Sweet Mary it's been awhile since I posted anything!
Anyways, here are some great videos on axe play from a group from the Netherlands (I believe)
First up is a bout between two gentlemen in harness.
Second up is more of a demo video. All of it is very good, but the poleaxey goodness starts at 3:15.
In the both videos there are some moments where blows are obviously being pulled. Of course they are! These guys are using real axes and have their visors up - this is "loose play" or slower-speed sparring. They are not trying to kill each other, just show what they can do.
All in all, these are great videos (and there are more on their youtube page) and it's just great to see people training with the greatest weapon of them all
;-)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Book Review: The Knightly Art of Battle
This is a book review of "The Knightly Art of Battle" by Ken Mondschein, from the Getty Museum.
While this is not a full translation or facsimile of the Fiore manuscript held by the Getty Museum in LA, this is a wonderful introduction to the manuscript for non-Fiorists and Fiorists alike. The introduction is clear and concise, as are the brief introductions to each section.
The highlight (for me) were the high-res images included in the book. While it doesn't include the whole manuscript, most of the "important" images are: the segno, all the poste, and a hand full of plays.
For so cheap a price, this book really is a must-own for any Western Martial Artist.
While this is not a full translation or facsimile of the Fiore manuscript held by the Getty Museum in LA, this is a wonderful introduction to the manuscript for non-Fiorists and Fiorists alike. The introduction is clear and concise, as are the brief introductions to each section.
The highlight (for me) were the high-res images included in the book. While it doesn't include the whole manuscript, most of the "important" images are: the segno, all the poste, and a hand full of plays.
For so cheap a price, this book really is a must-own for any Western Martial Artist.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Book Review: The Complete Renaissance Swordsman
The Complete Renaissance Swordsman
A Guide to the Use of All Manner of Weapons
Antonio Manciolino's Opera Nova (1531)
Translated by Tom Leoni
Available from Freelance Academy Press
This book was purchased, much like Tom's translation of Giganti's rapier, as part of the "What If" section of my WMA library. As in, "what if I someday decided to teach / study, or have students who are interested in..." As most of you are aware, the Bolognese school is not in my normal area of interest (Although Manciolino does have a pretty cool section on polearms).
As with the Giganti book, the biggest value to the beginning student is in Leoni's clear introduction to the Bolognese school - stances, guards, attacks, footwork, etc. The actual translation is just as clear and easy to read as readers have come to expect from Tom Leoni.
No matter which aspect of HEMA you study, you would be smart to pick up this book.
A Guide to the Use of All Manner of Weapons
Antonio Manciolino's Opera Nova (1531)
Translated by Tom Leoni
Available from Freelance Academy Press
This book was purchased, much like Tom's translation of Giganti's rapier, as part of the "What If" section of my WMA library. As in, "what if I someday decided to teach / study, or have students who are interested in..." As most of you are aware, the Bolognese school is not in my normal area of interest (Although Manciolino does have a pretty cool section on polearms).
As with the Giganti book, the biggest value to the beginning student is in Leoni's clear introduction to the Bolognese school - stances, guards, attacks, footwork, etc. The actual translation is just as clear and easy to read as readers have come to expect from Tom Leoni.
No matter which aspect of HEMA you study, you would be smart to pick up this book.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Apologies
I have been horrible about updating this blog.
My bad.
Part of it is feeling that there is nothing I can really write that will contribute to the community at the present. However, stay tuned I as I will be receiving a couple books that I plan on reviewing here.
My bad.
Part of it is feeling that there is nothing I can really write that will contribute to the community at the present. However, stay tuned I as I will be receiving a couple books that I plan on reviewing here.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Brief Thought
It just struck me that polearms occupy both ends of the training spectrum.
More people focus on the sword, but traditionally the spear was the more common weapon throughout the Middle Ages. It can then be claimed that the spear is one of (if not the) simplest weapon to learn.
On the other end we have the pollaxe, which is viewed by myself and many others as being the "acme" weapon - the tip of the pyramid of weapons training. This is because the poleaxe combines so many aspects of the other weapons - the spear, the sword and the dagger.
Discuss.
More people focus on the sword, but traditionally the spear was the more common weapon throughout the Middle Ages. It can then be claimed that the spear is one of (if not the) simplest weapon to learn.
On the other end we have the pollaxe, which is viewed by myself and many others as being the "acme" weapon - the tip of the pyramid of weapons training. This is because the poleaxe combines so many aspects of the other weapons - the spear, the sword and the dagger.
Discuss.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Random thoughts & Musings
Anyone ever noticed how the blows of the sword described and shown in the various Fiore manuscripts are also the same motions used when parrying? When you make the parry of the 1st Master of Gioco Largo, you make a fendente. I think most of the people who study Fiore agree on that. When you make a deflection from Dente di Cinghiaro, you make a sottano. Again, agreement. What I realized was that when you execute a scambiar della punta (especially from Tutta Porta di Ferro) you're doing a mezzano. And when you cover against a fendente with Frontale, you're doing a sottano (or a mezzano). Seriously...think about it ;-)
Monday, August 1, 2011
INTERLUDE - Footwork Article
Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted but moving will kinda do that to ya.
So, here is a re-post from Jason Smith and Le Maitres d'Armes on footwork.
So, here is a re-post from Jason Smith and Le Maitres d'Armes on footwork.
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