Tag Archives: 17th Century

The Bodleian Libraries Have a New Copy of Hope

Posted on July 31, 2021 by S
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Louis XIV French Classic Smallsword

Posted on March 3, 2018 by S

This early French smallsword (ca. 1655 C.E.) has few parallels.  Its style reflects early French Classicism from the reign of Louis XIV, and was likely made in Paris.  Its hilt features ornate foliage and figure motifs executed in gold inlay, … Continue reading →

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Plate from Liancour, 1686, pg 25

Posted on February 25, 2018 by S

Examine Liancour’s 1685 manuscript by downloading a pdf (in French) on our Study Page.

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Hope’s Fundamentals and Rules

Posted on October 18, 2016 by S

Sir William Hope (1660-1724) was trained in the French school of the smallsword but came to conclude it lacking. Sir William went on to devise an approach to the smallsword that incorporated the techniques established in the English backsword tradition … Continue reading →

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Monsieur de La Touche

Posted on October 7, 2015 by S

Monsieur de La Touche was a 17th Century French Master. He played in integral role in the process of standardizing fencing terms and in establishing a codified method of fencing instruction.  The plate above is from his 1670  Les Vrays … Continue reading →

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