 “To
the Two Hand Sword”
Analysis of a 15th Century English Fencing Poem
By J. Clements
Among the sources for study of Renaissance martial arts there is a
short 15th century English fencing text. This
document serves as a rare source of period swordplay from the British Isles. Previously
referred to as the “Man Who Wol”, or just “the Harleian”, the
manuscript has remained rather cryptic due to its arcane vocabulary. The material should more accurately be referred to
simply as MS 3542 (its full title is: British Museum manuscript #3542, ff 82-85). A better
modern title however, would be, “To the two hand sword”, rather than “The
Man Who Wol”. Based on the word usage, the Oxford English Dictionary dates the text
to c.1430.
The MS 3542 document presents a glimpse of one of the
few historical examples of an English method of using a long blade.
Written in the 1400s, the work very likely reflects a method of fighting
going back a century earlier somewhat adapted to using larger blades
and changing armors. The text itself consists of three short sections:
“The Use of the Two-hand Sworde”; “To Incounter wih
the Two Hand Sworde”; and the third portion, “The Play with
the Two Hand Sword in Verse”, a short instructional poem analyzed
here below.
Unfortunately, the approximately 1500 words of the prose section of
MS 3542 are nearly indecipherable and open
to considerable interpretation. However, the second part is the more intriguing portion and is what concerns us
here. The final portion is a brief 46-line
poem entitled, “The Play with the Two Hand Sword in Verse.” This poem section has not been very closely
studied by students of the subject and is worth reconsidering as a valuable source for
understanding the practice of historical swordplay. Many of the terms in the poem
section are contained in the larger prose portion of MS 3542, but are used so
enigmatically that their meaning and context is obscured.
The poem in contrast uses several of them more clearly. At the time, rhyming
verse was a common means of remembering lessons in all subjects. The use of verse as well as metaphor combined with
the abstract nature of describing fighting concepts gives the material a cryptic quality. Nonetheless, the lines offer some intriguing ideas
worth consideration.
The Poem
The 19th century historical fencing
practitioner-researcher, Captain Alfred Hutton, offered a version of MS 3542 in his 1901
book, The Sword and the Centuries (Barnes & Noble reprint, 1997, p. 39-40). In my recent research though, I came across the
version now presented here for analysis for the first time. This version is an earlier
published edition of the poem from an 1841 source: Reliquiae Antiquae, an
obscure text featuring scraps from early English manuscripts.
The poem is not nearly as cryptic or obscure as either the larger
portion of MS 3542 or the other known 15th century English fencing text, MS
39564. This clarity is where a great part of
its value lies. While not quite a “Rosetta Stone” for 15th century
English fencing, it offers some clues into deciphering the larger text of MS 3542 and the MS 39564. The poem differs from the remainder of MS 3542 in
that it is in rhyming verse (and quite good verse at that), as well as not mentioning any
numerical techniques in the way MS 39564 does. Tantalizingly, the poem may only be a
partial scrap of a larger work. Additionally, terminological links to the other surviving
English text (MS 39542) would seems to suggest a more systematic “method” of 15th
century English fencing than previously considered may have existed. On the other hand,
several apparent similarities to 15th century German fencing terminology could
imply a connection to the their systems.
The verses are presented here below in three forms
with each line numbered for convenience.
They appear to be concerned with practicing alone against an
imagined rather than real opponent. As stated at the end, the approach
to swordplay in the poem applies equally to teaching, to playing,
and to fighting.
The first rendering below is the 1841 version from Reliquiae
Antiquae, the second is a new interpreted translation into modern English. This is followed by a short working glossary
defining several key words and offering comments. Finally, Hutton’s 1901 version,
which appears to keep to the original document’s format and textural style, is
presented for comparison. Hutton gave a few
definitions for some of the obscure words, but they differ from those of the 1841 version
and also reflect his own interpretation based on his assumptions of Medieval swordplay.
The question arises as to which version is more accurate:
Hutton’s, which retained the original style and was interpreted by an experienced,
albeit Victorian fencer; or the earlier Reliquiae Antiquae text, transcribed by
antiquarian experts in both Old English and historical manuscripts? One thing is clear though, the Reliquiae
Antiquae version, examined here for the first time, is more coherent and easier to
read. Most intriguing are the seeming double meaning of some lines and the depth of action
or understanding they appear to convey.
