Marozzo's second assalto of sword and buckler

Facsimile
Book II Introductory Images.

The Second Assalto of the sword and small buckler is one of three sword and buckler assalti that appear in Achille Marozzo's 1536 manuscript the Opera nova dell’Arte delle armi. The second assault appears in Capitollo 11 of the first book.

As with the First Assault and unlike the third the second is "assymetric" showing primarily the actions of the agente. The patiente is left to primarily parry unless otherwise specified in the text.

The Assault

Preamble

From the Manuscript

Hora qui principiaremo il secondo assalto pure del ditto brochiero stretto, il quale voglio che vada forte alla meza spada alla strette, & non mettendo altro andare a gioco al presente, perche feria di troppo volume discriverlo sempre, però tu anderai a gioco con uno di quelli iquali tu hai imparato dame, si che nota: In prima tu serai in guarda alta ben polito, & galante.

Translation/Interpretation

Now the beginning of the second assault of the small buckler; the strong constraint at the mid-sword. Other plays are not explored at present as that would be too much to describe here. However, be sure to practice with someone who has also learned from me. Note: First you will take Guardia Alta, well formed and gallant.

First part

From the Manuscript

Adûque essendo nella detta guarda alta, il tuo nemico fosse in guarda di sopra braccio di qui voglio che tu butti il tuo pie dritto forte innanzi, et in questo buttare tu spingerai ponta in faccia del nemico, di fuori dal suo lato dritto, et lui per paura della ponta ditta le bande di sopra coprirà, e tu quelle di sotto batterai con un roverso nella sui coscia dritta, facendo buon brochiero in testa, tirando per tuo riparo subito del falso di sotto insuso, per le braccie della spada del nemico, tagliando d'uno fendente nel brochiero, in modo che tu abellirai il gioco a modo usato, cioè ritornando nella ditta guardia alta, come di sopra, ben polito galante, & attilato.

Translation

As before being in the high guard, your opponent being in the over-arm guard. From here I want you to strike, stepping strongly forward with your right foot, and in this strike push a thrust to your enemy's face to the outside of his right side. He in fear of the thrust will cover the high line, and you striking under this blow will make a reverse cut to his right thigh, protecting the head well with the buckler. Use a rising false-cut to make an immediate parry from below to the sword arm of your opponent, then cut a descending cut into your buckler, in the usual way of the embellishment. That is returning to the high guard, as above, well formed and precise.

Interpretation

Begin in Guardia Alta (the patiente in Guardia di Sopra Braccio), with the right foot leading.	Strike your opponent with a thrust in Guardia di Faccia, strongly stepping with your right foot towards the patiente’s right side. (the patiente moves to cover the high line with his sword and shield)	Strike his right thigh with a roverso ending in Coda Lunga Larga while stepping with your left foot, covering your head with the shield. (patiente will cut to your left thigh)
Immediately flow into a falso montante to the sword-arm of patiente stepping back into Guardia Alta with the right foot leading.	Cut a fendente to your shield, passing through into Porta di Ferro Stretta with another step back.	Embellish the play and end in Guardia Alta.

Video

Devon Boorman of Academie Duello performing part 1.

Second part

From the Manuscript

Translation

Remaining in the high guard as before, or making Sopra Braccio, or in a matching guard to your opponent, in that moment he throws a fendente at the head. It does not pass into Guarda di Faccio, immediately throw a ridoppio roverso from below at the same time whereby strongly striking the sword of your opponent. In this way, in fear of the ridoppio that is coming he uncovers a high opening on the outside of his right side. At this moment throw two trammazzoni with an accompanying fendente dritto, lower your sword into Porta di Ferro Stretta. Your opponent will then strike your head. You will expel it with a thrust to the face accompanied with a feathering of the shield from the inside and maintain his strike on the true edge of your sword, that is in Guarda di Faccia, advance in this parry of your left foot opposite his right part and give a roverso to his temple and your right leg follows the left in behind and your sword lowers into Coda Lunga Alta. If at this moment your opponent throws a cut at your head or leg. Immediately you throw the left foot opposite your right part and in this throwing you place the falso of your sword under that of your opponent, stepping in that moment with your right foot strongly opposite the left side as said above. In this step, cut the opponent’s leg with a mandritto, end in Sotto Braccio. Follow with the left leg behind the right, cutting in that exact tempo a roverso, follow behind with a rising montante. Pull the right leg near the left and bring your sword into Guardia Alta. Embellish the play at this moment in the proper way, that is with cuts, plays, and rising montante, passes, and withdrawing your leg to the usual place, in this way your sword turns to Guardia Alta with your arms and legs well positioned.

