mercoledì 27 gennaio 2010

Relazione su Ridolfo Capoferro

Relazione del Prof. Agostino Marini su Rodolfo Capoferro " Gran simulacro dell'uso e dell'arte della scherma.."
Lezione del 25 febbraio 2010

http://unilitcagli.blogspot.com/

Relazione del Prof.
Agostino Marini
Cronolgia e Sintesi



· 2003- Come e quando è nata questa ricerca. Gli interrogativi iniziali. Scritti e libri presenti nella mia biblioteca. Informazioni avute dagli storici locali.
· Cagli nel XVI secolo contestualizzazione del personaggio.
· 2005- Acquisizione, da Internet, di una copia in formato pdf del libro “Gran Simulacro dell’arte e dell’uso della scherma”. Il testo e le stampe che ne illustrano il contenuto. Prime notizie su Capoferro da Cagli - Ricerca sugli sviluppi della schema storica in Italia, acquisizione di altri testi scherma di autori italiani dal sec XIII fino ad oggi
· 2007- Pubblicazione di un blogger in internet con tutte le notizie .”www.agosmarini-capoferro.blogspot.com”. Contatti email con autore traduzione Gran Simulacro in inglese. L’importanza del lavoro del nostro Capoferro per le scuole di schema in Italia e nel mondo.

· 2008- Ricerche di nuovi dati su Google : gruppi di scherma : testo tradotto in varie lingue tra cui Italiano Volgare.
· Info ricavate da Wikipedia in inglese.
· Info ricavate da Scrimipedia associazione cultori scherma
2009- Google Boocks ricerca di testi storici liberi da coprywrite.
Quante sono le edizioni stampate. Dove acquistare o trovare il testo originale.
· Chi era veramente Rodolfo Capoferro da Cagli. Perché a Cagli non ci sono notizie più dettagliate. Dove è morto e sepolto. Risposte alle mie. domande e proposte per ulteriori approfondimenti

sabato 2 gennaio 2010

The Capo Ferro Translation Project is proud to present “Italian Rapier Combat” published by Greenhill Books

Home > Capo Ferro Translation Project

The Capo Ferro Translation Project

is proud to present “Italian Rapier Combat”

published by Greenhill Books

"…of all the Italian works on fencing none ever had such a share in fixing the principles of the science as the ‘Great Simulacrum of the Use of the Sword, by Ridolfo Capo Ferro da Cagli, Master of the most excellent German Nation in the famous City of Sienna.’ The theories which he enunciated, the system that he followed and many of his ‘ferite,’ were hardly improved on by anyone before the days of Rosaroll and Grisetti. For once the title of the book fully represented its contents." (Castle, ‘Schools and Masters of Fence’, pg 155 )

"But the peak of achievement of the Italian tradition is reached with the work of Capo Ferro…. [he] fixes permanently the principles on which all later sword-play is based, at least in those weapons in which the point predominates." (Wise, ‘The History and Art of Personal Combat’ pg 74)

Many people consider Capo Ferro’s work to be the most comprehensive, comprehensible work on the Italian rapier to have ever been published. Published in 1610 during the height of the use of the rapier and although the works of Cavalcabo, Fabris and Giganti were also published around this time, Gran Simularcro Dell’arte e Dell’uso Della Scherma became the most highly regarded text of the time.

Four years after its inception, the Capo Ferro Translation project came to fruition in the spring of 2004. Thanks to the generous donations of the following patrons this translation of Capo Ferro’s great opus is now available.

Michael Anderson
Mtre Alexander Deme
Antone Blair
William S. Ernoehazy, Jr.
Steaphen Fick
Craig Johnson
Fred Kutz
John Lennox
Chris Lyon
Kevin P. Menard
Jason Porter
Martin Reznick
Tim Ruzicki
Dave Storrs
William Wilson
Art of Combat
Sussex Rapier Society
The School of European Swordsmanship
The School of the Sword
The Stoccata School of Defence

History of the Capo Ferro Translation Project

Excerpt taken from Jared Kirby's introduction to "Italian Rapier Combat" published in 2004 (permission from Jared Kirby)

"I first became interested in translating Capo Ferro’s opus eight years ago. I had heard many times that Capo Ferro was the greatest fencing master of all time. Considering the high regard in which such notable authors as Egerton Castle, Arthur Wise and Sydney Anglo hold this master, I found it difficult to understand that in four hundred years no one had ever translated his treatise into English. So I began looking for a translator who would take on the project. As new books came out, such as Sydney Anglo’s The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe (Yale, 2000), Capo Ferro continued to be praised by modern authors. This reinforced the importance of this translating.