There are two changes in the Reliquiae
Antiquae version that do prove less sensible than Hutton’s. In line 23 the word “clean” is
incorrectly used in place of the obvious “cleave” (written as “cleue”
in the original manuscript –“v’s” often appeared as
“u’s” in old writings). While
in line 33 the word “Fle”, meaning flee or to fly out, is perplexingly changed
to “He”, thereby significantly altering the meaning. Although they have
suggested definitions, several key words, such as “cantle”, “sory”,
and “lythy”, still remain enigmatic in context. Noticeably, nowhere does the
poem (or the full document) state exactly what kind of two-hand sword is to be used,
neither its length nor whether it is sharp, blunt, steel, or wood. Perhaps a clue comes from the ending.
The Reliquiae Antiquae version of the poem contains several
changes in the spelling, slight changes in grammar and punctuation, and combines some
lines separated in the Hutton. The result
makes the meaning of the lines easier to interpret and much more obvious to grasp. This earlier transliteration also rhymes better
and reads better as poetry. It is interesting to notice the alterations made by the
editors in 1841 compared to those Hutton made himself 50 years later. However, it is from
studying the modern interpreted translation that the real value of the poem comes out for
modern students of Renaissance martial arts.
On Fencing With the Two
Handed Sword
(Reliquiae
Antiquae, 1841)
1.
The man that wol
to the to hond swerd lere bothe close and clere,
2.
He most have a
goode eye bothe fer and nere,
3.
And an in stop,
and an owte stop, and an hawke quartere,
4.
A cantel, a
doblet, an half for hys fere
5.
Two rowndys an
an halfe with a goode chere.
6.
This ys the
ferst cowntere of the too hond swerd, sere.
7.
Bynde hem
togedere and sey god spede,
8.
Two quarters and
a rownde a stop thou hym bede
9.
A rake with a
spryng there thou hym abyde,
10. Falle
in with an hauke and stride nogte too wyde
11. Smyte
a rennyng quarter owte for hys side,
12. Fal
apon hys harneys yf he wole abyde,
13. Come
in with a rake in every a side,
14. An
hole rownde and an halfe wath so hit betide,
15. iiij.
quarters and a rownd and a venture stroke with.
16. Bere
up hys harnes and gete thou the gryth
17. Dobyl
up lygtly and do as y seye,
18. Fal
in with an hauke and bere a goede eye.
19. A
spryng and a rownde and stap in with,
20. Spare
nogth an hauke yf he lye in thy kyth ;
21. Smyte
a rennyng quarter sory owte of thy honde,
22. Abyde
apon a pendent and lese not thy londe
23. Smyte
in the lyfte foote & clene rygt doune,
24. Geder
oute of thy rygte hond and smyte an hauke rounde,
25. Fresly
smyte thy strokis by dene,
26. And
hold wel thy lond thath hyt may be sene,
27. Thy
rakys, thy rowndis, thy quarters abowte,
28. Thy
stoppis, thy foynys, lete hem fast rowte.
29. Thy
spryngys, thy quarters, thy rabetis also,
30. Bere
a goode eye and lete thy hond go.
31. Fy
on a false hert that dar not abyde,
32. Wen
he seyth roundys and rakys rennyng by his side.
33. Fle
not hastly for a lytil pryde.
34. For
lytil wote thy adusary wath hym shal betide.
35. Lete
strokys fast folowe aftr hys honed,
36. And
hauk rounde with a stop and stil that thou stond,
37. Greve
not gretly tho thou be tochyd a 1yte,
38. For
an aftr stroke ys betr yf thou dar hym smyte.
39. A
gode rounde with a hauke and smyte rygt doune,
40. Gedyr
up a doblet and spar not hys croune.
41. With
a rownde and a rake abyde at a bay,
42. With
a rennyng quarter sette hym oute of hys way.
43. Thys
buthe the letters that stondyn in hys sygte,
44. To
teche or to play or ellys for to fygte;
45. These
buthe the strokys of thy hole grounde,
46. For
hurte or for dynte or ellys for depys wonde.
Analysis and Interpretation
The poem itself comes across as both literal and metaphorical in its
instructions. There are several particularly
intriguing lines that suggest aspects of technique and training. The verses begin with instruction that learning
the two-hand sword requires understanding both “close and clear” followed next
by the necessity of a “good eye both far and near”. This seemingly would express the idea of fighting
both at farther range and close-in. It could also refer to knowledge of the concepts of
close-in striking techniques and farther-out cutting and thrusting range techniques. Another possibility is that close and clear means
knowledge of in-fighting and grappling (e.g., Gioco Stretto or Schwertnemen)
as opposed to blade action (e.g., Gioco Largo or Zuefechten). Added to this, the next line advises to have an
“in stop and an out stop”. These can be interpreted as either the act of
stepping in and stepping out as necessary to hit or avoid hits, or alternatively, as
“stop-hit” techniques at different ranges.
