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| Illustration from Marozzo |
Renaissance-era cut and thrust methods of swordsmanship are directly related to their Medieval predecessors. The cut-and-thrust sword, derived from the knightly weapon, still retained a wide, double- edged blade. Auxiliary weapons such as shields, bucklers, and daggers were also employed as defensive weapons with the sword.
In its form, the fight involved preparatory positioning, circling, vaulting, dodging, and also wrestling techniques. Strikes with the unarmed hand, as well as kicks and trips, were taught as part of the overall fighting system. The combatants engaged in a series of offensive and counteroffensive actions. The varied "guard" positions did not really protect or guard anything, but rather served as positions from which to launch these actions. Footwork included passing, sidestepping, vaulting, and dodging.
Andrea Lupo Sinclair is the founder and President of the Associazione Triskell, a group dedicated to reviving the true systems of ancient fencing, training and use. The association studies all aspects of the Italian Renaissance--not only fencing, but also philosophy, history, art, and science. Maestro Lupo Sinclair is also the founder of the Italian Federation for Historical Swordplay (Federazione Italiana Scherma Antica e Storica). He presently instructs some ten groups and salles, and is associated with the British Association for Historical Swordplay.
Maestro Sinclair studied under Maitre d'Armes Hugo LeSquezec, who taught sabre, a form of short sword, and Breton wrestling. Maitre LeSquezecs' father was a traditional master of Breton wrestling and trained students for duels in France in the beginning of the century. It was from his master that Maestro Sinclair received permission to teach. He also learned form him how, and where, he could research historical treatises, in which pursuit he has spent ten years traveling throughout Europe. For the last five years he has been teaching in Italy and working on forming the Ancient and Historical Fencing Federation. Maestro Sinclair has also studied Canne et Baton under Maestro Italo Manusardi, Aikido from Sensei Yoji Fujimoto, and Indian Kakaru Payat from Master Luca Ghinolfi.
Maestro Sinclair's presentation of Renaissance cut and thrust sword and buckler is based on Achille Marozzo, Antonio Manciolino, and Giovanni dall'Agocchie. Assisting in his presentation are Paul Macdonald and Gareth Hunt.
Photos by Jeff Sauber
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| Maestro Sinclair faces Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Hunt in brief skirmish. | Mr. MacDonald demonstrates simultaneous parry with sword and counter attack by punch with buckler to face of Mr. Hunt. Maestro Sinclair (background) explains technique to audience. | Maestro Sinclair executes simultaneous parry with buckler and counter attack of Mr. Mac Donald's cut to chest. |
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| Maestro Sinclair fencing with Mr. Hunt. | Maestro Sinclair demonstrating variety of cuts that can be executed with sword. |
Maestro Sinclair executes cut to wrist of Mr. Mac Donald on his attempted cut to the head |
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