Category Archives: Capoferro

Capoferro: Retiring in Quarta

Posted on October 16, 2022 by Grauenwolf

An often overlooked aspect of the first play (plate 7, paragraph 35) is the final passage, and in such a conclusion would retire into a low quarta Far too often people just end the play when the opponent is struck. … Continue reading →

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Why do you lean back with the rapier?

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Grauenwolf

We often see people leaning backwards with the rapier. Why do they do this? Well there are a number of reasons. Capoferro writes, The purpose for the vita to be bent thus is: first, because in this way you are … Continue reading →

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Beating vs. Slicing Off with the Rapier

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Grauenwolf

Since it came up in my last post, I should talk about what I mean by “beat”. When I hear that term I think of a sharp strike that leaves the point more or less online. It is used to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arming Sword, Capoferro, Meyer's Rapier, Rapier | 2 Comments

The Problem with Distance in Capoferro

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Grauenwolf

Another problem with Plate 20 was pointed out to me. This play is part of a set that looks at what you should and should not do when constrained on the outside as per this illustration. Also consider this quote … Continue reading →

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Blade Length and Capoferro

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Grauenwolf

Something that has been bothering me for quite some time is the insistence on using short blades for Capoferro. Consider this passage: Therefore the sword has to be twice as long as the arm, and as much as my extraordinary … Continue reading →

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Capoferro Chapter 8 – Of the Arms

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Grauenwolf

I assume what follows is principally about Terza (third).  The right elbow should be waist high (real waist, not hips) and inline with the right knee and foot. The left is tucked in a bit. When striking, the left arm … Continue reading →

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Practice Notes – Dealing with the Spanish

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Grauenwolf

For six of the last seven months I’ve been working over a fencer of the Spanish school. Though he is taller, and has a longer reach, my greatest difficulty was deciding if I wanted to throw a stocatta to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Capoferro, Fabris, Rapier, Spanish | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Capoferro Chapter 7 – Of the body

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Grauenwolf

When resting in guard or seeking measure, the body slopes backwards and the right thigh is barely visible. The left shoulder aligns with the left foot while the right shoulder divides the pace of the guard in half. The goal … Continue reading →

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Capoferro Chapter 6 – Of the head

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Grauenwolf

The edge should form a straight line together with the sword so that you can see all the stillness and movement of the sword and of the adversary. In this fashion you will immediately recognize what needs to be defended … Continue reading →

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Capoferro Chapter 5 – Tempo

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Grauenwolf

The word tempo refers to the amount of time it takes to perform an action or the amount of time you spend not doing anything at all. There’s no fixed length for tempo, the concept is based entirely around what … Continue reading →

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