Medieval Combat Italian Longsword - Student Guide Level 1

[@Kunstdesfechtens]

@Simuleino2 It is a reconstruction based on the manuals left by Fiore dei Liberi (1410) and Fillipo Vadi (1482-1487). Fiore's manual is not just longsword, but details a complete martial art that includes grappling, dagger, poleaxe, stick and swords. I don't know much about Vadi's work, though it apparently shows a reasonably clear line from Fiore. There are martial arts manuals from many different European nations. I myself study German martial arts.

[@FioredieLiberi]

This is a block of the strike from below. If you go for the head they will strike you under the arms and stop your attack. Fiore says "if they try to strike from under fall on their sword from above with your sword and they can do nothing". This whole section on the full video is addressing parries and blocks of attacks using Fiore's guard positions. This block uses Posta Breva or Short Position. Col

[@ranpleasant]

@SirKickz - Edge-on-edge refers to when two edge impact directy into each other at high speed. Such impacts do hack up the blades, often leaving them looking like saws. When you cut into the flat of another blade or when you receive a cut on your flat the edges to touch but it is not a problem because they don't bite into each other. Please note that edge-on-edge is not something you don't do as much as it is something that just should not happen when the techique is right.

[@FioredieLiberi]

@runethered It is designed as an intro to the basics of longsword though it contains comments in the voice over that even experienced combatants can learn from. It is split into three main sections: Theory, Single Person Drills to learn and practise the Theory, Partner drills to learn and practise the Theory. It is well organised according to people who got back to me with comments.

[@aferguson21]

Covering with the edge of the blade is stronger than covering with the flat due to the way the blade is constructed. If a cover is made with the flat of the blade against an edge the flat blade will bend against the pressure making that cover less effective than if it was made against edge against edge. The sword is made to flex during the thrust but not when it is making a slashing attack.

[@joebob4383]

I feel your gratitude, but truly, no thanks are needed! Regarding my knowledge, it certainly has its limits, for I have lived but a mere blink in the true scale of time. I simply wish to share my teachings, and my only wish is that it be spread amongst like-minded scholars. Stay true, be quick to the ochs and plow, and may you rejoice in that which brings you peace and longevity.

[@FioredieLiberi]

Thanks you! I will take that as a compliment from one who so obviously is a swordsman. I bow to your infinitley greater knowledge. I will bathe in the radiance of your light for the rest of my life. The usefulnes of your comment has left me stunned. Thanks again.

[@FioredieLiberi]

@SirKickz That is a myth. That is propagated by many people who have heard things but not actually read what different masters have said. Any how not many contacts are actually edge to edge at 90 degrees. Also the idea is to contact the blade in the lower half of the your blade, this part is not as sharp as nearer the blade according to some peoples research. Some master specifically mention to use the edge to parry. They are probably not wrong.

[@Chrominance87]

I'm glad that you guys call it a combat system and not a martial art.

[@FioredieLiberi]

The Schools 4 in number are in the Hannover area of Germany though we also have members in the Trier area of Germany and in Braunschwieg.

[@GetitUnderCool]

well, Fiore dei Liberi was from Friuli, in northern Italy wich at that time was part of the Holy Roman Empire, he claimed to have studied under both german and italian masters, and at that time masters and students used to travel across europe or at least the empire (and not only fencing parctitioners, St. Thomas Aquinas was born in central Italy but he studied theology in Paris). Maybe we should consider german and italian styles as branches of an "Imperial longsword style".

[@GetitUnderCool]

imperial's power was tenuous even in Germany! But in medieval Italy the emperor was always seen as an important symbol. See the political dispute between Guelphs and Ghibellines, and what Dante Alighieri writes in his "De monarchia", but, it was mainly a symbolic power.

[@emillind]

You have to lead more with your sword when cutting. Like you do in the first couple of slow single person thrusts (2:13-2:20). If you cut as you show later on - leading strongly with the step - you will just step straight into your opponents sword if he has any skill what so ever. I know it can be hard but it's important so keep practising :)

[@mwells219]

Looks like Geralt of Rivia really let himself go.

[@krisania96]

***** oh i damn agree....

[@jbloun911]

pizza and beer

[@Shiresgammai]

Is this the famous sword smith Stefan Roth in this video?

