Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
| cavalcabo_start [2025/01/26 00:06] – [Actions of the Sword and Dagger] adminaccount | cavalcabo_start [Unknown date] (current) – external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | ====== Gerolamo (Heironyme) Cavalcabo ====== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Original text for French readers (BnF): | ||
| + | * [[http:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | There a free PDF translation on the [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | Also available in an English translation by Rob Runacres (Lulu.com): | ||
| + | * [[http:// | ||
| + | * [[http:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | Runacres' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ----- | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Stance ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP 30% right round caution> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cavalcabo agrees that there are four basic guard positions following the Agrippan pattern in that they discuss the position of the arm, not the orientation of the hand. | ||
| + | |||
| + | > The first guard [prime] is when you hold your arm above the shoulder. The second [seconde] will be when the hand is at the same height as the shoulder. The third [tierce] is when the arm is a little advanced in front of the knee. The fourth [quarte] will be when holding the sword and dagger on the left side. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tierce is best for attacking. Quarte is best for defending. Other postures arise from actions and circumstances. Cavalcabo has little to say about the actual positioning of the body. :!: [[paternoster_start# | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Counterguards ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^Guard | ||
| + | |Premiere | ||
| + | |Seconde | ||
| + | |Tierce | ||
| + | |Quarte | ||
| + | |Left foot forward |Any guard with the left foot forward | ||
| + | |||
| + | There is no stated counter-posture for a right-hander facing a left-hander although this may be inferred from the larger sword and dagger section of the text. | ||
| + | |||
| + | When using sword and dagger, the dagger is always held close to the guard of the sword. The two weapons work together as a pair. Only in exceptional and specific circumstances are they handled differently. So, if standing in //tierce// guard, both weapons are held on your outside line (providing an invitiation to your inside), and if standing in //quarte// both weapons are held on your inside line (providing an invitation to your outside). | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Notes** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * **Quarte as counterguard to Tierce**: This is the only counterguard which mentions movement. I think that this counterguard involves opposing the opponent' | ||
| + | * **Premiere and Seconde**: Einsiedell' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Strikes ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cavalcabo provides a list of four basic strikes with no detail. Compare with the five basic strikes listed in Paternoster [[paternoster_start# | ||
| + | |||
| + | > In these two guards [ie: tierce and quarte] can be made tierce, quarte, and a beat of the hand, and a pass below. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cavalcabo' | ||
| + | |||
| + | * A (straight?) thrust in //tierce// | ||
| + | * A (straight?) thrust in //quarte// | ||
| + | * Beating the opponent' | ||
| + | * Stepping out and low to your inside line, evading the opponent' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Generic List of Counters ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | This list is an uncritically examined dive into the text. See the Tables of Actions below for a better analysis. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Countertime thrusts with opposition in //quarte// or //tierce// as appropriate, | ||
| + | * Pass below (especially against an opponent who comes on "with great resolution" | ||
| + | * Parrying in // | ||
| + | * Withdraw backwards, beat the opponent' | ||
| + | * A parry followed by a //main droite// or //renvers// cutting strike. | ||
| + | ===== Measure and Tempo ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | > The measure is defined as when one can reach the other with a sword thrust. Out of measure is when neither can reach. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Note that this is a simpler definition of measure than [[paternoster_start# | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tempo is a more complex term. It needs to be compared and contrasted with the definitions in [[paternoster_start# | ||
| + | |||
| + | * tempo of the sword, | ||
| + | * tempo of the dagger, | ||
| + | * tempo of the foot. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The three tempo seems to correlate with Agrippa' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Even this description represents more words than Cavalcabo throws at the concept. | ||
| + | ===== Oddities ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Look at Cavalcabo' | ||
| + | |||
| + | > // | ||
| + | |||
| + | > **Caver**: is equivalent to saying to feint wanting going high and to go low or to pretend to give low and going high, **or else** giving under the weapons. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Tactical Advice ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The sword alone section is very brief and only outlines the shape of Cavalcabo' | ||
| + | |||
| + | > **Universal play of the single sword with both the point and the edge** | ||
| + | > Wanting to attack, you will commence with an // | ||
| + | |||
| + | There' | ||
| + | |||
| + | > **To understand how to attack for the best** | ||
| + | > When you want to attack the enemy, you must strike the nearest part, awaiting his riposte. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This is the clear and consistent theme for the shape of the fight. | ||
| + | |||
| + | > **As one must conduct oneself with a man against whom one has never fenced** | ||
| + | > To find out what your enemy wants to do, give him the advanced sword with the body bent forward and the dagger close to your sword. Draw near him to see if he wants to parry with his dagger or his sword. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Another long list of options follows. This action is a little different to other advice given. This is an invitation of the extended sword to test ... what? I imagine it tests whether the opponent waits for or takes opportunities presented. It tests the opponent' | ||
| + | |||
| + | > **To know whether it is better to wait or to assault** | ||
