THE Private School of Defence.  
OR THE DEFECTS of Public Teachers, exactly discovered, by way of Objection and Resolution.  
TOGETHER With the true practice of the Science, set down in judicious Rules and Observances; in a Method never before expressed.  
By G. H. Gent.  
LONDON: Printed for john Helm, and are to be sold at his Shop in S. Dunstanes Church-yard in Fleetstreet. 1614   

TO THE HOPE OF GREAT Britain, Prince CHARLES.  
PRaise is the end of all Arts, the perfection of Praise is only in Eminence, which begets Example and Admiration. Seeing then (great Prince) your Birth gives you the best privilege to express the worthiness of Virtue, I see not but her followers, either in Art or Action, should necessarily fly to your High Patronage. This consideration makes my low deserts look upward, which in this at least will merit your view, that the Science of Defence, not unworthily styled Noble, (if either truly practised, or rightly understood) was never before in our Language brought to any Method. The Professors thereof being so ignorant, that they could rather do, then make demonstration, or reduce their doing to any certainty of principle.  
Many are the imputations laid upon this Art, (for such I dare now affirm it) the chief whereof is, the increasing our bloody and irreligious Duels, which if the name of this Science, being called of Defence, will not avoid, yet the most licentious age of the Romans shall sufficiently clear: No History of those times making mention of any Duello or single fight to the loss of any Noble Person in that State, or disreputation of the public justice. Yet that this kind of battle was known and in some cases approved amongst the Romans. The Hiperduels between the Curatij and the Horatij, and that famous Duel between Torquatus and the Frenchman, apparently speak.  
It is not then the public profession of this Science, nor the multiplicity of Professors that increase these desperate assassinations: for, Knowledge begets Wisdom, and Wisdom by how much it participates of skill with Discretion, misdoubteth the same in another, and concludes safety as the sum of her ability. This is manifest in the Italians, the first inventors of Foyle-weapon, and the cunningest Practisers, where notwithstanding these single Combats are rather reported then seen; and yet in ruder Countries as Poland, etc. nothing more common; which I impute wholly to a daring Ignorance. Neither had this knowledge of Defence, if justly taxed with any so wicked effects, been graced with so many Authentic privileges in all well governed States, nor the Professors thereof had received such honour and respect, insomuch that amongst the Romans some of them had their Statues erected, as Plutarch witnesseth. These Reasons (if my judgement fail not) forcing the same.  
First, Necessity at home, as a Remedy to an unavoided Disease, in opposing sudden assaults, which from Cain, pleading Antiquity, will not now lose their plantation. And since Innocence is no protection against murderous intents, God and Nature tolerate this Defence.  
The second is, Public good abroad, for avoiding blood, if the state of a War should require a single Trial, which howsoever was presumption in Goliath, was true valour in David: the imitation of this example, hath been frequent in great Persons in foreign, and memorable in our own Country: as between Edmund, surnamed Ironside, and King Canute, to a happy issue. Neither can I forget an offer in the same kind made in more late years, between Frances the first, King of France, and Charles' the fifth, Emperor, though without effect.  
The last Reason is, Commendable and profitable Exercise. First, no other recreation carries so general employment both of body and mind, as this doth: for here the Feet labour equally with the Hands, the Eye and the judgement walk together: and for the profit, it leads to as much use in making the person ready and daring to the war; as Horsemanship begets dexterity for the shock. The School of our private Practice being the same to the Battle, that the Muse is to the troup: for with what confidence shall he go on upon many, that hath no knowledge to give him hope of safety from one.  
Pardon my tedious discourse (most Excellent Prince) if it be a Crime, not Error but Zeal offends: for how can I choose but speak much of Arms to you, whom we all expect the most heroic Professor and Defender of the same: to which your future ability in your high Achievements, if my poor endeavours may give the least furtherance (as I promise myself much herein) I return from your Acceptance, loaden with full reward and happiest expectance: whom no second respect could induce to the undertaking this so difficult a Labour, which my Person shall in your command, in all humble service, be ever at attendance to make good, resting  
The most devoted Servant to you and your Princely Virtues, G. H. Gent.   

THE Private School of Defence.  

