Theodori Verolini manual now available.

[Roger Norling]

For those of you who haven't noticed it yet, GHFS has paid for having scans made of the Theodori Verolini manual of 1679. This is a particularly interesting manual, since it is the last longsword manual in the Liechtenauer tradition. It is derived from Meÿer/Sutor for the longsword, dussack and rappier and a copy of Petter for the grappling.

Michael Chidester and Kevin Maurer are currently analyzing it, comparing to other sources.

It can be downloaded at Hroarr.com and shortly also on the GHFS site.

[Randall Pleasant]

Thanks Roger, it is a very nice resource.

[Randall Pleasant]

Scholars

In his 2010 article Volta, Key, and Scale (http://www.thearma.org/VoltaKeyandScale.htm) John Clements suggested that the man in the Meyer image showing cutting lines on the legs might actually be in the Scales (see image below). This lead to a lenghty debate on another forum (see: http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14779&hilit=Scales&start=100). The Verolini image 00011.jpg in the hn-35-4f-3s folder puts that debate to rest. Clements was right as the Verolini image clearly shows the man in the Scales with his rear foot turned well pass 90 degrees.

[Roger Norling]

Scholars

In his 2010 article Volta, Key, and Scale (http://www.thearma.org/VoltaKeyandScale.htm) John Clements suggested that the man in the Meyer image showing cutting lines on the legs might actually be in the Scales (see image below). This lead to a lenghty debate on another forum (see: http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14779&hilit=Scales&start=100). The Verolini image 00011.jpg in the hn-35-4f-3s folder puts that debate to rest. Clements was right as the Verolini image clearly shows the man in the Scales with his rear foot turned well pass 90 degrees.

This I will have to argue with. Verolini's image differs quite clearly from that of Meÿer and Sutor. Sutor has two versions of this image, both show the right foot in the air, indicated by the fact that in one, there is no shadow on that foot (which all images of feet on the floor have) and in the other, the foot is above the floor/wall line.

In Meÿer's 1570 manual the fencer with the cutting lines, again there is no shadow for the right foot, indicating that it is in the air. As seen above.

In Meÿer's 1560 manual this stance is shown while actually fencing an opponent, again the right foot is lifted above the horizon, well into the air. No doubt what so ever.

A highly similar stance, but with the forward leg lifted is shown in Sutor, again with no shadow for the foot.

Meÿer has plenty of images showing combattants with one foot in the air, both in the longsword, dussack, rappier, dagger and staff/halberd.

I partially agree about the importance of Waage, although I do not 100% agree about the drawn conclusions and their implications. And these images really shouldn't be used as proof.

The image of Meÿer's staff fencer in the article is really not used properly either. An "in motion" image is confused with a stance and the stepping is completely misinterpreted. The angle is actually correct though.