What do you think?
Rate this book
Mastering the Art of Arms Vol 1: The Medieval Dagger
The term "medieval martial arts" 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.
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.
- GenresMartial ArtsNonfiction
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2012
40 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Guy Windsor
54 books47 followersDr. Guy Windsor is a world-renowned instructor and a pioneering researcher of medieval and renaissance martial arts. He has been teaching the Art of Arms full-time since founding The School of European Swordsmanship in Helsinki, Finland, in 2001. His day job is finding and analysing historical swordsmanship treatises, figuring out the systems they represent, creating a syllabus from the treatises for his students to train with, and teaching the system to his students all over the world. Guy is the author of numerous classic books about the art of swordsmanship and has consulted on swordfighting game design and stage combat. He developed the card game, Audatia, based on Fiore dei Liberi's Art of Arms, his primary field of study. In 2018 Edinburgh University awarded him a PhD by Research Publications for his work recreating historical combat systems. When not studying medieval and renaissance swordsmanship or writing books Guy can be found in his shed woodworking or spending time with his family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 5, 2020
This is my first HEMA text. I have familiarity with internal styles of Eastern martial arts (Kendo, Gongfu styles), and needed a good primer to introduce me to the Historical European system. Windsor did not disappoint in this first volume, nor do I expect the following to either. Windsor with his relaxed, scholarly attitude and considerations impressed me as he bases his system on Foire's work, The Flower of Battle.
To those looking to diversify their current systems: This is not a self-defense book, but provides you with a system of dagger play for applied HEMA scholarship. The techniques in this book are based off of the Italian rondel dagger, made for piercing through the numerous clothes worn in this period and armor gaps. The majority of the techniques and drills use point-down, attacks, defenses, and counters. There is a surprising number grappling and two-handed dagger gripping techniques used in this book. Depending on where you live in the world, your greatest challenge may be finding a partner interested in training consistently.
Why not simply stick with Foire's original manuscript work, The Flower of Battle? Windsor has enriched and made Fiore's writing to relevant modern HEMA practitioners. He not only considered the original application, but also adapts certain forms to modern sparing while emphasizing areas to avoid injury in application. These emphasis are useful to those new to the premise of the technique. He also includes how to fall without sustaining injuries when done correctly. Additional combat considerations enrich Fiore, as he made no mention of (or assumed it was obvious to his readers), such as the importance of measure.
Windsor is also a pleasure to read. He states bluntly he is not intending his work to be a modern self-defense manual, and his humor (and lack of ego) makes it enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this book based on being introductory-friendly and also in clarity in presenting ideas. He also has a wiki to help visually if you do not understand a step.
To those looking to diversify their current systems: This is not a self-defense book, but provides you with a system of dagger play for applied HEMA scholarship. The techniques in this book are based off of the Italian rondel dagger, made for piercing through the numerous clothes worn in this period and armor gaps. The majority of the techniques and drills use point-down, attacks, defenses, and counters. There is a surprising number grappling and two-handed dagger gripping techniques used in this book. Depending on where you live in the world, your greatest challenge may be finding a partner interested in training consistently.
Why not simply stick with Foire's original manuscript work, The Flower of Battle? Windsor has enriched and made Fiore's writing to relevant modern HEMA practitioners. He not only considered the original application, but also adapts certain forms to modern sparing while emphasizing areas to avoid injury in application. These emphasis are useful to those new to the premise of the technique. He also includes how to fall without sustaining injuries when done correctly. Additional combat considerations enrich Fiore, as he made no mention of (or assumed it was obvious to his readers), such as the importance of measure.
Windsor is also a pleasure to read. He states bluntly he is not intending his work to be a modern self-defense manual, and his humor (and lack of ego) makes it enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this book based on being introductory-friendly and also in clarity in presenting ideas. He also has a wiki to help visually if you do not understand a step.
March 10, 2020
A very good introduction on the rondel dagger, good easy to follow instructions with illustrations, while I did get through this quite quickly this will be a good reference for me in the future, recommended for those studying Fiore or medieval HEMA in general.
May 13, 2020
The dagger from the flower of battle
Look up Fiore on Wikipedia to find the history of the remaining manuscripts. It is interesting how many hands these manuscripts had to pass safely through to be in any sort of condition to read.
Look up Fiore on Wikipedia to find the history of the remaining manuscripts. It is interesting how many hands these manuscripts had to pass safely through to be in any sort of condition to read.
May 2, 2024
This was fun.
The only issue was the Italian wording, so when you do it, keep a lexicon of words to study as you've read. Be careful and don't be a Jedi with the examples, justvtake it slow and steady.
The only issue was the Italian wording, so when you do it, keep a lexicon of words to study as you've read. Be careful and don't be a Jedi with the examples, justvtake it slow and steady.
July 20, 2020
An indispensable guide to the dagger of Fiore. Incredibly useful for the beginner, or a club starting out.
June 9, 2023
One day I will actually learn and practice enough to not get my ass kicked in a sword fight.
November 24, 2018
I do wish this had more solo striking and blocking drills in it, but it was a very insightful look into that particular style of dagger. I'll be looking elsewhere for more information on the use of modern styles of weapons though.
April 15, 2019
Great instructional
Perfect book for a hema journeyman looking for drills to practice with the dagger.
Great illustrations and explanations.
Already started drilling at my club.
Perfect book for a hema journeyman looking for drills to practice with the dagger.
Great illustrations and explanations.
Already started drilling at my club.
April 1, 2024
Wish there was an index, but still a well made manual!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews