Ranks, when every Rank doubles into the odd, and if it so fall out, that
the odd Ranks are to double, then must the Body Face to the Rear,
without any Word of Command expected.
3. Half Files.
4. Bringers up.
Here they are held to double when the Rear is doubled into the Front.
5. In doubling the Rear observe it done, when the half Files double
the Rear.
6. Here take notice that doubling of half Ranks must be by one Rank
doubling the other.
_The Noble Science of Defence, in all its Useful Particulars, for
Defending and Offending, with the Rapier or final Sword; after the
exactest Method now in Use._
This Science, if well understood, as to the fining and using it, is not
only a noble Exercise, but of great importance to the saving our lives
on emergent Occasions, if it extend not to Vain-glory and Presumption,
by too much relying on our Skill, to carry us into quarrels, which we
may reasonably, and without loss of Honour or Reputation avoid.
Wherefore I have thought it convenient to lay down such Rules as may
enable the learner to proceed in the Practice.
The first thing to be considered in this Case, is, the Sword it self,
understanding only in this the small Sword or Rapier, which is divided
into two Parts, _viz._ The Hilt and the Blade.
The Hilt is again divided into three Parts, _viz._ the Pommel or Ball at
the far end, sometimes Round and sometimes Oval in Shape. This keeps the
Hilt fast, by being well riveted, and by its poise makes the Sword well
mounted, or light before the Hand. The next is that part on which you
grasp your Hand, commonly called the Handle: and then the Shell, which
is that part of the Hilt next the Blade, to preserve your Hand (if you
are any thing weary in managing it) from a Thrust or Blow.
The Blade is divided into two Parts only. The first next to the Hilt,
being termed the strong Part or Fort. The other, which is the extream,
is termed the Feeble, or they are otherways termed the Prime, and the
Second. The strong Fort or Prime of the Blade, is measured from the
Shell to the middle of the Blade, and being the strongest, is made use
of in Parying, or to put by Thrusts or Blows. The Feeble, weak or second
part, is accounted from the Middle to the Point, and is properly made
use of in Offending or giving Thrusts or Blows; and thus much may serve
for the Description of the Sword: Now I proceed to the Explanation of
the Terms, fit to be known by a Practitioner.
_A Guard._
This is a proper Posture you must place your self in, for the better
defending your self from the Thrusts or Blows of those you Fence with,
or defend your self from.
_To Parie._
Observe that this is to put by a Blow or Thrust, that it may not touch
you, but be cast off without hurt or danger.
_Quart._
Here you must hold the Nails of your Sword-hand upwards, with a steady
Arm; and then it is said to be held in quart.
_Terce._
This is the contrary to the former, for the Nails of your Hand must be
held downwards; and then the Sword is held in _Terce_.
_Within the Sword._
This is that part of your Body, (which having your Right-side towards
your Adversary) is between your Sword and Left-breast.
_Within the Sword._
This is the part of the Body, that (when you hold your Sword towards
your Left-side) is above it the breadth of your Body.
_The Approach or Advance._
This is done, when being out of your Adversaries reach, or at a pretty
distance from him; you make your Approach or Advance towards him.
_To Retire or Retreat._
This is when you are within your Adversaries reach, that you get put of
it by stepping or Jumping backwards; which you must observe to do on a
strait Line.
_Measure._
This is only a distance between you and your Adversary, which must be
cautiously and exactly observed when he is Thrusting at you; so that you
may be without his measure or reach, and that taking the Advantage of
this, it may be so, that when you Thrust your Thrusts may be home.
_To break Measure._
Observe here, just as your Adversary is Thrusting at you, at his full
Elonge, he may come short of you, because you are, or escape out of his
Measure, or reach, and so break his Measure, of which I shall say
somewhat more hereafter.
_To Elonge._
This is to Streach forward your Right Arm and Leg, and keep a close
Left-foot; and this you do when you give in a Thrust, and when you do
it, you are said to make an Elonge.
_Respost._
This is when you give in a Thrust before you recover your Body,
receiving a Thrust after your Adversary hath Paried your Sword. Then is
it said to be a Thrust on the Respost or back of the Parade, which is
the surest and safest you can give.
_Feinting or Falsifying._
This is a dodging or deceiving your Adversary, making him believe you
give back in earnest, and make an offer to Thrust in one place when you
really design to do it in another.