I met with many potential translators over the years, but after the initial meeting when they looked at the material, none of them would accept the job. There were two major reasons that translators refused to work on this project. The first reason involved the nature of the highly stylized Renaissance language. It is much like asking someone to translate Shakespearean English into modern Italian. Many of the words that Capo Ferro uses have slightly different meanings now, some words are no longer in use, and others are spelled differently in modern Italian. Therefore, the only way to find the definition is through the use of a sixteenth century dictionary. There are abbreviations that have not been used in centuries. The sentence structure in the sixteenth century would make a modern language professor scream because the grammar has changed so drastically. It is not uncommon to find one sentence that is half a page long, as the use of punctuation was very different. For example, commas are used to break up points, where we use a period today, but a period is only used to end a complete thought, where we start a new paragraph.

The second difficulty arose from the highly technical nature of this work. Without a firm foundation and understanding of the art and science of fencing it is very difficult to comprehend what Capo Ferro is explaining and thereby translate his true intention and meaning. After five years of searching for someone in the United States, I finally decided to employ a professional translator in Italy who was familiar with text like this. Thus the Capo Ferro Translation Project was born. I set up a fund to help raise money in order to pay this professional translator. Many scholars and practitioners of the sword generously donated to support this effort and several organizations lent their help, such as the New Dawn Duellists Society and Swordplay Symposium International.

The translator worked on this project for two years and I finally received the completed manuscript with much excitement. To my surprise and dismay, it was riddled with errors. There were words mistranslated, entire sentences missing, and very little of the material made sense. It was a glaring reminder that regardless of how well someone understands the language and is familiar with historical fencing, a full understanding of the technical nature of this type of material is requisite in order to convey the meaning of the author.

I was uncertain how to improve the quality of the translation until Maestro Ramón Martinez and Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martinez offered to help. Maestro Martinez has spent over twenty-five years working through some of the most important Italian and Spanish fencing texts of the Renaissance. Long before he became regarded as the expert of La Verdadera Destreza (Spanish school of rapier), he had already been teaching Italian rapier based on his own research and the traditional system of rapier and dagger that he had learned from his master. For her part, Maestro Acosta-Martinez has spent eight years studying the Italian treatises as well. I was delighted to have such qualified individuals helping to ensure that the highest quality translation would be prepared."

Order

You can purchase a copy of Italian Rapier Combat from any major book seller.

If you have any questions, please email Jared Kirby at jaredkirby@hotmail.com.


sabato 2 gennaio 2010
La traduzione Capo Ferro Project è orgogliosa di presentare "Combat Rapier italiano" edito da Greenhill Books
Home> Capo Ferro Translation Project

La traduzione Capo Ferro Project

è orgogliosa di presentare "Combat Rapier italiano"

pubblicato da Greenhill Books

"... Di tutte le opere italiane in nessuna recinzione mai avuto una quota fissa i principi della scienza come la 'Grande simulacro della uso della spada, di Ridolfo Capo Ferro da Cagli, Maestro della nazione più eccellenti in tedesco famosa città di Siena. 'Le teorie che egli enunciò, il sistema che ha seguito e molte delle sue' ferite, 'non si sono avute migliorato da chiunque prima del giorno di Rosaroll e Grisetti. Per una volta il titolo del libro pienamente rappresentato il suo contenuto ". (Castle, 'Scuole e Maestri di scherma', pg 155)

«Ma il picco della realizzazione della tradizione italiana è raggiunto con il lavoro di Capo Ferro .... [Si], fissa definitivamente i principi su cui tutti spada dopo-play si basa, almeno in quelle armi, in cui predomina il punto". (Wise, 'La Storia e Arte di Personal Combat' pg 74)

Molti considerano il lavoro Capo Ferro di essere il più completo, il lavoro comprensibili sul pinze italiano ad aver mai stata pubblicata. Pubblicato nel 1610, durante l'altezza l'uso della spada e anche se le opere di Cavalcabò, Fabris e Giganti sono stati pubblicati anche in questo periodo, Gran Simularcro Dell'arte e Dell'uso Della Scherma divenne il testo più apprezzati del tempo.

Quattro anni dopo la sua nascita, il progetto di traduzione di Capo Ferro è venuto a compimento nella primavera del 2004. Grazie alle generose donazioni dei mecenati seguendo questa grande opera di traduzione di Capo Ferro è ora disponibile.

