Lesson 63 – Rapier and dagger

Lately, I’ve been reading through Kevin Maurer’s translation of Sebastian Heußler‘s text from 1615, which is heavily influenced by Italian rapier. Here’s the lesson that I did this evening:

Starting with single sword

In time, as I invite in third, straight thrust (no lunge) In time, as I invite in fourth, straight thrust (no lunge) In time, as I changed to an invitation (third or fourth) (lunge) In time, as I attempt to engage in either third or fourth, disengagement (lunge)

Next, we worked on the sequence described in sections 1-3 of the text. I interpreted this a sequence involving multiple hits. I began the initial attack with a disengagement, rather than a straight thrust as seems to be indicated in the text. I also added a retreat following the recovery of the lunge, which while not specified in the text, made the subsequent actions a little easier. The additional retreat was also recommended by Capoferro. I also did this part of the lesson left-handed, so the sequence is slightly different.

In time, as I attempt to engage in fourth, disengagement. Recover back into an engagement in fourth and retreat. From engagement in fourth, as I attempt a disengagement, counterattack in third with a lunge. Recover back into an engagement in third and retreat. In time, as I attempt to engage in fourth, disengagement. Recover back in fourth, then counterattack in third with a lunge against my disengagement (second hit). Recover back to third. From engagement in third, as I attempt a disengagement, counterattack in fourth with a lunge. Recover back into an engagement in fourth and retreat. In time, as I attempt to engage in fourth, disengagement. Recover back in fourth, then counterattack in third with a lunge against my disengagement (second hit). Recover back to third, then counterattack in fourth with a lunge against my disengagement (third hit). Same thing with mobility. In time, as I attempt to engage in third, disengagement. Recover back in third, then counterattack in fourth with a lunge against my disengagement (second hit). Recover back to fourth, then counterattack in third with a lunge against my disengagement (third hit). Same thing with mobility. Either 9 or 10, depending on whether I attempt to initially engage in third or fourth.

Next we added a dagger, and began to warm up with that:

With the dagger held back near the chest (subsequent actions start from here as well), parry outwards and to the left (I’ll call this third) and thrust in the low line with the hand in third position. Parry downwards to the left (second) and thrust in the outside high line over my arm. Parry upwards and to the right, over the right arm (fourth) and thrust in the low line with the hand in third position. Parry downwards and to the right (tip pointed up), under the right arm (low fourth) and thrust in the outside high line with the hand in second. Either 15-18, depending on where my attack is directed.

Next, I switched to my right hand and we worked on section 4 from Heußler:

From my invitation in third, straight thrust to the inside line with a lunge. Recover back into an engagement in fourth. From engagement in fourth, as I disengage, parry fourth with the dagger (over the arm) while thrusting to my outside high line over my right arm, making a small step diagonally towards my right. From my invitation in third, straight thrust to the inside line with a lunge. Recover back to fourth, then make a second hit with a thrust to over my arm while parrying in fourth with the dagger against my disengagement.

Next we explored a similar technique from Capoferro (plate 24):

From engagement in fourth, with the dagger held near the right hand (blade pointed to the right). Parry third (upwards and to the left) with the dagger while thrusting over my right arm with the sword. Move the dagger downwards to disarm me. From my invitation in fourth, straight thrust. Recover back to an engagement in fourth, then make a second hit against my disengagement by parrying with the dagger, thrusting over the right arm, and disarming me. From my invitation in fourth, three straight thrusts, end of lesson.

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