🚀 go-pugleaf

Steve Hick writes:
|> In <1iul8mINN852@mirror.digex.com> Corun MacAnndra  asks:
|> 
|> >Has anyone seen a video entitled _The Blow by Blow Guide to Swordfighting
|> >in the Rennaissance Style_? The presenter is Mike Loades, and he is billed
|> >as a combat master at several drama schools in London. The ad I saw claims
|> >to teach one to fight with rapier and cloak, target and buckler (target has
|> >me a bit confused and I can't help but wonder if targe was meant instead).

Nope, "target" is correct.  It's a larger, lighter shield, used much as one
would use a buckler.

|> >In my area there is a large following of fencers recreating the Italian
|> >Rennaissance style, and I am considering dusting off the masque and foil.
|> >This video sounds good, but I'd like to hear a review of it from fencers
|> >before spending the money.
|> 

I liked it.  While it is aimed at 'stage' fencers, the techniques presented
are good, and Mr Loades is careful to present the moves completely -- ie,
emphasising proper footwork and balance.  I should mention that while he 
presents brief demonstrations/lessons on the use of the cloak, target, and 
buckler, the secondary weapon of choice in the video is the dagger.

The video also goes into quite a bit of history on the weapons, and other,
non-combat-related notes (like how to properly wear a rapier, how to sit and
stand, how to walk, etc.).

--Craig

Craig McLaughlin  /  cpm00@ras.amdahl.com