Guy Windsor

Celebrate two decades of historical martial arts development with the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Swordsman's Companion by Guy Windsor. This seminal guide has transformed the lives of thousands of swordsmanship enthusiasts worldwide, becoming a timeless classic in historical martial arts literature. This special edition retains the original's practical approach with detailed instructions, illustrations, and drills, which were state-of-the-art in 2004. The field has moved on considerably, so this book includes access to Guy's fully updated interpretation of Fiore's longsword techniques in The Medieval Longsword.Whether you're revisiting this influential text or discovering it for the first time, The Swordsman's Companion is a fascinating resource for both beginners and seasoned martial artists. Join the community of dedicated practitioners who have begun their martial arts journey through this book.

In From Medieval Manuscript to Modern Practice, renowned historical swordsman Guy Windsor demystifies one of the greatest martial arts books of all time, Fiore dei Liberi's Il Fior di Battaglia (The Flower of Battle).In the late 14th century dei Liberi, an Italian knightly combat master, wrote Il Fior di Battaglia (The Flower of Battle). This magnificent, illustrated manuscript described how to fight on foot and on horseback, in armour and without, with sword, spear, pollax, dagger, or with no weapon at all.Dr. Windsor has spent the last twenty years studying Fiore's work and creating a modern practice of historical swordsmanship from it.In this book, he takes you through all of Fiore's wrestling techniques. Each technique (or "play") is shown with the drawing from the treatise, his transcription and translation of the text, his commentary on how it fits into the system and works in practice, and a link to a video of the technique in action. The book also contains a detailed introduction describing Fiore's life and times, and extensive discussion of the contexts in which Fiore's art belongs.From Medieval Manuscript to Modern Practice: The Wrestling Techniques of Fiore dei Liberi is essential reading for all martial artists, and historians of the medieval and early Renaissance.

Armizare: the Medieval Italian Martial Art Do you want to learn authentic medieval Italian martial arts and knightly combat? With a training partner, some simple equipment, and this innovative workbook, you can. Incorporating over 40 video clips, text instruction, and many images, this workbook is the most up-to-date way to learn the ancient art of Armizare. Armizare is the Italian word for the Art of Arms, as taught by Fiore dei Liberi in his extraordinary treatise The Flower of Battle, written in about 1400. It is challenging to learn directly from the manuscript, so let the acclaimed and respected researcher, practitioner and teacher Dr. Guy Windsor make it easier for you with this workbook.Everybody learns differently, so there are options presented at various points in the workbook, allowing you to choose what to practise next, based on your interests. There are many paths up the mountain, and with this workbook you get to choose your own. The video clips include instruction for both right and left handers. The printed workbooks include abundant space for writing notes, and are available for both right and left-handers. The workbook is organised into eight classes, for you to take at your own pace. Every movement and technique is clearly described, with images from Fiore's manuscript, and links to video clips showing you the technique in action. Join Guy as he teaches you... Unarmed techniquesThe four guards of abrazare (wrestling)The first six plays of abrazareThe four steps (footwork)The three turns (footwork) With the DaggerThe four blows of the daggerDisarms against forehand, backhand, and rising dagger thrustsCounters to the disarmsArm locks and countersHow to fall safelyA basic takedown/throw With the LongswordSix ways to hold the longswordThe seven blows of the longswordHow to parry and strikeHow to counter the parry with a pommel strikeHow to counter the pommel strikeThe exchange of thrustsBreaking the thrustsTraining on the pell And above all you will learn how to train safely and effectively. Guy has spent the last 20+ years developing his approach to learning and teaching historical martial arts, so you are in safe and expert hands. Begin your journey into historical martial arts today with this ground-breaking Armizare workbook.Dr. Guy Windsor is a world-renowned instructor and a pioneering researcher of medieval and renaissance martial arts. He has been teaching the Art of Arms full-time since founding The School of European Swordsmanship in Helsinki, Finland, in 2001. His day job is finding and analysing historical swordsmanship treatises, figuring out the systems they represent, creating a syllabus from the treatises for his students to train with, and teaching the system to his students all over the world. Guy is the author of numerous classic books about the art of swordsmanship and has consulted on swordfighting game design and stage combat. He developed the card game, Audatia, based on Fiore dei Liberi's Art of Arms, his primary field of study. In 2018 Edinburgh University awarded him a PhD by Research Publications for his work recreating historical combat systems. When not studying medieval and renaissance swordsmanship or writing books Guy can be found in his shed woodworking or spending time with his family.