_Beating._
This is no other than striking the Feeble of your Adversaries Sword with
the Edg and Fort of yours, either with your Right-hand only, or the help
of your Left, joyned to the Blade, about a foot from the Hilt; and so
you will cause the Beat to have the greater Spring or Force.
_Battery._
The difference from Beating in this, is only Striking with the Edg of
the Feeble, upon the Edg of the Feeble of your Adversaries Sword, though
Beating secures his Sword a great deal better than Battery.
_Binding._
This method is taken to secure your Adversaries Sword, with eight or ten
Inches of yours upon five or six Inches of his.
_Caveating or Disengaging._
Here you must, if you can, flip your Adversaries Sword, when you
perceive him about to bind or secure yours.
_To take Time._
In taking Time, you must observe never to Thrust, but when you see a
fair Opportunity, or otherwise it is the Thrusting at your Adversary
when he is making the Feint, or the flipping of him, when you perceive
him about to Bind or Bear your Sword.
_Counter Temps._
This is when you Thrust without a good Opportunity, or when you Thrust,
at the same time your Adversary do's the like.
_Quarting on the Strait Line._
This is done by carrying your Head and Shoulders very much back from
your Adversaries Sword, and are giving in a Thrust within it, and that
each of you at that time receive a Thrust.
_Quarting of the strait Line, called de Quarting._
Here you must Observe to throw in your Left-foot, and Body backwards off
the strait Line, towards your Adversary, keeping your Right-foot firm.
_Volting._
This is a leaping by your Adversaries Left-side quite out of his reach
or measure, which on many emergent occasions is very proper.
These Terms a Practitioner must be knowing in before he proceeds to the
other Lessons, or Adventures on sharp, especially in earnest; from
whence I proceed to the next thing materially to be considered, which is
the
_Holding of the Sword._
In doing this according to Art, and to the most advantage, Hold your
Thumb on the broad side of the Handle, and your Fingers quite round it;
hold it in this manner firm and fair; so that your Adversary, with the
least sudden beat or twist, may not force it out of your hand, which the
hazard in holding it loosely may occasion to your damage.
_Of keeping a Guard._
The Guards are in general but two; The one in _Quart_ and the other in
_Terce_; but again the _Quart_ Guard is subdivided into two, _viz._ The
_Quart_ with the strait Point, and the _Quart_ with the Point sloaping
near to the Ground.
The _Terce_ is so likewise divided, that is, the _Terce_ with the Point
higher than the Hilt, and the _Terce_ with the Point lower than the
Hilt. There is yet another Guard, that requires you to hold your Sword
with both your Hands; and of these in their order.
_Of the Quart Guard, with the strait Point._
You have two ways with this Guard to defend your self, either by Parying
or using Contraries to what your Adversary plays, as I shall more fully
shew you when I come to discourse of the five Parades; however here
observe in the strait Guard, which is most in use, to keep a thin Body,
which is done by shewing your Right-side to your Adversary, managing
your feet in a strait Line from him; so that for your Right he cannot
see your Left-leg, yet set them not too wide, for that will make your
Elong the shorter; nor too close, for that will hinder the firmness of
standing; and let the Point of your Right foot be turned somewhat
outwards from the strait Line, but the broad side of your Left must look
towards your Adversary. You are also to sink with your Thighs your
Left-knee, a little more bent than your Right, which may be done by your
leaning somewhat back on your Left-thigh; when you present your Sword,
you must hold it with your Nails upwards, as has been directed in
_Quart_. The Hilt of your Sword must be as High as your Right-pap,
keeping your Arm a little bent, for the better and easier pursuing your
Adversary; or for the quicker giving in a Thrust: The Point must be
towards your Adversaries Right-side, two or three Inches lower than the
Hilt, your Left-hand held up as high as your Left-ear, about half a Foot
from it, the Palm directly against your Adversaries Face, your Fingers
pointing as it were towards him.
_The Quart-guard, with the sloping Point._
In this Guard you must stand much straiter than in the former, the Point
of your Sword sloping within half a Foot of the Ground, your Hilt as low
as your Wast, your Arm bended, and the Nails of your Sword-hand between
_Terce_ and _Quart_; Here you are also to make use of your Left-hand,
and therefore the more readily to do it, you must advance your Left
Shoulder almost as far forward as your Right, keeping your Belly in as
much as may be, so that it stand well, and your Breast out, your
Left-hand as high as the side of your Head, though about half a Foot
from it. This is a very open Guard, yet to those that know not how to
pursue it, it is much Surprizing. And you may pursue this;
First, by raising up or gathering your Adversaries Sword.
