Renaissance Swordsmanship: The Illustrated Book of Rapiers and Cut and Thrust Swords and Their Use

First I should mention something of my own background. I am primarily a student and teacher of Asian martial arts in which I hold black belts in several, have been studying for over 40 years, and been a teacher for over 35 years. I've also studied iaido and the Samurai sword, and am an instructor in kali/escrima, which specializes in knife and stick combat, but didn't have nearly as much background in European and Renaissance fencing methods and bought this book to further my knowledge of that. I'm also familiar with the Wallenstein Codex and the Talhofer and have observed many sparring matches by those interested in reviving the old European methods by the SCA and so on, and have read quite a few articles on European swordsmanship in the few journals that are devoted to that. I noted the controversy here about the book, some reviewers claiming that Clements doesn't really discuss how the swords were actually used, and that what he does mention will just get you killed. As I'm not expert in this area as the Asian arts that I teach, I don't really know who is right, but I thought I would make a few comments on that based on the similarities I noted between Asian and Pacific Rim arts and the western methods. First of all, despite the negative comments here, for a comparative beginner like myself this book still seemed an excellent introduction and overview of the subject, as it covered the many different styles of European sword, from broadsword to cut and thrust to rapier, discussing the similarities and differences between the different styles and how they evolved. I still learned which swords were used in which historical period, and which styles were developed when, although I understand the full evolution and development isn't understood and there are many gaps in our knowledge. The methods discussed also seem very common-sensical and practical and show they are really not that mysterious or even difficult. One thing that struck me right away was the many similarities between Pacific rim and Asian methods. On page 77 Clements shows the angles of attack. These are exactly the same as in the Filipino arts and in the Samurai sword. The footwork is also very similar, although there are some differences. The Filipino arts tend to emphasize triangular footwork and stepping off at a 45 degree angle, and that also occurs in Japanese iaido, although in kendo it tends to be more linear as in the rapier or epee or foil methods that I've seen. The sword and dagger and double rapier methods are also not that different from Musashi's nitin-ryu or famous double-sword style. In the Wallenstein Codex that I was looking at recently, I noticed methods for closing and disarming and even using the pomel or butt end of the sword for infighting that are exactly the same as in kali/escrima and iaido. For example, in the Eishin-ryu iaido style that I study, there is a waza or technique called zentsumyoken, where is exactly the same as the one in the Codex. Also

As a long time fencer with the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), I found this book to be very insightful and instructive for the new student of Renaissance arms. Additionally, some of the more advanced techniques go far to improve the fighting repetoire of seasoned fighters. Masters of the fencing arts will also find worth in this book because of its excellent treatment of historical modifications of swordplay through the Renaissance period.

I've been involved with fencing (sport and period) and living history for over 20 years and no where, repeat no where, have I seen information, guidance, advice, and just plain common sense on true renaissance swordsmanship as straightforward and insightful as presented in this tome. Meanspirited resentments by expressed malcontent sport fencers only serve to buttress the value of this work in dismissing the myth that renaissance swordplay is the real thing. Garth of York, The Black Blade Sword Studio

Renaissance Swordsmanship by John Clements presents, possibly for the first time in modern English, the study of Western swordsmanship as a martial-art. This distinction is critical. The book attempts to provide a base to the reader on how cut-and-thrust swordsmanship, along with rapiers, can be used in a systematic approach to fighting. Through the use of detailed historical research and superb illustrations on the part of the author, the book succeeds in this attempt. The reader is provided with the history, techniques, and stances necessary to begin serious study of Renaissance cut-and-thrust swords and rapiers as martial weapons. No book can provide a complete explanation of or entirely teach a martial-art. Renaissance Swordsmanship provides, however, what many related books in this field have failed to do. It authentically and realistically describes how historical swords were used in the past and how they may still be used in a martial-arts system. Readers! who are serious in their attempts to study Western swordsmanship, or anyone who simply would like to know how Central and West Europeans defended themselves from 1500 to 1700, both in the battlefield and on the city streets, will find this book an invaluable resource. Mr. Clements shows those who will take the time to read this book a fascinating glimpse into a true lost world, the world of real Western martial-arts. Thanks to the efforts of the author and others like him, this world is slowly being rediscovered.

This book is the impressive result of one of the most daring enterprises the world of Martial Arts has to offer. Through years of careful studies of period manuals, combined with the study of historical weapons and long-term practice, the author recreates an extinct fighting art: The fight with the renaissance rapier and its companion, the renaissance cut-and-thrust sword. The emphasis is clearly placed on the martial aspect, in other words, this book deals with sword FIGHTING rather than with sport fencing, stage-combat or roleplaying. The impressive bibilography at the end of the book makes very clear that John Clements has done a considerable amount of research and that the techniques presented are definetly more than invented moves. This book is a no-nonsense, no-compromise work on a subject surrounded by lots of myth and stupid prejudices and it is definetly a slap in the face of modern sport fencers or costumed theorists who think, they are the only ones how know.Anyone with a serious interest in European Martial Arts should give this refreshing, informative work a very close look.