Historical fencing in Scotland

There is some evidence on historical fencing as practiced in Scotland in the Early Modern Era, especially fencing with the Scottish basket-hilted broadsword during the 17th to 18th centuries.

Most of our current knowledge of these arts derives from various combative treatises or Martial arts manuals, as well as written anecdotes (i.e. battle accounts, folklore, etc.) and artistic representations from different periods and locations in Scottish history (see Penicuik Sketches[1]).

Contents

Scottish fencing masters

The following is a list of fencing masters[2] that were very influential in their day, and have contributed to our current knowledge of the martial practices of Scotland (see Combat Treatises below):

Fencing manuals

Scottish Fencing manuals detailing the use of the basket-hilted Scottish broadsword (besides other disciplines including the smallsword and spadroon and, to a lesser extent, the targe, dirk and quarterstaff) were published throughout the 18th century, with early and late examples dating to the late 17th and early 19th centuries, respectively:

Techniques

The Highland Broadsword texts of the 1700's portray 7 cuts and numerous guards. The footwork is sword leg forward (usually right leg) with the other leg behind, similar to modern fencing. Traversing footwork allows one to step off the center-line of attack, either to right or left. The following Guards are listed in these texts:

The Cuts are as follows:

Edge Versus Flat

According to the above fencing treatises, the Scots made use of the edge of the fort (or forte, or strong) of the sword to parry with, not the flat as some mistakenly believe. This tradition apparently goes back to Classical Ireland, where the heroes would "meet sword-edges".[17]

Shifting the Leg: When an opponent cuts at the outside of your leg, it is prudent to step back (and thus avoid the cut at the leg), counter-attacking with either a cut at the head or at the wrist simultaneous to shifting the leg. This technique was taught by Angelo, Taylor[11] and Rowlandson[14].

Famous Scottish duellists

In the 17th-18th century, there were a number of warriors and soldiers that developed a reputation as skilled duellists. In the highlands, they were known as Caterans, and were noted for cattle theft as well as black-mail, and often traveled to different villages challenging them to produce a fighter that can best them, or pay a fee. Some belonged to the Duine uasal (Warrior Class) of their Clan:

Clan styles

It has been suggested that certain Scottish Clans and families had specific training systems that were distinct from one another. For example, it is said that some members of Clan Macdonald were ambidextrous, and were thus able to fence with either left or right hand.[21] The Kerr family is known in its family tradition to have predominantly left-handed swordsmen (as apparent in the construction of their castles), which has led to the term "Kerr-Fisted".[25]

