Mastering the Art of Arms Vol 1

The Medieval Dagger

Guy Windsor

• Publisher: Freelance Academy Press
• Year: 2016
• eBook ISBN:
  9781783019816
• Edition: 0

The term "e;medieval martial arts"e; conjures images of armour-clad knights wielding sword, lance and axe. While the image is correct, at the foundation of knightly combat was a sophisticated form of close quarter combat, instantly recognizable to students of classical Asian arts such as jujutsu or practitioners of modern, military combatives. At the heart of this system was fighting with - and against - the dagger, a vicious weapon of both self-defense and last resort that was dangerous to those in and out of armour alike.In Mastering the Art of Arms, Volume One: The Medieval Dagger, renowned instructor, author and researcher, Guy Windsor, presents a complete guide to the principles and practice of Italian dagger combat. Drawing from Il Fior di Battaglia, a manuscript written in 1410, students are guided step-by-step through the process of mastering this six hundred year old art, from choosing a dagger to striking with it; from guard positions to steps and turns; from disarms to locks and takedowns; from safe falling practice to formal drills, and finally sparring, or free-play.Both a primer on the art and a methodology for on-going training, this book will give the complete novice a solid starting point, while providing useful drills and ideas for advanced martial artists.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedecation
• The Dagger
• Contents
• Introduction to the Mastering the Art of Arms Series
• Introduction to Volume 1: The Medieval Dagger
• Chapter One: Fundamental Principles
• Chapter Two: Foundations from Fiore
• Chapter Three: Mechanics and Movement
• Chapter Four: Falling Free
• Chapter Five: Is This a Dagger which I See Before Me?
• Chapter Six: Grips, Strikes and Breaks
• Chapter Seven: Remedy Masters: Control the Weapon
• Chapter Eight: The System in Brief
• Chapter Nine: Counter-Remedies
• Chapter Ten: Dealing with the Backhand
• Chapter Eleven: When in Doubt, Use Both Hands!
• Chapter Twelve: The Low Blow
• Chapter Thirteen: Defense Against the Grab-and-Stab
• Chapter Fourteen: A Knife for a Knife: Defense with the Dagger
• Chapter Fifteen: A Dagger Disarm Flowdrill
• Chapter Sixteen: Armoured Combat
• Chapter Seventeen: Expanding Your Skills
• Chapter Eighteen: One System, Many Weapons
• Chapter Nineteen: Sword vs Dagger
• Acknowledgments
• Bibliography
• Glossary