Armizare: the Medieval Italian Martial Art Do you want to learn authentic medieval Italian martial arts and knightly combat? With a training partner, some simple equipment, and this innovative workbook, you can. Incorporating over 40 video clips, text instruction, and many images, this workbook is the most up-to-date way to learn the ancient art of Armizare. Armizare is the Italian word for the Art of Arms, as taught by Fiore dei Liberi in his extraordinary treatise The Flower of Battle, written in about 1400. It is challenging to learn directly from the manuscript, so let the acclaimed and respected researcher, practitioner and teacher Dr. Guy Windsor make it easier for you with this workbook, which includes: Basic warm-upsFootwork actionsWrestling techniquesAttacks and defences with the daggerAttacks and defences with the longswordBackground information on Fiore and his bookAdvice on how to practice Everybody learns differently, so there are options presented at various points in the workbook, allowing you to choose what to practise next, based on your interests. There are many paths up the mountain, and with this workbook you get to choose your own. The video clips include instruction for both right and left handers. The printed workbooks include abundant space for writing notes, and are available for both right and left-handers. The workbook is organised into eight classes, for you to take at your own pace. Every movement and technique is clearly described, with images from Fiore's manuscript, and links to video clips showing you the technique in action. Join Guy as he teaches you... Unarmed techniquesThe four guards of abrazare (wrestling)The first six plays of abrazareThe four steps (footwork)The three turns (footwork) With the DaggerThe four blows of the daggerDisarms against forehand, backhand, and rising dagger thrustsCounters to the disarmsArm locks and countersHow to fall safelyA basic takedown/throw With the LongswordSix ways to hold the longswordThe seven blows of the longswordHow to parry and strikeHow to counter the parry with a pommel strikeHow to counter the pommel strikeThe exchange of thrustsBreaking the thrustsTraining on the pell And above all you will learn how to train safely and effectively. Guy has spent the last 20+ years developing his approach to learning and teaching historical martial arts, so you are in safe and expert hands. Begin your journey into historical martial arts today with this ground-breaking Armizare workbook.

Take your skills and knowledge from absolute beginner to experienced fencer with the Complete Rapier Workbook, Guy Windsor's training method based on his interpretation of Ridolfo Capoferro's 1610 rapier treatise, The Great Representation of the Art and Practice of Fencing.This workbook format includes extracts and images from Capoferro's book (and others), with clear explanations, step-by-step instructions, and a link to a video clip of every action, technique, and drill. This workbook is in four parts: Part 1: Beginners: how to warm up safely, how to stand and step, how to hold the sword, and the fundamental blade-on-blade actions teaching you how to safely approach your partner, get control of their sword, and hit them: and what to do when they try the same thing on you Part 2: Completing the Basics: covering all the important actions of the system, from the scannatura ("the slaughtering" to the scanso della vita ("the avoidance of the waist"). Part 3: Developing your Skills: now that you know the techniques and tactics, you can learn to actually apply them at speed. This section lays out a clear and practical way to cross the gap between "I know this" to "I can do this".Part 4: Sword and Dagger and Sword and Cape adds the most commonly used off-hand weapons, the dagger, and the cape, beginning with basic guards and actions, and including drills to build up your proficiency with them.This version is laid out for right handers, with space for written notes on the right hand page. If you are left handed we recommend choosing the version laid out for you. All techniques are shown in the video clips for both right handers and left handers.

In Mastering the Art of Arms, Volume One: The Medieval Dagger, Guy Windsor presents a complete guide to the principles and practice of Italian dagger combat, as set down in Il Fior di Battaglia, a manuscript written in 1410. Readers are guided step-by-step through the process of mastering this six hundred year old art, from choosing a dagger to striking with it; from guard positions to steps and turns; from disarms to locks and takedowns; from safe falling practice to formal drills, and finally pressure testing their skills with sparring.Both a primer on the art and a methodology for on-going training, this book will give the complete novice a solid starting point, while providing useful drills and ideas for advanced martial artists. Those who study other traditional knife arts, and modern military combatives, will find many familiar techniques present in this ancient system.Dr. Guy Windsor is a world-renowned instructor and a pioneering researcher of medieval and renaissance martial arts. He has been teaching the Art of Arms full-time since founding The School of European Swordsmanship in Helsinki, Finland, in 2001. His day job is finding and analysing historical swordsmanship treatises, figuring out the systems they represent, creating a syllabus from the treatises for his students to train with, and teaching the system to his students all over the world. Guy is the author of numerous classic books about the art of swordsmanship and has consulted on swordfighting game design and stage combat. He developed the card game, Audatia, based on Fiore dei Liberi's Art of Arms, his primary field of study. In 2018 Edinburgh University awarded him a PhD by Research Publications for his work recreating historical combat systems. When not studying medieval and renaissance swordsmanship or writing books Guy can be found in his shed woodworking or spending time with his family.