Line 3, “And an in stop, and an owte stop, and an hawke
quartere”, makes the first of 6 mentions of a hawk and 8 mentions of a quarter. A
“hawk” evidently refers to a diagonal or vertical downward cut, perhaps as in
the swooping down of a bird of prey. The “quartere” in line 3 logically refers
to striking at one of the four “quarters” or target openings (of high or low,
left or right) akin to the 4 Blossen of Liechtenauer or the varco of Fillipo
Vadi. Quarters are mentioned 8 times in
total, with the “four” quarters (written as “iiij”) specifically
mentioned in line 15.
Line 4, “A cantel, a doblet, an half for hys fere”, is
especially interesting. We read of three distinct actions: a cantle, a double, and a half. These can be interpreted differently depending
upon the definition applied. A 14th
century definition for cantel (cantle) can be either a segment cut off or out of
something, a corner piece, or even the upward projecting rear part of a saddle. Another
perhaps more appropriate definition could be a crafty device, or something cunning or
cautious. The word Doublet in line 4 however,
does not refer to a garment or shirt but to a “double” or something consisting
of two identical or similar parts. The word
is used again in lines 17 and 40 in, “Dobyl up lygtly” and “Gedyr up a
doblet”. Each is consistent with meaning
to do a double action, which could very well be similar to the technique in German texts, Doppelrundtstreich (double round-strike). A “half” could seemingly mean a quicker
shorter cut made from the “half-arm”, i.e., from the elbow as opposed to a
“full” one from the shoulder. When
practiced with a blade, this analysis is consistent with the instructions. The term “stroke” is mentioned 5 times
throughout the poem, which is sensible as it essentially means to deliver a blow.
The term “rake” (rakys) however, mentioned 5 times, is
interesting since it ostensibly refers to a slicing blow –something not typically
considered all that effective with a straight blade and something not commonly associated
with Medieval swords. It also would be
another similarity to the German school with its Schnitt or Abschneiden
slicing cuts. Just possibly, it may offer an intriguing connection to the Krawthacke, or “garden hoe”, a movement so named for its
“raking” action.
In line 5, “Two rowndys an an halfe with a goode chere”, we
read the instruction to strike two round blows. This is the first of 8 mentions of rownds
and can again be compared with confidence to the Rundtstreich (round-strike) of the
German school. Rounds, or
“rowndys”, are mentioned 7 times, and line 14 cites, “A hole rownde and an
half”. The action evidently consists of
delivering a descending blow by first dropping the point of the weapon down and then
bringing it up and around to generate the strike. When
practiced with a weapon, this interpretation is again consistent with the instructions. Lines 24 and 36 each instruct a “hawk
rownde”. This is intriguing as it would
suggest a downward round as opposed to an upward one and sure enough, a round can be made
where the sword point is pulled back and the blade brought under and up to strike. In line 5 we also read to do this with a good cheer. This could be a reference to
loud vocalization in striking (e.g., the helo of the later Italian school).
Line 6 curiously refers to the prior sequence of actions as being,
“Thy first cowntere”. The first
counter then would logically be those of the three earlier lines that describe action: an
“in stop”, an “out stop,” and a “hawk quarter,” followed by
a “cantle,” a “double,” and a “half,” then ending with
“two rounds” and a “halfe”. This
is a total of 9 actions –assuming the “stops” are actual sword movements
and not just referring to footwork. Whether or not the word “cownter” means a
series of “counter-attacks” or only “to encounter” an opponent, the
following 40 lines oddly do not refer to a “second” or any other counter after
this “first” one. Perhaps then, the
9 evident actions of the first counter are in essence basic foundational actions? This is a distinct possibility since the two
“stops” may be general concepts, with the hawk quarter being any downward strike
and the other actions being round and half strikes. All of these can reasonably be
interpreted as general actions familiar within 15th century swordsmanship.
Again, this is consistent with the instructions when they are performed live with a
replica great-sword.
