half ſworde may ſafflye be woon, but he y^t firſt cometh in, Muſt fyrſt go out, & y^t prſently, otherwiſe his gard wilbe to wyde aboue to defend his hed, or yf fyt for y^t defence, then wil it be to wyde vnd^rneath to defend y^t thruſt frõ his body w^ch things the patient Agent The “patient Agent” is the man who ſtands upon the defenſive, the “Agent” being the one who attacks. [Matthey] may do, & fly out ſaf, & y^t Agent cannot avoyd it, becauſe the moving of his feet maketh his ward vnequall to defend both prts in due tyme, but the one or the other wilbe diſceived & in danger, for he being Agent vpon his firſt entrance his tyme (by reason of y^t numb^r of his feet), wilbe to longe, ſo y^t y^e patient Agent may firſt enter into his action, & the Agent muſt be of force an after doer, & therfore cannote avoyde this offence aforeſaid.
14.
yf he com in to encounter the Cloze & grype vpõ y^e baſtard gardant ward, then yõ Maye Croſſe his blade w^t yo^rs vpõ the lyke gardant ward alſo, & as he cometh in w^t his feet & haue gayned yõ the place, yõ may p^rſently vncfoſſe & ſtryke him a ſound blowe on y^e hed, & fly out inſtantly, wher in he cannot offend yõ by reaſon of his loſt tyme, nor defend him ſelf vpon yo^r vncroſſing, becauſe his ſpace is to wyde wherby his tyme wilbe to longe in due tyme to prvent yo^r blowe, this may yõ do ſafly.
15.
yfhe cõ in vpon the baſtard gardant ward, bearing his hylt lower than his hed, or but breſt hye or lower, then ſtrik him ſoundly on the hed w^ch thinge yõ may eaſylye do, becauſe his ſpace is to wyde in due tyme to ward the ſame.
16.
yf yo^r Enemy charge you vpõ his Stocata fyght, yõ May ly variable w^t large Diſtance & vnc^rtaine w^t yo^r ſword & bodye at yo^r pleaſure, yet ſo y^t yõ may ſtryke, thruſt or Ward, & go forth & back as occasion is, to take y^e advantage of this cõmynge in, whether he doth it out of the Stocata, or paſſata, w^ch advantage yõ ſhalbe ſure to haue, yf yõ obſrue this rule & be not to raſh in yo^r actions, by reaſon y^t y^e numb^r of his feet wilbe great,“The number of his feet will be great” – i.e. he will have to make too many ſteps or “paſſes.” [Matthey] & alſo becauſe when thoſe ij fyghts are met together, it is hard to Make a true Croſſe, therfore w^tout Large dyſdance be kept of them, Commonly they are both hurt of ſlayne, becauſe in narrow diſtance their hands haue free Courſe & are not tyed to the tyme of y^e foote, by w^ch ſwyft motion of the hand the eye is deceyved, as yõ may read more at large in the cap: of my prdoxes of defence.

You may alſo vſe this fyght againſt the longe ſword, or longe rapior, ſyngle & dubble,

vpon this ground ſom ſhallow wytted fellow may ſay, the patient muſt keep large diſtance then he muſt be dryven to goback ſtyll, to w^ch I anſwer y^t in the contynnuall motion & travers of his ground he is to travers circuler wyſe, forwards, backwards, vpõ the right hand, & vpõ the left hand, the w^ch travers This is exactly the traverſe recommended by Roworth. [Matthey] is still a certaintye to be vſed w^tin him ſelf, & not to be p^rvented by y^e Agent, becauſe the Agent cõmeth one vpõ an vnc^rtaine marke, for when he thinketh to be ſure of his purpoſe, the patient is ſometymes on the on ſyde, & ſom tymes on y^e other ſyde, ſomtymes to far back, & ſomtymes to neere, ſo y^t ſtil the Agent muſt vſe the numb^r of his feet w^ch wilbe to longe to anſwer y^e hand of y^e patient Agent, & it cannot be denyed but the patient Agent, by reaſon of his large diſtance, ſtil ſeeth what y^e Agent doth in his cõmyng, but the Agent cannot ſe what the other doth, til the patient Agent be into his Action, therfore to late for him eyther to hurt the patient or in due tyme to defend him ſelf, becauſe he entereth his actiõ vpõ y^e knowledge of the patient, but he know^t not what y^e patient Agent will do til it be to late.
17.
yf the Agent ſay y^t then he will ſtand faſt vpon som ſure gard & xſomtymes moving & trav^rſing his ground, & kepe large distance as y^e patient do, to w^ch I answer, y^t when ij men ſal meete y^t haue both the p^rfection of their weapons, againſt the beſt no hurt canbe don other wiſe yf by any deviſe on ſhould be able to hurt the other, then wherther no prfection in y^e vse of weapons, this prfection of fyght being obſrved, p^rventeth both cloſe fyght, & al mann^r of clozes, grype & wreſtling & al mann^r of ſuch other devics what ſo euer.
18.
Alsfo yf he charge yõ vpõ his Stocata, or any other lying aft^r y^t faſhion, w^t his poynt low & large paced, then lye yõ a loft yo^r hand & hylt aboue yo^r hed, eyther true gardant, or vpõ the open fight, then he cannot reach yõ yf yõ kepe yo^r diſtance w^tout putting in his foot or feet, but yõ may reach him w^t the tyme of your hand & body, or of hand, body & foot, becauſe he hath al redy put in his body w^tin yo^r reach & haue gayned yõ the place, & yõ are at lybertye & w^tout his reach, til he put in his foot or feete, w^ch tyme is to longe to anſwer the tyme of yo^r hand, & his ſpace is to wyde in that place to make a ward in due tyme to defend his hed, Armes & hande, one of w^ch wilbe alwaies w^tin yo^r reach.

note ſtil in this y^t yo^r weapons be both ſhort of y^e Equal & convenient length of y^e ſhort ſword.
19.
yf out of his varyable fyght he ſtrike at y^e right or left ſyde of the hed or body, then yo^r beſt ward is to bere it w^t fore hand wardParries of “tierce” and of “quarte.” [Matthey], otherwiſe yo^r ſpace wilbe to wyde & to far to make yo^r ward in due tyme.
20.
Yf he lye variable aft^r the mann^r of the paſſata then yf yõ lye a loft as is aboue ſaid, yõ haue the Advantage, becauſe he y^t lyeth varyable cannot reach home, at hed hand or arme, w^tout putting in his foote of feet, & therfore it cannot be denyed, but y^t he y^t playeth aloft, hath ſtil the tyme of the hand to the tyme of y^e foot, w^ch fight beinge truly handled is aduantage invincible.
21.
yf he lye variable vpõ the Imbrocata, then make a narrow ſpace w^t yo^r poynt vpwarde, & ſodainly yf yõ can Croſe his poynt w^t yo^r blade put aſyde his poynt ſtrongly w^t yo^r ſword & ſtrik or thruſt at him, & fly out inſtantly, euer remembring yo^r gouernors y^t he deceve yõ not in taking of his poynt.
22.
yf he ſtrike or thruſt at yo^r lege or lower prte out of any fyght, he ſhal not be able to reach the ſame vnleſs yõ ſtand large paced w^t bendinge knee,From this it appears that in Silver's time the knees were very little bent. [Matthey] of vnleſs he com in w^t his foote or feet, the w^ch he ſhal ſo do, then yõ may ſtrik or thruſt at his arme or vpper prteA time hit or thruſt at the arm or upper parts. [Matthey] for then he putteth them into the place gayning yõ the place wherby you may ſtrike home vpõ him & he cannot reach yõ.

but yf he ſtand large paced w^t bendinge knee then wyn the place & ſtrike home freely at his knee, & fly back ther w^t
23.
yf he com to the cloſe fight w^t yõ & y^t yõ are both crost aloft at y^e half ſword w^t both yo^r points vpwards, then yf he com in w^t all in his Croſſing bere ſtrongly yo^r hand & hylt ou^r his wriſt,Forcible preſſure in “tierce” at “half-ſword.” [Matthey] cloſe by his hylt putting it ouer at y^e backſyde of his hand & hylt prſſinge doune his hand & hylt ſtrongly & ſodainly, in yo^r entring in, & ſo thruſt yo^r hylt in his face, of ſtrike him vpõ y^e hed ſword, & ſtrike vp his heeles, & fly out,Recommended alſo by Lonergan, 1771. [Matthey]
24.
yf yõ are both ſo croſt at y^e baſtard gardant ward, & yf he then preſs in, then take the grype of him as is shewed in y^e chapter of y^e grype,

Or w^t yo^r left hand or arme, ſtrike his ſword blade ſtrongly & ſodainly towarde yo^r left ſydeBeating the ſword away with the gauntleted left hand. [Matthey] by w^ch meanes yõ are uncroſt, & he is diſcou^red,, then may yõ thruſt him in the body w^t yo^r ſword & fly out inſtantly, w^ch thinge he cannot avoyd, nether can he offend yõ

Or being ſo croſt, yõ may ſodainly vncroſe & ſtrike him vpõ the hed & fly out inſtantlyAn alternative. [Matthey] w^ch thinge yõ may ſafly do & go out free.
25.
yf yõ be both croſt at y^e half ſword w^t hys poynt vp & yo^r poynt doune in the true gardant ward, then yf he preſs to com in, then eyther take y^e grype of him, as in the chapter of the grype, or w^t yo^r left hand or arme, ſtrike out his ſword blade towards yo^r left ſyde as aforeſaid, & ſo yõ may thruſt him in the body w^t yo^r ſword & fly out inſtantly.Again the alternatives of “gripping” and beating the ſword off. [Matthey]
26.
Do yõ neuer attempt to cloze or com to y^e grype at theſe weapons vnleſsit be vpõ the slow motiõ or diſorder of yo^r enemye,

but yf he will cloze w^t you, then yõ may take the grype of himWhen he encloſes, “grip” him. [Matthey] ſafly at his cõmynge in, for he y^t firſt by ſtronge preſſing in adventureth the cloze looſeth it, & is in great danger, by reaſon y^t the numb^r of his feet are to great, whereby his tyme wilbe to longe, in due tyme to anſwer the hand of y^e patient Agent, as in the chapter of the grype doth plainly appere,
27.
Alwaies remembring yf yõ fyght vpõ the variable fight y^t yõ ward vpõ forehand ward, otherwise yo^r ſpace wilbe to wyde in due tyme to make a true gardant ward, to defend yo^rſelf.
28.
yf yõ fyght vpõ open fyght, or true gardant fyght, neuer ward vpõ forehand ward for then yo^r ſpace wilbe to wyde alſo, in due tyme to make a ſureward,
29.
yf he lye aloft w^t his poynt towarde you, aft^r the mann^r of the Imbrocata, then make yo^r ſpace narrow w^t yo^r point vpwarde & put by his poynt, & ſtrike or thruſt as aforeſaid but be ſure herin to kepe yo^r diſtance, y^t he deceve you not in taking of his poynt.