If you have two hands, and only one of them is holding the sword, you might as well have a second weapon. The most common companion weapon for the rapier is the dagger. Rapier and dagger fencing is fast, complex, and fun. In this workbook you will learn how to quickly develop the knack of parrying with the dagger while striking with the sword, using a series of games. You will then be taught a selection of rapier and dagger sequences from Capoferro's Gran Simulacro, and develop from these sequences into freeplay.We also cover the use of the cape as a secondary weapon, drawing from Capoferro and Alfieri, teaching you how to use the cape to parry attacks, to weigh down your opponent's weapon before you attack, and even to blind them prior to running them through.This version is laid out for left-handers, with space for written notes on the left-hand page. If you are right-handed we recommend choosing the version laid out for you. All technical exercises are shown in the videos for both right-handers and left-handers.

If you have two hands, and only one of them is holding the sword, you might as well have a second weapon. The most common companion weapon for the rapier is the dagger. Rapier and dagger fencing is fast, complex, and fun. In this workbook you will learn how to quickly develop the knack of parrying with the dagger while striking with the sword, using a series of games. You will then be taught a selection of rapier and dagger sequences from Capoferros Gran Simulacro, and develop from these sequences into freeplay. We also cover the use of the cloak as a secondary weapon, drawing from Capoferro and Alfieri, teaching you how to use the cloak to parry attacks, to weigh down your opponents weapon before you attack, and even to blind them prior to running them through. This version is laid out for right-handers, with space for written notes on the right-hand page. If you are left-handed we recommend choosing the version laid out for you. All technical exercises are shown in the videos for both right-handers and left-handers.

With this workbook you can take your skills to the next level. We will cover how to train: how to take things you already know, and make them actually work under pressure. To become a swordsman/swordswoman/swordsperson, not just someone who knows some sword moves. This is the heart of swordsmanship, and its most sophisticated element.You will learn how to systematically add depth and complexity to the basic drills you already know, bridging the gap between choreographical drill practice, and free fencing. You will learn how to keep your practice in the optimum band between too-easy and too-hard, and you will learn the basics of coaching, which is all about creating that optimum level of difficulty for your partner.This version is laid out for left-handers, with space for written notes on the left-hand page. If you are right-handed we recommend choosing the version laid out for you. All technical exercises are shown in the videos for both right-handers and left-handers.

With this workbook you can take your skills to the next level. We will cover how to train: how to take things you already know, and make them actually work under pressure. To become a swordsman/swordswoman/swordsperson, not just someone who knows some sword moves. This is the heart of swordsmanship, and its most sophisticated element.You will learn how to systematically add depth and complexity to the basic drills you already know, bridging the gap between choreographical drill practice, and free fencing. You will learn how to keep your practice in the optimum band between too-easy and too-hard, and you will learn the basics of coaching, which is all about creating that optimum level of difficulty for your partner.This version is laid out for right-handers, with space for written notes on the right-hand page. If you are left-handed we recommend choosing the version laid out for you. All technical exercises are shown in the videos for both right-handers and left-handers.

Complete your basic training With this 80+ page workbook you can complete your knowledge of Capoferro's single rapier plays, building a strong foundation on which to construct your fencing skills.The book is organised through the Rapier Footwork Form, with each chapter adding steps to the Form, first as pair drills, and then practised solo. This ensures that you will have little difficulty remembering the new material.The book is illustrated with extracts from historical sources, and supported by video clips, linked to in the text. All you need is a training partner, a smartphone, tablet, or computer, and a couple of practice rapiers and fencing masks.This version is laid out for left-handers, with space for written notes on the left- hand page. If you are right-handed we recommend choosing the version laid out for you. All techniques are shown in the videos for both right-handers and left-handers.

