Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #98606 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

Synopsis
With the recent resurgence of interest in historical weapons and the techniques involved in their usage, this book on the art of swordsmanship should appeal to a wide and enthusiastic audience. Written in the late 19th century by a British officer, antiquarian, and teacher of swordsmanship, the work was intended to provide military men with essential training in the art and science of fencing. Drawing upon the methods used by master swordsmen in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, author Alfred Hutton gives comprehensive and detailed instruction in the use of the two-hand sword, rapier and dagger, broadsword and buckler, rapier and cloak, and dagger and cloak. Complemented with nearly 60 illustrations, including instructive diagrams and rare woodcuts of classic fencing positions, this excellent introduction and its valuable information will be welcomed by scholars and sword-play enthusiasts. General readers and anyone interested in this form of self-defense will be delighted with a rare work on what is still regarded by many as an art form and recreational pursuit.

Customer Reviews

Lovely book
This is a lovely little look into medieval swordsmanship, superbly layed out and well organised. Wonderfully ols fashioned and eccentric, with great woodcuts of fighters and a detailed look into the swordsman's vocabulary, much of which is Italian. Maybe a little confusing at first, but once you settle into the flow it reads smoothly. More interesting for the historian interested in the techniques used in medieval times, but still a quiant but enjoyable book!

A Good Start
This is a rather short book on the use of several medieval weapon combinations. Great if you are interested in getting a basic outline of the technique but just when you think its about to get in depth, it switches to a new weapon. What there is of this book is very good, to get all five stars it would need to be at least twice as long so as to cover the details rather than just a general over view.

19th Century Springboard to the Modern Western Martial Arts Movement
Its what got me started, Hutton was one of the small handful of folks who initated the first wave of historical studies of the traditional martial arts in England. May be dated and limited, but a seminal work. Note this version is taken from my personal copy, so of course I think its worth it.