Interpretation

Start in Guardia Alta, Sopra Braccio, or a matching guard to the opponent. (patiente cuts a fendente to your head ending in Porta di Ferro Stretta).	Immediately cut a Roverso Ridoppio from below while stepping with the left foot, striking the opponent’s fendente strongly aside.	Cut two tramazzoni ending with a fendente to Porta di Ferro Stretta with the right leg leading. (patiente now cuts to your head).
Expel the cut by thrusting into Guardia di Faccia, directing your point to the patiente’s face, transitioning into a step with the left foot towards the patient’s right, pushing your true edge against his sword.	Deliver a roverso to the patiente’s temple ending in Coda Longa Alta, following with the right leg behind the left. (patiente now cuts to your head or leg).	Step strongly to your left with your left foot and place your false edge beneath your opponent’s sword (Guardia d'Intrare).
Step to the right while delivering a mandritto tondo ending in Sotto Braccio.	Following with the left foot behind the right, cut a roverso to the arm of the patiente.	Cut a montante into Guardia Alta while stepping back.
* The last three cuts before the embellishment are together defined as the Bociollo by Academie Duello.

Video

Devon Boorman of Academie Duello performing part 2.

Alternate Interpretation

1. Agente starts in Guardia Alta or Sopra Braccio or matching the guard of the patiente.
2. Agente throws a fendente to the head followed by a rising cut from below to the sword of the patiente.
3. Patiente avoids the rising cut by withdrawing the sword to the left side uncovering his right side.
4. Agente throws two tramazzoni and a fendente into the opening concluding in Porta di Ferro Stretta.
5. Patiente cuts to the head of agente.
6. Agente blocks the cut in Guardia di Faccia, stepping with the left foot towards the patiente’s right.
7. Agente cuts a roverso to the temple with his right leg stepping behind his left (triangle step conclusion) finishing in Coda Longa Alta.
8. Patiente cuts to the head or leg of agente.
9. Agente steps strongly right with the left foot, followed by the right, placing the false edge of the sword under the opponent’s blow (guardia d’intrare) and cuts a mandritto at the patiente’s leg, ending in Sotto Braccio.
10. Agente continues by moving the left foot behind the right (triangle step conclusion) while throwing the Bocciolo, pulling the right leg near the left and lifting the sword into Guardia Alta.
11. Embellish and return again to Guardia Alta.

Third part

From the Manuscript

Translation

Remaining in the said Guardia Alta, and your opponent being where he wants, I want you to step strongly with your right foot and cut a fendente at the rim of the buckler, ending in porta di ferro stretta. Do not stop with the said fendente, you will cut a trammazone to the sword of your opponent, pushing a high thrust to the face accompanied with the buckler. Pass with the left leg and dispense said reverse-thrust towards the right side of your opponent. At this moment, fearing the right-thrust he will uncover the left side and you will give him a fendente to the head. Pass with the right foot in that tempo towards the right of the opponent, following and tahendo a roverso with the right foot for left back. In this way you will move the sword to Guardia di Coda Lunga Alta. In this tempo your enemy will cut with a trammazone or a mandritto. In this moment I want you to pass forward with your right foot and in the pass you will expel a thrust to the face of the opponent accompanied with your buckler, finding yourself in Guarda di Faccia. And in your parry you will give him a roversa to the leg, and cut a fendente in behind the rim of the buckler with the right foot thrown the left foot behind. At this moment embellish the play, that is with beats of the buckler, and rising in the usual way, returning to Guardia Alta, well formed with you arms, like the other turns I have told you.

