During the eighteenth century, Ireland was Europe’s wild west, where the sword was the constant companion of every gentleman, soldier, and rogue. Here, in the dimly lit rooms of Dublin’s popular coffee and chocolate houses, among its public parks and cloistered back yards, fearsome duelists such as George Robert “Fighting” Fitzgerald, Alexander “Buck” English, and Captain David “Tyger” Roche fought for life and honor with the sword and pistol. Here, countless swordsmen—colorfully dressed in ruffled silk—stained the ground of St Stephen’s Green with blood, and celebrated their survival over glasses of cherry brandy. This is the story of eighteenth century Ireland’s sword culture—of its renowned fencing schools, its famed swordsmen, its female gladiators, and its notorious armed gangs such as the Bucks, Cherokees, and Pinking Dindies, who terrorized the people of Dublin with the small-sword, knife, falchion, and shillelagh, and engaged in vicious battles with members of the city’s Night Watch. Here, also, is the story of Ireland’s most celebrated fencing society, the Knights of Tara—whose grand fencing exhibitions won fame and glory for Ireland, whose writings on bayonet fencing found their way into the hands of America’s founding father, George Washington, and whose leading member would go on to have an indelible impact upon the history of fencing in the British Isles. PART TWO of this book contains A Few Mathematical and Critical Remarks on the Sword—an almost completely overlooked fencing treatise, now published again for the first time in more than 230 years, that is currently the only known original treatment of swordsmanship by an Irish author published in Ireland during the eighteenth century. Though anonymously authored, research suggests that this mysterious text—the publication of which directly led to the formation of the Knights of Tara—may be the work of Cornelius Kelly, Ireland’s most renowned fencing master. Compiled throughout the 1770s and published in Dublin in 1781, this treatise is by no means a beginner’s manual, but is an extensive discussion and elucidation on the technique, form, philosophy, psychology, morality, and strategy of swordsmanship. Although founded upon the French school of small-sword fencing, it exhibits many peculiarities, and the author's method of explaining fencing is unusual for the era. The text contains applications of geometrical and mathematical principles to swordsmanship, how to utilize one’s own shadow as a training device, and defenses against assassins and so-called “dirty tricks.” Irish Swordsmanship contains extensive footnotes, more than sixty drawings, paintings, and engravings from the period, a comprehensive glossary of terms, and seven appendices. CONTENTS Preface PART I: History I. Dueling in Eighteenth Century Ireland II. Noted Irish Duelists i. Captain Peter Drake ii. Richard Buidhe Kirwan iii. David “Tyger” Roche iv. George Robert Fitzgerald v. Alexander “Buck” English vi. Richard Brinsley Sheridan III. Irish Amazons and Stage Gladiators IV. Eighteenth Century Dublin: Europe’s Wild West V. Fencing Schools and Masters in Eighteenth Century Ireland VI. The Knights of Tara VII. Anthony Gordon, the Last Knight of Tara PART II: The Treatise Introduction: Essay on Authorship Topical Guide to Contents Note to the Reader A Few Mathematical and Critical Remarks on the Sword Glossary of Technical Terms APPENDICES I. The Irish Dueling Code of 1777 II. Works on Fencing and Dueling by Irish Authors III. First Resolutions of the Knights of Tara IV. Second Resolutions of the Knights of Tara V. List of the Knights of Tara VI. Rules of the Cherokee Club VII. The Irish Pike Exercise Bibliography Index About the Author

