Mastering the Art of Arms, Vol. 2: The Medieval Longsword

by Guy Stanley Windsor, Christian Cameron (Foreword)

Do you like swords? Do you want to know how to use them? Then this book is for you. Renowned swordsman and author Guy Windsor will take you through the principles and practice of medieval knightly combat with the longsword. The tactics and techniques come from Il Fior di Battaglia, written in 1410 by Fiore dei Liberi, one of the greatest trainers of knights in the Middle Ages. In this book Guy covers everything you need to get started, including principles of swordsmanship, training mindset, and choosing equipment; as well as a complete system of physical practice, from basic footwork all the way up through sword handling and pair drills to free fencing. Beginners will find this a complete and approachable guide to taking up the Art of Arms; experienced swordsmen will also find many tips and tricks for developing their skills. Guy Windsor has been training martial arts for almost 30 years, and teaching professionally since 2001, when he founded The School of European Swordsmanship. The School now has branches and study groups on all over the world. Guy's other books include The Swordsman's Companion, The Duellist's Companion, Veni Vadi Vici, and Mastering the Art of Arms vol 1: The Medieval Dagger.

Genres: Martial Arts, History, Nonfiction

244 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2014

Reviews

[Tom]

Another solid piece of work by Guy Winsor, goes through the stances, strikes and sparring routines that you can accommodate into your own techniques if you do not do so already. There is a good bit on warming up as well as footwork, guards, parrying and free sparring. Worth getting if you are a HEMA veteran or totally new to the scene. I am sure I will be referencing back to this and I have already got the third in his series.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't really speak to the system, I've read about it but haven't had a chance to practice it. His writing on martial arts, and he thoughts there, are more cogent than just about anything I've seen in English from practitioners of Asian martial arts. Really glad I read it.

[L.G. Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well explained & the images were great :) I enjoyed practicing the techniques and visualizing them. Fantastic for those getting into HEMA & who're interested in longsword fencing :)

[Drew Lackovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first found Guy's works through his Book "The Swordsman's Companion" just a few weeks before the end of the Indigogo campgaign that created this book. I was amazed by the quality and clarity of Guy's writing style, and excitedly jumped on the campaign to get the second book. I've done martial arts for most of my life, so a lot of the "basics" in the first book were pretty second nature to me already, but I really appreciated that Guy went the extra mile and included them. In his Second Volume, Guy keeps up the momentum started in the first, and builds on the foundation, providing still more detail and examples that both clarified and enhanced what I read in the first book.

I wish I lived in Finland; I would attend his school in a heartbeat. But thankfully, due to the clarity of his writing, even though I have no one to practice with, I have enough material from his books to construct effective and interesting solo-drills to tide me over until I can either con one of my friends into joining me in the study of the medieval longsword, or wait for my kids to get old enough to be conscripted into practicing with me.

Needless to say, I can't wait for book 3!

[Aidan Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for those beginning or furthering their practice of Medieval Longsword. I've been practicing HEMA Longsword for a year as of the writing of this review, I refer back to this book frequently for insight on techniques and for drills and material for new students. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is beginning or wants to further their practice of longsword. Guy is a great writer and presents the material in the order that someone just starting can follow and be successful. It covers conditioning and stretching, the basics of footwork, strikes and parries, then goes into more situations and techniques that build off of the basics.

[Christoffer Skuthälla · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent teaching on the italian school of fencing