Interpretation

Begin in Guardia Alta (patiente in any guard)	Step strongly with the right foot and make a fendente past the rim of your buckler passing through Porta di Ferro Stretta into a tramazonne that strikes to the sword of the patiente.	Thrust to patiente's face in Guardia di Faccia...
... and then pass with the left foot and angle the thrust to the patiente's right side. (patiente moves to parry his right side).	Cut to the patiente’s head while passing with the right towards the patiente’s right side.	Pass with the left foot and throw a roverso squalembrato ending in Coda Longa Alta. (patiente will cut a tramazone or mandritto)
Pass forward with the right foot, blocking the cut with a thrust in Guardia di Faccia...	... followed by a roverso to the leg...	... and a fendente in behind the rim of the patiente’s buckler, the last while stepping back.
Embellish and return to Guardia Alta.

Video

Devon Boorman of Academie Duello performing part 3.

Fourth part

From the Manuscript

Translation

Now, that you are in Guardia Alta, as said above, I want you to pass forward with the right foot, and in this passing cut a fendente, and a falso from below, and a roverso to the rim of the buckler at the same time, and your sword will end in Coda Lunga Stretta. And if at this moment your opponent cuts to your head, or leg, I want you to parry with a falso tando di sotto from below with two tramazzoni to the head, ultimately ending in Porta di Ferro Stretta. And if as you come to rest your opponent responds in any way, I want you to strike it aside with a falso and pass with your left foot close to the right side of your opponent, and cut in the pass a roversa to the rim of your buckler, which goes strongly to the face as above said, the left food withdraws close to the right, strongly embellish the play, that is in the standard way with strikes to the buckler, and rising into guardia alta, like first I taught you, as always.

Interpretation

1. Begin in guardia alta. Step forward with the right foot, cutting a fendente, mandritto sottano di filo falso and a roverso sgualembrato, ending in coda lunga e stretta.
2. Paziente attacks to the head or leg. Parry with a mandritto sottano di filo falso, then throw two trammazoni to the head, ending in porta di ferro e stretta. (step with left than the right.)
3. Paziente responds to these attacks. Cut a mandritto sottano di filo falso, and then throw a roverso sgualembrato to the buckler while passing forward with the left foot. Bring the feet together.
4. Embellish.

Fifth part

From the Manuscript

Translation

Now remaining in Guardia Alta, being of need (di bisogno), that you faint (fallaci) a thrust in the act of a montante, that is pass with your left foot opposite the right side of your opponent, and the said thrust expels strongly to the left side of the face as above mentioned, and he being scared of the thrust uncovers his high right, and you immediately give him a mandritto falso to his head between his sword and buckler, pass in this cut with your right foot towards the opponent’s left side, and the left leg follows the right (di dietro – and after? Behind?), and your sword does not go into Guardia d’Intrare Stretto, coming with the sword and buckler precisely, at this point, being need, he cuts to your high parts, and you parry his strike with your true edge and cut a roverso to his temple, pushing to his right temple in this way, without passing your sword into Guardia di Coda Longa Alta, at this time you withdraw your right foot close to your left embellishing the play in the usual way, that is beats, rising montantes with passing steps, always returning to Guardia Alta, as above well formed with your arms, and your legs well extended in the usual and precise way.

Interpretation

1. Begin in Guardia Alta. Pass forward with the left foot towards the patiente's left side, thrusting to his left cheek.
2. Patiente will uncover his right side. Cut a mandritto sgualembrato with the false edge to the head, going between patiente’s sword and buckler, passing forward with the right foot. Do not enter into Guardia d'Intrare. (Patiente attacks from above)
3. Parry with true edge and cut to patiente's right temple ending in Coda Lunga Stretta, passing forward with the left foot.
4. Pull the right leg close to the left, embellish and return to Guardia Alta.

Sixth part

From the Manuscript

Translation

Now take note, and pay attention, that when you want to deceive the play, I want it to be in the rising, that he will be rising, that you will have risen first, and immediately having risen, you will make a cut to him in the face along the rim of your buckler with your right foot passed forward, and your sword will not pass into the guard of porta di ferro alta, and if your enemy now throws low or high, a thrust or mandritto or stramazzone, and then a roverso, at each of these attacks you will throw from below rising a falso with the sword, together with your buckler, accompanied by a true-edge cut to his temple crossing your feet, that is -- your left will make a passing step opposite his right side with a stramazone falling to porta di ferro stretta. Now if your enemy throws to your head, in that throw, you will go to the parry with the false edge, and mandritto, and roverso tondo, also cutting another roverso pushed into the rim over the buckler, throwing in the same tempo your right foot behind to the left, withdrawing the left near the right, and from here you will embellish the play: that is, with clangs, and with rising [cuts], in the usual way, like I first told you, eventually finding yourself in guardia alta, well-affected, polite, with the legs and arms well-extended and gallant.

