Lessons on the English Longsword

[Michael Kelly]

Just looking for some opinions and thoughts from anyone who has had a chance to review this book... Is it worth picking up? Thanks in advance.

[Corey Roberts]

I have not read it myself, but the author is a former ARMA member. Prior to his leaving the ARMA he had produced quality scholarship and was a solid fighter. I assume his book will reflect that.

[Michael Kelly]

That must be where the idea of a pan-european style that is stressed in the description comes from...

And former? Why did he leave?

[Stacy Clifford]

A group of people split from ARMA a few years ago over a combination of differences of opinion and personal disputes, and the author was part of the group that left. As Corey said, he was a solid fighter, but I do not immediately recall any scholarship he published during his time as a member of ARMA, or any classes he taught at events that I attended, so we really don't have any earlier work of his that I know of to compare it to.

[Michael Kelly]

I see... Well I might still pick it up. It looks interesting and can't be any worse than some of the books out there.

[Allen Johnson]

I had trained with both of the authors in the past and the opinions expressed about producing quality scholastic material as well as being solid fighters is accurate. I have the book and found it to be quite good.

One of the more valuable aspects of the book is breaking down the more obscure and symbolic terminology used in some of the older English martial texts. It is well documented and well illustrated, though the photos could have been a little better. (This is a failing of most WMA/MARE type books as few are willing to go through the expense of having a good controlled location and a professional photographer.)

Did you have any specific questions about it?

[James Brazas]

Our group is looking into using that book as well.

If I understand correctly, the English material includes instructions for dealing with 1-on-many fights - which is rare. Most manuals don't specifically cover tactics for such situations, choosing to focus on techniques instead of situational tactics.

Then there is the interesting novelty of studying English longsword in and of itself. Most surviving manuals are German or Italian.

[Allen Johnson]

Yes, both the Harleian Manuscript MS3542 and the Cottonian A XXV contain 2 on 1 situations.
Both of which are covered completely in this book.

[James Brazas]

That's good to hear. I think I'll see if the rest of our group is interested in studying from the Lessons on the English Longsword book. I see 1 on 2 tactics as potentially very useful.

[Ian Mac Pharlaine]

I have this book and find it to be a good read and a nice thesis on the Universal European Art and how it segues into the English material. I would recommend it wholeheartedly.

[Michael Kelly]

Thanks all... I've got it on order, so we shall see.