Irish Swordsmanship: Fencing and Dueling in Eighteenth Century Ireland

Sports & Outdoors

Miller, Ben

Individual Sports

Hudson Society Press

During the eighteenth century, Ireland was Europe’s wild west, where the sword was the constant companion of every gentleman, soldier, and rogue. Here, in the dimly lit rooms of Dublin’s popular coffee and chocolate houses, among its public parks and cloistered back yards, fearsome duelists such as George Robert “Fighting” Fitzgerald, Alexander “Buck” English, and Captain David “Tyger” Roche fought for life and honor with the sword and pistol. Here, countless swordsmen—colorfully dressed in ruffled silk—stained the ground of St Stephen’s Green with blood, and celebrated their survival over glasses of cherry brandy.This is the story of eighteenth century Ireland’s sword culture—of its renowned fencing schools, its famed swordsmen, its female gladiators, and its notorious armed gangs such as the Bucks, Cherokees, and Pinking Dindies, who terrorized the people of Dublin with the small-sword, knife, falchion, and shillelagh, and engaged in vicious battles with members of the city’s Night Watch.Here, also, is the story of Ireland’s most celebrated fencing society, the Knights of Tara—whose grand fencing exhibitions won fame and glory for Ireland, whose writings on bayonet fencing found their way into the hands of America’s founding father, George Washington, and whose leading member would go on to have a indelible impact upon the history of fencing in the British Isles.PART TWO of this book contains A Few Mathematical and Critical Remarks on the Sword—an almost completely overlooked fencing treatise, now published again for the first time in more than 230 years, that is currently the only known original treatment of swordsmanship by an Irish author published in Ireland during the eighteenth century. Though anonymously authored, research suggests that this mysterious text—the publication of which directly led to the formation of the Knights of Tara—may be the work of Cornelius Kelly, Ireland’s most renowned fencing master. Compiled throughout the 1770s and published in Dublin in 1781, this treatise is by no means a beginner’s manual, but is an extensive discussion and elucidation on the technique, form, philosophy, psychology, morality, and strategy of swordsmanship. Although founded upon the French school of small-sword fencing, it exhibits many peculiarities, and the author's method of explaining fencing is unusual for the era. The text contains applications of geometrical and mathematical principles to swordsmanship, how to utilize one’s own shadow as a training device, and defenses against assassins and so-called “dirty tricks.” In the words of its author,“Almost every Gentleman who applies himself to the Sword, [and] has had a liberal education...consequently will be pleased at an attempt at grafting this art upon the most elevated of the sciences, i.e. the mathematical; and perhaps it may be something novel, to have proved this art, in many instances, to be so closely connected with the common precepts of philosophy.”Irish Swordsmanship contains extensive footnotes, more than sixty drawings, paintings, and engravings from the period, a comprehensive glossary of terms, and seven appendices.

History

Europe

The martial heritage of Scotland and its legendary swordsmen have captured the imagination of readers worldwide for centuries. Likewise, enthusiasts of swordsmanship have cherished classic Scottish fencing treatises by those such as William Hope and Donald McBane. However, up until now, a number of obscure Scottish treatises on the use of the sword have evaded the notice of authors, scholars and researchers. Presented here are five such texts, now published again for the first time in more than two centuries. They include:  I. Examination & Vindication of the Highlander’s Manner of Attacking and Fighting the Enemy in a Day of Action. — Though not a fencing text, this is an unique early eighteenth century manuscript on battlefield techniques that has never before been published, and is now presented here with the permission of the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. Authored by an anonymous Highland veteran, it includes a spirited defense of the native manner of fighting, and provides new insight into the use of the targe during the period of the great Jacobite conflicts. II. The Sword’s-Man; Containing a Series of Observations on the Use of the Sword. — This treatise, authored in 1788 by Edinburgh fencing instructor John Ferdinand, contains instruction in the use of the most popular side-arms of the period: the broadsword, small-sword, and spadroon.  III. A Dictionary, Explaining the Terms, Guards, and Positions, Used in the Art of the Small Sword. — This useful and interesting glossary on the art of fencing is embedded with numerous instructions, and was written by Hary Fergusson, a native of Aberdeenshire who taught fencing in Edinburgh and North America during the 1760s and 1770s. IV. A Treatise on the New Sword Exercise. — This treatise on the use of the cavalry saber was first published in 1797, shortly after the widespread adoption of the 1796 pattern cavalry sword. Its author was Sholto Douglas Sorlie, a native of Edinburgh, Sergeant in the 7th Queen’s Own Light Dragoons, and later a veteran of Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrennees, Navelle, Orthes, and the Peninsular War.  V. This final chapter explores the life and career of Donald McAlpine, a soldier from Inverness and officer in the famed Queens Rangers (an early Special Operations unit), who taught the use of the back-sword in Boston during the American War of Independence. His student sketched what is currently the earliest known illustration of fencing technique in the American colonies. The full, original page containing the illustration of McAlpine’s instruction is faithfully reproduced herein for the first time ever. CONTENTS Acknowledgments I. Introduction and Notes by Paul Macdonald II. Examination & Vindication of the Highlanders’ Manner of Attacking and Fighting the Enemy in a Day of Action III. John Ferdinand by Ben Miller IV. The Sword’s-Man by John Ferdinand V. Hary Fergusson by Ben Miller VI. A Dictionary, Explaining the Terms, Guards, and Positions, Used in the Art of the Small-Sword by Hary Fergusson VII. Sholto Douglas Sorlie by Ben Miller VIII. A Treatise on the New Sword Exercise by Sholto Douglas Sorlie IX. Donald McAlpine by Ben Miller  About the Contributors

Scottish Fencing: Five 18th Century Texts on the Use of the Small-sword, Broadsword, Spadroon, Cavalry Sword, and Highland Battlefield Tactics