Complete your basic training With this 80+ page workbook you can complete your knowledge of Capoferro's rapier plays, building a strong foundation on which to construct your fencing skills.The book is organised through the Rapier Footwork Form, with each chapter adding steps to the Form, first as pair drills, and then practised solo. This ensures that you will have little difficulty remembering the new material.The book is illustrated with extracts from historical sources, and supported by video clips, linked to in the text. All you need is a training partner, a smartphone, tablet, or computer, and a couple of practice rapiers and fencing masks.This version is laid out for right-handers, with space for written notes on the right hand page. If you are left handed we recommend choosing the version laid out for you. All techniques are shown in the videos for both right handers and left handers.

Take a beginners' course with world-renowned swordsmanship instructor Dr. Guy Windsor, through this innovative workbook format. With this 70+ page workbook you can learn the basics of rapier fencing. The book is illustrated with extracts from historical sources, and supported by over twenty video clips, linked to in the text. All you need is a training partner, a smartphone, tablet, or computer, and a couple of practice rapiers and fencing masks. The book is organised in four sessions or classes, which covers all this and more: - footwork - sword handling - stringering - attack by disengage - parry riposte in one tempo - feints - parry riposte in two tempi - thrusts - cuts - beat attackThe workbook is laid out for left-handers with the space for notes on the left hand page. All video clips show the techniques done right-handed and left-handed.

Take a beginners' course with world-renowned swordsmanship instructor Dr. Guy Windsor, through this innovative workbook format.With this 70+ page workbook you can learn the basics of rapier fencing. The book is illustrated with extracts from historical sources, and supported by over twenty video clips, linked to in the text. All you need is a training partner, a smartphone, tablet, or computer, and a couple of practice rapiers and fencing masks.The book is organised in four sessions or classes, which covers all this and more: - footwork - sword handling - stringering - attack by disengage - parry riposte in one tempo - feints - parry riposte in two tempi - thrusts - cuts - beat attackThe workbook is laid out for right-handers with the space for notes on the right hand page. All video clips show the techniques done right-handed and left-handed.

Essential reading for all martial artists and historians of the medieval and early Renaissance, this new book from renowned historical swordsman Guy Windsor opens up one of the greatest martial arts books of all time to a wide audience: Fiore dei Liberi's Flower of Battle.In the late 14th century dei Liberi, an Italian knightly combat master, wrote Il Fior di Battaglia, The Flower of Battle. A magnificent illustrated manuscript, it describes how to fight on foot and on horseback, in armour and without, with sword, spear, pollax, dagger, or with no weapon at all. Guy has spent the last 20 years studying Fiore's work and creating a modern practice of historical swordsmanship from it. In this book, Guy takes you through all of Fiore's longsword techniques on foot without armour. Each technique (or "play") is shown with the drawing from the treatise, Guy's transcription and translation of the text, his commentary on how it fits into the system and works in practice, and a link to a video of the technique in action. The book contains a detailed introduction describing Fiore's life and times, and extensive discussion of the contexts in which Fiore's art belongs.

"Guy has the rare talent of making this material accessible" -Neal Stephenson (from his Foreword to Swordfighting)"Guy Windsor's greatest gift to WMA/HEMA is his marvellous ability to translate period language into a meaningful experience for modern WMA/HEMA practitioners and he has once more shown his ability to do exactly that." - Adam, reviewing Veni Vadi Vici on Amazon.From the late fifteenth century comes a detailed manuscript on knightly combat, written by Philippo Vadi. Dedicated to one of the most famous Italian condottiere of the age, Guidobaldo, Duke of Urbino, this book covers the theory of combat with the longsword, as well as dozens of techniques of the sword, the spear, the pollax, and the dagger. This black and white paperback edition of The Art of Sword Fighting in Earnest includes a detailed introduction, setting Vadi and his combat style in their historical context, a complete translation of the manuscript, and a detailed commentary from the perspective of the practising martial artist. Please note it does not include a facsimile of the manuscript, but that may be downloaded from a link provided in the text. This volume is the second edition of Dr. Windsor's earlier work, Veni Vadi Vici, updating the translation and the introduction. This is essential reading for any practitioner of knightly combat, academic historian, or enthusiast for the quattrocento period of Italian history.Dr. Guy Windsor is a world-renowned instructor and a pioneering researcher of medieval and renaissance martial arts. He has been teaching the Art of Arms full-time since founding The School of European Swordsmanship in Helsinki, Finland, in 2001. His profession is finding and analysing historical swordsmanship treatises, figuring out the systems they represent, creating a syllabus from the treatises for his students to train with, and teaching the system to his students all over the world. He is the author of numerous classic books about the art of swordsmanship including the definitive The Theory and Practice of Historical Martial Arts, The Swordsman's Companion, and his Mastering the Art of Arms series.