Michael Anderson
Mtre Alexander Deme
Antone Blair
William S. Ernoehazy, Jr.
Steaphen Fick
Craig Johnson
Fred Kutz
John Lennox
Chris Lyon
Kevin P. Menard
Jason Porter
Martin Reznick
Tim Ruzicki
Dave Storrs
William Wilson
Arte del combattimento
Rapier Sussex Society
La Scuola Europea di Scherma
La Scuola della Spada
La Scuola Stoccata della Difesa

Storia della traduzione Capo Ferro Project

Brano tratto da introduzione Jared Kirby di "Combat Rapier italiano", pubblicato nel 2004 (il permesso da Jared Kirby)

"I primi interessi per la traduzione di Capo Ferro's Opus otto anni fa. Avevo sentito dire tante volte che Capo Ferro è stato il più grande maestro di scherma di tutti i tempi. Considerando l'alta considerazione in cui tali autori di rilievo come Egerton Castle, Arthur Wise e Sydney tenere Anglo questo maestro, ho trovato difficile capire che in quattrocento anni non si era mai tradotto in italiano il suo trattato. Così ho iniziato a cercare un traduttore che avrebbe preso per il progetto. Come nuovi libri usciti, come Sydney Anglo The Martial arti del Rinascimento in Europa (Yale, 2000), Capo Ferro ha continuato ad essere lodato da autori moderni. Ciò ha rafforzato l'importanza di questa traduzione.

Ho incontrato molti traduttori potenziale nel corso degli anni, ma dopo il primo incontro, quando guardò il materiale, nessuno di loro avrebbe accettato il lavoro. Ci sono due motivi principali che i traduttori si rifiutavano di lavorare su questo progetto. La prima ragione coinvolto la natura del linguaggio rinascimentale altamente stilizzate. E 'molto simile a chiedere a qualcuno di tradurre inglese di Shakespeare in italiano moderno. Molte delle parole che usa Capo Ferro hanno un significato leggermente diverso ora, alcune parole non sono più in uso, e altri sono scritti in modo diverso in italiano moderno. Pertanto, l'unico modo per trovare la definizione è attraverso l'uso di un dizionario del XVI secolo. Ci sono abbreviazioni che non sono stati utilizzati nel corso dei secoli. La struttura della frase, nel XVI secolo sarebbe stato un grido moderno professore di lingua, perché la grammatica è cambiato in modo drastico. Non è raro trovare una frase che è la metà di una pagina lunga, come l'uso della punteggiatura è stata molto diversa. Per esempio, le virgole sono utilizzate per rompere i punti, dove si usa un termine oggi, ma un termine è utilizzato solo alla fine un pensiero completo, dove si comincia un nuovo paragrafo.

La seconda difficoltà nasce dalla natura altamente tecnica di questo lavoro. Senza un solido fondamento e la comprensione dell'arte e della scienza della scherma è molto difficile da capire che cosa Capo Ferro sta spiegando in tal modo di tradurre la sua vera intenzione e il significato. Dopo cinque anni di ricerca di qualcuno che negli Stati Uniti, ho finalmente deciso di assumere un traduttore professionista in Italia, che aveva familiarità con il testo come questo. Così la traduzione Capo Ferro progetto è nato. Ho creato un fondo per contribuire ad aumentare il denaro per pagare il traduttore professionale. Molti studiosi e operatori della spada generosamente donato a sostegno di questo sforzo e di diverse organizzazioni hanno prestato il loro aiuto, come il New Dawn duellanti Società e Swordplay Simposio Internazionale.

Il traduttore ha lavorato su questo progetto per due anni e finalmente ho ricevuto il manoscritto completo, con molta eccitazione. Con mia grande sorpresa e sgomento, era pieno di errori. Ci sono stati erroneamente tradotto le parole, intere frasi scomparse, e molto poco del materiale aveva un senso. E 'stato un richiamo evidente che, indipendentemente da quanto bene qualcuno capisce la lingua e sia a conoscenza di scherma storica, una piena comprensione della natura tecnica di questo tipo di materiale è necessaria al fine di trasmettere il significato del suo autore.

Ero incerto su come migliorare la qualità della traduzione al Maestro Ramon Martinez e Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martinez offerto aiuto. Maestro Martinez ha trascorso oltre venticinque anni di lavoro attraverso alcuni dei più importanti testi italiani e spagnoli recinzione del Rinascimento. Molto prima di diventare considerato come l'esperto di La Verdadera Destreza (scuola spagnola di pinze), aveva già insegnato a pinze italiano basato sulla propria attività di ricerca e il sistema tradizionale di pinze e il pugnale che aveva imparato dal suo padrone. Da parte sua, Maestro Acosta-Martinez ha trascorso otto anni a studiare i trattati italiani. Sono stato molto lieto di avere tali persone qualificate contribuendo a garantire che la traduzione di altissima qualità sarebbe disposto ".