In line 7 we read the interesting phrase, “Bynde
hem togedere”. The immediate interpretation is that it refers
to a simple binding action (Binden, in the German school) where
the opponent's blade is forced back or down or simply controlled by
pressure. Another possibility is to close and trap his sword (using the
weapon or second hand). Line 8 speaks of, “Two quarters and a
rownde a stop thou hym bede.” The ostensive meaning is three blows
will prevent him from acting or outright defeat him. Curiously, in
the German school they taught Drey Hewe, or the “three
cuts” –a foundation of basic quick strikes made up of a
diagonal downward cut, a reverse rising cut with the back edge, and
then a downward vertical cut.
In line 9, “A rake with a spryng there thou hym abyde”, may
refer to a technique known in the German school as Das Gayszlen, or “the
spring”, in which a strike is thrown out where the sword is held by only one hand. To
extend the range the arm can stretch out and the handle can slip through the hand so the
pommel is grabbed. A spring is again
instructed in lines 19 and 23. Line 11
interestingly reads, “Smyte a rennyng quarter owte for hys side”. Again, to reference the German school of fencing,
an action known as “running through” (Durchlaufen) has a similar meaning
of traversing diagonal past the opponent while warding his blow and then cutting him from
the side.
In line 12 we are told, “fall upon hys harneys”,
which undoubtedly is an instruction to close and grapple. This is significant in several ways. It is the first apparent
reference to the opponent as wearing armor and it signifies the inclusion
of close grappling techniques while still armed. There is no indication that the weapon is dropped or discarded
during this. If it follows directly from line 11,
it would mean the attempt is made from a position diagonal toward
the opponent and perhaps even while passing him on the side –a
reasonable element in grappling as it would allow for leverage. Line
16 later says to, “bere up hys harness”, which would mean
to grab hold and perhaps try to thrown or trip him.
Swordsmanship of this time is certainly well documented to
have integrally involved grappling actions (for example, the German
concepts of Schwertnemen and Ringen Am Schwert, as well
as the Italian Gioco Stretto).
Line 17 states, “Double up lightly and do as you see,” and
seems to suggest to redouble your grappling attempt or try again. The remark to “do
as y seye” suggesting the instructions are a lesson from an experienced teacher. Correspondingly, Hans Liechtenauer from the 14th century referred to a
technique known as a Doppelhau or “double-cut”. Joachim Meyer in 1570 described a Duplieren or “Doubling” as
instantly following up a parried true-edge strike with a false edge strike around the
opponent’s blade.
Line 18 is one that stands out as not following as directly
from the prior one as do the others.
While line 17 refers to grappling, line 18 suddenly shifts
back to striking a cut. It states to “Fal in with an
hauke and bere a goede eye” and to bear a good eye appears again
in line 30. One interpretation of this is that
bearing a good eye means to use careful judgment of range and timing
to spot an opening. It also invites speculation it may
again relate to a German concept, that of the Schielhau,
or “squinter” (a downwards cut with the false edge at the
adversary’s shoulder or neck) so named because in making it the
head is ostensibly turned so that only one eye is kept on the opponent.
Perhaps the seeming discontinuity between lines 17 and 18 reflect
that, rather than grappling, line 17 may only mean a technique of
releasing one hand from the sword and pushing or slapping the opponent’s
arm, weapon, or face (an action done in conjunction with leverage
from the hips, thighs, or feet).
However, since line 12 would also appear to refer to a grappling
action with line 13 then reverting to an instruction to cut, the issue
of seeming discontinuity may be irrelevant.
In line 22, we encounter the advice "Abyde
apon a pendent." During the Middle Ages a pendant was an object
worn or "hanging" around the neck and pending meant "waiting"
while to "pend" meant to "hang" (while in the
16th century, a "pendant" could also be a teacher or technician).
Thus, the pendant is very likely an English name for the equivalent
Hengenorte of the German school. The first is any placing of
the blade against one of the opponent's four openings. The second
is a type of defensive position with the hilt raised and the blade
sloping downward on an angle. While this "hanging guard"
was known in later 16th century English swordplay, this is the first
such reference to a hanging technique outside of the German schools
of the 15th century. Line 22 and 26 also mentions "lond",
which the Oxford English Dictionary gives as meaning "ground",
thus possibly implying stance or position.
Lines 27 to 29 list a host of basic techniques, including “Thy
rakys, thy rowndis, thy quarters” and “Thy stoppis, thy foynys,” and
“Thy spryngys, thy quarters, thy rabetis”.
