George Silver

Gentleman / Fencer

English Renaissance fencer and author of Paradoxes of Defence (1599) advocating the English backsword.

Quick Facts

Date of Birthca 1550

Date of Death1620

Era16th–17th century

Country of OriginEngland (UK)

Rank / TitleAuthor of Paradoxes of Defence

Active Years1590–1620

Biography

George Silver published Paradoxes of Defence in 1599. He championed traditional English backsword techniques while criticizing the fashionable Italian rapier dueling style.

Associated Martial Arts

George Silver FencingCodifier→

The English fencing teaching of 1599, set against the fashion for the rapier. Its core is Silver's doctrine of four true and four false times of the blow.