Interesting comparrison!

[Allen Johnson]

My current reading has been in Thomas Page's 1746 manual, "The Use of the Broad Sword". In the section in which he describes the methods in which the Highlanders use it, he describes a play thats extremley similar to I.33, Lignitzer, and Talhoffers S & B.

Page states:
"When two or three Throws have been made without Success, with your Body still square (that is your Legs crossing the Line of Defence at right Angles) and full facing your Adversary, drop both your Target and Sword as low as your Waste, your Sword still within your Target,and in that Posture lay your self open and wait for your Adversary's Throw, which when he makes, receive it not upon the Target, but upon the Fort of your Sword; and at the same Moment by pushing your Target against his Hilt, drive his Sword sideways and downwards out of the Line, by which his Head will be expos'd defenceless; at which you may safely Throw, because his Sword will be held down by your Target, and his Left Arm and Target will be held down by his own Blade."

There are a number of these types of things being done in various S & B manuals. It's very similar to a few of Lignitzers set plays (can be seen here: http://www.thearma.org/essays/LeignitzerSandBSetplays.htm ).
Though Page dosent mention it, we know that often times the Scottish Targe would be equipped with a 12" spike that could be screwed into the center boss. Add that spike into this technique and you really have an effective play.

There is also a second one where Page says:
"...advancing briskly to your Adversary under an Inside Guard, receive his Outside upon your Fort, and at the same Moment instead of throwing an Inside, step briskly about with your Left Foot as in the Traverse (half a Circle at least) which will bring you under his Fort; and with your Target, which will be then under his Hilt, throw up his Sword and Arm, that you may have a free Passage for your own Sword, which you have lower'd and shortned in your coming about; and with a sudden Push slanting upwards, thrust in the Point between the Ribs on the Right Side, which commonly finishes the Affair."
This is very similar to the ending portion of Lignitzer's 4th Set Play: Mittelhau ( http://www.thearma.org/images/New_Folder/1/mvc-021s.jpg )

Just something interesting I thought I'd share. For me, one of the more interesting things about this is that this is in a section where Page is describing what the "Highlanders" do with the baskethilt. As opposed to what he has been teaching. Alot of the things are the same obviously- but he does recognize there is a difference in the way it was being instructed in and used.

[Allen Johnson]

There are a few more techniques that Page describes that reflect a more medieval style and in my oppinion, maximize the potential of the baskethilt.

"In the Field of Battle and in promiscuous Combat his first Principle is to attack and not to be attackt, and his Attack begins at all Times with a full Throw at the outside of the Sword Arm; which if he misses, instead of changing to an Inside, he makes a push at the Navel with the Point of his Sword, but not going home, is ready to slip his Adversary, who will infallibly throw at that wide Opening he has given to his Head and upper Part of his Body; and if he succeeds in the Slip, with a full Lunge he throws an Outside to his Adversary's Neck, which for the most Part severs the Head from the Body: But if his Adversary makes no Attempt to throw at the Opening, he returns to his push in reality and stabs him a little above the Navel; which will oblige his Adversary to lower his Sword and give him that Opening at his Head and Neck which he in vain attempted before, and which he will now be sure to hit and for the most Part split the Scull."

This incorporates feints and "feeling" of your opponents blade. It also makes use a nice hard cut which is much less powerfull in a smallsword stance. Obviously its enough to decapitate or cleave someones head in two.

[Casper Bradak]

Is this one currently published or otherwise available on the 'net?

[Allen Johnson]

A gentleman emailed me a copy of it in Word. PM me your email and I'll send it to you. (That goes for anyone else who wants it as well)