The reference to “stops” (stoppis), when analyzed in terms of what has
not been mentioned, could suggest closing or stifling actions to bind the opponent’s
blade on the ricasso. The use of the term
“rabetis” (presumably, “rabbits”) is something of a mystery. It has
been pointed out that “rabbet” is a term used to refer to parries or defensive
actions by the 15th century knight and chronicler/poet, Olivier de la Marche.
Thus, just as “hawks” means attacks or downward strikes, “rabbits”
might then refer either to warding strikes or upward blows.
Each would appear consistent with the instructions.
Line 35 states to “Let strokes fast follow
after his hand”. This could refer to the concept of
attacking after, or Nachreissen in the German schools, a major
component of fighting. You take advantage of the vulnerability
caused by the attacker extending and exposing himself.
Lines 37 and 38, “Greve not gretly tho thou be tochyd
a 1yte, For an aftr stroke ys betr yf thou dar hym smyte”, are
worth noting. The implication
is that the swordsman should not worry (“grieve”) if hit
lightly (“touched a little”) because hitting the opponent
back hard with a counter-strike is better if you do so strongly.
The interesting part here is the acknowledgement that a fighter
might be struck with a minor wound that should be ignored in order
to deliver a more serious one in return. The use of the “aftr stroke”
is again similar to and consistent with the idea of Nach, or
“after”, in the German school, whereby a follow-on blow
takes advantage of the opponent over reaching or leaving themselves
vulnerable.
There are several other terms and techniques that bear close
examination in the remaining lines of the poem. For
example, in 28 we see one foynys or foyn (thrust) mentioned. Line 41 refers to the opponent “at bay”
or held off, stationary and on guard.
Line 43, “Thys buthe the letters that stondyn in hys
sygte”, is somewhat remarkable in that it would appear to be saying that the earlier
descriptions of strikes and actions are the tools or elements you need to beat an enemy.
The “letters” being the techniques that defeat him or “stand in his
sight”. The use of the phrase “thy hole grounde” in line 45 states, meaning
apparently enough, that the poem’s content presents the foundation of fighting. The
earlier prose portion of the text itself also begins with a statement this is “ye
ferst gronde”, implying foundations of the art.
Most interesting of the forty six lines are undoubtedly the last
three (44-46), which state that “To teach or to play or else for to fight; these
be-ith the strokes of thy hole ground, for hurt or for dint or else for deep wound.” This arguably sums up the purpose of the
verses and their guidance. They are for hurt (serious but non-lethal practice), for dint
(mock combat or tournament), or deep wound (earnest real combat to the death). One method of consistent principles and concepts
for all three. The prose portion itself begins with the line, “The ferste pleyng
& begÿnyng of the substansce of ye too honde swerde”. From the use of the word “playing” we
might derive the seeming indication the instructions are meant as martial practice
exercises –not ritual, and not sport.
Considerations
While this initial analysis is far from conclusive, over all, the
impression the MS 3542 poem offers is one of solo “shadow practice,” or a
descriptive example of lone practice sequence of freely employing strikes and steps and
counters. In trying to teach a student such things in a memorable and simple way, such a
poem would be useful. The poem gives the impression of a dynamic exercise of assorted
aggressive techniques but consistent with manuals. Taken in context with the larger text
portion of instructions, it would seem to be a condensed general lesson.
Finally, there are a number of familiar terms which also appear in
another 15th century English sword manuscript (MS. 39564), such as
“rakys”, “rownde”, “duble rounde”, and additionally includes
the phrases “rakys”, “doubil rake”, and “spryng”. The
MS 3956 also uses the terms “sprynys”, “quarters”, and
“rabetis”. This would suggest a
continuity or connection between the material presented by each manuscript. While likely written decades apart in different
locations, they might have been produced by students of a related teacher or school.
The brief 15th century English manuscript fragment, “The strokez off ij hand swerde” (Cottonian Titus A. xxv, Fols. 105r-v), also contains terms similar to those of the MS 3542 and MS 39564 documents. The text refers to a striking at “quarters” and delivering “rowndes” and “dowbylls” (doubles). The terms “rake”, “spring,” and “Voyding” also appear. The Cottonian Titus further contains the terms “florysh.” “fowne” (foyne), and “hawkes”. Once more, the relationship to concepts and techniques from known Germanic fencing texts is too close to be coincidence, with the use of a “break”, a spring, doubles and rounds. Interestingly, as with the other English fencing fragments from the era, it again uses the metaphor of animals again, referring to actions made like a large male deer and to a movement like a “wype,” a bird known for its flowing unpredictable flight. It concludes by suggesting familiarly that the foot, hand, eye, and heart must all be in “accord.”