Of div^rs aduantages y^t you may take by strykinge frõ yo^r warde at y^e ſword fyght.

Cap. 5.

“Parrying” and “Ripoſting.” [Matthey]

1.
YF yo^r enemy ſtrike at the right ſyde of yo^r hed, yõ lyinge true gardant, then put yo^r hilt a little doune, Mounting yo^r poynt, ſo that yo^r blade May Croſſe a thwart yo^r face,A parry in “high tierce” with its ripoſtes. [Matthey] ſo ſhal yõ make A true ward for the right ſyde of yo^r hed, from the w^ch ward yõ may inſtantly ſtrike him on the ryght or left ſyde of the hed, or to turne doune yo^r poynt, & thruſt him in the bodye, or you may ſtrike him on the left ſyde of the body, or on the out ſyde of the body, or on the out ſyde of his left thygh.

Or yõ may ſtrike him on the out ſyde of the right thygh, on of thoſe he cannot avoyd yf he fly not back inſtantly vpõ his blowe, becauſe he know^t not w^ch of theſe the patient Agent wil do.
2.
Yf yõ lye vpõ yo^r true gardant ward, & he ſtrike at the left ſyde of yo^r hed,A parry of “prime” with its ripoſtes. [Matthey] yõ haue the choyſe from yo^r ward to ſtrike him from y^t, on the right or left ſyde of the hed, or to turne doune yo^r poynt, & thruſt him in the bodye, or yõ May ſtryke him on the out ſyde of the right or left thygh, for the reaſon aboue ſayde in the laſt rule, except he fly out inſtantly vpõ his blowe.
3.
Yf he charge yõ vpon the open or true gardant fyght, yf yõ wil anſwer him w^t the lyke, then kepe yo^r diſtance, & let yo^r gatheringe be all waies in y^t fyght to warde his right ſyde ſo ſhal yõ w^t yo^r ſword choake vp any blowe that he can make at yõ, from the w^ch ward yõ May ſtryke him on the right or left ſyde of y^e hed, or thruſt him in the bodye.

but yf he thruſt at your face or body, then yõ may out of yo^r gardant fight break it doune warde w^t yo^r ſword A thruſt parried with the “ſeconde,” and its ripoſtes. [Matthey] bering yo^r poynt ſtrongly towarde yo^r right ſyde, from the w^ch breaking of his thruſt yõ may likwiſe ſtrike him frõ the right or left ſyde of y^e hed, or thruſt him in the bodye.
4.
Yf yõ meet w^t on y^t cannot ſtrike frõ his warde, vpõ ſuch a on you may both dubble & faulſe & ſo deceue him, but yf he be skylful yõ muſt not do ſo, becauſe he wilbe ſtil ſo vnc^rtain in his traverſe that he will ſtyll p^rvent you of tyme & place, ſo y^t when yõ think to dubble & falſe,To “dubble” = to “remise.” To “faulſe” = to “feint.” [Matthey] yõ ſhal gaynehim the place & ther vpõ he wilbe before yõ in his action, & in yo^r comynge he will ſtil endanger yõ,
5.
yf yõ fyght vpõ the variable fyght, & that yõ receue a blow w^t forehand ward, made at the right ſyde of yo^r hed or body,A parry of “tierce” with its ripoſtes. [Matthey] yõ haue y^e choiſe of viij offenciue Actions frõ y^t ward, the firſt to ſtryke him on the right ſyde, eyther on the hed ſhould^r, or thygh, or to thruſt him in the body, or to ſtryke him on the left ſyde either on the hed ſhold^r or thygh, or to thruſt him in the body, the lyke may yõ do yf he ſtrike eu^r at yo^r left ſyde, as is aboue ſaid, yf yõ bere it w^t fore hand ward.Parry of “quarte.” [Matthey]
6.
In this forehand ward kepe yo^r diſtance, & take heed y^t he deceue yõ not w^t the dounright blowe at yo^r hed out of his open fyght, for being w^t in diſtance y^e ſwift motion of y^e hand May deceue yo^r eye, becauſe yõ know not by w^ch ſyde of yo^r ſword his blow wil com
7.
Alſo ſe y^t he deceue yõ not vpõ any falſe offerynge to ſtryke at the on ſyde, & when therby yõ haue turned yo^r poynt aſyde, then to ſtrike on the other ſyde, but yf yõ kepe diſtance yõ are free from y^t, therfore ſtyll in all yo^r actions rememb^r y gou^rnors
8.
yf he wil do nothinge but thruſt, Anſwer him as it is ſet doune in the 16^th ground of y^e ſhort ſword fyght & alſo in div^rs places of the 8^th chapt^r.
9.
Alſo conſyder yf he lye at the thruſt vpon y^e ſtocata, or paſſata, How to engage with a man who uſes point. [Matthey] & yõ haue no waye to avoyde him, except yõ can Croſſe his ſword blade w^t yo^rs, & ſo Indirect his poynt, therfore kepe well yo^r diſtance in vſing yo^r travers.

but yf he put forth his poynt ſo y^t yõ may Croſs it w^t fore hand ward, for yf yõ wacth for his thruſt then lye vpõ forehand ward w^t poynt alittle vp. yf he lye w^t his poynt Mounted, & yf yõ ſyngle yo^r thruſt vpõ the out ſyde of yo^r ſword hand, ſtrike or bere his poynt out towarde yo^r right ſyde, & ther vpon putting forward yo^r body & left foote Circuler wyſe to warde his right ſyde yõ May ſtrike him vpõ his ſword Arme, hed, face or bodye.

Or yf yõ take it on the Inſyde of yo^r ſword put by his poynt ſtrongly & ſodainly towarde yo^r left ſyde, drawing yo^r left foote Circuler wyſe back behind the heele of yo^r right foote, A “demivolte” after a parry of “quarte.” [Matthey] & ſtrike him on the inſyde of his ſword hand or Arme or on the hed, face, or body, & fly out accordinge to yo^r gou^rnors

This May yõ vſe againſt y^e ſword & dagg^r longe or ſhort, or rapior & poynard, or ſword & buckler.
10.
Alſo rememb^r yf he haue a longe ſword, & yõ a ſhort ſword, euer to Make yo^r ſpace ſo narrow, y^t yõ may alwaies break his thruſt before y^t be in force yf poſſible yõ may, & alſo to kepe large diſtance whether he charge yõ out of the Stocata, paſſata, or Imbrocata &c, of this yõ may ſe more at large in the 8^{th chapter}.

The mann^r of Certaine gryps & Clozes to be uſed at y^e ſyngle ſhort ſword fyght &c.

Cap. 6.

1.
Yf he ſtrike aloft at the left ſyde of yo^r hed, and run in w^t all to take the Cloze or grype of you, then ward it gardant, & enter in w^t yo^r left ſyde putting in yo^r left hand, on the inſyde of his ſword Arme, neere his hylte, bering yo^r hand ou^r his Arme, & Wrape in his hand &ſworde vnd^r yo^r Arme, as he cometh in, Wreſting his hand & ſword cloſe to your bodye turninge back yo^r right ſyde from him, ſo ſhal he not be able to reach yo^r ſword, but yõ ſhall ſtyll haue it at lybertye to ſtryke or thruſt him & endanger the breakinge of his Arme, or the takinge away of his ſword by y^t grype.
2.
Yf yõ are both Croſt in Cloſe fyght vpon the baſtard gardant ward alowe, yõ May put yo^r left hand on the out ſyde of his ſword at the back of his hand, neere, or at the hylte of his ſword Arme & take him on the inſyde of y^t arme w^t yo^r hand, aboue his elbowe is beſt, & draw him in towarde yõ ſtrongly, wreſtinge his knuckles dounewarde & his elbowe vpwarde ſo may yõ endang^r to break his arme, or caſt him doune or to wreſt his ſword out of his hand, & go free yo^r ſelf.
3.
in like ſort vpõ this kynd of cloze, yõ may clape yo^r left hand vpõ the wriſt of his ſword arme, holding it ſtrongly & ther w^t thruſt him hard from yõ, & p^rſently yõ may thruſt him in the body w^t yo^r ſword for in y^t Inſtant he can nether ward, ſtrike, nor thruſt,
4.
yf he ſtrike home at the left ſyde of yo^r hed, & ther w^t all com in to take the cloze or grype of your hilt of ſword arme w^t his left hand, firſt ward his blow gardant, & be ſure to put in yo^r left hand und^r yo^r ſword & take hold on the out ſyde of his left hand, Arme or ſleve, putting yo^r hand vnder the wrist of his Arme w^t the toppe of yo^r fing^rs vpwarde, & yo^r thumb & knuckles dounewarde, then pluck him ſtrongly towarde yo^r left ſyde, ſo ſhal yõ indirect his feet turning hys left ſhould^r towarde yõ, vpõ w^ch inſtant yõ Maye ſtrike or thruſt him w^t yo^r ſword & fly out ſaf, for his feet being indirected, although he hath his ſword at lyberty, yet ſhal he not be able to Make any offencyve fight againſt yõ becauſe his tyme wilbe to longe to direct his feet againe to vſe his ſword in due tyme.
5.
Alſo yf he attempt the cloze or grype w^t you vpon his baſtard gardant ward, then croſſe his ſword w^t the lyke ward, & as he cometh in w^t his feet you haue the tyme of yo^r hand & bodye, wherby w^t yo^r left hand or Arme yõ May put by his ſword blade, w^ch thinge you muſt ſodainly & ſtrongly do, caſting it towarde yo^r left ſyde ſo may yõ uncroſſe & thruſt him in y^e body w^t yo^r ſword & fly out inſtantlye, for yf yõ ſtay ther he wil direct his ſword againe & endanger yõ, this may ſafly be don, or yõ May vncroſſe & turne yo^r poynt vp, & ſtrike him on the hed, & fly out inſtantly.
6.
Yf he preſſe in to the half ſword vpõ a forehand ward, then ſtrike a ſound blow at the left ſyde of his hed turnyng ſtrongely yo^r hand & hylt preſſing doun his ſword hand & arme ſtrongly, & ſtrike yo^r hilt full in his face, beringe yo^r hilt ſtrongly vpõ him, for yo^r hand beinge vpp^rmoſt yõ haue the aduantage in y^t grype, for ſo May yõ breake his face w^t yo^r hylt, & ſtrike vp his heels w^t yo^r left foote, and throwe him a great fall, al this May ſafly be don by reaſon y^t he is weake in his cõmynge in by y^t moving of his feet, & yõ repell him in y^e fulnes of yo^r ſtrength, as appeareth in the Chapter of y^e ſhort ſingle ſword fyght, in the 23^rd grownde of the ſame,
7.
remember that yõ neu^r attempt the Cloſe nor grype but looke to his ſlyppe, Conſyder what is said in the 8^th gen^rall rule in the Second Chapter, & alſo in the 26^th ground of the ſyngle ſword fyght in the 4^th Chapter.

