The Art of the Smallsword

The smallsword developed from the rapier as a distinctly French weapon comprising a lighter, shorter and more agile blade than the rapier with a comparatively simple hilt. The smallsword did not require the elaborate lunges and large body actions of the Italian schools of fence and so a French method of fencing developed to suit; relying on an upright stance, dextrous use of the fingers to manipulate the point and emphasis given to multiple intent actions like the feint or parry-riposte to decrease the risk inherent in stop-thrusts, single-time defences and other actions which increased the chance of a double hit. This book provides access to the comprehensive original material in Girard’s smallsword manual, a solid yet diverse representation of the “Common” smallsword method of the era and its use in a range of settings and also provides insight and ideas as to how to put these words into practice with articles and essays for the interest of historical fencers, re-enactors and historians alike.