Some license must surely be granted to the anonymous poet for room in
having to make the verses rhyme. So, we
cannot take the poem at complete face value for instructions since in order to be
memorized it had to have some metaphorical mnemonic content. Seeing through this then is the real challenge.
Some 14th & 15th century definitions:
Bede = bid or command
Beeth / Buthe = to make good, amend, mend, heal, correct
Betyde = happened/befall
Abyde / A Byde = (abide) bear, allow, withstand, put up with
Cantel (cantle) = crafty device, cunning, cautious, or a corner piece / 14th
century definitions are a segment cut off or out of something, and the upward projecting
rear part of a saddle.
Dene = to condescend, to give or offer (deign)
Dynte = (dint) deep wound, to hurt by a blow
Fle = (flee) to run away often from danger or evil, fly
God-spede = with success
Hym shall betide = whatever happens to him
Kyth = to make known, to become known
Wath = What
Wath so hit be tide / What it so betide = what it causes/whatever happens
Wole = will/would
Wote = knows, know/learn
Following below is the poem provided with an interpreted meaning for
each line. Consider the analysis tentative
and ongoing.
To The Two Hond Swerd
(Modern
translated text)
1.
The man that
would to the two hand sword learn both close and clear, *
[understand techniques at all ranges, close and far]
2.
He must have a
good eye both far and near, *
[understand in fighting and out fighting]
3.
And an in stop,
and an out stop, and a hawk quarter, *
[have proficiency in thrusts & cuts to all openings]
4.
A cantle, a
doublet, and half for his fear
[single or double attacks and cuts from the half-arm will intimidate the opponent]
5.
Two rounds and a
half with a good cheer.
[deliver two round strikes & cut from the half-arm while vocalizing]
6.
This is the
first counter of the two-hand sword, sire.
[use these actions as your first counter-attack practice]
7.
Bind him
together and say god speed,
[quickly trap or stifle his weapon]
8.
Two quarters and
a round, a stop thou him bede *
[cut twice and then around and you will stop
his action]
9.
A rake with a
spring there thou him abide,
[slice at him then slash your blade out with one hand]
10. Fall
in with a hawk and stride not too wide
[step in and cut down without making large steps]
11. Smite
a running quarter out for his side,
[strike a blow as you quickly traverse forward past him]
12. Fall
upon his harness if he would abide,
[close and grapple with his armor if he leaves the opportunity]
13. Come
in with a rake in every aside,
[close the distance so you can slice left or right]
14. A
hole rownde and an half, wath so it betide,
[make
a round strike and a half round strike and see what happens]
15. Four
quarters and a round and a venture stroke with.
[strikes
to any of the 4 target areas, use a round, and strike any opening]
16. Bear
up his harness and get thou the girth
[grab
hold of his armor and gain leverage]
17. Double
up lightly and do as you see,
[try
repeatedly and attempt whatever will work]
18. Fall
in with a hawk and bear a good eye.
[strike
a downward blow and be watchful]
19. A
spring and a round and step in with,
[use
a spring attack and then bring it around while closing distance]
20. Spare
not a hawk if he lye in thy kyth;
[attack
forcefully when he tries to move into range]
21. Smite
a running quarter sory out of thy hand,
[make
an attack while traversing]
22. Abide
upon a pendent and lose not thy land
[use
a hanging technique defense]
23. Smite
in the left foot and cleave right down,
[stomp
forward and attack –or strike his foot]
24. Gather
out of thy right hand and smite a hawk round,
[go
to a half sword position]
25. Fresly
smite thy strokes by dene,
[renew
your attacks]
26. And
hold well thy land that hit may be seen,
[wait
to move out of his attack]
27. Thy
rakes, thy rounds, thy quarters about,
[use
these attacks]
28. Thy
stops, thy foynes, let hem fast route.
[parries then thrusts will force him off]
29. Thy
springs, thy quarters, thy rabbets also,
[use
these as necessary]
30. Bare
a good eye and let thy hand go.
[hit
with proper timing and judgment]
31. Fie
on a false heart that dare not abide,
[do
not be cowardly]
32. When
he sees rounds and rakes running by his side.
