Jared Kirby's Capo Ferro

[Allen Johnson]

I just recieved Jared Kirby's edition of Capo Ferro's 'Gran Simulacro' and have been really impressed with it. Its set up is nice and he has the best and cleanest prints of the plates that i have come across. I havent read through the whole thing yet but all his translations and comentaries seem to be in line with what we know or what makes good martial sence. This is a must for anyone that is interested in rapier. Not to mention its a good deal cheaper than similar books of its type!

[Brian Hunt]

HI Allen,

I have this book as well. However, I have found a couple of odd translations in it, so I also have a print out of the translation done by William Wilson that can be found on the web with a google search. I find using the plates in this book, and comparing the two translations really helps. Let me add the caveat that his book is worth buying for the pictures of the orginal plates alone, let alone the translation.

just a thought.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Allen Johnson]

Thanks for the tip! What portions of the translation did you find odd? I'm glad you're here to point this out seeing as though I have a hard time ordering from the menu in Olive Garden-- much less finding a snag in the translation of 400 year old Italian! <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Ray Brunk]

I also have Kirby's Capo Ferro and like Brian I also have William Wilson's Arte of Defence. I have found that these work very well with each other as I have a hard enough time with english let alone Italian. I would also like to know what translations Brian found off so that I may look at them closer. Being new to rapier I'm already overloaded and lost and except any clarification offered.

[Allen Johnson]

What seems to be confusing for you Ray? Perhaps we can lend a hand <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Ray Brunk]

I overstated my situation a little. More overloaded then lost.Most of my confusion has been addressed through the use of Wilson's book in conjunction with Kirby's. I was having problems figuring out how the attacker had gotten to the end result shown on the plates. By studying CF's plate and description, and using Wilson's step by step pictures I'm beginning to understand the techniques from beginning to end.This is really a world of difference from longsword with all it's subtle change of direction and angles.Truly a form of fighting that goes against my natural grain. But it's so much fun! I do wish there was an experienced ARMA rapier practiioner close by.

[Allen Johnson]

Ah! Overloaded- now I can relate <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />