A Timely Review: The Knightly Art of Battle

There was a moment of serendipity on Friday when a shipment of new books arrived for the store, almost at the same time that Academie Duello's delightful patron, Major Wes, put a review of the same book up on the school message board. You all know Wes as the dutiful contributor who combs the internet for any and all sword-related press, providing us with a weekly rundown every Monday. What you may not know is that he also supplies the Academie Duello membership with regular book reviews on WMA-related titles.

Here's his review:

Mondschein, K.  The Knightly Art of Battle.  J. Paul Getty Trust.  Los Angeles, CA. 2011.  128 pp.

Sometimes, just sometimes, on a nice summer day one likes to sit quiet by the street side alone at a wee Bistro table, sipping at their London Fog with your mind in neutral and watching pretty things.  This book qualifies as the `pretty thing'.

Ken Mondschein has edited the most complete of Fiore's `The Flower of Battle' medieval manuscripts to produce this gorgeously reproduced selection of some of the better or more interesting plates.  And as an added bonus, most plates are accompanied by short descriptive texts written by a modern scholar who knows and `fights' his subject!  In the editors own words: "This book is not meant as an exhaustive guide to the martial system of Fiore dei Liberi, nor as a full scholarly exploration of his work and its meaning in a historical context.  Rather, it is intended to serve as a visual tour of the Getty manuscript …" p. 21

What do you get out of this work?

"Fiore does not address such basic subjects as how to parry, feint, or strike – subjects that any modern fencing master would recognise as fundamental to teaching someone how to fence.  Nor does he attempt to explain an overall theory of fencing.  Rather, his work, like other medieval fencing books, was originally intended as a memorial, a reminder of teachings that would have been transmitted in person to select individuals."  pp 18-19.

{This `Fechtbuch' is not a how-to manual.  You could not pick it up and learn by reading how to fight.  It is however, an aide-memoire to jog your memory about what you learned in person with a Master at Arms and perhaps it will recommend additions to, or amendments of, basic fighting moves that you were already familiar with and practised in}

Page 60 – Throwing your sword!  Yay!! {Wait … I've thrown away my weapon again!  Boo!!}

Page 121 – Don't throw your sword … throw a big stick instead – then stab him!  {Double yay!!}

Plus, all sort of sword and wrestling guards, proper use of hafted weapons and weapons on horseback, and `aim here' drawings that are useful for both the advanced student (here is how to do this move properly) and the lay-person (See, this is what the WMA is all about). The most significant advantage of these representations is that you are always aware of who is making the `attack, receiving the attack or countering the attack.  This is a near perfect work for you and your peers to discuss the finer points of a lesson over a post workout London Fog … or a beer!

If you want to check out this beautiful book for yourself, we've now got copies in the store. Do consider picking one up, as I have heard rumours that if the Getty Museum sells enough copies of this, they'll consider putting out a full translation of the entire book!

Now available in person or online for only $14.95+Tax!