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| Illustration from Meyer, 1570 |
Originating in Germany, the dusack is generally believed to be not a fighting weapon, but rather a training tool. It is a short weapon, designed principally for cutting, with an integral hand guard. Despite its resemblance to a machete, there is nothing at all crude about its use. In fact, the German school of swordsmanship, Der Ridderliche Kunst ("the knightly art") is the earliest we can document, having been written down as early as the fourteenth century. The dusack and the techniques specific to it are a sixteenth-century development of this tradition.
Paul MacDonald of Edinburgh, Scotland, is the chief instructor of the Dawn Duellists Society (DDS). Founded in 1994, the mission of the DDS is to revive and teach forms of historical swordsmanship, from late medieval broadsword technique through the elegant épée du combat of the Nineteenth Century. The DDS also participates in reenactments and publishes Stramazone, a newsletter on historical swordsmanship.
Gareth Hunt has been a member of the Dawn Duellists Society since 1995, achieved full member status in 1996, and is a leading member of the Swordplay Demonstration Team. His interest lies in all European civilian arms between the Middle Ages and the modern era, with a special concentration in 17th Century rapier and 18th Century smallsword. Mr. Hunt resides in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The Dawn Duellists Society is a historical group specializing in research, teaching and practicing historically accurate swordplay and dueling from the 13th century to the 19th century. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, the D.D.S. was founded in 1994, and currently studies some thirty different styles of European weapons. Long sword, Cut and Thrust sword, Rapier, Small sword, Dusack, and Espada in Arme, are just a few of these.
Photos by Jeff Sauber
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| Attack to head by Mr. Hunt is met by double-handed parry by Mr. MacDonald. | Attack to body by angular cut by Mr. MacDonald is met by double-handed parry by Mr. Hunt. | Attack to head by angular cut by Mr. Mac Donald is intercepted by Mr. Hunt stepping in and closing the distance and parrying. |
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| Mr. Hunt steps in and sweeps leg of Mr. MacDonald with right arm taking him down. | Mr. Hunt executes finishing thrust to the chest of Mr. MacDonald. | Attack to head by Mr. MacDonald is met by Mr. Hunt executing double-handed parry with "Spada en Arme." |
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