Saviolo...

[John_Clements]

I was reading recently some new things about Saviolo, has anyone ever heard any of this before?

Writing in 1591 of his master, John Florio stated Saviolo was a tall and ambidextrous man from Padua (who had “a froward, wayward, and troublesome wife), was not quarrelsome or a brawler, had good skill in every kind of weapon, including firearms and artillery, was a good soldier (and dancer) ---and claimed that these rare qualities were very seldom found in English fencers of the time.

Interestingly, he remarked “Truelie he teacheth verie well, and verie guicklie” and that this included knowing “all the advantages, how a man must charge and enter upon his enemie.” ...Sounds like grappling?

[Casper Bradak]

Either grappling or covering ground in battle. Sounds like he was a good teacher.

[Shane Smith]

I agree with Casper.Those two meanings are the only ones which come to mind that make practical sense in context.If it weren't for that bit about Saviolo being a good soldier,grappling would have been my first guess as well.It's interesting though that the singular word "man" is used in the phrase “all the advantages, how a man must charge and enter upon his enemie.”.If we are to assume the wording is being used as intended,action by a single man alone is implied(unless the man is question is an officer in the military).That suggests one on one combat to me which supports the grappling theory.As it is,like so much else in our Art,it seems to be open to interpretation.