Ordine

È possibile acquistare una copia di Combat Rapier italiane da qualsiasi venditore principali del libro.

Se avete domande, per favore scriva a Kirby Jared a jaredkirby@hotmail.com.

Disegno in acquarello di Cagli


mercoledì 30 dicembre 2009

sabato 26 dicembre 2009

Lezione su Rodolfo Capoferro da Cagli

Presentazione su Power Point Lezione

I Libri antichi che parlano di Capoferro

Biblioteca Storica personale
Ricerca su Google-Book

giovedì 3 dicembre 2009

Info su Rodolfo Capoferro da Cagli ? possibile stampa prima 1610

http://www.scrimipedia.it/mediawiki/index.php/Pagina_principale

Scrimipedia - L'Enciclopedia della Scherma Antica e Storica

LEP: Hora ch’io conosco l’eccellenza di quest’arte, et veggo, che la principal parte di essa è fondata nella Theorica; volentieri saprei in che consiste l’ordine, et il modo d’intenderla.
GIO: Questa si fonda, et si divide in sei capi principali: E il primo è che havendo da adoprare la spada; sappiate qual sia il suo filo dritto, et quale il falso. Secondo in quanti modi essa può ferire. Terzo l’ordine delle guardie, et massimamente delle piu importanti. Quarto il modo di passeggiare in esse. Quinto come ritrovandovi in quale si voglia di dette guardie, vi possiate difendere da tutti i colpi del nimico, et offendere lui. Sesto et ultimo, havere cognitione delle strette di mezza spada, et del tempo insieme.

Da Giovanni Dalle Agocchie - “Dell’arte di scrimia libri III"

venerdì 11 settembre 2009

Wikipedia versione in inglese

Ridolfo Capo Ferro
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Ridolfo Capoferro or Capo Ferro of Cagli was a fencing master in the city of Siena who published a rapier fencing manual in Italian in 1610, entitled

"Great Simulacrum of the Art and Use of Fencing / by Ridolfo Capoferro of Cagli / Maestro of the Most High German Nation / In the Famous City of Siena / Dedicated to the most Serene Signore Don Federigo Feltrio delle Rovere / Prince of the State of Urbino."

Printed by Salvestro Marchetti and Camillo Turi in Siena, Ridolfo's origin is unclear. The reference to the Holy Roman Empire may indicate that he studied with masters of the German school. Cagli (in the Province of Pesaro e Urbino) appears to be his place of origin, while he was active as a fencing master in Siena (in Tuscany). Ridolfo's teachings, however, do not reflect perceptible German influence, but are soundly in the Italian tradition with a notable influence from the earlier Italian school of swordsmanship of the 1500s.

Capoferro's treatise is divided into two parts: Art and Practice. In the first part, he gives the general principles of swordsmanship and fencing, with the second part of his book covering actual techniques, described in text with accompanying illustrations. His work is interesting in that some methods that he denigrates in his theory he uses in his actions; most notably, he dismisses feints as dangerous or useless (depending upon the situation) and then uses them liberally in various actions in the second part of his book.

Ridolfo's book must have been reasonably popular, as it was reprinted several times, although not many of the fencing treatises written in the next generation mention him and those that do are not necessarily complimentary. An interesting example of this is Francesco Alfieri, who, in his 1640 treatise La Scherma, refers to Capoferro as Capo di Ferro (literally: 'Head of Iron'). However, he was strongly praised by later notable swordsman such as Egerton Castle who says in his 'Schools and Masters of Fence (1893)', "...but of all the Italian works on fencing none ever had such a share in fixing the principals of the science as 'Great Simulacrum of the Use of the Sword, by Ridolfo Capoferro", later adding "for once the title of the book fully represented its contents." A later edition of Capoferro's work also incorporated Biblical scenes drawn into the backgrounds of the plates.

The book covers the use of single rapier, including basic sword grappling, as well as Rapier and dagger, Rapier and cloak, and Rapier and Rotella, a most unusual combination for the period, though far more common in the tradition of swordsmanship of the 1500s which preceded it. The Rotella is a medium size concave round shield of approximately 60 cm in Diameter with two straps to hold it. Similar metal shields survive, particularly from Spain in this period, though very few from Italy, implying that these shields were made of a perishable material such as wood or leather or a composite of such materials. The manual also includes techniques for fighting against a left handed opponent.

While many modern reference books state that rapiers were either blunt on their edges or only had sharp edges in order to discourage blade grabs because they were not suitable for the cut, should be noted that nearly 30% of the techniques included in Capoferro's treatise use the cut as a primary or secondary option.