Secondly, by striking at his Sword, and making half Thrusts at the Body,
by which he will be doubtful when you intend to give in your Thrust, and
finding an Opportunity give it home; and ever when you persue this
Guard, let your Left-hand be in a readiness to Parie your Opponents
Thrust, if he Thrust just as you are Thrusting, which is the main
defence on this Guard.
Thirdly you may give a stroak at his Left-hand; after you give a beat at
his sword, and see if by so doing, you can force him to betake himself
to another Guard.
Fourthly, You may Volt, and in your so doing, give him the Thrust, which
being clearly done, will mainly surprize him.
_The-Terce-guard, with the Point higher than the Hilt._
In this you must hold the Nails of your Sword-hand downwards, as in
Terce, and your Hand lower than in the Quart-Guard, with a strait Point,
presenting the Point of your Sword towards your Adversaries
Left-shoulder; if he be a tall Man; but if Short, then to his Left-eye,
keeping your Arm somewhat bent, for the better persuing: Lean therefore
a little forward with your Body, and make use of your Left-hand for a
Parade, holding it somewhat lower than in the former Guard. The rest of
your Body being kept, as in the Quart-Guard, with the strait Point.
This Guard may be pursued either with Striking, Binding, Volting, or
Passing, for a Feint on this Guard will signifie little or nothing if
your Adversary understand it; for as in no Guard, he is to answer
Feints, least of all in this, the Right defence being to secure your
self without your Sword, which is done by presenting your Sword to the
Left-shoulder of your Adversary, or as said, his Eye, so that your Body
be quite covered without your Sword.
_The Terce-Guard, with the Point lower than the Hilt._
Here you must in this bow your Head, holding up your Arm high, so that
if you come to give a Thrust, your Head may be, as it were, under it,
your Nails being in Quart till you make your Thrust, and then change
them into Terce; your Feet must be kept at their due distance, and not
as at a full Elong; your Sword must be presented towards your
Adversaries Left-side, and you must make use of your Left-hand for the
Parade, and it is to be pursued and defended, as the forgoing
Terce-Guard, only in defending it, you must not make so much use of your
Left-hand, but more of your Sword.
_The Guard of Both Hands._
This is a Guard, that I find not any proper Name for, though it is
sometimes used as very necessary, how ever, as to the holding your Sword
in this Guard, keep your Body exactly in the Posture of the Quart-Guard
with the strait Point; but joyn your Left-hand to your Sword, about
eight or ten Inches from the Hilt, the Blade being held between your
formost Finger and Thumb, secure your self within your Sword, as soon as
you present it, _viz._ Present the Point towards your Adversaries
Right-thigh, with your Point sloping towards the Ground a little; for to
pursue this Guard, you must endeavour to take away your Adversaries
Left-hand by striking at it, and immediately after the stroak, proffer a
Thrust at his Body, that he may be doubtful when you really intend to
give in your Thrust; and indeed the pursuit is much like that of the
Quart-Guard, with the sloping Point, and thus much for the Five sorts of
Guards.
_Of the several Parades._
The Parades are generally Two, but are sub-divided as the Guard, and
those two are the Parade in Quart, and the Parade in Terce, which are as
is said, divided again into the Parade in Quart, with the Point a little
higher than the Hilt. The Parade in Quart, with the Point sloping
towards your Adversaries Right-thigh, and as though without it.
2. The Parade in Terce, with the Point a little higher than the Hilt,
and the Parade in Terce, with the Point sloping towards your Adversaries
Thigh on the Left-side.
There is yet an other Parade of some use, and used by many Fencing
Masters, which may be properly termed Counter-Caveating Parade; by
reason what ever Lesson your Adversary makes use of, or upon what side
so ever he Thrusts, if you make use of this Parade, as you ought, you
will undoubtedly meet with his Sword, and the easier cross his purpose,
than by any of the former; and of these I shall give proper Directions,
1. The Quart Parade, or the Parade within the Sword, is so called,
because in putting by the Thrust, you do it on the inside your Sword, or
on that side the Nails of your Hand are next.
