The School of Fencing By Domenico Angelo Annotated by Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martinez Edited by Jared Kirby

8.5 x 6 in. 192 pp 100 line drawings 1-85367-626-8 Hardback Greenhill Books May 2005 $29.95

The School of Fencing was first presented in 1763 by Domenico Angelo in French as L’Ecole des Armes. It remained the most popular book on fencing for over fifty years, being translated and republished five times in two decades. Before taking the throne as King George III, a young Edward, Duke of York and his brother, George the Prince of Wales, were both students of Domenico. His text was so influential that it was chosen to appear under the subject of Fencing in the famous Encyclopedie edited by Diederot and d’Alembert.

Angelo opens the treatise by discussing how to choose an appropriate blade and gives advice on mounting it. He then goes into his system of fencing, systematically starting with drawing the sword, then teaching the guards before going into the attacks. He covers the smallsword as well as including smallsword and dagger, smallsword vs. smallsword and dagger, smallsword and lantern and finally smallsword vs. broadsword. He also covers how to fence against the German, Italian and Spanish guards.

The School of Fencing is completely annotated by Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martinez, who is currently the foremost expert in French smallsword. Her additions to this wonderful book include notes on the text as well as two appendixes which help clarify Angelo’s text for the modern reader. This edition also includes a short history of Domenico Angelo’s life by the editor, Jared Kirby. Mr. Kirby is a historical fencer who recently edited and helped translate Italian Rapier Combat.

The School of Fencing is essential reading for any historical swordfighter or student of martial arts or military history as it allows the reader to access the knowledge of one of the most important masters of the art. The book is also sure to give the modern fencer new insights in technique and a greater appreciation of the history of fencing.

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