Ministry of War
Original text for French readers (BnF):
English translation (LongEdge Press):
Overview
The Army Manual is very basic. It seems like it's a primer rather than a full fencing system as such. It's good for stepping through the basic movements but I reckon we'll be leaning on Brunet and Rondelle for application of technique.
Topics
- Holding the sabre
- Stance
- Moulinets
- Lunge
- Slipping the leg
- Advance and Retreat
- The Salute
Strike | Parry | Riposte
The Army Manual states clearly the lunge is always preceded by the deployment of the arm and a moulinet. Rondelle agrees. Brunet does not mention this. However, the Army manual also states that the head, sash and the two face strikes are made from a moulinet while the stomach, flank and forearm strikes are not. The texts appear confused on the point.
Rondelle and Brunet add cuts to the inside and outside of the thigh. These do not appear in the Army Manual and so are not included here.
Ripostes are made by turning the wrist in place after parrying with no need to maintain blade engagement. The text outlines set parries for each strike and preferred ripostes to execute after the parry. Brunet's list of riposte options differs slightly from those of the Army Manual. Rondelle's list matches the Army Manual much more closely.
Ripostes for Face and Flank strikes include a high strike on the same side as the incoming attack and a low strike on the opposite side.
| Strike | Parry | Riposte |
|---|---|---|
| Head strike | High parry with the blade horizontal and forward | Stomach (low outside) or Flank (low inside) strike |
| Sash strike (diagonal from high outside to low inside) | Hanging parry to the inside | Head or Sash (diagonal from high outside to low inside) strike |
| Face Cut to the Right (high inside) | High tierce (point high, hilt low) | Face Cut to the Left (high outside) or Flank (low inside) |
| Face Cut to the Left (high outside) | High quarte (point high, hilt low) | Face Cut to the Right (high inside) or Stomach (low outside) |
| Flank (low inside) | Hanging parry to the outside | Head, Face Cut to the Right (high inside), Stomach (low outside) |
| Stomach (low outside) | Hanging parry to the inside | Head or sash |
| Forearm | No parry is listed in the Army Manual. Brunet says to parry in the quarte or tierce. Rondelle says to withdraw the arm out of range. | Brunet amd Rondelle agree that the riposte is a Point strike. |
| Point strike (thrust) | Low tierce or quarte (hilt high, point low) | Head or Face Cut to the Right (high outside) |
Note: The terms “left” and “right” in the table above refer to the names given to the strikes in the manual. The terms “inside” and “outside” always refer to the fencer performing the action unless otherwise explicitly stated.
I wonder if the forearm strike is a species of stop-strike rather than necessarily being included in the list of simple strikes. It “feels” different. Brunet counts it among the simple strikes. Rondelle lists it as both a simple strike as well as a stop-strike and time-strike to defeat a compound attack. The Army Manual is more complex. It lists the forearm strike as a simple strike but then does not include it in the list of simple strike, simple parry and riposte exercises. In fact, the forearm strike is referenced precisely twice in about 60-odd exercises and drills, and never as a first intention action. The Army Manual is entirely silent on the concept of time-strike or stop-strikes.
Compound Actions
Compound attacks are made using more than one action. The text states that no more than three should be used, the implication being that if more than three are used the attack has already failed. The feint, the first action of the compound attack, may be made with any of the simple strikes. Multiple feints may be used.
The feint serves to form compound strikes. It is executed as the strike itself, but without lunging.
Compound attacks may be used either as attacking actions or as riposte actions. That is, the fencer can execute compound ripostes after parrying.
Compound Actions on the Offensive
| First Feint | Second Feint | Strike |
|---|---|---|
| Point strike | Point strike | |
| Point strike | Head strike | |
| Point strike | Face Cut to the Right (high inside) | |
| Point strike | Face Cut to the Left (high outside) | |
| Point strike | Face Cut to the Left (high outside) | Stomach strike |
| Point strike | Face Cut to the Left (high outside) | Face Cut to the Right (high inside) |
| Point strike | Face Cut to the Right (high inside) | Face Cut to the Left (high outside) |
| Point strike | Face Cut to the Left (high outside) | Flank strike (low inside) |
| Point strike | Face Cut to the Right (high inside) | Flank strike (low inside) |
| Point strike | Head strike | Flank strike (low inside) |
| Point strike | Head strike | Sash strike (high outside diagonally to low inside) |
Notes:
- The first sequence (feint a point strike then attack with a point strike) presumably changes line between the feint and the strike.
Compound Strikes and a Simple Riposte
The table below outlines the second iteration within the fourth lesson. This appears to be a partner drill although I imagine it can be done solo. Each of the actions in the compound strike are parried before making the riposte.
| Compound strike | Riposte |
|---|---|
| Head and point strikes | Right face strike |
| Point and head strikes | Stomach strike. |
| Point and right face strikes | Left face strike |
| Point and left face strikes | Right face strike |
| Point high and stomach strikes | Head strike |
| Point, face and flank strikes to the left or to the right | Right face strike |
Simple Parries and Compund Ripostes
This table reflects the third iteration of the Third Lesson.
| Parry | Compound Riposte |
|---|---|
| Left face strike | Right face and stomach strikes |
| Flank strike | Stomach and right face strikes |
| Right face strike | Right face and flank strikes |
| Stomach strike | Flank and left face strikes |
Tactical Advice
pp.100-101 (the sabre section, which then directs the reader back to the advice in the épée section)
In application, endeavour to give the strikes of the sabre by movements close to the body, in a manner to disturb as little as possible the wrist off the line and to make strikes with lightness.
After having touched, retire the sabre quickly backwards, impressing on it an oblique direction, in the direction of the edge, in the ,anner of a saw.
pp.72-74 (épée section)
Sparring does not preclude lessons. On the contrary, one ,usy continue at the *plastron*, not only to progress but also in order to maintain and preserve that which one has learned.
Advance with little steps and always ready to parry in order to put oneself into distance and attack more easily.
Attack rather with simple direct strikes or proceed with a beat or pressing, and, as much as possible, on preparations such as: engagements, step, retake guard after the attack, absences of the sword whether in attack or whether in parrying. Attack with compound strikes only when the simple strikesor well executed feints have been parried and, by this fact, any thought of a stop-strike will be destroyed.
Parry in variety often. Only employ the simple and most useful but make the hand move easily from side to side.
Riposte always after the single parry and not in executing it. The simple riposte is best. It happens the quickest and prevents the remise and reprise.
Do not strike without having first crossed swords.