In the fictional work The Princess Bride by William Goldman, Inigo Montoya and The Man in Black duel atop the Cliffs of Insanity where they mention various fencing techniques they have studied, including those of Capoferro.

A Note on the Spelling of Capoferro: Because there is an apparent space in the name of the author in the original publication, Capoferro is often spelled as two words: Capo Ferro. However, a look at some sources where he is named or listed, such as in the works of other fencing masters (for example, see page 6 of Giuseppe Morsicato-Pallavicini's 1670 fencing treatise), Jacopo Gelli's fencing bibliography, Dr Anglo's book The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe, the listing of his books in the US Library of Congress, the Latin form of his name over his portrait (Rodulphus Capoferrus), and the spelling of the surname in modern Italy does support that it is one word. Despite this, other sources of the time such as "Prima [e secundi] parte dell'Historia siciliana (1606)" clearly show the name spelt as two words. Other works such as "Bibliotheca Stoschiana sive Catalogus selectissimorum librorum quos Collegerat Philippvs Liber Baro De Stosch" (1759), have the name hyphernated (Capo-Ferro).

Rapisardi Giovanni Autore di Libri dell'autore: Capoferro Ridolfo

Libri dell'autore: Capoferro Ridolfo
Gran simulacro dell'arte e dell'uso della scherma
di Capoferro Ridolfo, Rapisardi Giovanni
20Euro

sabato 1 agosto 2009

ITALIAN RAPIER COMBAT By Capo Ferro Edited and Presented by Jared Kirby




Recensioni su autore di questo testo in inglese che parla di RODOLFO CAPOFERRO da Cagli



"Jared Kirby has done a great service in bringing a modern edition of Capo Ferro to press, and this translation, executed by Mr. Kirby and the husband-and-wife team of fencing masters Ramon Martinez and Jeannette Acosta-Martinez, is an indispensible primary source for anyone with an interest in Renaissance martial arts or affairs of honor.

Overall, this is a handsome volume, a well-produced and much-needed text that is sure to be appreciated by all those touched by the romance and deadly skill of the rapier."

--Ken Mondschein, Renaissance Magazine

venerdì 31 luglio 2009

Tavole con combattimenti e paesaggi del Montefeltro e panorama di CAGLI



The ARMA is the Internet's Premier Educational Site for
the Study and Practice of Medieval and Renaissance Fighting Skills

Info su Rodolfo Capoferro da Cagli

Anche l'enciclopedia mediatica WIKIPEDIA ha una pagina dedicata al nostro cittadino , il grande fencing master originario di Cagli .

lunedì 8 giugno 2009

La A.S.D. Federazione Italiana Scherma Antica e Storica





Scuola italiana
Flos Duellatorum [ italiano ]
Fiore de Liberi, 1409

De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi [ italiano ]
Filippo Vadi, 1482

Petrii Montii Exercitiorum [ latino ]
Pietro Moncio (Monte) autore Spagnolo, 1509

Opera Nova per imparare a Combattere e Schermire... [ italiano ]
Antonio Manciolino, 1531

Opera Nova ... ( varie edizioni in diverse date e con diversi titoli) [ italiano ]
Achille Marozzo, 1536

Trattato di Scientia d'Arme con un Dialogo di Filosofia [ italiano ]
Camillo Agrippa, 1553

Discorso sopra l'Arte della Scherma [ italiano ]
Camillo Palladini, 1553

Ragione di adoprar sicuramente l'Arme [ italiano ]
Giacomo di Grassi, 1570

Dell'Arte di Scrimia [ italiano ]
Giovanni dall'Agocchie, 1572

Lo Schermo [ italiano ]
Angelo Viggiani, 1575

Regole di Molti Cavagliereschi Essercitii [ italiano ]
Federico Ghisliero, 1587

Opera intorno alla Practica et Theorica... [ italiano ]
Antonio Lovino, 1590

His True Arte of Defence [ inglese ]
Giacomo di Grassi, traduzione inglese del trattato italiano, 1594

Vincentio Saviolo - His Practise [ inglese ]
Vicenzo Saviolo, 1595

Trattato in materia di Scherma [ italiano ]
Marco Docciolini, 1601

De lo Schermo ovvero Scienza d'Armi [ italiano ]
Salvatore Fabris, 1606

Schola overo Teatro... [ italiano ]
Nicoletto Giganti, 1606

Traitè ou instruction pour tirer des armes [ francese ]
Cavalcabo e Paternostrier, 1609