Of the ſhort ſword & dagger fyght Againſt the lyke Weapon.

Cap. 7.

1.
Obsrve at theſe weapons the form^r rules, defend w^t yo^r ſword & not w^t yo^r dagg^r, yet yõ may croſs his ſword w^t yo^r dagg^r, yf yõ may conveniently reach the ſame therw^t, w^t out puttinge in of yo^r foote, only by bendinge in of yo^r body, other wyſe yo^r tyme wilbe to longe, & this tyme wilbe ſufficient to diſplace his owne, ſo y^t yõ ſhal not hyt it w^t yo^r dagg^r, & ſo he may make a thruſt vpon yõ, this tyme y^t I here Meane, of puttinge by of his ſword is, When he lyeth out ſpent w^t his ſword poynt towarde you, & not elſe, w^ch thinge yf yõ can do w^tout puttinge in of yo^t foote, then yõ may vſe yo^r dagg^r, & ſtrike ſtrongly & ſodainlye his ſword poynt ther w^t ſtrike or thruſt at him w^t yo^r ſword,
2.
Alſo yõ may put by his ſword blade w^t yo^r dagg^r When yo^r ſwords are Croſt, eyther aboue at forehand ward, or belowe at the baſtard gardant ward & ther w^t inſtantly ſtrike or thruſt w^t yo^r ſword & fly out accordinge to yo^r gou^rnors, of this yõ may ſee more at large in y^e Chapter of the ſyngle ſword fyght in the 24^th ground of the ſame.
3.
Alſo yf he be ſo foolehardye to com to the cloze, then yõ may gard w^t yo^r ſword & stabb w^t yo^r dagg^r, & fly out ſaf, w^ch thinge yõ may do because his tyme is to longe by the numb^r of his feet, & yõ haue but the ſwyft tyme of yo^r hand to uſe, & he cannot stabb til he haue ſetted in his feete, & ſo his time is to late to endang^r yõ, or to defend himſelf.
4.
Know y^t yf yõ defend yo^rſelf w^t y^r dagger in other ſort than is aforesaid, yõ shalbe endang^r to be hurt, because the ſpace of yo^r dagg^r wilbe ſtill to wyde to defend both blow & thruſt for lacke of Circomference as y^e buckler hath.
5.
Alſo note when yõ defend blow & thruſt w^t yo^r ſword yõ haue a neerer courſe to offend yo^r enemye w^t yo^r ſword then when yõ ward w^t yo^r dagg^r, for then yõ may for the moſt prte from yo^r warde ſtrike or thruſt him.
6.
Yõ muſt neyther Cloze nor com to the grype at theſe weapons, vnleſs it be by the ſlow motyon or diſordour of yo^r adv^rſarie, yet yf he attempt y^e Cloze, or to com to the grype w^t yõ, then yõ may ſafly Cloze & hurt him w^t yo^r dagg^r or buckler & go free yo^r ſelf, but fly out according to yo^r gou^rnors & ther by yõ ſhal put him from his attempted Cloze, but ſe yõ ſtay not at any tyme w^tin diſtance, but in due tyme fly back or hazard to be hurt, becauſe y^e ſwyft motion of the hand being w^tin diſtance will deceue the eye, wher by yõ ſhall not be able to Judge in due tyme to make a true ward, of this yõ may ſe in the chapter of the back ſword fyght in the 12^th ground of the ſame.
7.
yf he extend forth his dagg^r hand yõ may make yo^r fyght at the ſame, remembring to kepe diſtance & to fly back according to yo^r gou^rnors.

Every fight & ward w^t theſe weapons, made out of any kynd of fyght, must be made & don according as is taught in the back ſword fyght, but only y^t the dagg^r muſt be vſed as is abouſaid, in steed of the grype.
8.
yf he lye bent vpõ his Stocata w^t his ſworde or rapior poynt behind his dagg^r ſo y^t yõ cannot reach the ſame w^tout putting in of yo^r foote, then make al yo^r fight at his dagg^r hand, euer remembring yo^r gou^rnors, & then yf he draw in his dagg^r hand, ſo that yõ may Croſe his ſworde blade w^t yo^rs, then make narrow ſpace vpõ him w^t yo^r poynt & ſodainly & strongely ſtryke or bere his poynt towarde his right ſyde, indirecting the ſame, & inſtantly ſtrike or thruſt him on the hed, face, Arme, or body, & fly back ther w^t out of diſtance ſtil remembring yo^r gou^rnors.
9.
yf he lye ſpent vpõ his variable fyght then kepe yo^r diſtance & make yo^r ſpace narrow vpõ him, til yõ may Croſſe his ſword or rapior point w^t yo^r ſword poynt, wher vpon, yõ having won or gayned the place, ſtrike or thruſt inſtantly.
10.
yf he lye bent or ſpent vpõ the Imbrocata bere vp yo^r point, & make yo^r ſpace narrow & do the lyke.

Of the ſhort ſword & dagger fyght againſt the longe ſword & dagger or longe rapior & poinard.

Cap. 8.

1.
YF yõ haue the ſhort ſword & dagg^r, defend w^t yo^r ſword & not w^t yo^r dagg^r, except yõ haue a gautlet or hylt vpõ yo^r dagger hand, then yõ may ward vpon the dubble w^t the poynt of yo^r ſword towarde his face.
2.
Lye not aloft w^t yo^r ſhort ſword yf he lye alowe variable on the Stocata or passata &c, for then ſpace wilbe to wyde to make a true Croſe in due tyme, or to farr in his courſe to make yo^r ſpace narrow, the w^ch ſpace take heede yõ make very narrow, yea, ſo y^t yf it touch his blade, it is better.
3.
I ſay make yo^r ſpace narrow vntil yõ can croſe his ſword blade ſtrongly & ſodainly, ſo ſhal you put by his point out of the right lyne, & inſtantly ſtrike or thruſt, & ſlyp back according to yo^r gou^rnors,

but take heede unleſs yõ can ſurely & ſafly croſe go not in, but although yõ can ſo croſe, & ther vpon yõ enter in, ſtay not by yt but fly out according to yo^r gou^rnors,
4.
yf w^t his longe ſword or rapior he charge you aloft out of his open or true gardant fyght strykyng at the right ſyde of yo^r hed, yf yõ haue a gautlet or cloſe hylt vpon yo^r dagg^r hand then ward it dubble w^t forehand ward, bering yo^r ſword hylt to warde yo^r right ſhould^r, w^t yo^r knuckles upwarde & yo^r ſword poynt to warde the right ſyde of his brest or sholder, croſſing yo^r dagger on yo^r ſword blade reſting y^t ther on vpon y^e hyer ſyde of yo^r ſword beringe yo^r hylts cloſe together w^t yo^r dagger hilt a little behind yo^r ſword hilt bering both yo^r hands right out together ſpent or verye neere ſpent when yõ ward his blowe, Meetinge him ſo vpon yo^r ward that his blow may light at yo^r half ſword or w^tin, ſo that his blade may ſlyde from yo^r ſword & reſt on yo^r dagg^r, at w^ch inſtant tyme thruſt forth yo^r poynt at his breſt & fly out inſtantly, ſo ſhal yõ cõtynually endanger him & go ſaf yo^r ſelf.
5.
Yf he ſtrike a loft at the left ſyde of yo^r hed, ward as aforesaid, bering yo^r knuckles doun warde, & yo^r ſword poynt towarde the left ſyde of his brest or shold^r, bowing yo^r body & hed a little forewarde towarde him, & rememb^r to bere yo^r warde on both ſyds y^t he ſtrike you not vpon the hed, then vpõ his blow meet his ſword as is aforesaid w^t yo^r dagger croſt ou^r yo^r ſword blade as before, & when his ſword by reason of his blowe vpon yo^r ſword ſhal ſlyde doune & resft vpon yo^r dagger, then ſodainly caſt his ſword blade out to warde yo^r left ſyde w^t yo^r dagger, to indirect his point, & ther w^t thruſt at his breſt frõ yo^r ward & fly out inſtantly, the like may you do yf his ſword glance out frõ yo^rs, vpõ his blowe.

