The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence (Joseph Swetnam, 1617)

The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence is a printed fencing manual in English, published in 1617 by Joseph Swetnam (died 1621). Its subtitle presents it as the first work on this art from the pen of an Englishman ("Being the first of any English mans invention, which professed the sayd Science"). The book first offers, over several chapters, moral and social advice on fencing, self-defence and honour, and only then moves on to practical instruction. This covers the rapier and dagger, sword and dagger, backsword, the single rapier and the staff (quarterstaff). Swetnam favours the point over the cut and fighting at a distance with lunges, and advises the reader to wound the opponent rather than kill him. Chapter XII sums up the teaching in seven main rules of defence. Swetnam claimed that he had been fencing master to the late Prince Henry and that the prince had urged him to publish the book. According to Wikipedia, no evidence of his service to the prince has survived. A pamphlet, The araignment of lewde, idle, froward and unconstant women, of 1615, is also known under Swetnam's name.

Martial arts in this work

Contents

The technical part works with its own series of guards, among which Swetnam names the fore-hand guard, broadwarde, lazie guard and crosse guard. He prefers the point to the cut and uses feints and fighting at a distance with lunges. He builds defence on simple parries and on steps back. Chapter XII gives seven main rules of defence: a good guard, observing distance, knowing the place, using time, holding space, patience and frequent practice. The online transcription by ARMA refers to woodcuts at the guards and techniques. We have not been able to establish how many illustrations the original print contained. ARMA itself states that it does not vouch for the accuracy of the transcription. Sources do not agree on the number of chapters: Wikipedia speaks of eleven chapters of advice, followed by practical instruction.

Authorship

Joseph Swetnam is associated with Bristol, where his daughter Elizabeth married on 4 November 1613. He died in 1621 abroad. He claimed to have been fencing master to Prince Henry, who urged him to publish. The prince was no longer alive at the time of publication, and we did not find evidence of Swetnam's service with him in the sources. Swetnam's name is also linked to the pamphlet The araignment of lewde, idle, froward and unconstant women. It appeared in 1615 under the pseudonym Thomas Tell-Troth, and only a reprint from the same year ascribed it to Swetnam.

Details

Form

Printed book

Editions

• 1617 · EN · The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence · first edition