Interpretation

1. Make a feint as if to raise your sword to guardia alta.
2. Patiente moves to follow your sword. Your sword needs to reach a position from which it can cut first; immediately throw a squalembrato along the rim of your buckler, stepping forward with the right foot.
3. Paziente attacks any line with a thrust or mandritto/roverso sgualembrato.
4. You parry any such attack with a rising false-edge cut, keeping the sword and buckler close, stepping forward and across with the left foot.
5. Paziente cuts to the head with a fendente. Repeat the above play, and end with a roverso tondo along the rim of the buckler, bringing the right foot behind the left.
6. Cut another roverso squalembrato into the rim of the buckler, withdrawing the left foot.

Seventh part

From the Manuscript

Translation

Remaining in Guardia Alta, there is need to cut your opponent with a mandritto tondo below the arm. That is to say he (the opponent) responds afterwards to the parts above, but if he responds to the above parts, with any blow that he wants, you will throw your left foot opposite his right side, and in this step, catch your sword in the hand of your buckler in the manner of an arming sword (spada in armi) and use it to parry the strike of your opponent, and in the parry make a thrust with the point to his face with a mandritto fendente to his head between his sword and buckler, and in this tempo with your right foot step to your right with your sword coming to rest in Porta di Ferro Alta. Then in the response of your opponent you will thrust your point to his face accompanied with your buckler, and deliver a roverso to his right thigh, in the same tempo make another reverse-thrust along the rim of your buckler while withdrawing your right leg behind your left. In this way the left foot will be arranged close to the right and will be strong, you embellish the play with beats and risings in the usual way, returning to Guardia Alta as said above.

Interpretation

1. Begin in guardia alta. Throw a mandritto tondo that goes under the arm, stepping forward with the right foot. (Patiente will respond with any attack).
2. Pass forward with the left foot towards the opponent's right side, lift the sword into Guardia d'Alicorno, grabbing the blade at the half-sword using the buckler hand. Make a simultaneous parry and thrust to the opponent's face.
3. Pass forward with the right foot to your right and cut a fendente that goes between patiente’s sword and buckler, ending in Porta di Ferro Alta. (Patiente responds with another attack)
4. Defend with Guardia di Faccia, stepping forward with the left foot.
5. Step with the right, cutting to the patiente's right thigh.
6. Withdraw the right foot close to the left while making a second thrust into Guardia di Faccia.
7. Embellish and return to Guardia Alta.

Eighth part

From the Manuscript

Translation

Here resting in Guardia Alta you cut two mandritto tando to the face, passing in that tempo with the right foot forward, and allowing the dritto to continue you thrust outside your opponents sword to his upper right and striking forcefully across/to his left temple, and at this point he is afraid of your thrust and he will withdraw backwards and you will strike his sword with your quillions and then make a half mandritto falso and your sword will pass under his and your right foot will pass across his left side and in the next tempo you will strike anew with your guard and give him a half reverse spinto to his right temple passing with your left foot across from his right side and immediately, to recover yourself, you throw your right foot behind your left with a thrust in guardia di faccia and embellish the play subsequently with rising cuts, beats to the shield, etc.

Interpretation

1. Step forward with the right foot and cut two mandritto tondi to the head. Do not stop after the second cut, but finish with a thrust to the right temple with your sword outside the patiente's. (Patiente will now be open in front)
2. Strike his sword with your hilt, and follow with a mezzo mandritto with the false edge (this will beat the patiente's sword to your right and allow you to strike the falso to his left side).
3. Pass forward with the right foot towards your opponent's left side, passing your sword underneath his.
4. Strike patiente’s sword with the hilt (knuckle-bow towards his sword) while making a half reverse-thrust to his right temple, passing forward with the left foot opposite the opponent's right side. (Patiente makes an attack)
5. To block patiente’s attack, throw back the right foot, and come to guardia di faccia, thrusting to patiente’s face.
6. Embellish and conclude in Guardia Alta.

See Also

• Achille Marozzo
• First Assault
• Third Assault
• Opera Nova