Author: Henry de Sainct-Didier
Publisher: PALADIN PRESS, Feb 2010
Binding: Softcover
ISBN: 1-58160-704-0
Synopsis
Believed to be the 1st French sword manual ever written, its author was the 1st to institute geometrical ground plans & numbered footprints to indicate the correct sequence of movements. Also unique is the way woodcut illustrations in a "coherent plan designed to elucidate, & not merely to illustrate, the text." Illus.; 8.5x11 inches, 204 pgs.
More Information
Translation by Robert P. Hyatt & Devin Wilson.
Written in 1573 by fencing master Henry de Sainct-Didier, this is believed to be the first French sword manual ever written. Noting that he "lived his whole life learning to fight with the single sword," de Sainct-Didier says that his reason for writing this book was to "further serve his king." During his 25-year career in the French army, de Sainct-Didier participated in the "Italian Wars," & the influence of Italian swordplay is evident in this manual.
In addition to being the earliest surviving French sword-fighting manual, The Single Sword of Henry de Sainct-Didier is important in a couple of other ways. Its author was the first to institute geometrical ground plans & numbered footprints to indicate the correct sequence of movements. Also unique is the way de Sainct-Didier used his woodcut illustrations in a "coherent plan designed to elucidate, & not merely to illustrate, the text."
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Both life-long sword enthusiasts, Robert Hyatt & Devin Wilson took on the onerous task of translating & interpreting this French classic so that modern swordsmen could adapt Renaissance single sword fighting techniques to their current fighting systems. To make it easier for today's fighting students & Renaissance scholars, they include an opening chapter explaining the general fighting principles espoused by Didier & others of that period.