Gran simulacro dell'Arte e dell'uso della Scherma [ italiano ]
Ridolfo Capoferro, 1610

Gioiello di Sapienza [ italiano ]
Antonio Quintino, 1614

Arte di maneggiare la Spada a piedi et a cavallo [ italiano ]
Giovan Battista Gaiani, 1619

La Scherma di Francesco Alfieri [ italiano ]
Francesco Alfieri, 1640

L'Esercizio della Spada Regolato con la Perfetta Idea della Scherma [ italiano ]
Terenziano Ceresa, 1641

Le Maistre d'Armes Liberal [ francese ]
Charles Besnard, 1653

Modi di metter mano alla Spada [ italiano ]
Alessandro Senesio, 1660

Della Scherma Napoletana [ italiano ]
Francesco Antonio Mattei, 1669

La Scherma Illustrata [ italiano ]
Morsicato Pallavicini, 1670

La scherma Siciliana ridotta in compendio... [ italiano ]
Giuseppe villardita, 1670

Trattato della scherma Siciliana... [ italiano ]
Giuseppe Villardita, 1673

La Scherma Napoletana [ italiano ]
Francesco Della Monica, 1680

Regole della Scherma [ italiano ]
Lelio /Titta/ Francesco Antonio Marcelli, 1686

Alimento...della scherma napolitana [ italiano ]
Nuzzo Francesco Giovanni, 1691

La Spada Maestra [ italiano ]
Bondi di Mazo, 1696

Massime ed Avvertimenti da praticarsi nella Scherma [ italiano ]
Paolo Capodivacca, 1704

L'Arte Maestra... [ italiano ]
Colombani, Giuseppe, 1711

Scienza prattica necessaria all'Huomo... [ italiano ]
Costantino Calarone, 1714

La Vera Scherma Napoletana [ italiano ]
Nicola Terracusa, 1725

Ragionamenti accademici intorno all'Arte... [ italiano ]
Alessandro di Marco, 1758

Elementi Della Scherma [ italiano ]
Marco Marcello Vandoni, circa, 1780

Riflessioni filosofiche sopra l'Arte della Scherma [ italiano ]
G.A. del Mangano, 1781

Componimento de la Scherma... [ italiano ]
Nicola di Gennardo, 1783

Trattato di Scherma [ italiano ]
Paolo Bartelli, 1800

La Scienza della Scherma [ italiano ]
Giuseppe Rossarol Scorza e Pietro Grisetti, 1803

Trattato sulla Scherma [ italiano ]
Michele Gambogi, 1837

Trattato di Sciabola [ italiano ]
Bartolomeo Bertolini, 1842

La Scienza della Scherma [ italiano ]
Blasco Florio, 1844

Tratato di Scherma relativo alla Spada [ italiano ]
Bartolomeo Bertolini, 1844

Fencing Throughout History

About the AHF

The Association for Historical Fencing is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt not-for-profit educational corporation founded to meet the needs of the classical- and historical-oriented fencing community.

The AHF exists to encourage and preserve the arts of classical and historical fencing. To these ends, the AHF is organizing seminars, lectures, workshops and similar programs, and disseminating knowledge and basic factual material to its membership. To raise public awareness we are hosting exhibitions and demonstrations. The AHF, to the extent practicable, will ensure the availability of qualified masters and instructors in order to teach workshops, etc. We hope to promote the growth of schools and academies both nationally and internationally, but most importantly, we are providing a venue where practitioners and interested parties can unite to foment the growth of the classical and historical fencing community.

Fencing Throughout History

The Association for Historical Fencing has developed a system of classification of the eras of the history of fencing based on the various periods in the development of the art. They are:

Historical Fencing Early Period -- 14th and 15th Centuries
Historical Fencing Middle Period -- 16th Century
Historical Fencing Late Period -- 17th and 18th Centuries
Classical Fencing -- 19th Century
Modern Fencing -- 20th Century
These time periods are, of course, somewhat artificial classifications used to facilitate discussion, just as we may speak of vague periods such as "the Middle Ages" and "the Modern Era." Styles and weapons did not, of course, abruptly change from one time period to the next, just as other artifacts of human culture do not suffer sudden transformations. Rather, there was always an overlap of weapons, styles, and techniques within each era. Nonetheless, the different eras of the development of fencing can clearly be distinguished from each other, as each era has its own distinct characteristics. Comprehension of these developments and their ramifications is necessary for the informed practice thereof.