al this may ſafly be don w^t y^e ſhort ſword & cloſe hylted dagger or gautlet
6.
Stay not w^tin diſtance of the longe ſword or rapior w^t yo^r ſhort ſword, nor ſuffer him to wyn the place of you, but eyther Croſe his ſword, or make yo^r ſpace verye narrow to croſe it before his blow or thrust be in force, yet keping yo^r diſtance wher by he ſhall ſtrike or thruſt at nothing, & ſo he ſhalbe ſubject to the tyme of yo^r hand againſt the tyme of his feet.
7.
Kepe diſtance & lye as yõ thinke beſt for yo^r eaſe & ſafty, yet ſo y^t yõ may ſtrike, thruſt, or ward, & when yõ find his poynt Certaine, then make yo^r ſpace narrow & croſe his ſword, ſo ſhal yõ be the first mou^r, & enter firſt into yo^r action, & he beinge an aft^r doer, is not able to avoyd yo^r Croſe, nor narrow ſpace, nor any such offence as shalbe put in execution against hym.
8.
havinge Crost his longe ſword or rapior w^t yo^r ſhort ſword blade, & put his poynt out of the ſtrait lyne by force then ſtrike or thruſt at him w^t yo^r ſword & fly out inſtantly accordinge to y gou^rnors.
9.
Stand not vpõ gardant fyght only, for ſo he will greatlye endanger yõ out of his other fyghts because yõ haue made yo^rſelf a c^rtaine marke to him, for in contynuynge in y^t fyght only yõ ſhal not only weary yo^r ſelf, but do alſo exclude yo^rſelf frõ the benyfyt of the Open, variable, & cloſe fyghts, & ſo ſhal he haue four fyghts to yo^r one, as yõ may ſe in the Chapter of the ſhort ſyngle ſword fyght in the 15^th ground therof
10.
Yf he lye in Open or true gardant fyght, then yõ may vpon yo^r open & gardant fight ſafly bringe yo^r ſelf to the half ſword, & then you may thruſt him in the body, vnder his gard or ſword when he beareth it gardant, becauſe he is weak in his garde, but fly out inſtantly, & he cannot bringe in his point to hurt yõ except he go back w^t his foote or feet, w^ch tyme is to longe to anſwer the ſwyft tyme of the hand.

yf he put doune his ſword lower to defend y^t thruſt then will his hed be open, ſo y^t yõ may ſtrike him on the hed ou^r his ſword & fly out ther w^t, w^ch thinge he cannot defend, because his ſpace is to wyde to put vp his blade in due tyme to make a true ward foo the ſame.
11.
Understand y^t the whole ſom if the long rapior fyght is eyther upon the Stocata, Paſſata, Imbrocata, or Mountanta, al theſe, and al the reſt of their devyces you may ſafly prevent by kepinge yo^r diſtance, becauſe therby you ſhal stil dreue him to vſe the tyme of his feet, wherby yõ ſhal ſtil p^rvent him of y^e true place, & therfore he cannot in due tyme make any of theſe fyghts offencive vpon you by reason y^t the number of his feet will ſtil be to great, ſo y^t he ſhal ſtil vſe the ſlow tyme of his feet to the ſwyft tyme of yo^r hand, & therfore yõ may ſafly defend yo^r ſelf & offend him,

Now you may plainly ſe how to p^rvent al theſe, but for the bett^r example note this, wher as I ſay by kepeinge of diſtance ſom may obiect y^t then the rapior man will com in by degrees w^t ſuch warde as ſhall beſt lyke him, & dryve back the ſword man contynually, to whome I anſwer, y^t can he not do, by reaſon y^t y^e ſword mans travers is made c^rculer wyſe, ſo y^t the rapior man in his cõmyng hath no place to carrye the poynt of his rapior, in due tyme to make home his fyght, but y^t ſtil his rapior wil lye w^t in the compaſs of the tyme of the ſword mans hand, to make a true croſſe vpon him, the w^ch croſe beinge made w^t force he may ſafly vncroſe, & hurt the rapior man in the Arme, hed, face or body, w^t blow or thruſt, & fly out ſaf before he ſal haue tyme to direct his poynt againe to make his thruſt vpõ y^e ſword man.
12.
Yf y^e rapior man lye vpon the ſtocata, firſt make yo^r ſpace narrow w^t yo^r ſhort ſword, & take heed y^t he ſtrike not doune yo^r ſworde poynt w^t his dagger & ſo Jump in & hurt you w^t the thruſt of his longe rapior, w^ch thing he may do becauſe he haue cõmaunded your ſword, & ſo yõ are left open & diſcov^red & left onlye vnto the vnc^rtaine ward of yo^r dagg^r, w^ch ward is to ſyngle for a man to venter his lyf on, w^ch yf yõ myſſe to prforme Neuer ſo lyttle yõ are hurt or ſlaine.
13.
To p^rvent this danger yõ muſt remember your gou^rnors, & p^rſently vpon his leaſt motion be ſure of yo^r diſtance, & yo^r narrow ſpace, then do as followð.
14.
Yf he lye vpõ his ſtocata, w^t his rapior point w^t in or behind his dagg^r hand out strait, then lye yõ variable in Meaſure w^t yo^r right foote before & yo^r ſword poynt out directly forth w^t yo^r ſpace very narrow as neere his rapior poynt as yõ may, betwixt his rapior poynt & his dagger hand, from w^ch yõ may ſodainly w^t a wriſt blow, lyft vp yo^r poynt & ſtrike him on the out ſyde or in ſyde of his dagg^r hand, & fly out w^t all, then make yo^r ſpace narrow as before, then yf he thruſt home at yõ, yõ are redy p^rpred for hys thruſt, or yõ may thruſt at his dagger hand, do w^ch yõ ſhal thinke beſt, but yo^r blow muſt be but only by moving of yo^r wriſt, for yf yõ lyft vp yo^r hand and Arme to fetch a large blowe then yo^r tyme wilbe to longe, & yo^r ſpace to wyde in due tyme to make a true ward to defend yo^r ſelf from his thruſt, ſo shall yõ hurt him although he haue a gantlet therone, for yo^r thruſt wil run vp between his fing, & yo^r blow wil cut ofthe fyng of his gantlet, for he cannot defend himſelf from on blow or thruſt of 20, by reaſon that yõ haue the place to reach home at his hand, & for y^t cauſe he cannot p^rvent it, nether can he rech home to you w^tout putting in of his foot or feet, becauſe his diſtance is to large, but upon eu^r blow or thruſt y^t yõ make at his hand ſlypp back a little, ſo ſhal yõ ſtill vpõ eu^r blow or thruſt y^t yõ make at him, be out of his reach,

but yf vpon yo^r blow or thruſt he wil enter in w^t his foote or feet to make home his stocata or thruſt vpõ you, then by reaſon of yo^r ſlydynge back, you ſhalbe prepared in due tyme to make a prfyt ward to defend yo^rſelf w^t yo^r ſworde.

Therfore euer reſpect his rapior poynte & remember to make & kepe narrow ſpace upon it w^t yo^r ſword poynt, that yõ may be ſure to break his thruſt before it be in ful force.
15.
Yf he thruſt at yo^r hyer prts w^t his poynt a lyttle mounted, then make narrow yo^r ſpace w^t yo^r poynt vpon his, yf yõ Croſe his blade on the inſyde between his rapior & his dagg^r, yf he preſ in then frõ yo^r croſe beat or bere backe his poynt ſtrongly towarde his right ſyde, and havinge indirected his poynt, ſtrike him on the inſyde of the rapior or dagg^r hand or Arme, or on the hed, face, or body, & fly out inſtantly,

Or you may vpon his p^rſſinge in w^t his thruſt Slypp yo^r poynt doune as he cõmeth in, & put vp yo^r hylt & ward it gardant, & ther w^t from that ward caſt out his poynt & ſodainly ſtrike him in one of the placs aforeſaid, & fly out inſtantlye remembringe yo^r gou^rnors.
16.
Yf he lye faſt & do not com in, then ſtrike & thruſt at his dagg^r hand, w^t yo^r wriſt blow and ſlypp back ther w^t euery tyme
17.
but if he lye faſt & beat doune yo^r poynt w^t his dagger, & then thruſt at you from his Stocata then turne vp yo^r hilt w^t yo^r knuckles vpwarde & yo^r nayles dounwarde, takinge his blade vpõ the backſyde of yo^rs towarde yo^r left ſyde & bere it gardant towarde y^t ſyde, & ſo may yõ offend him as before is ſaid vpõ y^t ward.
18.
The lyke may yõ do vpon him yf he lye out w^t his poynt, when yõ haue croſt y^e ſame w^t yo^rs, & ſtrike it to eyther ſyde, & ſo indirect his poynt, and then ſtrike or thruſt & fly out.
19.
The lyke muſt yõ do, yf he lye with his point directly towarde yo^r bellye
20.
but yf yõ croſe his poynt ſo mounted or dyrect as aboueſaid, vpõ y^e out ſyde of yo^r ſword w^t his poynt a little hyer than yo^r hylt, ſo y^t you may croſe his blade, then yf he thruſt ouer yo^r blade ſyngle uncroſſing the ſame, then may you break it w^t yo^r forehand ward out towarde yo^r right ſyde, & yf he com in ther w^t, then ſtrike him on the out ſyde of his rapior hand or Arme, or on the hed or face, & fly out ther w^t
21.
but yf he thruſt in ouer yo^r ſword as aboueſaid & preſ in his blade ſtrongly dubble w^t the helpe of his dagger, then put doune yo^r poynt & turne vp yo^r hylt gardant, ſo ſhal yõ ſafly defend it beringe it gardant out towarde yo^r left ſyde & from yt ſtrike him in between his rapior and dagger in on of the foreſaid places, & fly out,

but yf from this croſe he ſlypp his poynt doune to thruſt vnd^r yo^r ſword, then ſtrike doune his poynt towarde his left foote & ther w^t ſtrike him on the out ſyde of his rapior hand or arme, hed, face, or body, & fly out inſtantly according to yo^r gou^rnors.

