PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION WITH THE SWORD.
§ 1. _Explanation and Use of the Target._
The Target prefixed to these pages explains itself. The shape is
oblong, the frame measuring 6 feet by 3, and the figure 5 feet 8 inches
by 1 foot. As the latter represents the opponent, the centre should
be about 4 feet from the ground, the height of the recruit’s breast.
Perpendicular to the foot of the figure in each Target a horizontal
line is drawn, forming for the feet, the legs, the body, and the arms,
the “directing line” of the scientific schools. At a distance of 10
feet the recruit is placed in the position of “Attention,” with his
left heel on the line, so that at the command “First Position” his
right foot may cover it.
The parallelogram shows the direction and the numbering of the Cuts,
concerning which further details will presently be given. They should
be regulated according to the lines described upon the Target; nor
should the recruit be practised in any other mode until he has gained
the proper direction of the blade.
Nothing need be added to the directions of the ‘Infantry Sword
Exercise’ (pp. 12, 13, 14), as regards the movements subject to the
following words of command: much, on the other hand, with great
advantage, might be taken away, and the result would be the increased
efficiency that results from simplicity.
_Draw Swords_ (should be much abridged; after the modern French School,
pp. 165, 166: _Règlement Provisoire_, &c.);
_Slope Swords_;
_Return Swords_ (should be simplified);
_Stand at Ease_;
_Attention_;
_Prepare for Sword Exercise_;
_Right prove Distance_;
_Slope Swords_;
_Front prove Distance_; and
_Slope Swords_.
At the order, _Stand on Guard_, the recruit having assumed the Second
Position, No. 2, falls on Guard: the pommel of the sword fronts his
right breast; the point is directed at his opponent’s right eye; his
right arm is extended with an easy bend at the elbow; the wrist is
inclined, with the knuckles slightly turned upwards, to his own right,
so as to cover him in case of a straight thrust, and the left hand is
placed upon the left flank just below the ribs, with the fingers to the
front and the thumb to the rear.
The several guards (parries) are learned by holding the sword opposite
to and in the inclination of the dotted lines which have sword-hilts
attached to them; the recruit is thus taught from the Target the angle
of the blade and the position of the wrist.
The Target directs the recruit _how_ to make the Cuts and to form the
Guards, but not exactly _where_; this must depend upon how the opponent
acts during the attack and the defence. Cuts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 (odd
numbers) are all from Carte, which the ‘Infantry Sword Exercise’ calls
_Inside_. The corresponding even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12) are
from Tierce, or _Outside_. The same nomenclature applies to the Guards
or parries.
When the recruit thoroughly understands the use of the Target he need
no longer be practised in front of it; but the instructor (sword in
hand) should consider it a sure guide and reference for correctly
forming the Guards and for giving a suitable direction to the edge when
making the Cuts.
§ 2. _The Moulinet._[9]
This rotation movement should be learnt before the recruit proceeds to
the Cut.
There is nothing better for “breaking,” as the French say, the
recruit’s wrist than this sweep of the sword; and the style of a
swordsman may always be known by his Moulinet. We will divide it into
three kinds, viz. (1) horizontal, (2) diagonal, and (3) vertical; the
latter again may be either (a) ascending or (b) descending; but as the
second (diagonal) is a mere modification of the first and the third, it
will be sufficient to notice only two; these are:--
1st. The horizontal movement, or _Moulinet_ proper, circling the sword
round the head. The grip is held as lightly as possible, chiefly with
the thumb and the first finger, resting the pommel upon the palm, and
carrying the nails upwards. The blade should be moved as horizontally
as it can be, with the back just clearing the swordsman’s crown: it
should describe, not a true circle, but an oval with a long diameter
in the directing line to the centre of the Target through the heels or
ankles of the recruit. Finally, the point should be lanced or thrown
out, as it were, towards the opponent’s face. Evidently it may be done
in two ways, first, from right to left, which I will call the “Tierce
Moulinet” (_Moulinet à gauche_); this is by far the easiest and the
more habitual, corresponding with Tierce “Counter,” opposition, or
describing with the blade a circle round the adversary’s blade, in the
fencing school. The reverse movement (“Carte Moulinet,” _Moulinet à
droite_), from left to right, requires, like the Counter of Carte, much
more practice.
