Translations and Research

As well as training in  Renaissance  sword arts, we produce translations of original treatises. We interpret and attempt to implement these teachings.

We have four major translations:

The Free Master of Arms by Charles Besnard Published in 1653, Charles Besnard’s Le maistre d’arme liberal (The Free Master of Arms) was the fencing master’s “treatise of the theory of the art and practice of the single sword or the foil”, in which he also discussed the contemporary matter of duelling. This modern edition sees Besnard’s treatise transcribed and translated in full, complete with the original pictures, as well as a detailed historical background.

The Book of Lessons by Pedro De Heredia (attrib.) Translated from the French, this is a highly detailed set of fencing lessons for sword, sword and dagger and sword and cloak. Dating to the early to mid seventeenth century, this treatise, possibly written by the Spanish soldier, Pedro De Heredia, also contains 71 colour pictures from the Swedish Royal Library, published in full for the first time.

The Sword of Combat by François Dancie

Treatise or Instruction for Fencing by Hieronymus Calvacabo

In addition, we have free (“Open Access”) translations, which can be found below:

François Dancie

Discourse of Arms and Method to Properly Fence With the Sword and Dagger (pre 1617) (Open Access)

The manuscript which probably formed the basis for The Sword of Combat. This translation is from a transcription by Olivier Dupuis.

André Desbordes

Discourse of the Theory and Practice of the Excellence of Arms(1610) (Open Access)

Transcription

Sword and Buckler by Achillini (Open Access). This draft transcription contains stanzas taken from the Viridario of Gioanne Philotheo Achillini [or Achillino], published in Bologna in 1513, though written in 1504. For a brief introduction and further references, see Runacres, Rob, “The Bolognese Tradition: Ancient Tradition or Modern Myth?”, link below.

Articles

The Bolognese Tradition: Ancient Tradition or Modern Myth? by Rob Runacres, published in Acta Periodica Duellatorum (Open Access)

The Sword and Dagger Techniques of François Dancie by Rob Runacres (Open Access)