( 6 reviews )
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( 3 of 3 found this review helpful ) Posted: May 24 2006
This book gives an introduction and brief history of English Schooles of Defense. The history was a fun read. The practical sections, which contain reconstructions of various CQC techniques as the records indicate they were taught, are presented in a clear pictorial format which makes them easy to learn and analyze. If you are interested in historical combat, this is a book you will reference again and again.
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( 5 of 5 found this review helpful ) Posted: Feb 17 2006
How wrong could I be. Having practised re-enactment martial arts for 24 years I thought I'd seen it all... you live and learn. The techniques described in the book are brutal to say the least. The knee stamp when the opponent is down is my favorite. There are chapters divided into historical references for each weapon(including fists). Adding to this there are clear photographs of the strikes and blocks. If you are re-enacting later european medieval history this is the book for you.
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( 12 of 13 found this review helpful ) Posted: Dec 11 2005
"No man travelleth by the waie without his sword or somesuch weapon except the minister who commonly weareth none at all unless it is a dagger or a hanger at his side." - Aylward [English Master of Arms] Terry Brown's `English Martial Arts' is an outstanding book about a little known topic. Beginning with an excellent overview of the background of English Martial Arts, we are then introduced to the weapons of the English man at arms: >>Broadsword >>Quarterstaff >>Sword & Dagger >>Sword & Dagger vs. Sword & Buckler >>The Bill >>Bear-Fist Fighting >>Stances Terry Brown then introduces us to the `Principles of True Fighting' and demonstrates the techniques of the weapons listed herein. A series of clear photographs demonstrates the effective application of techniques, allowing the student to develop sufficient basic skill to seek entry to `The Company of Maieters' [http://www.maisters.demon.co.uk/] as a Free Scholler. Finally, English Martial Arts closes with "Words of Wisdom" from the English Masters of Defense such as Silver, Godfrey and Lonnergan. For any Scholler of the Arts of Defense, English Martial Arts is a `must have' resource.