Kirby, Jared

The martial heritage of Scotland and its legendary swordsmen have captured the imagination of readers worldwide for centuries. Likewise, enthusiasts of swordsmanship have cherished classic Scottish fencing treatises by those such as William Hope and Donald McBane. However, up until now, a number of obscure Scottish treatises on the use of the sword have evaded the notice of authors, scholars and researchers. Presented here are five such texts, now published again for the first time in more than two centuries. They include: I. Examination &amp; Vindication of the Highlander’s Manner of Attacking and Fighting the Enemy in a Day of Action. — Though not a fencing text, this is an unique early eighteenth century manuscript on battlefield techniques that has never before been published, and is now presented here with the permission of the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. Authored by an anonymous Highland veteran, it includes a spirited defense of the native manner of fighting, and provides new insight into the use of the targe during the period of the great Jacobite conflicts. II. The Sword’s-Man; Containing a Series of Observations on the Use of the Sword. — This treatise, authored in 1788 by Edinburgh fencing instructor John Ferdinand, contains instruction in the use of the most popular side-arms of the period: the broadsword, small-sword, and spadroon. III. A Dictionary, Explaining the Terms, Guards, and Positions, Used in the Art of the Small Sword. — This useful and interesting glossary on the art of fencing is embedded with numerous instructions, and was written by Hary Fergusson, a native of Aberdeenshire who taught fencing in Edinburgh and North America during the 1760s and 1770s. IV. A Treatise on the New Sword Exercise. — This treatise on the use of the cavalry saber was first published in 1797, shortly after the widespread adoption of the 1796 pattern cavalry sword. Its author was Sholto Douglas Sorlie, a native of Edinburgh, Sergeant in the 7th Queen’s Own Light Dragoons, and later a veteran of Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrennees, Navelle, Orthes, and the Peninsular War. V. This final chapter explores the life and career of Donald McAlpine, a soldier from Inverness and officer in the famed Queens Rangers (an early Special Operations unit), who taught the use of the back-sword in Boston during the American War of Independence. His student sketched what is currently the earliest known illustration of fencing technique in the American colonies. The full, original page containing the illustration of McAlpine’s instruction is faithfully reproduced herein for the first time ever. CONTENTS Acknowledgments I. Introduction and Notes by Paul Macdonald II. Examination &amp; Vindication of the Highlanders’ Manner of Attacking and Fighting the Enemy in a Day of Action III. John Ferdinand by Ben Miller IV. The Sword’s-Man by John Ferdinand V. Hary Fergusson by Ben Miller VI. A Dictionary, Explaining the Terms, Guards, and Positions, Used in the Art of the Small-Sword by Hary Fergusson VII. Sholto Douglas Sorlie by Ben Miller VIII. A Treatise on the New Sword Exercise by Sholto Douglas Sorlie IX. Donald McAlpine by Ben Miller About the Contributors

Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monstery was one of the most celebrated swordsmen in American history. During his long life, he served under the flags of twelve nations, participated in more than fifty duels with the sword, knife, and pistol, and took part in countless battles, conflicts, and revolutions.In this semi-autobiographical novel, originally published in 1881 under the title El Rubio Bravo, King of the Swordsmen: Or, the Terrible Brothers of Tabasco, Monstery recounts his adventures in Spanish America, where he journeyed during the 1850s as a soldier-of-fortune and itinerant master-of-arms. Among its pages—which read like a combination of swashbuckler, Spaghetti Western, and Indiana Jones, and with shades of Robert E. Howard—Monstery tells of his duels with espadachíns (sword-wielding bravos), of evading assassination among moonlit tropical glades, of battling bandits in the wind-swept deserts of Mexico, and of pursuing a lost Aztec civilization, reportedly still in existence deep within the jungles of the Yucatan. Accompanying Monstery on these journeys are his two indefatiguable companions: the revolver-toting, pugilistic Englishman, Dr. Charlie Brown, and the honorable but roguish Hispanic cavalier, Don Jose Ramirez. Together, these three seek their fortunes while attempting to rescue the beautiful but fiery Carmelita Ximenes—a character directly based on Monstery’s own wife.\nOf this classic adventure novel, now in print again for the first time in more than a century, one modern scholar has favorably written:\n“A curious work that reads (apart from occasional romantic elements) much like an authentic account by one of the early nineteenth-century travelers in Central America...It is one of the very few dime novels worth reading for their own merit.” - Everett Franklin Bleiler, Science-fiction, the Early Years\nThis edition has been annotated, and contains a new, extensive introduction by the editor. Drawing upon a wealth of previously unknown sources, Monstery’s historical activities in Spanish America have been chronicled in greater detail than ever before, so that readers can now dissect the facts of his real life from the fiction of his novel. The text has also been supplemented with numerous rare photographs and engravings from the period.

