Category Archives: Fiore de Liberi

Is the Mezano a Zwerch?

Posted on June 3, 2017 by Grauenwolf

As I understand it, the Riverso Mezano is commonly considered to be a cut from the left, to the opponent’s right, with the short edge that can hit anywhere from the knee to the head. My problem is, that doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Filippo Vadi, Fiore de Liberi, Longsword, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Interpreting Illustrations – Where are you looking?

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Grauenwolf

A common criticism of illustrations, especially the earlier ones, is that the artist doesn’t understand perspective. While there is some truth to that, most of the time the perceived flaws in the illustration are in the viewer’s mind rather than … Continue reading →

Posted in Fencing, Fiore de Liberi | Leave a comment

Fiore – Three Turns and Four Things

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Grauenwolf

The three turns of the body: Stable Turn: Balls of the feet. Rotate around the centerline which doesn’t move. Really useful for grappling. Half Turn: Passing steps. Centerline moves in a straight line. Full Turn: Compass step. Centerline moves in … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiore de Liberi | 3 Comments

Fiore’s One-Handed Sword – Third Play

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Grauenwolf

Here is the illustration for the second play. It arises from the false edge parry shown two days ago. Red: The base lines show that the master has a long, somewhat narrow stance. His opponent has a wide stance and … Continue reading →

Posted in Arming Sword, Fiore de Liberi | 2 Comments

Fiore’s One-Handed Sword – Second Play

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Grauenwolf

Here is the illustration for the second play. It arises from the true edge parry shown yesterday. Red: The base line shows a narrow, almost inline, stance. Green: The left foot is turned slightly inwards. The master is on the … Continue reading →

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Fiore’s One-Handed Sword – Basic Parries from the First Master

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Grauenwolf

Here is the first posture for the use of one-handed swords. Red: Base line showing both feet are inline. This indicates a narrow profile, which would offer less of a target against thrusts. Orange: The leg lines show that the … Continue reading →

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Interpreting Fiore – The Distance Between the Feet is Important or The Swords were Long

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Grauenwolf

In an article titled Size Matters, Guy Windsor agues that the length of the sword is important for the correct execution of the Fiore’s plays. He demonstrates that he cannot reach his opponent to enact the sword grab. Here is … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiore de Liberi | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Interpreting Fiore – False Edge Cuts and Winding

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Grauenwolf

Here is a zoomed in image of yesterday’s illustrations. Notice how the fingers on the right fencer are turned up. He is throwing a false edge strike, possible a Schillerhaw (Squinting Strike). The parry for this is done with the … Continue reading →

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Interpreting Fiore – Where are the Feet?

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Grauenwolf

Here we see the master stepping narrow. He lifts up his back heal to better absorb the shock. His opponent has stepped wide to the right. See how both are turned slightly towards his left, especially the lead foot. This … Continue reading →

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Interpreting Fiore – Difficulty Levels

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Grauenwolf

These are some notes from Schola San Marco’s Fiore Seminar in November 2013. The clothing and beards of the masters are used to indicate how difficult the play is. Here we see a clean-shaven master representing the easy, beginner level … Continue reading →

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