In these directions “right and left” apply to the right and left of the
swordsman’s wrist.
2nd. In France the term “Moulinet” is mostly applied to these two
rotations of the sword round the head, but we will extend it to all
circlings of the point. The vertical form is also made from the hand
in Tierce (Outside Guard), the blade is brought sharply round with the
back towards the breast and left shoulder, and returns to its original
position; we will call this the “Inside Moulinet,” having reference to
the performer, not the adversary. The “Outside Moulinet” is when from
“Tierce or Outside Guard” the blade passes along the right shoulder, it
is simply the former done in the outer line.
[Illustration: Horizontal Moulinet.]
Again the “Inside Moulinet,” which ends with the Cut from above
downwards (the French _enlevé_), may be inverted so as to cut from
downwards upwards (the _brisé_). The same may be done with the “Outside
Moulinet,” when the wrist must be turned upwards, and the Cut given
in the ascending line. This difficult movement should be practised
in order to ensure a flexible wrist, but it exposes the whole arm. In
the four latter “Cuts,” the one invariable rule is to circle the point
as vertically as possible. The French _Manuel_ (pp. 234, 235) gives:
1, the _enlevé_ cutting from above downwards; and it may be either
_à gauche_ (Tierce Moulinet) or _à droite_ (Carte Moulinet); 2, the
Moulinet proper; and 3, the _brisé_, cutting from downwards upwards,
thus reversing the _enlevé_; and this also may be done _à gauche_
(Tierce Moulinet) or _à droite_ (Carte Moulinet).
[Illustration: Vertical Moulinet.]
The “Moulinet” should be practised first without, then with, the sword,
and on foot, before attempting it on horseback. In the earlier stage
the recruit must turn the hand, with the arm nearly extended, in the
horizontal and vertical movements, without stiffness and displacement
of the elbow. In the second he may, if no Target be procurable, work
before a cross chalked on the wall so as to secure horizontality and
verticality. Finally, the soldier will combine the two, Tierce and
Carte, by passing rapidly from one to the other.
Whilst practising the Moulinet the recruit must be taught the two
main divisions of the sword-blade. Fencers have introduced an immense
complication into this simple matter; and some have proposed eight
parts: for broadsword it is sufficient to divide the length. The
“Feeble,” or weak half, is that contained between the point and the
centre; this, the proper part for the Cut or attack is ground to a
thinner edge, and consequently is more liable to an injury from another
sword if the Cut be not very true. The “Fort,” or strong half, is from
the centre to the hilt, and upon this we must rely for defence.
A few hours’ practice and a few pressings upon the different parts
of the blade under the surveillance of the instructor will teach the
recruit the high importance of this lesson. He will learn that in
opposing the adversary’s sword the strength of the defence decreases
from the hilt upwards in proportion as the Cut is received towards the
point; and that, _vice versâ_, it increases from the point downwards
to the hand. The strongest man cannot “force in” the opponent’s Guard
if the Cut or Thrust be received upon the part near the handle. With
a true Guard the ordinary fencing foil can turn off the thrust of a
musket and bayonet weighing 10 lbs. The practised swordsman always
attempts, when attacking, to gain with his “Fort” the “Feeble” of the
opponent’s weapon, in which case the superior leverage will often
beat down the parry; and this manœuvre should be carefully practised
by men of superior muscular strength. The Cuts must, as a rule, be
delivered within eight inches of the point and at the “centre of
percussion,”[10] so that the sword may clear itself and the arm escape
a “jar.”
The two virtues of the Cut are its trueness and its velocity. Unless
true it will become a blow with the flat that would shiver to pieces
any brittle Eastern blade. Assuming the _vis viva_ or force of a moving
body to be its weight multiplied by the square of the velocity, let us
suppose a strong man cutting with a sword weighing 4 lbs., to which he
can give a velocity which we will call 1, or 4 × 1 = 4: a weaker man
who applies double the velocity to a 2 lb. sword will thus produce a
momentum of 8, doubling the force of the blow. But let the stronger man
take the lighter sword, evidently he will obtain a higher velocity,
which we will assume at 3: in this case the effect will be 18. Thus the
power of the Cut is enormously increased by increased velocity, but
much less by increased weight in the moving body.
