Looking for advice on modern and historical reading material

[Karl Akkerman]

Since my first post on the forum here I have submitted my ARMA membership application and have been getting myself reacquainted with the recommended reading list and sorting through the articles on the site as I have not been to the ARMA site regularly since 07 I think.

This past week I have been reading Medieval Swordsmanship by John Clements as my time permits. I know that this work is dated however and so I wanted to ask, what supplementary works should I use to fill in the up to date knowledge on the subject that has been learned since it was published?

Also which of the historic manuals would be best for a beginner to start with?

[Jaron Bernstein]

Since my first post on the forum here I have submitted my ARMA membership application and have been getting myself reacquainted with the recommended reading list and sorting through the articles on the site as I have not been to the ARMA site regularly since 07 I think.

This past week I have been reading Medieval Swordsmanship by John Clements as my time permits. I know that this work is dated however and so I wanted to ask, what supplementary works should I use to fill in the up to date knowledge on the subject that has been learned since it was published?

Also which of the historic manuals would be best for a beginner to start with?

I would suggest making arrangements to meet up with Francisco Uribe in Michigan.

[Sal Bertucci]

Also which of the historic manuals would be best for a beginner to start with?

Well, what are you interested in? Do you have a weapon preference? Nation preference? Language skill?

There are so many manuals out there; Answer these questions and that will help narrow the scope a bit.

[Karl Akkerman]

Also which of the historic manuals would be best for a beginner to start with?

Well, what are you interested in? Do you have a weapon preference? Nation preference? Language skill?

There are so many manuals out there; Answer these questions and that will help narrow the scope a bit.

I don't have a specific national preference at this time. I would need to learn more before I can formulate any opinion. As for language I can only read English. I tried to take Latin as an undergrad but between hearing impairment (Hearing aids in both ears.) and dyslexia the normal collage class room environment was not conducive to learning a second language. I think I would need to work one on one with an instructor or proper immersion for that.

With that out of the way I am ,in brief, most interested in longsword and great sword. In addition the use of pole-arms has been of some interest as well as the unarmed techniques that go in hand with said weapons.

Ever since I saw a demonstration by the Royal Armouries of longsword and great sword techniques in a documentary the have been a source of fascination to me. The pole-arm is so just due to what appears to be a contradiction represented by how unwieldy they look siting on static display in a museum vs the obvious fact that they have to be maneuverable in combat to be effective weapons.

As for manuals I was looking at purchasing a copy of Medieval Combat: A 15th Century Illustrated Manual of Swordfighting and Close-Quarters Combat from the recommended reading list which is a translation of Hans Talhoffe's work. Beyond that work and given what I have said above what should I look at first in the free section of the web site with the above interest in mind? http://www.thearma.org/manuals.htm

[Sal Bertucci]

Well, Meyer covers both Longswrd and polearms, as does Fiore. I'm a fan of Ringeck. He just goes into spear though. They all cover some wrestling. Fiore is VERY big in the dagger section. If you don't have a preference I would go with whatever you get your hands on first.