Alſo yõ may vpon this of his poynt doune, then turne yo^r poynt ſhort ouer his blade in yo^r ſteppinge back, & put yo^r poynt doune in the inſyde of his blade turnynge vp yo^r hilt gardant as aforeſaid, & then yf he thruſt at yõ, bere it gardant towarde yo^r left ſyde, & then haue you the ſame offencive blowes & thruſts againſt him as is aboveſaid vpõ y^e ſame ward.
22.
Yf he lye aft^r the Stocata w^t his poynt doune towarde yo^r foote, then croſe his blade on y^e out ſyde, & yf he turne his poynt ou^r yo^r hilt & bere it gardant as aboveſaid, bearing it out towarde yo^r left ſyde, & frõ y^t ward offend him as aboveſaid
23.
Alſo in this fyght take heed y^t he thruſt yõ not in the ſword hand or arme, therfore euer reſpect to draw it back in due tyme, remembring therin yo^r twofold gou^rnor, in yo^r comyng in, to make yo^r croſe or narrow ſpace.
24.
Yf at ſword & dagger or buckler he ſtrike in at the out ſyde of yo^r right legge ward it w^t the back of yo^r ſword, carrying yo^r poynt doune holding yo^r knuckles dounwarde & yo^r Nayles upwarde, bering yo^r ſword out ſtrongly towarde yo^r right ſyde, vpon w^ch ward yõ may ſtrike him on the out ſyde of the left legge, or thruſt him in y^e thigh or belly
25.
The lyke may yõ do yf he ſtrik at yo^r other ſyde, yf yõ ward his blowe w^t the edge of yo^r ſword yo^r hand & knuckles as aforeſaid, caſting out his ſword blade towarde yo^r left ſyde, this may be vſed at ſhort or longe ſword fyght.
26.
you muſt never vſe any fyght againſt the longe rapior & dagg^r w^t yo^r ſhort ſword but variable fyght, becauſe yo^r ſpace wilbe to wyde, amp; yo^r time to longe, to defend of offend in due tyme.
27.
Alſo yõ muſt uſe large diſtance euer, becauſe out of y^t fyght yõ can hardly make a true croſe becauſe being w^t in diſtance y^e eye is deceived to do it in due tyme
28.
rememb^r in putting forth yo^r ſword point to make yo^r ſpace narrow, when he lyeth vpõ his ſtocata, or any thruſt, yõ muſt hold y^e handle thereof as it were a longſt yo^r hand, reſting the po~mmell thereof in the hollow prte of the mydl of the heele of yo^r hand towarde the wriſt, & the former prte of the handle muſt be holden between the fore fynger & thumbe, w^tout the Myddle Joynt of the fore fynger towarde the topp ther of, holding y^t fynger ſomethinge ſtrait out gryping round yo^r handle w^t yo^r other iij fingers, & laying yo^r thumbe ſtrait out vpõ the handle, ſo y^t yo^r thumbe lye al alonge vpon y^e ſame, ſo ſhal yõ lay yo^r point out ſtrait towarde his, the better to be able to prforme this actiõ prfytly, for yf yõ grype yo^r handle cloſe ou^rthwart in yo^r hand, then can yõ not lay yo^r poynt ſtrait vpon his to make yo^r ſpace narrow, but y^t yo^r poynt wil ſtil lye to wyde to doe the ſame in due tyme, & this is the beſt way to hold yo^r ſword in al kinde of variable fyght
29.
but vpõ yo^r gardant or open fyght then hold it w^t ful gryping it in yo^r hand, & not laying yo^r thumb alonge y^e handle, as ſom vſe, then ſhal you neuer be able ſtrongly to ward a ſtronge blowe.
30.
This haue I written out of myne entyre loue y^t I bere to my country men, wiſhing them yet once againe to follow the truth, & to fly the vaine Imprfyt rapior fight, the bett^r to ſaue themſelues from wounds & ſlawghter, for who ſo attayneth to the p^rfectiõ of this true fyght w^ch I haue here ſet forth in theſe my bref Inſtructions, & alſo in my pradoxes of defence, ſhal not only defend them ſelues, but ſhal ther by bring thoſe that fyght vpõ that Imprfyt fyght of y^e rapior vnd^r their mercye, or elſe put them in Cobbs travers, where of yõ may read in the 38 Chapter of my pradoxes aforeſaid.

Of y^e ſword & Buckler fyght,

Cap. 9.

Sword & Buckler fight, & ſword & dagg^r fyght are al one, ſaving y^t yõ ſafly defend both blowe & thruſt, ſyngle w^t yo^r buckler only, & in likeſort yõ may ſafly ward both blowes & thruſts dubble, y^t is w^t ſword & buckler together w^ch is great aduantage againſt y^e ſword & dagg^r, &c, & is the ſureſt ſight of al ſhort weapons.

Of the two hand ſword fight againſt y^e like weapon.

Cap. 10.

These weapons are to be vſed in fight as the ſhort ſtaf, yf both play vpõ dubble & ſyngle hand, at the ij hand ſword, the long ſword hath the advantage yf the waight ther of be not to heavye for his ſtrength y^t hath it, but yf both play only vpon dubble hand, then his blade w^ch is of cõvenyent length agreeing w^t his ſtature y^t hath it, w^ch is according with the length of the meaſure of his ſyngle ſwordblade, hath the advantage of y^e ſword y^t is to long for y^e ſtature of the contrarye prtye, becauſe he can croſe & uncroſe, ſtrike & thruſt, cloze & grype in ſhorter tyme than the other can.

Of the fhort ſtaf fyght, being of cõvenient length, against y^e like weapon.

Cap. 11.

The ſhort ſtaf hath iiij wards, y^t is ij w^t y^e point vp, & ij w^t the poynt doune,

1.
At theſe weapons euer lye ſo that yõ may be able to thruſt ſyngle & dubble, & to ward, ſtrike, or thruſt in due tyme, ſo ſhal yo^r enemye, yf he fyght only vpõ dubble hand be driuen of neceſſitie, ſeeking to wyn the place, to gayne yõ the place wher by yõ may ſafly hurt him, & go free yo^r ſelf by reaſon of yo^r diſtance, & when yõ ſhal ſeeke to wyn the place vpon him he ſhal not be able to gaine the place vpon you, nor to kepe the place frõ you wher by he ſhal eyther be hurt, or in great danger of hurt, by reaſon of yo^r large reach, true place & diſtance, yo^r fight being truly handled keeping it ſelf from Cloze & grype.
2.
And in like ſort ſhal it be betweene two, w^ch ſhal play vpon the beſt, y^t is, yf they play both dubble & ſyngle handed.
3.
yf yõ fynd yo^r ſelf to ſtrong for yo^r adu^rſarie in any mann^r of ward, whether the ſame be aboue or belowe, put by his ſtaf w^t force, & then ſtrike or thruſt from it,
4.
but yf yõ fynd him to ſtrong for yõ vpõ hys blowes from a loft, ſo y^t yõ can hardly bere them vpon yo^r ward, then when he ſtryketh in a loft at yo^r hed, & by hys maine ſtrength would beat doune yo^r ſtaf, & ſo geue yõ a hurt before yõ ſhalbe able to com againe into yo^r ward,

Againſt ſuch a on giue the ſlypp in this ſort, ſodainly dray back the hyer prte of yo^r body a lyttle & yo^r for moſt foote w^t all, & ſlyp in the poynt of yo^r ſtaf vnd^r his ſtaf, & thruſt ſingle at him, & fly out w^t all, ſo ſhal you be ſure to hyt him & go out free,
5.
yf he lye a loft w^t his ſtaf, then lye yõ w^t your hind^r hand alowe, w^t yo^r poynt vptowards his ſtaf making yo^r ſpace narrow becauſe yõ may croſe hys ſtaf to ward his blow before it com in ful force, & then ſtrongly & ſodainlye indirect his poynt, & ſo thruſt at him ſyngle, the w^ch yõ may do before he can remoue his feet, by reaſon of the ſwyſtnes of yo^r hand & fly out ther w^t do this for both ſyds of y^e hed yf cauſe require yt, ſo ſhal yõ ſaue both yo^r hed, body, and al prts, for yo^r vpp^r parts are garded, & yo^r lower prts to farr out of his reach.
6.
yf he lye a lowe w^t his poynt doune, then lye yõ w^t yo^r poynt alſo, w^t yo^r foremoſt hand lowe & yo^r hind^r moſt hand hye, for ſo y^t yõ may croſe his ſtaf, & do in al things as is before ſaid in the other
7.
yf he lye vpõ the thruſt then lye yõ w^t yo^r ſpace narrow lying vp or doune w^t yo^r poynt in ſuch ſort as you may croſe his ſtaf, & therby yõ ſhal be able to put by or beat by this thruſt before it be in ful force, & then ſtrike or thruſt, euer remembring yo^r gouernors.

yf vpon this any wil obiect y^t yf this betrue, then it is in vaine to ſtrike, or thruſt, becauſe he y^t doth it is ſtil in danger, this doubt is answered in the ſhort ſingle ſword fight, in the 12^th ground therof
8.
Yf yo^r adu^rſarie ſtrike a loft at any ſyde of yo^r hed or body, ward it w^t yo^r point vp & making yo^r ſpace ſo narrow y^t yõ may croſe his ſtaf before it com in ful force bearing or beating doune his blow ſtrongly, back againe towards y^t ſyde y^t he ſtryketh in at you, & out of y^t ward, then Inſtantly, eyther ſtrike frõ y^t ward, turning back yo^r ſtaf, & ſtrike him on y^t ſyde of the hed y^t is next yo^r ſtaf,