§ 3. _The Cuts._
The Target prefixed to the ‘Infantry Sword Exercise’ gives Seven
Cuts, an insufficient number. The German systems add an eighth blow
perpendicularly upwards, when the whole of the swordsman’s arm from
wrist to shoulder would be completely at the opponent’s mercy.
The French _Manuel_ has only seven, viz. the _Coup de Tête_; 2, the
_Coup de Banderole_; 3, the _Coup de Figure à droite_; 4, the _Coup de
Figure à gauche_; 5, the _Coup de Flanc_; 6, the _Coup de Ventre_; and
7, the _Coup de Manchette_.
[Illustration: German System.]
The subjoined diagram shows the Twelve Cuts[11] which serve to “loosen”
the rigid arm of the recruit.
[Illustration: The Twelve Cuts (shown by the thick strokes), the dotted
lines denoting the course of the blade in “Moulinet”, or rather in
“Semi-Moulinet.”
CARTE. TIERCE.
Cut 1. Cut 2 (Head Cuts).
Cut 3. Cut 4 (Face Cuts).
Cut 5. Cut 6 (Shoulder Cuts).
Cut 7. Cut 8 (Breast Cuts).
Cut 9. Cut 10 (Stomach Cuts).
Cut 11. Cut 12 (Groin and Thigh Cuts).
]
The figure represents the opponent; the thick lines show the direction
of the edge when cutting; and the dotted continuations denote the
course of the blade when describing the several “Moulinets.”
The Cuts should be continuous, the regular succession always beginning
from Carte or the Inside, that is, from the rear of the left shoulder.
As in the “Moulinet,” the less the arm is bent and the sword-hand is
moved from the line of direction (to the front), the greater is the
value of the movement. The recruit, who must walk before he runs,
should deliver the whole dozen in continuous sweep without pause, but
at first very slowly, till, by the proper and timely use of the wrist,
the Cuts lead into one another. The more advanced swordsman, whose
pliability of strength is free from contractions and other vicious
habits, should practise the series of twelve with increased rapidity
till the blade whistles through the air. All the Cuts should be given
strong, with the edge leading well forwards and with the arm extended
to its utmost in the delivery.
The following are the Twelve Cuts:--
I. and II. These Cuts are made, after falling into Tierce or Outside
Guard, from above downwards at the opponent’s head. In No. I. the
point, beginning as usual from the left shoulder (Carte), describes
a full circle (“Inside Moulinet,” the _brisé à gauche_ of the French
_Manuel_), the hand moving as little as possible so as to cover the
body; the knuckles turned up and the blade passing close to the breast:
it finishes by delivering a vertical Cut, with the “Feeble” close to
the point, at the right half of the adversary’s crown. No. II., which
follows without interruption, reverses the process; the knuckles are
turned down and the blade sweeps past the right shoulder (_brisé à
droite_); ending with the left half of the opponent’s head. The latter
Cut is by far the more difficult to make without moving the hand, but
it is good practice for “breaking” the wrist.
III. and IV. The horizontal face-cuts, also beginning from the left
(Carte), an invariable rule, and ending with the right, that is, at
the adversary’s left cheek. The reason of this practice is to make the
movement habitual to the recruit; cutting from left to right always
causes less exposure of the inner wrist than cutting from right to left.
V. and VI. The slanting shoulder-cuts, also from above downwards
(Nos. 1 and 2, or rather 2 and 1, of the ‘Infantry Sword Exercise,’
pp. 14, 17, and the _Coups de Banderole_ of the _Manuel_); describing
two diagonal Moulinets, first from left to right, and then from right
to left. The sword again makes a double “Moulinet” with the edge
downwards, and descends first upon the opponent’s right and then upon
his left shoulder.
VII. and VIII. The horizontal breast-cuts, parallel with the face-cuts,
and, like them, delivered with the blade as horizontal as possible.
IX. and X. The horizontal stomach-cuts, parallel with, and lower than,
the breast-cuts.