Historical Fencing Early Period

Though we may trace the art of defense back to the 14th century, it is difficult to talk about fencing before that time since there is simply no surviving documentation, save for anecdotal evidence. The fechtbuch known as I-33, penned circa 1300, is the first known treatise on Western swordsmanship. However, specifics on styles, techniques, or methods that predate this are, due to the lack of documentation, open to speculation. Most importantly, there was no clear distinction between civilian and military use of the sword. The early treatises do, however, contain clear descriptions of timing, distance, binding, engagements, parries, feints, voiding actions, and footwork. The basics of the styles within the "middle historical" period can be traced to this time period.

The I-33 fechtbuch is also the earliest known documented evidence of the use of the sword for personal self-defense or for monomachia (that is, dueling), though the distinction between civilian swordsmanship and military swordsmanship was just beginning to be recognized in this period. These two aims—self-defense and dueling—have guided the development of the art of fence through the centuries. The attitude and techniques that are necessary to these ends differ in many ways from those of military swordsmanship. Thus this distinction is of no small importance.

Historical Fencing Middle Period

The 16th century may, in fact, be considered to be a long transitional period. It is to this period that the basics of the "late historical" period can be traced, as well as the final developments of the styles and schools of the "early historical" period. It is within this period that the use of the sword as a civilian side arm became common practice, first appearing in fifteenth-century Spain. However, though we have texts on swordsmanship from the fifteenth century, it is not until the sixteenth century that we find numerous surviving treatises clearly documenting civilian systems of swordsmanship. In this period we find both the explication and definition of a system that already existed in the 15th century in the work of Achille Marozzo, and, seventeen years later, the explication of a new approach and system in the writings of Camillo Aggrippa. The sixteenth century also saw the birth of an entirely new civilian school in Spain with the writings of Don Jeronimo de Carranza.

Historical Fencing Late Period

The late historical period may be distinguished from the early and middle periods by the fact that we may directly trace the origins of the traditional schools, styles, and techniques of the classical era to this time period. This development can be attributed to several factors: the growing influence of the printing press, the beginnings of a modern mentality that included national consciousness and a "scientific" mindset, the rise of the middle class, and the wearing of the sword as an everyday article of dress. These social changes had their affect on fencing, as they did on other areas of human endeavor. Specifically, the printing press and the greater ease of long-distance travel helped the transmission of both first-person and vicarious knowledge, while the growth of the urban leisure class gave the fencing master a steady stream of willing patrons.

The late historical period is the era in which fencing evolved into distinct schools specifically intended for civilian use. This development resulted in schools and styles that remained intact for long periods of time, and a direct line that may be drawn from the classical techniques to the systems already in use in this era. In short, this is the era in which a differentiation between military and civilian styles were clearly established, and national styles, such as the Spanish, Italian, and French schools, became clearly defined. Finally, the schools of thought regarding the subject, which may be documented through the printed materials left to us, can be discerned, and the origin of traditions that have come down to this very day may be positively identified.

We know, for example, that rapier technique had its birth in the late 16th century, while the 17th century was the golden age of this weapon. The 17th century also saw the development of the smallsword, but it wasn't until the 18th century that we see the full development of l'escrime français, in which, primarily under the leadership of French masters, the smallsword developed into its own distinctive system. The Italian school also developed greatly during the 18th century, but continued to adhere to the method of the striccia, or thrusting rapier, as the basis of its system.

Classical Fencing

The second half of the 19th Century is historically the classical period, in which the art of fencing reached its highest development, but we may include the whole of the 19th century in this era, as this was the age when fencing was formally codified, systematized, and fully expressed in complete systems and styles. "Classical," in this sense, means "the golden age," the period when the art saw its highest peak. Clear distinctions between the French and Italian schools can be seen in this era, and national "academies" were established. A "super-national" approach established commonality in fencing language, as well as codes and rules for dueling. It is also within the classical period that the great rivalries between both schools were constantly put to the test through professional bouts and, in some cases, duels between masters of each school.

The use of the sword as a sidearm, for personal self-defense, was no longer a concern of fencers during this era. Rather, they focused on training in fencing for its own sake as an art form and personal accomplishment, in addition its use in personal combat. This age is distinguished by the art of the foil, which masters thought to be the fencing "weapon" par excellence. With this refined tool, the most sophisticated and artistic maneuvers are possible. However, the use of the sword as a killing weapon was always borne in mind, and the training was serious in nature.

However, earlier, more combative, techniques did not die out. In the early part of the 19th century, methods such as the use of the unarmed hand, strikes with the pommel, disarms, arm locks, and the like could be found in such works as Rosaroll and Grisetti's treatise of 1803 and Maestro Brea's book of 1805. It is also well known that methods of rapier and dagger, as well as other "historical" weapons, were practiced through the 19th century and into the 20th.