Or lyft vp yo^r ſtaf againe, & ſo ſtrike him on the hed or body, or thruſt at his body dubble or ſyngle, as yõ may find yo^r beſt aduantage ever in holding yo^r ſtaf, let ther be ſuch convenient ſpace between yo^r hands, wher in you ſhal fynd yo^r ſelf apteſt to ward, ſtrike or thruſt to yo^r beſt lyking
9.
Yf yõ play w^t yo^r ſtaf w^t yo^r left hand before & yo^r right hand back behind, as many men do fynd them ſelues moſt apteſt when y^t hand is before, & yf yo^r aduerſarie vpõ his blowe com in to take the cloze of you, when yõ fynd his ſtaf croſt w^t yo^rs neere his hand then ſodainlye ſlyp vp yo^r right hand close to the hind^r ſyde of yo^r formoſt hand, & p^rſently looſing yo^r for muſt hand & put it vnd^r your owne ſtaf, & then croſe or put by his ſtaf ther w^t & w^t yo^r hand take hold of his ſtaf in such ſort y^t yo^r lyttle fyng^r be towards the poynt of his ſtaf , & yo^r thumb & fore fing^r towards his hands, & p^rſently w^t yo^r right hand mount y^e point of yo^r owne ſtaf caſting the point thereof back ouer yo^r right ſhold^r, yo^r knuckles doun wards, & yo^r nayles vpwards, & ſo ſtabb him in the body or face w^t the hind^r end of y^e ſtaf, but be ſure to ſtabb him at his cõmyng in, whether yõ catch his ſtaf or not, for ſomtymes his ſtaf will lye ſo farr out y^t vpon his cõmyng in yõ cannot reach it, then catch y^t arme in his comynge in w^ch he ſhal firſt put forth w^t in yo^r reach, but be ſure to ſtabb, for his ſtaf can do yõ no hurt, and having ſo don, yf yõ fynd yo^r ſelf to ſtrong for him, ſtrike vp his heeles, yf to weake fly out.
10.
The like muſt yõ do yf yõ play w^t yo^r right hand before, & yo^r left hand back behind, but y^t yõ neede not to ſlyde forth yo^r left hand, becauſe yo^r right hand is in the right place of yo^r ſtaf alredye to vſe in y^t action, but then yõ muſt diſplace yo^r left hand to take hold of his ſtaf, or the grype as is a foreſaid, & to vſe the ſtabb as is aboue ſaid,
11.
yf both lye a loft as aforeſaid, & play w^t y^e left hand before, yf he ſtrike at the Ryght ſyde of yo^r hed or body then muſt yõ croſe his ſtaf before his blow be in ful force, by making yo^r ſpace narrow, & then ſtrike it ſtrongly back againe towards his left ſyde, & from y^t ward yõ may turne back yo^r ſtaf & ſtrike him backwards ther w^t on the left ſyde of the hed, or lyft vp yo^r ſtaf & ſtrike him on the right or left ſyde of the hed, body, or arme, or thruſt him in the body, the lyke blowes or thruſts may you make at him whether he ſtrike or thruſt, having put by his ſtaf, remembring yo^r gou^rnors.

The like ord^r muſt yõ vſe in playing with the right hand before,
12.
but yf he thruſt at yõ cõtynually then euer have a ſpeciall care to cõſyder, whether he lye a loft or belowe, & do continually thruſt at yõ ther from, then looke that yõ euer lye ſo y^t yõ make yo^r ſpace ſo narrow vpon him, y^t yõ be ſure to croſe his ſtaf w^t yo^rs, & put it before it be in full force, and frõ y^t ward, thruſt at him ſyngle or dubble as yõ fynd it beſt, & yf he rememb^r not to fly back at y^t inſtant when he thruſteth it wilbe to late for him to avoyd any thruſt y^t yõ ſhal make at him,

Of the fhort ſtaf fyght againſt the longe ſtaf.

Cap. 12.

1.
Yf yõ haue a ſtaf of longer length than is cõvenient then make yo^r ſpace narrow, & ſeeke not to offend vntil yõ haue ſtrongly & ſwyftly put by his point the w^ch yõ ſhal w^t eaſe accompliſh, by reaſon of yo^r narrow ſpace & yo^r force, then ſtrike or thruſt as yõ ſhal thinke beſt.
2.
This ſhort ſtaf fight againſt y^e longe ſtaf is don in the ſame ſort that ſhort ſtaf fight to ſhort ſtaf is don, but y^t the man w^t the ſhort ſtaf muſt alwaies rememb^r to kepe a narrow ſpace vpon y^e long ſtaf, wher ſo euer the longe ſtaf ſhal lye, Hye or lowe, cõtinually make yo^r ſpace narrow vpõ, ſo shall yõ be ſure yf he ſtrike or thruſt at yõ, to take the ſame before it be into his full force, & by reaſon y^t yo^r force is more w^t yo^r ſhort ſtaf than his can be at the poynt of his longe ſtaf, yõ ſhal caſt his ſtaf ſo farr out of y^e ſtreit lyne w^t yo^r ſhort ſtaf, y^t yõ may ſafly enter in w^t yo^r feet, & ſtrike or thruſt home at him.
3.
Yet this p^rſent ſhift he hath at y^t inſtant, he may ſlypp back his ſtaf in his hands, w^ch tyme is ſwyfter then yo^r feet in cõmynge forwarde, wher by he will haue his ſtaf as ſhort as yo^rs, yet by reaſon y^t at y^e firſt yõ caſt his ſtaf ſo farr out of the right lyne, that yõ had tyme to enter in w^t yo^r feet, yõ ſhal then be ſo neere him, y^t yõ may make narrow ſpace vpõ him againe, ſo y^t he ſhal haue no tyme to ſlyp forwarde his ſtaf agayne in his former place, nor to go back w^t his feet, & ſo to recou^r the hind^r end of his ſtaf againe, becauſe yf he ſlyp forth his ſtaf to ſtrike or thruſt at you, that may yõ ſafly defend becauſe of your narrow ſpace vpõ him, & ther w^t al yõ may ſtrike or thruſt him frõ yo^r warde, eyther at ſyngle or dubble,
4.
but yf he wil go back w^t his feet thinking by y^t meanes to recou^r the whole length of hys ſtaf againe, y^t can he not do in cõvenyent tyme because the tyme of yo^r hand is ſwyft^r than y^e tyme of his feet, by reaſon wherof yõ may ſtrike or thruſt him in his goyng back.
5.
Againe it is to be remembred in y^t tyme y^t yõ keepe him at y^t bay, vpõ the drawing in of his ſtaf, the hind^r end therof lying ſo farr back behind him wilbe ſo trobbleſom vnto him, that he can make no prfyt fight againſt yõ & cõmonly in his drawing in of his ſtaf it wilbe to ſhort to make true fight against you, nether to offend yõ nor defend him ſelf.
6.
yf he attempt the Cloze w^t yõ then ſtabb him w^t the hind^r end of yo^r ſtaf as is ſaid in y^e fyght of y^e ij ſhort ſtaves of cõvenyent length, in the 9^th ground therof.

Note. Rememb^r y^t at Morris pyke, forreſt byll, longe ſtaf & two hand ſword, y^t yõ lye in ſuch ſort vpõ yo^r wards y^t yõ may both ward, ſtrike, & thruſt, both dubble & ſyngle, & then returne to yo^r former wards ſlyps & lyinge againe & then are yõ as yõ wer before

The like fight is to be vſed w^t y^e Javelen, prtyſon, halbard, black byll. battle Axe, gleve half pyke &c.

Of the fight of the forreſt byll againſt the like weapon & againſt the ſtaf.

Cap. 13.

1.
The forreſt byl haue the fyght of the ſtaf but y^t it hath iiij wards more w^t the hed of the byll, y^t is one to bere it vpwards, another to beat it dounwards ſo y^t the carrage of yo^r byll hed be w^t the edge neyther nor doune but ſyde wyſe.

The other ij wards are on to cast his byl hed towards the ryght ſyde, thother towards y^e left ſyde.

And vpon ei^r on of theſe wards of catches run vp to his hands w^t the hed of yo^r byll & then by reaſon y^t yõ haueput his ſtaf out of y^e right lyne, yõ may catch at his hed neck arme or leggs &c w^t y^e edge of yo^r byll, & hook or pluck him ſtrongly to you & fly out w^tall.
2.
Yf yõ caſt his ſtaf ſo farr out y^t yo^r byll ſlyde not vp to his hands, then you may ſafly run in ſlyding yo^r hands w^tin one yard of y^e hed of yo^r byll, & ſo w^t yo^r byl in one hand take him by y^e legg w^t the blade of yo^r byll & pluck him to yõ & w^t yo^r other hand defend yo^r ſelf from his grips yf he offer to grype w^t you.
3.
Yf you fight byll to byll do the like in al reſpects as w^t y^e ſtaf in yo^r fyght, for yo^r byll fight & ſtaf fyght is al one, but only for the defence & offence w^t the hed of y^e byll, & wher y^e ſtaf man vpõ the cloze yf he vſe y^e ſtabb w^t the butt end of his ſtaf, the byll man at y^t tyme is to vſe y^e catch at he legg w^t y^e edge of his byll, as in y^e ſecond ground above is ſaid.
4.
Rememb^r euer in al yo^r fyght w^t this weapon to make yo^r ſpace narrow whether it be againſt the ſtaf or byll ſo y^t what ſo euer he ſhal do againſt you, yõ ſhal ſtill make yo^r ward before he be in his ful force to offend you.
5.
Alſo yf yõ can reach w^tin the hed of yo^r byll then ſodainly w^t the hed of yo^r byll ſnach his byll hed ſtrongly towards you, & therw^tall indirect his byl hed & forcibly run vp yo^r byl hed to his hands, ſo haue yõ the lyke advantage as aboueſaid, wheras I ſpake of runyng vp towards his hands.
6.
Yf he lye alowe w^t his byl hed then yf yõ can put yo^r byll hed in ou^r the hed of his bylle & ſtronglye put doune his byl ſtaf w^t yo^r byl hed, bearinge it flat, then yõ may p^rſently run vp yo^r byll hed ſingle handed to his hands, & fly out therw^t, ſo ſhal yõ hurt him in y^e hand & go free yo^rſelf.
7.
The like may yõ do w^t yo^r byll againſt the ſhort ſtaf yf yõ can preſs it doune in y^e lyke ſort, but yf he haue a longe ſtaf then run up dubble handed w^t both hands vpon yo^r byll, w^ch thynge yõ may ſafly do becauſe yõ are in yo^r ſtrength & haue taken him in the weak prte of his ſtaf.
8.
Yf he lye hye w^t his byll hed then put vp yo^r byll hed und^r his & caſt his byll out to y^t ſyde y^t yõ ſhal fynd fyteſt, ſo haue yõ the aduantage to thruſt or hook at him & fly out.

Or yf yõ caſt his byl farr out of the right lyne then run in & take him by the legg w^t y^e edge of yo^r byll, as is ſaid in the 2^nd ground of this chapter.
9.
If yõ ward his blow w^t yo^r byll ſtaf w^tin yo^r byll hed, then anſwer him as w^t y^e ſhort ſtaf.