XI. and XII. The slanting groin or thigh-cuts, diagonally from
downwards upwards; in fact, the reverse of the shoulder-cuts (Nos. 4
and 3 of the ‘Exercise,’ and the _brisés_ of the _Manuel_). In these
diagonal Moulinets, the elbow must not be bent; the hand should deviate
as little as possible from the directing line under pain of dangerous
exposure; and the two movements should follow each other without a
break.
Whenever the recruit fails to carry the edge well forward in making the
attack, he should be practised slowly and repeatedly in combining the
opposites, as Head-cut (No. 1) and Thigh-cut (No. 12), Head-cut (No. 2)
and Thigh-cut (No. 11), and so forth. The instructor must see that the
edge leads on to the respective lines of the Target, the point being
darted out at the end of each cut.
The Cuts will be practised first in No. 2 “Second Position” (Guard),
and afterwards in No. 2 “Third Position” (Lunge).
[Illustration: Prime, or Hanging Guard.]
§ 4. _The Engaging Guards, or Engagements._
As the ‘Infantry Sword Exercise’ has a deficiency of Cuts, so it has a
superfluity of “Engaging Guards.” I have already expressed my opinion
concerning the Guard (p. 18 of 1874) popularly called the “Hanging
Guard.” Even with the best position, the head erect and the eyes
looking straight and not upwards, it is utterly faulty; it displaces
the arm and the sword, and, as no serious attack can be made directly
from it, it necessitates a movement entailing a considerable amount of
exposure. It is now chiefly confined to students’ duels with the German
Schläger, wherein slitting the opposing nose, which can be done with a
mere jerk upwards, is the swordsman’s highest aim and ambition.
The “Engaging Guards” are thus reduced to the two following:--
Tierce (or outside) Guard; defending the outer lines, arm, shoulder,
back, and flank. The recruit having assumed the “Second Position” (No.
2), brings the pommel of his sword to the centre of his right breast;
opposes the point to the adversary’s right eye; extends his right arm
with an easy bend of the elbow; inclines the wrist with the knuckles
upwards to his own right, so as to cover himself in case of a straight
thrust, and places his left hand upon his left flank with the fingers
to the front and the thumb to the rear. In Tierce of course the edge of
the sword is to the right or outside.
[Illustration: Engaging Guard in Tierce (Outside).]
Carte (or Inside) Guard. This movement defends the inner lines, chest
and stomach; the knuckles are turned down; the opposition is made to
the left, and the edge is carried in the same direction.
[Illustration: Engaging Guard in Carte (Inside).]
When engaging in guard (joining weapons), the swords should meet each
other about eight inches from the points. If the distance is diminished
the opponents are “out of measure” (or distance); if increased, they
are “within measure.” The recruit must be taught slightly to press upon
the opponent’s blade, but not to rest upon it; by this “opposition”
his hand and wrist will be more ready to follow the weapon during the
attack. Thus also the “Engaging Guards,” Tierce, and Carte (outside
and inside) afford protection preparatory to the movements for offence
and defence. The eye must be fixed upon the eye and the hand or the
blade-point of the opponent, not upon the eye only.
Guard may be partly defensive when the bust is advanced and the point
approaches the opponent, or it may be purely protective when its sole
object is the “parry.”
The right-handed recruit must be taught always to attempt Engaging
in Tierce,[12] with his opponent’s blade in the outer line (_sur les
armes_). The reason is simply that in the reverse position (_dans les
armes_), the fore-arm, from the elbow to the wrist, is comparatively
unguarded; whereas Tierce facilitates the defence of the “low lines”
(i. e. those below the wrist). Tierce therefore has invariably the
advantage with the sabre, as Carte carries off the palm with the
small-sword, the foil, and the rapier.[13] But the right-handed man
engaging in Tierce puts his left-handed opponent in Carte; and the
latter, if a skilful sworder, will manœuvre, by withdrawing his blade,
by coupés or degagements over the point, and by other feints, to regain
the ground of vantage. The best treatment of this case is to make a
time-cut in Seconde (“inner Moulinet,” or _brisé à gauche_) at the
adversary’s knuckles, a movement which will presently be explained.