2. The next is called the Terce Parade, or the Parade without the Sword;
for here, contrary to the former, you put by the Thrust upon that side
which is without the Sword, and as the other is termed the Quart, for as
much as it is within your Sword, or on that side your Nails look to; so
this is called Terce because it is without your Sword, or on that side
the back of your Hand is to. Observe a little more, _viz._ when you are
to hold your Hand or Nails in Terce, that you hold your Nails quite
downward; And now to Parie these Five several ways.
You must do the first Parade in Quart, with the Point somewhat higher
than the Hilt, _viz._ When you are standing to your Guard, if your
Adversary offers to give a home Thrust on that side his Sword lieth,
which I presume to be within your Sword, without disengaging and is the
Simplest and plainest Thrust that can be given with the small Sword; yet
frequently it surprizes a Man, I say, when so it is, that when you
perceive your Adversary offer to give a home Thrust, which observe by
keeping your Eye steady on the Hilt of his Sword; you must then
immediately turn your Wrist with so small a Motion of the Arm, that it
can scarcely be perceived, to your left-side; and by that means you may
put by his Sword, with the Fort of yours upon the Left-side, keeping the
Point of your Sword after the Parade towards his Right-shoulder; you may
in putting by your Adversaries Sword use a little beat or Spring towards
the Ground, by which you will more certainly disappoint him immediately
bringing your Sword to its right posture again, and by, this way of
Parying you may have the luck to Spring or Beat your Adversaries Sword
out of his Hand.
The second Parade in Quart is with the Point sloping towards your
Adversaries Right-thigh, and as tho' without it, in this manner;
When you perceive your Adversary is thrusting with your Sword, turn the
Nails of your Sword-hand in Quart, with a full stretched Arm, and your
Hand as high as your Face, and when you do this, slope your Point to the
lowness of your Adversaries Thigh; and by that means, with the Fort of
your Sword, on the Feeble of his, put by his Thrust, always observing to
Parie with the Fort of your Sword, and not the Feeble, lest your
Adversary having the stronger Arm, force upon you the Thrust in spite of
all you can do.
The first Parade in Terce, or without the sword, the Point a little
higher than the Hilt, must be thus managed, _viz._ Perceiving your
Adversary giving in the Thrust without your Sword; take notice
immediately to turn your Wrist with some small motion of the Arm, as in
the first Parie in Quart, till your Nails, be in Terce, and so Parie his
Thrust, Remembring in this to keep the Point of your Sword, after you
have Paried him towards your Adversaries Left-shoulder, as in the first
Parade in Quart, you are to keep it towards his Right.
This Parade is most effectually done with a Spring, to put by the Sword
or gain an advantage of disarming your Adversary.
The second Parade in Terce, is called that within the Sword bearing a
sloping Point towards your Adversaries Thigh, and as though within it.
This observe to do when you perceive your Adversary giving in his Thrust
without, or below your Sword, as it were at your Arm-pit, immediately
letting the Point of your Sword sink as low as his Thigh, turning your
Nails quite round to your Right-side, until they are from you, keeping
your Hand as high as your Head, and so put by the Thrust on your
Right-side; and when you are Parading, let your Head be close as if it
were under your Arm; and this preserves your Face from your Adversaries
scattering or Counter-Temps Thrusts.
Thus having shewn you the Defensive part, I shall now proceed to the
Offensive, or how you may offend your Adversary when necessity requires
it; but before I directly enter upon it, let me speak some thing of the
Counter-caveating Parade; though some there are who refuse to use it,
yet it is the safest of all.
_The Counter caveating Parade_, &c.
When you observe your Adversaries Thrust coming home within your Sword,
then immediately slope your Point, and bring it up again with a quick
Motion on the other side of your Adversaries, and Parie his Thrust
without your Sword, that he intended, to give within your Sword, holding
your Nails neither in Terce nor in Quart, but so hold them as when you
presented your Sword; and observe further to do this, Parade with a
Spring, and if you perceive he is about to give in his Thrust without
your Sword, instantly slope your Point, and bring it up again with a
quick Motion upon the inside of his Sword, and so Parie his Thrust, that
was to be given without your Sword, within your Sword, and if you do
this very quick you will rarely be hit with a home Thrust; and in this
Parade there is great advantage, because by it all Feints, which in
other Parades cannot be so well noted or shunned, are by this baffled
and Confounded.