[@TheBoxingCannabyte]

just got me a hand-and-a-half training sword today. I have 17 years martial arts/boxing experience, I'm nearly undefeated in my past 25 bouts (though I'm coming off of a 6 year layoff due to cancer and a severe injury)....My cancer just came back but it's VERY early stage so I'm going to be okay :). I'm training with bastard swords and Slavic/Germanic/British/Nordic (all my roots) and Mongolian (also my roots :P) training styles. But I realized I'm using the bastard sword like a Katana...no good

[@gurkfisk89]

While holding both hands on the hilt makes it less likley to slip out of your hands I guess, that's no real problem if you have a two handed grip as slipping in this case is rather unlikley. By grabing the pommel you will get maximum leverage, making it easier to do fast and strong cuts and also gives you better point control. Holding both hands on the hilt does however let you use the pommel more easily in strikes and such.

[@FioredieLiberi]

I have only ever been to Italy once and I did not meet any fighters there at that time. I have never tought my Viking fighting techniques there either. My new book "Viking Sword and Shield Fighting" which is on Amazon, unfortunately is not in Italian only English.

[@Kunstdesfechtens]

@FioredieLiberi Ah, OK. I was making an assumption you worked on Vadi too, as a lot of Fiore practicioners do so. :)

[@sanjiaozhang]

Congratulations! Keep up the excellent work. See you in October!

[@gurkfisk89]

I would say that it's not that big of a problem. You do hold the sord with both of your hands. But it's sure easier to drop your sword while doing this than in other cuts but it's still a rather low risk. I wouldn't say that it's a move I do rather often but when I do I don't find it close to falling out of my hands. But then, people may not try to strike it out of my hands.

[@Ieatbabyseals]

That downward strike to the blade at 3:50 wouldn't that be more effective as a strike to the head of the opponent?

[@FioredieLiberi]

@Simuleino2 This is based on research on Fiore dei Liberi's treatises, and is an attempt to use his principles. You may or not agree. Sorry if you do not. yours Col

[@leandrodemelooliveira4749]

Good...Master C.R.!!! The longsword is a magnifical arm!!!

[@FioredieLiberi]

I see on your channel that you like playing games, so do I, though I do not get much chance to do it as I am busy running my sword school. Hope to see you there some day. All the best!

[@gurkfisk89]

I'm not the best person to answer as I've mostly done the german style and nearly none italian style. But what I can see there is very little difference. Mostly I think the difference is what earlier masters they refer to (like Liechtenauer or Fiore) so the guards has different names and such. Other than that I think it mostly some small differences in what they emphasis.

[@Kretek]

You have Slavic/Germanic/British/Nordic/Mongolian roots?!? Now that what I call a combo. I hope you will get well. Good luck.

[@SirKickz]

@ranpleasant Ok...but how is...say...a zornhau supposed to work with out the edges making contact? If your opponent cuts with a diagonal oberhau, and you counter with the zorn, the resulting bind will be edge to edge; it's unavoidable. Also, I've been made aware by a number of organizations that the historical masters sometimes advised parrying with the edge. Are they all wrong?

[@alessiopelusocoach]

Great video. Done really well and easily. Enhanced also from English .. Everything is at your own merit. Shows your humility and what does you credit. Hello Congratulations. m ° Alessio Peluso ITA Ottimo video. Fatto veramente bene ed in modo semplice. Valorizzato anche dall'Inglese.. Tutto va a tuo merito. Emerge la tua umiltà e ciò ti fa onore. Ciao Complimenti. m° Alessio Peluso

[@MySephiroth91]

Well, I wouldn't be so sure, after the Golden Bull of the 1356 the imperial hold upon Italy was extremely tenuous, not to say utterly non existing; italian lords simply considered the kaiser just as a useful tool to pay in order to get high and resonating titles, nothing more. What is certain is that Friuli is very close to Austria and Swabia, so it wouldn't be weird at all if a german master would came to teach there, or a friulano knight would travel there.

[@MacUladh]

@FioredieLiberi Which ones say to use the edge? i know of the top of my head that Codex Wallerstien says to use the flat. There are others. I'll have to look up.

[@FioredieLiberi]

Si possono trovare vari video di KZbin di me combattere, anche se non direi che stavo combattendo tutto ciò che bene! Penso che tutti possiamo imparare a vicenda quando si tratta di combattere con queste armi antiche! Grazie per le gentili parole! Google Translate

[@Schwertgosch]

Hi Colin, congratulations! Looks really good! Regards Wolfgang

[@thevitigo]

Hi, however i liked the video as total I have a question: I find dangerous to attacker when cuting from bottom (app. 3:40 min) "backhand" - at full power you risk your sword to fall out of your hand (more likely when defender makes contre-mouvement against you while blocking). Can you answer me? bye and good luck Martin

[@skulptor]

This look´s great and easy to learn from. Where do I buy it and how much is it ?

[@gurkfisk89]

My lack of knowledge in football is showing =) There are some international longsword tournaments today, but it's difficult to tell who is trained mostly in german or italian longswordfencing and many are trained in both. Plus it often has more to do with the fighter than the style he/she is using. So I don't think that we will ever know if any of them are better.