| + | > Both are good, but I am of the opinion that waiting is better than the assault. And if the man tries to attack sometimes, he would still have far more advantage waiting, the reason being such that he who assaults inconveniences the body, and he who waits is not inconvenienced, | ||
| + | |||
| + | It's a long quote with plenty of value in it and the key point is highlighted. | ||
| + | |||
| + | > **To attack it is necessary to go with the thrust and the cut** | ||
| + | > Recollect this when you want to start your attack: you must carry a resolute point to the enemy' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Again, there' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Table of Actions ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Actions of the Sword Alone ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP tip> | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Brief Speech About the Sword Alone Regarding the Point === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My engagement or invitation | ||
| + | |Engagement of invitation in quarte? | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |Engagement or invitation in tierce? | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |I hold my sword high to provide the opponent the opportunity to pass below. | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |I present the sword for the opponent to beat. | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Universal Plays: Opponents cuts to enter measure === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My preparation or feint | ||
| + | |(nothing) | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Universal Plays : I want to attack === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My preparation or feint | ||
| + | |Thrust in tierce to the shoulder | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Universal Plays : Opponent wants to attack === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My preparation or feint | ||
| + | |Adopt quarte guard (invitation in quarte) | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |Adopt tierce guard (invitation in tierce) | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Actions of the Sword and Dagger ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | This table (below) is specifically to look at the sword and dagger used together. The format may change as I come to better understand the actions. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Also, the actions seem specifically tied in the text to fencing situations, eg: " | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who strike first then withdraw === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Opponent attacks (with a thrust?) |Parry with sword then follow, passing in a straight line with the left foot. Return to guard in //seconde// to await the opponent' | ||
| + | |::: |Parry with dagger then follow, passing in a straight line with the left foot. Return to guard in //quarte// to await the opponent' | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who use feints === | ||
| + | |||
| + | There' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Opponent feints (with a thrust) | ||
| + | |::: |Make as if to parry with the dagger so that the opponent cavers around/ | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who withdraw the foot === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Invitation of Engagement ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Make a show of moving one foot | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who strike on the firm foot === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Invitation of Engagement ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |I stand in "high guard" (// | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |::: | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who pass === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Invitation of Engagement ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Present the sword high (invitation to the low line?) so that they have an opportunity to pass. |Opponent strikes (with a thrust) | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Cut or beat the opponent' | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Withdraw, maintaining measure, into //tierce// guard (dagger near hilt as usual) before making your attack | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Turn a point (sidestep?) and strike | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Disenge over or under the opponent' | ||
| + | |Present the sword and dagger low (invitation to the high line) so that they have the opportunity to pass |Opponent strikes (with a thrust) | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Pivot offline (turning the body) to evade the attack, parry with the dagger, strike in //tierce// | | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Withdraw, maintaining measure, into //quarte// guard (dagger near hilt as usual) before making your attack | ||
| + | |Present the sword between the opponent' | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who want to strike first === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Invitation of Engagement ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Stand in //tierce// to invite an attack your inside line |Opponent strikes |Parry and riposte | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who want to cover your sword with theirs === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Invitation of Engagement ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Stand in //tierce//, holding your sword a little too wide to the outside. Keep the dagger near the hilt. |The opponent makes to cover/touch your sword |Disengage under/ | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Disengage under the opponent' | ||
| + | |Stand in //quarte//, holding your sword a little to wode to the inside. Keep the dagger near the hilt. |The opponent makes to cover/touch your sword |Disengage under/ | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Disengage under/ | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Instead of volte," | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who hold the dagger very forward and the sword at the rear === | ||
| + | |||
| + | This action category is split into two in order to group actions by strategy. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Invitation of Engagement ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Invitation in //tierce// or // | ||
| + | |::: |Opponent strikes (with a thrust?) on the firm foot |Parry with dagger. Strike to shoulder in // | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who hold the dagger very forward and the sword at the rear === | ||
| + | |||