[do
not fear being struck at]
33. Flee
not hastily for a little pride.
[do
not run away]
34. For
little will thy adversary [know] what him shall betide.
[the
opponent does not know what will happen]
35. Let
strokes fast follow after his hand,
[strike
after he strikes]
36. And
hawk round with a stop and still that thou stand,
[strike
down and around and end waiting]
37. Grieve
not greatly though thou be touched a little,
[don’t
worry if you get slightly wounded]
38. For
an after stroke is better if thou dare him smite.
[sometimes
the chance for return hit is worth it]
39. A
good round with a hawk and smite right down,
[strike
around and downward]
40. Gather
up a doublet and spar not his crown.
[hit
twice and aim at his head]
41. With
a rownde and a rake abide at a bay,
[strike
around and slice and be on guard]
42. With
a running quarter set him out of his way.
[make
a passing attack to force him to shift]
43. This
be the letters that standing in his sight,
[these
techniques are what will oppose him]
44. To
teach or to play or else for to fight;
[it
is good for all three activities]
45. These
be the strokes of thy hole ground,
[it
forms the basis of two-hand sword fencing]
46. For
hurt or for dint or else for deep wound.
[use
it for lethal or non-lethal fighting]
The Play with the Two Hand Sword in Verse.
(Alfred Hutton’s, The Sword and the
Centuries, 1901, Barnes & Noble reprint, 1997)
1.
Man yt wol to ye to
hond swerd lern bothe close
& clere /
2.
He most haue a goode eye both fer & nere
3.
& an in stop . & an owte stop . & an hauke
4.
qrter. A cantel . a doblet . an half for hys
fere
5.
Too rowndys . & an halfe wt a
goede cher .
6.
This
ys ye ferst cownter of ye too hond
Swerd sere
7.
Bynde hë to gedere & sey god spede . Two
8.
qrters
& a rownde a stop thou hÿ bede
9.
A rake wt a spryng yer thou hÿ a byde . ffalle
10.
in
wt an hauke & stride nogte to wyde
11.
Smyte a rënÿg qrter owte for hys side
12.
ffal a pö hys harneys yf he wole a byde
13.
Come in wt a rake in euy a side
14.
An hole rownde & an halfe . Wath
so ht be
Tyde
15.
. iiij. qrters & a rownd . & aueture stroke wyth
16.
Bere vp hys harnes & gete thou ye gryth
17.
Dobyl vp lygtly & do as y seye
18.
ffal in wt an hauke & ber a goede eye
19.
A spryn~ & a rownde & stap in wyth
20.
Spar nogth ä hauke yf he lye in thy kyth
21.
Smyte a rënÿg qrter for owte of thy honde
22.
A byde a pon a pëdent & lese not thy londe
23.
Smyte in ye lyfte foete & cleue rygt dovne
24.
Geder ovte of thy rygte hond & smyte a hauke
rovnde
25.
ffresly smyte thy strokis by dene
26.
And hold wel thy lond thath hyt may be sene
27.
Thy rakys . thy rowndis . thy qrters a bowte
28.
Thy stoppis . thy foynys . lete he fast rowte
29.
Thy sprynys . thy quarters . thy rabetis also
30.
Bere a goede eye & lete thy hond go
31.
ffy on a false hert yt dar not a byde
32.
en he seyth roundys & rakys rënyng by hs
side
33.
ffle not hastly for a lytil pryde
34.
ffor lytil wote thy adusary wath hÿ shal be tide
35.
lete strokys fast folowe aftr hys
honde
36.
And hauk rovnde wt a stop & stil yt thou stond
37.
Greue not gretly thov yu be tochyd a 1yte
38.
ffor a aftr stroke ys betr yf thou dar hÿ smyte
39.
A gode rovnde wt an hauke & smyte
rygt dovne
40.
Gedyr vp a doblet & spar not hys crovne
41.
Wt a rownde & a rake a byde at a bay
42.
Wt a rënÿg qrter sette hÿ oute of hys
way
43.
Thys beeth ye lettr yt stondÿ in hys sygte
44.
To teche . or to play . or ellys for to fygte
45.
These beeth ye strokys of thy hole
grovnde
46.
ffor hurte. or for dynte or ell~s for dethys
wonde.
Appreciation
to the ARMA Expert Consultants for assistance. If you would like to
contribute comments or insights to this article feel free to email
us.
See Part I Analysis of the MS 3542 Text Section here.
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