Note y^t as the byl mans aduantage is to tak the ſtaf w^t y^e hed of y^e byll ſo the ſtaf man by reason y^t y^e hed of y^e byll is a faire mark hath y^e aduantage of him in y^e caſting aſyde of the hed of the byll w^t his ſtaf or beating y^t aſyde, the w^ch yf y^e byll man looke not very well into it the staff man ther vpon wil take al mann^r of aduantages of y^e ſtaf fyght againſt him.

Of the fyght of y^e morris pyke againſt the lyke weapon.

Cap. 14.

“The Chapter on the Morris pike is unique, as no other work speaks of parries with that weapon.” – W. London [London]

1.
Yf yõ fight w^t yo^r enemy having both morris pyks w^t both poynts of yo^r pyks forwards, alowe upon y^e ground, holding the butt end of the pyke in one hand ſyngle w^t knuckles vpwards & the thumb undrneth, w^t the thumbe & forefing^r towards yo^r face & the lyttle fynger towards the poynt of y^e pyke, bering the butt end of the pyke frõ the one ſyde to y^e other right before the face, then lye yõ w^t yo^r ſpent & yo^r body open w^t yo^r hand to y^e right ſyde w^t yo^r knuckles Dounwards & yo^r nailes vpwards.

Or yõ may lye in y^t ſort, w^t yo^r hand over to the left ſyde w^t yo^r knuckles vpwards & yo^r nayles Dounwards, wherby al yo^r body wilbe Open. yf then he ſhal ſodainlye rayſe vp the point of his pyke w^t his other hand & com to thruſt at yõ, then in the Mountinge of his poynt or his cõynge in ſodainlye toſſe vp the poynt or yo^r pyke w^t yo^r hand ſyngle & ſo thruſt him in the leggs w^t yo^r pyke & fly out therw^t.

Or els you May ſtand vpõ yo^r ward & Not toſſe vp yo^r pykes poynt but breake his thruſt by croſſynge the poynt of his pyke w^t the Mydds of yo^r pyke by caſting vp yo^r hand, w^t the butt end of yo^r pyke aboue yo^r hed, & ſo bering ouer hys point w^t yo^r ſtaf, to the other ſyde as for example,
2.
Yf yõ lye w^t yo^r hand ſpent towards the left ſyde of yo^r bodye, then ſodainlye bere his poynt ouer ſtrongly towards yo^r right ſyde.

Yf yõ lye w^t yo^r hand ſpent towards yo^r right ſyde then bere his poynt towards yo^r left ſyde, & ther vpon gather vp yo^r pyke w^t yo^r other hand & thruſt at him & fly out.

Yf he cõtynew his fyght w^t his point aboue, & yõ lye w^t yo^r pyke brest hye & hyer w^t your hand & point ſo, y^t yõ may Make yo^r thruſt at his face or body w^t yo^r poynt Directly towards his face, holding yo^r pyke w^t both your hands on yo^r ſtaf yo^r hinder hand w^t yo^r knuckles vpwards & yo^r formuſt hand w^t yo^r knuckles dounwards & ther ſhaking yo^r pyke & faulſing at his face w^t yo^r poynt as Neere his face as you may, then ſodainlye Make out yo^r thruſt ſyngle handed at his face & fly backe w^tall, w^ch thruſt he can hardly breake one of 20 by reaſon y^t yõ haue make yo^r ſpace ſo narrow vpon his gard, ſo y^t yõ beinge firſt in yo^r action he wil ſtil be to late in his defence to defend himſelf.
4.
but note while yõ lye faulfinge to Deceve him looke well to yo^r leggs y^t he in the Meane tyme toſſe not vp the poynt of his pyke ſyngle handed & hurt yõ therw^t in y^e ſhynes.
5.
If he lye ſo w^t his poynt vp a loft as you do then Make yo^r ſpace Narrow Mountinge yo^r point a lyttle & croſe his pyke w^t yo^rs & ſtronglye and ſodainly caſt his poynt out of the right lyne and thruſt whome from the ſame ſyngle or dubble as you fynd yo^r beſt aduantage, & fly out therw^t

Or yõ may run in when yõ haue caſt out his poynt ſlydinge both yo^r hands on yo^r ſtaf til yõ com w^tin iij quarters of a yard of the hed of yo^r pyke & ſtabb him therw^t w^t one hand & w^t yo^r other hand kepe him of from y^e grype.
6.
Now yf he be a man of ſkyll, notw^tſtandinge y^e Making of y^t faulte in ſuffering you to do ſo yet this help he hath, as yõ aer cõmynge in he will ſodainlye draw in his pyke poynt & fly back w^tall, then haue yõ no helpe but to fly out inſtantly to the myddle of yo^r pyke & from thence backeto y^e end & then are yõ as at the firſt begynnynge of yo^r fyght yõ were.
7.
Yf you fynd y^t he lye farr out of y^e right lyne w^t his poynt or y^t yõ can ſo farr Indirect y^e ſame then caſt yo^r pyke out of yo^r hands, croſe over vpon the myds of his pyke, by w^ch meanes yõ ſhal entangle his pyke, then while he doth ſtryve to get his pyke at lybertye, run you in ſodainly drawing yo^r Dagg^r & ſtrike or ſtabb at him.
8.
Then yf he haue the prfection of this fyght as well as you, he wilbe as reddy w^t his dagg^r as yõ are w^t yo^rs, then muſt yõ fyght it out at the ſyngle dagg^r fyght as is ſhewed in the 15^th Cap: then he y^t hath not the prfection of y^t fyght gow^t to wracke.
9.
And here note y^t in al the courſe of my teachinge of theſe my breef Inſtructions yf both prtyes haue the ful prfection of y^e true fyght then the on will not be able to hurt thother at what prfyt weapon ſo euer.
10.
But yf a Man y^t haue the prfection of fight ſhal fight w^t on y^t haue it not then muſt y^t vnſkylful man go to wrack & thother goe free.

Of the ſingle Dager fyght againſt the lyke weapon.

Cap: 15.

1.
First know y^t to this weapon ther belongeth no Wards nor gryps but againſt ſuch a one as is foolehardy & will ſuffer himſelf to haue a ful ſtabb in the face or bodye to hazard the geving of Another, then againſt him yõ may vſe yo^r left hand in throwinge him aſyde or ſtrike vp his heeles aft^r yõ haue ſtab^d him.
2.
In this dagg^r fyght, yõ muſt vſe cotynual motion ſo ſhal he not be able to put yõ to y^e cloze of grype, becauſe yo^r contynuall motion diſappointeth him of his true place, & the more ferce he is in runnynge in, the ſoon^r he gayneth you the place, whereby he is wounded, & yõ not any thing the rather endangered.
3.
The mann^r of handling yo^r cõtynuall motion is this, kepe out of diſtance & ſtrik or thruſt at his hand, Arme, face or body, y^t ſhal preſs vpon yõ, & yf he defend blow or thruſt w^t his dagg^r make yõ blow or thruſt at his hand.
4.
Yf he com in w^t his left legg forewards or w^t the right, do you ſtrike at y^t prte as ſoone as it ſhalbe w^tin yo^r reach, remembring y^t yõ vſe contynual motion in yo^r prgreſſion & regreſſyon according to yo^r twyfold gou^rnors.
5.
Although the dagg^r fyght be thought a verye dangerous fyght by reaſon of y^e ſhortnes & ſynglenes therof, yet the fight therof being handled as is aforeſaid, is as ſaf & as defencive as is the fight of any other weapon, this endeth my Inſtructions.

Finis.

Sundry kinds of play or fight. Thornborow

1.
Unc^rtaine variable
2.
ſyngle
3.
gardant

iij different kinds of fight

1.
y^t forceth or p^rſſeth on
2.
he y^t goeth back w^t ſom blow or thruſt
3.
he y^t ſtandeth to his wards or paſſato

w^t an Imp^rfit ward & out of y^e way.

1.
Againſt him y^t p^rſſeth y^e, naked play is beſt becs he uſeth his foote, y^e open lofty play y^e hand.
2.
y^e 2^nd is beſt followed w^t y^e variable & vnc^rtaine handling els ſhould yõ be a ma^rke to yo^r enemy & too ſlow in motion.
3.
y^e 3^rd muſt be incountred w^t y^e gardant play wherin you ſhal try him at y^e B ſword or how he can eſcape y^e prting blow or thruſt.

When yõ gather kepe yo^r place & ſpace equal & only be a patient & rememb^r y^t y^e gardant play bringeth yõ ſafly in & keps yo^r enemy out.

Know this ord^r of play els y^e beſt may be deceaved, to be uſed againſt al theſe differencs & bring y^e goodnes therof in ſuſpitiõ, for al theſe plaies are good in their kynd, tyme & occaſiõ offered by div^rſitie of play, but not on of them to be continually uſed & played vpon as a p^rfectiõ againſt euery aſſault.

1.
In y^e naked play yõ muſt ſet yo^rſelf vpright w^t yo^r feet in a ſmale ſpace, obſ^rving y^e place of yo^r hand wher yõ may ſtike or thruſt moſt quickly & redely & ſo tke y^e tyme of him y^t p^rſſeth on (vſing y^e tyme of his feet) w^t yo^r blowe or thruſt wher he is moſt open.
1.
In y^e variable play, yõ dryve him to his ſhyfts changing yo^rſelf into ſundry kynds of blowes thruſts & lyings, w^ch yõ muſt not ſtay upon,
2.
ſeeking to + him ſtil in his playes as yõ may, wherby yõ ſhal force him to fly, or els to ſtand to y^e proof of his B ſword play.
3.
the gardant play is to be vſed againſt y^e blowe, thruſt & paſſata y^t cometh w^tin dang^r of hurt, for treading y^e right way & keping yo^r place & hand in ſpace & ſtrength you cannot looſe y^e tyme to defend frõ either of thoſe offers.

theſe Judged of in reaſon & known by ſom practiſe wil make yõ deale ſafly againſt al ſorts, ſkilful or vnſkilful, ſo y^t feare or Ang^r hinder not yo^r Knowledge.

Of Tymes.