§ 5. _The Guards or Parries._[14]
The ‘Infantry Sword Exercise’ proposes Seven Guards, a number which can
hardly be reduced for practice on the drill-ground or in the schools:
the _Manuel_ contains the same number, including one for the Point.
But of the seven no less than five are “Hanging Guards,” and Nos. 3 and
4 serve only to defend the inside and the outside of the advanced leg.
This limb requires no assistance of the kind: an able swordsman never
exposes his head and shoulders by cutting so low, and, if he does, the
leg can be smartly withdrawn (_parade retrograde_, or _en échappant_),
rendering the attack not only useless but dangerous to the assailant.
Even in fencing, “low thrusts,” that is, at the body below the wrist,
are never made, for fear of the “Time” being taken, until the upper
line has been closed by a feint. In our Single-stick practice the first
thought seems to be to attack the advanced leg--which may be well
enough for Single-stick.
[Illustration: Lunge and Cut in Carte (Inside).]
The following are the full number of guards or parries in which the
edge must invariably be used: they are evidently dividable into two;
(1) Head (with face) Guards, and (2) Body Guards:--
I. Prime (p. 38), so called because it is the “first” position of
defence after drawing the blade, that which the unpractised man would
naturally assume to defend his head. It is the 7th Guard of the
‘Infantry Sword Exercise.’ In practice the point is more inclined to
the horizontal line than when the blade is unsheathed; the edge is
carried somewhat inside or to the left; the arm is shortened and so
raised that the eyes look under it, but the head remains upright. The
recruit must be careful _not_ to “bend the body;” _not_ to “draw in
the chest and neck;” and _not_ to “bring the left shoulder a little
forward.” The defect of Prime is its being a “Hanging guard,” rendering
the riposte or reply difficult, and modern practice prefers “High
Tierce.”
II. Seconde (4th Guard), so termed because following Prime: the arm
is extended, the edge is carried to the outside or to the right; in
practice the hilt is lowered, and the point, threatening the opponent’s
loins, is depressed to the half of a right angle. This position must
be learned for the sake of feinting: as a parade it is not much used,
because it defends only the hip and leg, and a good swordsman will
never expose himself to exceeding danger by making low cuts. Modern
practice prefers “low Tierce.”
III. Tierce (2nd Guard) has been described (p. 39) under “Standing
on Guard” and “Engaging Guards;” it defends the outer lines, arm,
shoulder, and back.
IV. High Tierce is a head-guard: the hand is raised to above the
shoulder to the maximum level of the swordsman’s right eye, and the
blade is carried at an angle of 45° with the edge up and the point to
the left.
V. Low Tierce is a flank-guard; the arm is shortened, the hand is
depressed six inches; the opposition is to the outside, and the point
is held vertically or almost vertically, as the attack demands.
VI. Carte (1st Guard) has been described (p. 40) under “Engaging
Guards,” as defending the inner lines, chest and stomach. For the
purposes of parrying, the arm is withdrawn till the elbow, almost
touching the belt, forms an equilateral triangle with the hilt and the
left side.
VII. High Carte is a head-guard like high Tierce: the hand is raised to
the left of the left eye, and the blade, crossing the face at an angle
of 45°, carries the edge up, and the point to the right.
VIII. Low Carte is a stomach guard. As in Low Tierce the arm is
shortened, the hand is depressed six inches; the opposition is to the
inside, and the point is held vertically or almost vertically, as the
attack demands.
In practice the advanced swordsman will confine himself to Tierce
and Carte with their natural modifications. He will consult his own
feelings about the head-guard, abolishing Prime in favour of High
Tierce or High Carte, and he will prefer Low Tierce or withdrawing
the leg (_rassemblement_) to using Seconde. Of these movements the
simplest are always the best. When parrying, the sword-arm must
invariably be drawn for defence nearer the body, and the grip should be
sensibly tightened to receive the cut. No strength is necessary when
making the parries: I cannot accept the “Sforzi” or guard-forcings of
the neo-Italian broadsword school, dry blows upon the blade, which,
intended to disarm, are essentially dangerous.
The Guards or Parries will be practised like the Cuts, first in the
“Second Position” (Guard), and afterwards in the “Third Position”
(Lunge).