We will learn to use a sword and buckler by following the teachings of “Royal Armouries Manuscript I.33”, also known as the “Tower Fechtbuch” or the “Walpurgis Manuscript.” It is the oldest known manual of swordsmanship in the Western canon. Dated to c. 1310, it so famous that it has become known simply by its shelf number: I.33. It is an extremely sophisticated work even by later standards, with clear instructions. Its complex strategic advice causes many to think it could have been written by a monk with combat experience, after returning from First Crusade. The most mysterious part of that sword play manuscript is that, at the end, it includes a woman by the name of Walpurgis as one of the sparring partners. Some think it depicts an English missionary in Germany who was a healer known as the “protectoress” against witchcraft and sorcery. Obviously, priests and missionaries, men or women, were not so feeble and frail as we might have thought during these times.
Also, we will study Bolognese system and Talhoffer version of sword and buckler later on.
It will be a challenging and very interesting path in learning sword play.
The Sword and Buckler program includes:
1. The Custodia, or wards, which are starting positions for engaging your
enemy. There are 7 main wards in the I.33, with some secondary wards.
2. Common attacks and combined counterattacks
3. A shield-strike (schiltslac)
4. A thrust-strike (stichslac)
5. A step through (durchtritt)
6. Seizing or wrestling your opponent.