Lessons Offensive. 1. _Of Approaching or Advancing._
Observe here; (when you are standing to your Guard, and your Adversary
without your measure, so that without Approaching you cannot reach him)
that you lift your Right-foot about a Foot Forward, and presently let
your Left-foot follow close by the Ground, your Left-knee a little
bowed, taking notice at the end of every step, that your Feet be at the
same equal distance as when you first presented your Sword, or if in any
thing you vary, let it be in bringing them something nearer; and so
your Elong will come as much nearer to your Adversary as you brought
your Left-foot nearer to your Right: Always then remember to redouble
this Step, or any other that is to be used on this Occasion till you
think your Adversary is within your measure. This step must be always
made on plain Ground, lest you Trip and fall, which is very dangerous;
but if it be on rugged uneven Ground, there is another suitable to it,
called the Double Step, after this manner;
In the first place throw your Left-foot before your Right, (which may be
done, by raising your Body a little on your Right-foot) about a Foot,
then bring your Right-foot forward again, as far before your Left, as
when you presented your Sword; these two Motions must be done
immediately after the other, or else doing of this Step will appear
ungraceful; and here you must keep a thin Body as possible, because the
throwing your Left foot before your Right, lays your Body open, and so
redouble this step, as the former, according to the distance you are
from your Adversary, till you approach within his measure.
Lesson 2. _Of Retiring._
This may be done three ways, first with the single Step, the same way
you approach with it, only whereas in approaching with the single Step
you lift your Right-foot first, here you must lift your Left-foot first,
and the rest observe, as in the Approach with the single Step.
The second is, that with the double Step, and is done the same way as in
the Advance, only in approaching you throw your Left-foot before Right,
when in retiring you must throw your Right-foot backward behind your
Left; and the rest is done as in Advancing with the double Step.
The third is done by a sudden jump backwards on the strait Line, with
both your Feet in the Air at once, but you must lift your Right-foot
first, and after your jump is done, stand to your Guard again, unless
you find occasion to redouble your jump to be farther out of reach.
Lesson 3. _Of giving in the Thrust._
To Thrust or make an Elong, observe (when you stand to your Guard, and
your Adversary be within your Measure) that your Sword be as you please,
either within or without your Adversaries Sword, and suppose within,
then stretch out your Right-arm, and Step forward with your Right-foot
as far as may be, keeping the Point strait forwards, and let the Motion
of your Arm begin a thought before you move your Foot, so that the
Thrust may be given home before your Adversary can hear your Foot touch
the Ground; and when you are at your full stretch, keep your Left-hand
stretched, and ever observe to keep a close Left-foot, which must be
done by keeping your Left-heel and broad side of your Foot close to the
Ground, without any drawing it after you, for keeping a close Foot is
one of the chiefest things to be observed in this Science. When you give
in your Thrust throw your Left-hand behind you, or so place it on your
Left-side, that your Sword and both your Arms may make a strait Line
from your Adversary. This must be when you design not to make use of
your Left-hand for a Parade, but if you do, then in the very time of
giving in your Thrust, throw your Left-arm forward as far as you can,
without putting the rest of your Body into disorder, turning the Palm
from you, by turning your Thumb down, and your little Fingers up, and so
Parie your Adversaries Thrust, if you find he will Thrust, upon the same
time you make your Thrust, always remembring when you Thrust within the
Sword, to do it with your Nails in Quart or upwards, and Quart well your
Hand and Shoulder; but when a Thrust is made without the Sword, then
give it in with your Nails in Terce or downwards, and keep your Hilt
much lower than your Point, and your Head as clear as may be from you
Adversaries Sword.
Take notice in all Lessons in which you do not first secure or bind your
Adversaries Sword, that you are to Thrust close by the Feeble of his
Sword, with the Fort of yours. But there is a difference when you first
secure your Adversaries Sword, for after your securing or binding, you
quit his Sword, and give a strait home Thrust, without touching it,
after it is bound.
In these Rules there is great advantage, as in the Quarting of your
Hand, when you Thrust within, the Sword, preserves them from your
Adversaries Counter-Temps Thrusts in the Face; so likewise does your
Thrusting close by the Feeble of the Sword, and keeping your Hilt lower
than the Point, when you Thrust without the Sword, as also the holding
of your Head to the contrary side your Adversaries Sword is on, preserve
you from Counter-Temps, ever observing as a general Rule; to keep your
Head on the contrary side of your Adversaries Sword, on what side soever
you Thrust, for this will frequently preserve your Face from being hit.
Lesson 4. _Of Caveating or Disengaging._