Modern Fencing

This brings us to the era we term "modern." This period has seen the gradual disappearance of the duel and, with the lack of a need to prepare for mortal combat, the transformation of the discipline into a sport. Although there have been occasional duels within the 20th century, modern fencing is solely concerned with the "sport" aspect. This development was aided by the inclusion of fencing into the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Furthermore, the founding of the Federation Internationale d'Escrime in 1913 saw a growth of "technicism" and the loss of the principles that are first and basic to the practice of fencing in a martial context. These principles are, namely, self-preservation, conservation, and defense. Fencing pedagogy has also changed with this. The fleche, the fouettee ("flick"), and similar actions, along with the use of the electrical scoring system and orthopedic grips, have no relation to preparation for lethal combat. These innovations, along with the constantly changing and subjectively reinterpreted rules, have resulted in the metamorphosis of the art and science of the sword into an athletic game. The final moments of the 20th century therefore find fencing severely altered from its original form and intent from a killing art, where the stakes are life and death, into a game, where losing a bout is the worst that can happen.

To conclude, it must be said that we have seen many misapprehensions such as classical fencing being confused with historical fencing, or anything that is not modern fencing classified as classical fencing, or, worse, theatrical swordplay. We hope everyone will now understand what context we are referring to when we speak of a specific era. It is important not only that we differentiate time periods, but also that we know the historical and technical reasons for these categorizations. Thus, we can use the same terminology and avoid unnecessary confusion.

lunedì 1 giugno 2009

Swinging swords Italian

Italian Rapier in the style of Ridolfo Capo Ferro at AEMMA
AEMMA is pleased to announce the addition of Italian rapier to its curriculum. Although the Academy focuses on the medieval fighting arts as defined by Italian swordsmaster Fiore dei Liberi (1410), the fortunate circumstance of Mr. Beau Brock, hailing from Vancouver, and instructor at Academie Duello, is now

Instructor Mr. Beau Brock
attending the University of Toronto, working on his post doctoral degree focused on societal languages. During his studies in Toronto, the opportunity presented itself to leverage his skills and expertise in Italian rapier, and his passion for Ridolfo Capo Ferro manifested into a popular rapier class now scheduled on Wednesday evenings between 9 - 10:30pm.

mercoledì 4 marzo 2009

domenica 1 marzo 2009

Le Cave del Burano







Escursione con Lucio Palazzetti

sabato 28 febbraio 2009

I miei filmati su Yuotube





In questi anni , dopo la pensione dalla mia attività di insegnante , mi sono dedicato al Birdwatching e alle riprese naturalistiche cercando di documentare il nostro territorio . Ho in questi 5 anni raccolto Gigabyte di filmati DV. Su questa pagina di YouTube ne potete vedere alcuni.

sabato 31 gennaio 2009

Academy of European Medioval Tornament

about AEMMA
bout AEMMA

The Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts or AEMMA (pronounced "ehma"), is a historical European martial arts school focused on the research, reconstruction and resurrection of authentic medieval martial arts of all fighting styles (armed, unarmed, armoured and unarmoured), firmly based on the works of the late 14th century Friulian swordsmaster by the name of Fiore dei Liberi, demonstrating the deadly practicality and effectiveness of the art as it applies to today's personal self-defense.

AEMMA was initially created in May of 1998 in Toronto and under the laws of Ontario's Corporations Act and the Regulations of the Ministry of the Attorney General, was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation (NPO Corporation Number: 1468524) in May 28, 2001. It has as its mission:

"The mission of AEMMA is to resurrect the combat skills, philosophies and principles of an accomplished European Medieval martial artist and to achieve a state which would be consistent with that of a medieval warrior in both technology and ideal."



The Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts or AEMMA (pronounced "ehma"), is a historical European martial arts school focused on the research, reconstruction and resurrection of authentic medieval martial arts of all fighting styles (armed, unarmed, armoured and unarmoured), firmly based on the works of the late 14th century Friulian swordsmaster by the name of Fiore dei Liberi, demonstrating the deadly practicality and effectiveness of the art as it applies to today's personal self-defense.

AEMMA was initially created in May of 1998 in Toronto and under the laws of Ontario's Corporations Act and the Regulations of the Ministry of the Attorney General, was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation (NPO Corporation Number: 1468524) in May 28, 2001. It has as its mission:

"The mission of AEMMA is to resurrect the combat skills, philosophies and principles of an accomplished European Medieval martial artist and to achieve a state which would be consistent with that of a medieval warrior in both technology and ideal."