King of the Swordsmen

Monstery, Col. Thomas Hoyer

Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monstery was one of the most celebrated swordsmen in American history. During his long life, he served under the flags of twelve nations, participated in more than fifty duels with the sword, knife, and pistol, and took part in countless battles, conflicts, and revolutions. In this semi-autobiographical novel, originally published in 1881 under the title El Rubio Bravo, King of the Swordsmen: Or, the Terrible Brothers of Tabasco, Monstery recounts his adventures in Spanish America, where he journeyed during the 1850s as a soldier-of-fortune and itinerant master-of-arms. Among its pages--which read like a combination of swashbuckler, Spaghetti Western, and Indiana Jones, and with shades of Robert E. Howard--Monstery tells of his duels with espadachíns (sword-wielding bravos), of evading assassination among moonlit tropical glades, of battling bandits in the wind-swept deserts of Mexico, and of pursuing a lost Aztec civilization, reportedly still in existence deep within the jungles of the Yucatan. Accompanying Monstery on these journeys are his two indefatiguable companions: the revolver-toting, pugilistic Englishman, Dr. Charlie Brown, and the honorable but roguish Hispanic cavalier, Don Jose Ramirez. Together, these three seek their fortunes while attempting to rescue the beautiful but fiery Carmelita Ximenes--a character directly based on Monstery's own wife. Of this classic adventure novel, now in print again for the first time in more than a century, one modern scholar has favorably written: "A curious work that reads (apart from occasional romantic elements) much like an authentic account by one of the early nineteenth-century travelers in Central America...It is one of the very few dime novels worth reading for their own merit." - Everett Franklin Bleiler, Science-fiction, the Early Years This edition has been annotated, and contains a new, extensive introduction by the editor. Drawing upon a wealth of previously unknown sources, Monstery's historical activities in Spanish America have been chronicled in greater detail than ever before, so that readers can now dissect the facts of his real life from the fiction of his novel. The text has also been supplemented with nearly one hundred rare photographs and engravings from the period.

Monstery, Thomas Hoyer

Since the dawn of human history, the club has been popularly regarded as the most primitive of weapons—the first that early man was able to crudely fashion using his own two hands, for the purposes of self-defense, hunting, and war. However, as the millennia progressed, the club developed a romantic allure, becoming associated with heroic figures such as Hercules, medieval fencing masters, and European strongmen as well as strongwomen. Later, the use of the club was also advocated by military authors of fencing treatises as physical conditioning for saber fencing.\nIn this book, we examine the use of the club as both a weapon of self-defense and an exercise tool—with particular regard to its use in the nineteenth century Germanic speaking world—and examine a number of obscure technical sources that have hitherto escaped the notice of modern scholars and historians. Among the most interesting, and reprinted in a full bilingual version within this book, is a concise fencing treatise detailing the use of the massive, two-handed club. Published in 1855 in Germany, but with Scandinavian roots, this method looks at the use of the club for its serviceability as a tool of both self-defense and self-development (i.e., the cultivation of body, mind, and spirit). This club-method was part of a larger, holistic fencing system, that was intended to inculcate in the practitioner a knowledge of fencing theory and mechanics that could be applied to any weapon. As the author of the treatise explains:\n“The mere technical or regulatory exercises in the use of the club would indeed appear to be useful, in that one would be practicing the appropriate handling of that two-handed and massive cutting weapon and, in the event of an emergency, a club (or a club-like weapon), such as may be at hand, would then be able to be used with skill and safety... at the same time, they contain aesthetic elements which the trained gymnast can easily make use of.”\nMethods of Using the Club contains extensive footnotes, more than sixty-five drawings, paintings, and photographs from history, and both an English translation and the original German version of the aforementioned treatise.\nCONTENTS\nAcknowledgments - vii 
I: Introduction - 1 
II: Notes on the Treatise - 47 
III: Treatise (English Translation) - 61 
IV: Treatise (German Transcription) - 89 
V: Additional Club Exercises - 103 
VI: Epilogue - 109 
Bibliography - 111 
About the Author - 115 
Additional Works - 116

Methods of Using the Club for Self-Defense and Exercise in 19th Century Germany

Miller, D. Ben

The Gladiatory Art: The Lives, Writings, & Techniques of the Eighteenth Century Stage Gladiators. A Sourcebook.

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Hudson Society Press publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Hudson Society Press

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Hudson Society Press publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Irish Swordsmanship: Fencing and Dueling in Eighteenth Century Ireland

Irish Swordsmanship: Fencing and Dueling in Eighteenth Century Ireland

Scottish Fencing: Five 18th Century Texts on the Use of the Small-sword, Broadsword, Spadroon, Cavalry Sword, and Highland Battlefield Tactics

Scottish Fencing: Five 18th Century Texts on the Use of the Small-sword, Broadsword, Spadroon, Cavalry Sword, and Highland Battlefield Tactics

King of the Swordsmen

King of the Swordsmen

Methods of Using the Club for Self-Defense and Exercise in 19th Century Germany

The Gladiatory Art: The Lives, Writings, & Techniques of the Eighteenth Century Stage Gladiators. A Sourcebook.