The Weekly Warfare   Musings martial from across the SCA

I figured I’d put together my thoughts on MS I.33 now that we’ve wrapped the last of it in the Windmasters HMA.
To start with the text: Wagner & Hand’s commentary on it (http://revival.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=112) is very useful, but also leaves out a couple of key points (Like, some of the stuff in MS I.33 is “This is what stupid people do with swords”). Luckily, the Chiv Bookshelf transcription of the manuscript itself (http://revival.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=98) is a pretty easy read and fills in all the gaps. I’ve found out that the Chiv Bookshelf titles, when available, are cheaper through Amazon.

Going through the works it was interesting to see the concepts that endured throughout the styles we’ve discussed: Striking the near target, controlling your opponent’s blade before entering, strength vs. weakness in the bind, etc. The manuscript starts off with “These are the seven ways any man will hold a sword” and the basic form and principles of the system apply throughout all cutting and cut-and-thrust fighting, and with minor modifications to thrust-based combat.

From actually getting out the swords and playing with it, I’ve learned a couple of things: You can’t shield-knock when fencing thrust-based rapier, and don’t overbind to the left when your opponent strikes from his right (well, it’s a perfectly valid technique, but knuckles and wrists suffer). Underarm, Half-shield, Priest’s Special Longpoint, Plow, and Fiddlebow are useful against opponents with rapier. Right Shoulder, Left Shoulder, Vom Tag, and Tail are not. Longpoint is of some use, but is a lot like fighting Destreza.

I’ll be teaching “History, Principles, and Practice of MS I.33” at Rapier Academie, and any time you have a buckler and a sword I’m willing to play and teach.