[@GetitUnderCool]

how big are the differencies between italian longsword style and german longsword style?

[@HenrytheBrit]

I think epee (fencing) is still cooler. The light weight blade makes for much faster movements. You also wont get a concussion from being hit in the head with +10ibs of solid steel.

[@TheMasturCheef]

*3lbs

[@FioredieLiberi]

My Italian is not that good, though I think in the original Getty or Morgan version it is with a Z and not c but I could have got all the spelling of the rest of the word wrong as I am partially dyslexic. Sorry for that. I would like to learn Italian but I am struggling with German. Hope you like the video! Col

[@AndreaMorini75]

Really? The Wallerstein talks about flat parries?? Can you tell me in which part, precisely?? (You know, I've wrote an article on the issue, and I'm seeking new quotes about!!!)

[@Rasvakill9]

@Miauriceful : lo sò, la longsword è quella usata da i cavalieri medievali, ma in questo caso la spada è italiana? o è il tipo di combattimento italiano?

[@FioredieLiberi]

@PuddingblendeR What was your comment, maybe I can help with any questions you have.

[@gurkfisk89]

I see it little like the differences in football (soccer) and it's difference in the formation of the players. The style of playing 3-4-3 formation and the style of 5-3-2 formation. Both are clearly football and they do the same things, they still kicks the ball the same way. But the tactics are different. I really hope that someone else comes here and yells at me and tells you /the real difference/ of the longsword styles. But this is my take of it. =)

[@mouthforwar17]

what type of practice blades are those? they look nice

[@Lion718]

Italian style is better, more practical and efficient.

[@SirKickz]

3:53 It looked like you guys were striking edge to edge. I thought that was a no-no?

[@dennit1221]

way bigger nono is that they start moving before attacking... literally every single one of the outstanding old fencers says: hand before foot...

[@martiansmoker]

very interesting! thank you so much!

[@FioredieLiberi]

Because, just because!

[@FioredieLiberi]

@Kunstdesfechtens I never deeply studied Vadi, it is all Fiore! Vadi has some interesting stuff though it is not Fiore.

[@GetitUnderCool]

l'ho fatto al liceo, sono passati 10 anni, è già tanto che non abbia scritto che Dante Alighieri è il mio pizzicagnolo di fiducia!

[@marcusaurelius1138]

Sir Colin....I dont understand as i am not any sort of master of the longsword but only a apprentice in the art and i am just starting out could you tell me why you seem to in this video hold the sword by the pommle?I always thought both hands were on the hilt to give a better control of the blade. It seems to me as if you were holding a polearm,and i preface this by saying that i mean absolutly no offence and just want a bit of knowlag(exuse my bad gramar)

[@FioredieLiberi]

Well there is a lot out there if you look. Where are you based and maybe there is someone near to you who does it!

[@Andy-zd6sz]

do i have to have a pony tail to join this academy

[@Rasvakill9]

i'm italian and i don't know what is the italian longsword, can you tell me? :-)

[@wingchunsuntzu]

this is so cool, how i can to lern this?, i live en argentina

[@mnbaldie]

Why? just why?

[@GetitUnderCool]

ah, credevo dicessi in generale, beh si da quant'è che non ci battono in una partita?

[@effigytormented]

@Simuleino2 look up Fiore Dei Liberi, wiki/Fiore_dei_Liberi

[@MySephiroth91]

Sempre troppo poco tempo, lasciamoli soffrire ancora un po'......tra l'altro, il trattato di Dante è il De re monarchia, avevi saltato una parolina.

[@MySephiroth91]

Io veramente intendevo a calcio in riferimento a quanto hai scritto prima, non so cosa hai capito tu.......

[@Puglord99]

for you

[@NoThankYouNWO]

Runescape: The Movie

[@MrAvraham1]

edge-on-edge is never a wise choice.

[@Puglord99]

im gay

[@GetitUnderCool]

well, this example is not very politically correct considering that italian national teams have made a habit of beating german national teams in football matches! one may think that you're impling that italian longsword style is superior to german one just like it is in football. :) I'm joking of course, but, hey, it would'nt be a bad idea to have a european (and possibly world) medieval tournament championship like in good old days, no?

[@Allotropus]

i see some AIKIDO tecniques in this fighting instruktion, but i thing they are wrong done.

[@SirKickz]

@FioredieLiberi Huh...so then...this guy is full of shit then? I'm not trying to challenge you, I'm just trying to get a feel for longsword techniques. /watch?v=TtNZQBc4RpE&feature=related