Venetian Rapier: Nicoletto Giganti's 1606 Rapier Fencing Curriculum [Paperback]

Perhaps no other weapon represents Renaissance Italian fencing like the rapier. But do we know how it was used and how it was taught? This book takes you to the fencing School, or Salle of celebrated renaissance rapier Master Nicoletto Giganti of Venice, one among the period teachers leaving instructions on the use of this weapon. More uniquely, his 1606 text The School, or Salle is a veritable training curriculum, with its stepwise lessons and easy-to-follow explanations on the use of the rapier alone and rapier and dagger. This faithful translation of Giganti's The School, or Salle by internationally-known rapier teacher Tom Leoni includes the complete text, original illustrations, and an introduction on rapier fencing that will make Giganti's text easy to follow. If you are a martial artist, a fencer, or have an interest in European martial culture, this book belongs on your shelf.AcknowlegementsIntroductionBecome proficient in the actions in Giganti's lessons and you can call yourself a rapierist What we know about Giganti What we know about Gaganti's 1606 Book Giganti's Voice and Language, and a note on the Translation Giganti and the Italian Tradition What You need to Know to Tackle Gigante The School, or Salle, by Nicoletto Giganti of Venice, 1606The Guards and Counter-guards Tempo and Measure How to Deliver the Thrust Why I Begin with Single Sword Guards, or Postures Explanation of the Strike in Tempo The Correct Way to Gain the Opponent's Sword and Strike Him While He Performs a Cavazione The Correct Way to Perform a Cavazione The Contracavazione to the Inside The Contracavazione to the Outside Feints-Explanation The Feint of Cavazione From the Hand How to Strike to the Chest With Single Sword-From the Measure and Parity of Swords The Pass With Feint from Out of Measure The Pass With Feint Above the Opponent's Point The Feint to the Face from Out of Measure The Correct Way to Deliver a Thrust While the Opponel³-