| + | This action category is split into two in order to groups actions by strategy. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Invitation of Engagement ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Provoke by making a feint outside the dagger, cutting, etc: lots of sword actions to provoke the opponent to strike at your open side. |Opponent strikes (with a thrust?) on the firm foot |Parry with dagger. Strike to shoulder in // | ||
| + | |::: |Opponent strikes (with a thrust) on the pass |Disengage around the dagger and strike between the weapons. Parry the opponent' | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who uncover the right ot the left part === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Invitation of Engagement ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Provoke the opponent by feinting at the opening they leave. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who never want to strike === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Invitation of Engagement ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Strike at the closest part and return to guard in //seconde// to wait for the opponent' | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Parry and strike with a thrust | | ||
| + | |Strike at the closest part and return to guard in //quarte// to wait for the opponent' | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Parry and strike with a thrust | | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against one who never wants to strike === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Invitation of Engagement ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Strike at the closest part and return to guard (in //seconde// or //quarte//) to await the opponent' | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who give the sword to beat === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Invitation of Engagement ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Feint beating the sword with your dagger | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Thrust on the pass, parrying with your dagger | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Pass to your inside around the opponent to secure the opponent' | ||
| + | |::: |Opponent withdraws the sword | ||
| + | |::: |::: |::: |::: | ||
| + | |::: |::: |::: |::: | ||
| + | |::: |Opponent does nothing | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Beat the sword with the dagger (or hand) and thrust, passing with the rear foot. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who parry with the sword or with the dagger === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Action ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Strike with a thrust (between the weapons if possible) | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Envelope to strike in // | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Turn the strike into //tierce// while the opponent parries (Agrippa' | ||
| + | |::: |Opponent parries with the dagger | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Cutover the dagger and strike to the offhand shoulder | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who hold the weapons apart. === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Action ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Strike straight between the weapons | ||
| + | |::: |Opponent parries with sword |Caver around the sword to strike the right (sword arm) shoulder, stepping to your inside | ||
| + | |Make a //quarte// stepping to your inside with the left foot, securing the opponent' | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against one who is always circling === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Action ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Step in the direction the opponent is circling, keeping your sword and dagger on that side. Strike as the opening presents itself. | | | | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Against those who place themselves low, holding their dagger close to their sword === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^My Action ^Opponent' | ||
| + | |Thrust (unspecified) over the dagger on the firm foot. | ||
| + | |Thrust (unspecified) over the dagger, passing with the rear foot. | ||
| + | |Beat with the dagger, thrust in //tierce// on the firm foot | | | | ||
| + | |Beat with the dagger, thrust in //tierce//, passing with the rear foot | | | | ||
| + | |Thrust in //tierce// in opposition, passing forward, protecting yourself with the dagger. | ||
| + | |Feint a thrust over the dagger so that the opponent parries. |Opponent parries with the dagger | ||
| + | |::: |::: |Disengage around/over the dagger to strike between the weapons, passing the opponent to the inside with your rear foot. Return to guard to await the riposte. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Cape et Épée - Sword and Cape ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | This is a bit of a disappointment. There' | ||
| + | |||
| + | On the defensive, one parries cuts and thrusts with the sword then controls the opponent' | ||
| + | |||
| + | On the offensive, one follows the same basic pattern outlined everywhere else in the text: "If you want to attack him, you will strike a feint to his face to make him parry with his sword." | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is always used as a secondary implement and never as the primary means of controlling the opponent' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cavalcabo is insistent on two aspects which are not otherwise stated in the sword and dagger sections: | ||
| + | |||
| + | - Make a rear foot pass to the opponent' | ||
| + | - Use the cape-wrapped hand to control the opponent' | ||
| + | |||
| + | He warns against throwing the cape unless first having subjected the opponent' | ||
| + | |||
| + | At the end of the section on sword and cape, he asks himself which is better, sword and cape or sword and dagger. Cavalcabo answers that the sword and dagger is preferred because "if you strike him in the face, it will always be best for you." | ||
| + | |||
| + | As a side note, Palladini' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^Invitation, | ||
| + | |Feint with a thrust to opponent' | ||
| + | |Feint with a thrust to opponent' | ||
| + | |Feint with a thrust to opponent' | ||
| + | |Feint with a thrust to opponent' | ||
| + | |Feint with a thrust to opponent' | ||
| + | |Feint with a thrust to opponent' | ||
| + | |Feint with a thrust to opponent' | ||
| + | |Invitation in //quarte//, cape held near my hilt |3-4 |Opponent attacks "with the point," | ||
| + | |Invitation in //quarte//, cape held near my hilt |2 |Opponent strikes "with an // | ||
| + | |Invitation in //quarte//, cape held near my hilt | 2|Opponent strikes with a //renvers// |Parry with the sword, stepping around to my inside. Secure with the cape. Strike with a thrust in //quarte//, a cut to the face or a cut ot the leg. | | | | ||