The tyme of y^e

hand
foote
hand & foot
foot & hand. naught

Of place ſpace, ſtrength & tyme.

1.
y^e tyme of y^e hand is when yõ ſtrike frõ a w^rd ſtand in place to ſtrike.
2.
the tyme of y^e foot is when yõ ſtep forward to ſtrike or when yõ gather towarde yo^r own right ſyde.
3.
y^e tyme of y^e hand & foot is when yõ tread y ground in courſe to ſtrike rather than p^rſſing forwards, or when yõ ſlide back or go back, yo^r hand & foot being then of equal agillitie.
4.
y^e tyme of y^e foot & hand is when yõ handle yo^r gardant play vſing then a ſlowe motiõ in both.

ther is but i good way to gather vpõ yo^r enemy, gardant. Al other are dangerous & ſubiect to y^e blowe on y^e hed or thruſt on y^e body.

for no way can ward both but as aforſ^d.

yo^r hand & feet in good play muſt go together, whether it be in quick or ſlow motion.

In gathering forwards or tow^rdss yo^r right ſyde yo^r hand falleth frõ yo^r place, ſpace, & ſtrength & ſo falleth our y^e loſs of tyme.

when yõ gather & ſuffer gou^rne yo^r fight, defend only. when yõ do, be ſingle, or not fixed towards on any lying but alſo y^e quicknes of yo^r hand in its p^rp^r place carried,

In breaking y^e thruſt when yõ lye aloft ſingle or gardant & ſpace yo^r arme ſomwhat bowing in warding y^e blowe, haue reſpect to yo^r place of hand & ſtrength, yo^r arme ſtrait. this courſe in yo^r tyme is beſt p^rformed, the on of theſe w^t yo^r hand aloft yo^r point downe thother yo^r hand in place yo^r more high yo^r ſpace leſ curious.

II 93^r

tyme is cheefly to be obſ^rved in both actions vpõ w^ch (place ſpace) waiteth.

Upon theſe 3 y^e 4 following, vpon theſe 4 y^e firſt 3, upon theſe y^e later 3.

to hurt or defend, a tyme in both is to be obſ^rved to y^e furtherance of w^ch place is to be gotten, w^tout w^ch tyme wilbe to long to p^rform y^t w^ch is intended, y^e ſpace is to be noted betwene ij oppoſits & in reſpect of touching, or in regard of ſaving as alſo for prſving of tyme, by y^e ſmale way it hath either to y^e body, or puting by y^e weapon.

the next 4 muſt be vſed together to p^rforme thother iij rules, for y^e hand being nymble & quick of itſelf may els be hindered in y^e want of any of theſe, the weapon muſt be framed & inclyned to srve y^e agilitie of y^e hand eyther in hurting or defending.

the body vpright or leanyng to y^e weapon, y^t it hind^r not y^e diſpoſitiõ of thother ij the foot anſwerable to them plying y^e hand & ward al in ſtrait ſpace, y^e w w^t hand high y^e point downe, the arme ſtrait out as redy for both actions.

the way vnd^r y^e w w^tdrawing y^e body from harmes, the motiõ ſlowe y^t y^e actiõ of y^e hand be not hindered.

the reſt are y^e diſpoſitions of y^e placed diſplaced handlings

Slowfoot: ſwift hand: quick foot: ſlow hand.

tread: ſtride: follow: falaway:

When yõ ſeek to offend blow or thruſt, yo^r place of hand is loſt, y^e way to redeeme it is to ſlyde back vnd^r yo^r lofty ward as aforeſd alwaies y^t yo^r adu^rſarie lye aloft redy to ſtrike or thruſt or vſe his hand only,

yf yõ would offend him y^t lyeth lowe vpõ y^e thruſt then when yõ diſplace yo^r weapon frõ aloft yõ may aft^r yo^r blow at hed or arme or neereſt place, ſtand & thruſt before yõ go backe becauſe he is out of place & ſpace & cannot +, & therby looſeth his tyme to annoy yõ & yõ may thruſt & retyre for a new aſſault.

this is not ſo ſownd,

In ſtriking or thruſting neu^r hind^r yo^r hand w^t puting forth yo^r foote but kepe y^e place therof til yõ haue offended w^t y^e one only y^e bending of yo^r body very little foreward may ſuffucte, els yõ looſe a dubble tyme, on in ſetting forth yo^r foot thother in recou^ring yo^r loſt place of yo^r fõt both to y^e loſs of tyme & yo^r purpoſte.

Strike: thruſt: ward: breake:

the dubble offence is in ſtriking & thruſting.

the iij fold defence in

warding y^e blow
breaking or puting bye y^e thruſt
ſlyding back vnd^r yo^r hanging ward.

wyn y^e place: ſtand faſt, ſtrike home offend, defend, & go ſaf.

al vnd^r play is beaten w^t moſt agil, ſingle & y^e lofty the lofty w^t y^e gardant, His when w^t his foot he ſeeke y^e low lying is out of place to ofend defend or not ſo for lack of tyme ſpace & croſſing, yf he lye out w^t his long^r weapõ it is put bye frõ aloft, who hath place tyme & reach of body & arme al w^t y^e +.

93 re y^e reading y^e enterlyyinge of other things therto adioyning.

the lofty naked play is beaten w^t y^e ward becs of Croſs ſpace tyme to Defend, y^e lofty naked ſingle looſe play ſ^rveth to win y^e Tyme of y^e lowe & dubble play.

the bent gardant requireth yo^r arme ſtrait high & out y^e point down towards (93 re II wel) y^e body & foote y^t way inclyned.

Open fight is to carry yo^r & hilt aloft above yo^r hed either w^t poynt

upright
backwards. w^ch is beſt

1.
becs it fals beſt to y^e gardant ward
2.
yet uſe y^t w^ch yõ find apteſt to
- ſtrike
- thruſt
- ward

Of y^e ſhort ſingle ſword againſt y^e like weapon being both of a length.

1.
yo^r enemy lye in open or true gardant fight
- 1.
  Anſwere him in y^e ſame fight is beſt but kepe your diſtance
- 2.
  let yo^r gatherings in be ever towards his right ſide y^t yo^r ſword may choake up al his blows made at yõ before it be in force & frõ yo^r ward inſtantly uncroſe & ſtrike him on y^e hed or other open place, or thruſt him in y^e body & inſtantly fly out
- If he ſtrike at y^e
  - 1.
    left ſide of yo^r hed or body ward it true gardant ward
    - 1.
      tak it not w^t forehand w eccept yõ be ſure to w^rd it if you do w it ſo if he com in w^t al, then frõ y^t w
      - thruſt
      - ſtrike
      - grype
      remembring yo^r gov^rnors, & ſtrike frõ y^t w at y^e hed &c.or thruſt at y^e body.
    - 2.
      if w^tal he
      - 1.
        preſs in to cloſe then take y^e gripe of him.
      - 2.
        cõ not in then inſtantly uncroſs & ſtrike him on y^e hed & fly out.
    - 2.
      right ſide of yo^r hed or body ward then put doun yo^r hilt a little &
      - 1.
        mount yo^r point ſo y^t yo^r blade be caſt out w^t his towards yo^r right ſhould^r & y^t wil truly ward y^e right ſide of yo^r hed
        
        frõ w^ch w either
        ſtrike inſtantly y^t ye left ſide of his
        hed
        body
        thigh
        or outſide of his right thigh & fly back inſtantly, on of theſe he cannot avoide.
      - 3.
        hed yõ lying below in variable fight thruſt at his hand or arme by erecting yo^r point w^t yo^r knockles dounwards & fly out inſtantly.
2.
he thruſt at yo^r face or body, then beat it downwards w^t yo^r ſword gardant bering yo^r point ſtrongly tow^rds yo^r right ſyde & ſodainly ſtrike him on y^e hed or thruſt him in y^e body & fly out ſodainly.
yõ lye in open or true gardant fight
1.
forceably preſs on yõ w^t y^t fight intending to hurt yõ in y^e face or hed, or to take y^e grype of yõ, Againſt him uſe both open & gardant fight ſo ſhal you upon every blowe or thruſt made at yõ frõ yo^r wards ſtrike or thruſt him on y^e face hed or body & fly out inſtantly.
2.
& yõ lye below in variable fight then offer not to ward y^e blow made at yo^r hed with true gardant ward
1.
but w^t forehand ward & be ſure to kepe yo^r diſtance to make him cõ in w^t his feet or foot & y^t wil diſappoint his tyme & place.
2.
yo^r
tyme wilbe to long
ſpace is to wide
in due tyme to do it.

3.
Anſwer him not w^t y^e
bastard
Imprfect
gardant fight w^t yo^r bodye bowing forwards there yo^r
1.
ſpace wilbe to wide on both ſyds to make a true ward in due tyme.
2.
arme & body wilbe open to nere him ſo y^t w^t bending in of his body w^t y^e tyme of y^e hand or hand & foot he may either thruſt yo^r body or take y^e grip of you.

3.
both fyght upõ open fight
1.
he y^t firſt breaketh his diſtance & do attempt to ſtrike at y^e others hed shalbe ſurely stricken on y^e hed himſelf if thother ſtrike thereat in his cõing in, and ſlip back w^tal, for y^t maketh an Indirection wherby yo^r blowe croſſeth his hed & maketh an true ward for yo^r owne.
2.
it is bett^r for y^e patient to ſtrike home ſtrongly at y^e agents hed if y^e agent preſs upon him to win y^e place, then to thruſt, for y^e cs laſt aboveſaid.

4.
yõ fight vpon open or true gardant fight nev^r ward upõ forehand ward for yo^r ſpace wilbe to wide in due tyme to make a true w^rd.
he lye aloft w^t his point tow^rds yõ aft^e y^e mann^r of y^e Imbrocata then make yo^r ſpace narrow w^t yo^r point upwards, therw^t put by his point & ſtrike or thruſt as aforeſaid at any open place by be ſure herin to kepe yo^r diſtance
1.
& fly out p^rſently
2.
y^t he deceive yõ not in y^e taking his poynt.

The Linacre School of Defence

Studying the historical British martial arts of smallsword, backsword and pugilism.