The Black Watch appears to be the source of Highland Broadsword technique during the later part of the 18th century, as evidenced in Captain G. Sinclair's manual.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Highland Swordsmanship: Techniques of the Scottish Sword Masters, by Mark Rector (editor) and Paul Wagner (editor), Published by The Chivalry Bookshelf (Nov 15, 2001)
  2. ^ http://dirkdance.tripod.com/id1.html
  3. ^ http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Articles/Machrie/
  4. ^ a b A treatise on backsword, sword, buckler, sword and dagger, sword and great gauntlet, falchon, quarterstaff, by Captain James Miller (1735), http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Miller/
  5. ^ a b The Use of the Broad Sword, by Thomas Page (1746), http://sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Page/
  6. ^ The Scots Fencing Master, The Art of Defence and Pursuit, With the Small-Sword. Described in a Dialogue between a Scholar and a Master, of that Art. By William Hope, Gentleman, http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Hope/ScotsFencingMaster/
  7. ^ The Sword Man's Vade Mecum, by Sir William Hope (1692), http://sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Hope/VadeMecum/
  8. ^ http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Hope/NewMethod/
  9. ^ A FEW OBSERVATIONS UPON THE Fighting for PRIZES IN THE BEAR-GARDENS, http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Hope/Observations/Observations.php
  10. ^ A Vindication of the True Art of Self-Defence. With a PROPOSAL to the Honourable Members of Parliament, for the Erecting A Court of Honour in Great-Britain. Recommended to all Gentlemen, but particularly to the Soldiery. To which is Annexed, A Short but very useful Memorial for Swordmen. By Sir William Hope, Bart, http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Hope/Vindication/
  11. ^ a b c d e f Highland Broadsword:Five Manuals of Scottish Regimental Swordsmanship, by Paul Wagner (editor) and Mark Rector (editor), Published by The Chivalry Bookshelf (July 2004)
  12. ^ Anti-Pugilism, or The Science of Defense Exemplified In Short and Easy Lessons for the Practice of the Broad Sword and Single Stick Illustrated with Copper Plates, By a Highland Officer, London, Printed for J Aitkin, NO 14, Castle-street, corner of Bear Street, Leicester Fields 1790, www.hroarr.com/manuals/boxing-pugilism/Anti-pugilism.doc
  13. ^ Cudgel Playing Modernized and Improved; or, The Science of Defence, Exemplified in a Few Short and Easy Lessons, for the Practice of the Broad Sword or Single Stick, on Foot, by Captain G. Sinclair of the 42nd Regiment, http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Sinclair/Sinclair.php
  14. ^ a b The Guards of the Highland Broadsword, by Thomas Rowlandson, 1799, http://www.davidrumsey.com/amica/amico820629-47674.html
  15. ^ Hungarian & Highland Broadsword, by Henry Angelo and Son, 1799, http://www.thearma.org/pdf/HungarianHighlandBroadsword.pdf
  16. ^ The Art of Defence on Foot with Broadsword and Saber, by John Taylor, 1804, http://books.google.com/books?id=Y7kUAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=John+Taylor+broadsword&source=bl&ots=PYD6Da3MA4&sig=Y-fWoh-MRpIaWSyeKhsUH1Sg00Q&hl=en&ei=kyFwTY_gA9Kutweg4Zy8Dw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=John%20Taylor%20broadsword&f=false
  17. ^ Kuno Meyer, The Quarrel between Finn and Oisín in Fianaigecht (verse 10), Dublin, School of Celtic Studies, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (1910) (1937) (1993) page 22–27, http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T303011/index.html
  18. ^ http://www.leopardmag.co.uk/feats/278/the-mccombies-big-men-with-bigger-reputations
  19. ^ a b The Clan Donald, by Angus Macdonald, Archibald Macdonald, Volume 2, page 205, http://books.google.com/books?id=vBIXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA205&lpg=PA205&dq=Ranald+of+the+Shield+dirk+and+targe&source=bl&ots=-xhXzjt2O2&sig=h99m5-1M9oRvdEcEUcS-CdszvXo&hl=en&ei=uhxvTcKnLpOEtge4wYGJDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
  20. ^ Clan Donald, by Donald J. MacDonald of Castleton (2008), page 215, http://books.google.com/books?id=iAjgWe0cSdQC&pg=PA215&dq=Ranald+of+the+Shield+hero+of+1645&hl=en&ei=9ItwTYbLDYeFtgeZ-LT3Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Ranald%20of%20the%20Shield%20hero%20of%201645&f=false
  21. ^ a b http://home.comcast.net/~gmcdavid/HistNotes/lefty.html
  22. ^ http://www.aboutaberdeen.com/robroystatue.php
  23. ^ The Celtic review, Volume 1, Issues 1-4, pages 265-66, http://books.google.com/books?id=53ZYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA266&lpg=PA266&dq=Black+Ruairidh+the+Unjust&source=bl&ots=I6kIXAI-eo&sig=SKMwzwyMsYXFNZukg1Rd4fm1Hmg&hl=en&ei=YSJvTd2cJImhtweOn5H2Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Black%20Ruairidh%20the%20Unjust&f=false
  24. ^ The Celtic review, Volume 1, Issues 1-4, page 266, http://books.google.com/books?id=53ZYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA266&lpg=PA266&dq=Black+Ruairidh+the+Unjust&source=bl&ots=I6kIXAI-eo&sig=SKMwzwyMsYXFNZukg1Rd4fm1Hmg&hl=en&ei=YSJvTd2cJImhtweOn5H2Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Black%20Ruairidh%20the%20Unjust&f=false
  25. ^ http://www.thejanuarist.com/clan-kerr-and-the-legend-of-the-spiral-staircase/

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