THE INDUCTION.  
SOme hold opinion that Skill availeth little or nothing in fight; and therefore so soon as they shall see this Title, will cast away the Discourse, as an unprofitable Argument. He that is the most obstinate enemy to himself, in rejecting the benefit of skill, must needs confess it no vain Exercise, if the aptness and facility be only thought on, to which the active practice of it brings the body, and enables it for enduring in fight. But to the point of material use.  
Of such men's understandings I would know how comes it (then) that an ignorant handler of a Weapon meeting with an ordinary Professor of Defence at Foils, can neither certainly give offence, nor avoid it.  
They will answer me, that at blunt, a man comes boldly on, and is not troubled with any such considerations, as at sharp must of necessity disorder his remembrance, and put him out of fight.  
To that, thus; All rules (indeed) must admit some exceptions: heat or cold may somewhat distract a fighter; heat in casting him too forwardly upon a danger: coldness in not preparing him to follow an advantage of offence, yet these come never wholly to prejudice the use of skill: for, speaking of such an heat as always falls upon this peril; we must not understand it to be simply that heat needfully belonging to courage; for than it is an orderly Virtue, and loseth no strength either borne with it, or taught it; but it must be forced up into much anger (which seldom happens in the Defendant, for whose cause only we profess teaching) before it can turn a man into that weakness. Where it doth happen, it is a kind of madness, which (for the time) loseth all reason, as much as that part of skill: and shall good advice be altogether neglected because a mad man is uncapable of it?  
Then touching Coldness, though it be brought down into the very baseness of Fear in one, yet it is impossible to make Skill utterly of no use to him. For the gesture of the body upon such a danger, will naturally fall into those motions that it hath got by practice.  
So that skill to every reasonable man is something a friend. But when it is entertained by one naturally of a good temper, it can by no means fall under any of their Objections that despise it; for such a man brings no more fury, nor less assurance with him into the Field, than the School, and therefore will have as much advantage of an ignorant man in fight, as there is difference between them in practice.  
To exemplify this, you may read of one Coranso, a Noble man, who from two and twenty Duelloes returned Conqueror: Being demanded the reason by some that considered the equality of his adversaries in show, and the uncertain chances of the field: he answered, Strength, Length, Courage, Temper and Cunning. So he concluded Nature in Art, and attributed the managing of those parts he was borne with, to the ability of those he was taught.  
Since therefore that the Science of Defence is understood to be a profession of use, it follows to examine the defects of Teachers, and to resolve upon the worth of the knowledge: which follows immediately after our Definition.   

The Definition of the Science of Defence, with the parts thereto required.  
THE Science of Defence is an Art Geometrical, wherewith the body is guarded with a single or double weapon from wrong of the Offender, or the greatest disadvantage of his Offence.  
The Parts thereto required are Strength and judgement.  
Under Strength are comprehended swiftness of motion and quickness of Eye: where ability is without perfection of these, it is but a supply of defects, drawn from the judicial part or judgement.  
Under judgement fall the considerations of Time, Place, and Distance.  
It hath seemed to many that there is no certainty in this Science, which granted, it must lose his title; in whose behalf we cannot but with great reason aver, that as the body is punctual, so it hath a just circumference in the hands and feet, which to defence and safeguard thereof, run in an equal line, which extended with strength in a just proportion, make the body the same as the Point is in Circle, untouched or impossible to be violated.  
To them that object Example against Knowledge, in that none or few, have ever attained this height of assurance, I can make no other answer, then argue from their own School, and say, that none or few, in disputation, ever gave satisfaction without some doubt, therefore Logic is no Art of true disputing. True it is, all Arts and Sciences have their just and absolute bound, to which though in the speculative part or Theory, many have arrived, none ever did in practice. Since as in those of words, many subtleties and nimble inventions oppress and wrest the best expositions: so in those of exercise of the body, the inequality of place, as the slipping of ground, dazzling of sight, many times disorder the best and surest way of Defence and Knowledge. Wherefore though by the weakness of man's casual nature, we can promise to our Scholar no positive security, yet the imperfection in the learner, makes the Art no whit less certain or singular.  
To those that reject the Science, because they cannot promise themselves supreme excellence, is to reject the study of Physic, because he cannot be a Galen, or a Paracelsus; or if any shall from the fall of some man of the sword (as our word men term them) by the unskilful arm of some rude assailer, contemn our instruction, I would have such a youth turn Muletor, because Ventidius that rubbed Asses, came to be Consul, and Valerius Cato the Grammarian became a hackneyman: Fortune not Science herein is to be blamed.  
Notwithstanding, that the excellence of this Science may not want Example; I cannot forget the memorable perfection of the two Romans Bythus and Bacchus, who having fought eighteen several Combats or Duelloes, returned both without hurt, and at the last were both, at one Passage, run through and slain, leaving no place to judgement, that could give pre-eminence to either: whereupon it became a Proverb in Trials of equality, B●thus contra Bacchum. But I have digressed too far In magnis rebus voluisse sat est; In high matters it shall suffice to sit in Phoebus' Chair, though we cannot run his full days journey: wherefore we return again to handle the parts derived, which make to approve our Definition; the Eye and the Foot.  
That which we call Strength, is not only a Bucke-beating ability of the arm; for the point, to which all use of weapon is now with great reason reduced, is not so blunt but small force makes it enter: neither in Long or Passage is the force required so much as shift of body, to which the Eye must like a faithful Sentinel give warning, and the Feet nimbly give performance: for if the Eye fail in perceiving opportunity, or the Feet in taking it, in vain is the force of arm: on these two than we ground Ability, to which the judgement gives the crown or conquest.  
Now for judgement, as we said before, Time must be observed when, Distance where, Place how. Occasion of Time and Distance may seem fair to the eye, yet the Place may justly bar it. As where open way is given to a Passage with advantage, the incertainty of footing may cast you too forward, and disorder your weapon by unsettled motion. Again, Place and Distance may both draw you on, yet Time may promise by letting slip that occasion, some opener way to great advantage: for upon every sleight ●●●ing of the arm, it is better to make offer of hurt to that panther our home for such prof● many times draws the adversary to a Guard, that neglects a 〈◊〉 of more deadly danger. Last● ●m● and ●ac● may both succeed to your wishes, yet Distance 〈◊〉 ●ustly check your resolution: 〈…〉 observation more than 〈…〉 the judgement required, which being from our purpose to set down i● figure, I refer you to the laborious work of Gio●an de Gras● the Italian, who handles this ●o● a● large and hath took up much ground in the expression thereof.  
Thus much for our speculative 〈…〉 Science, wherein I know 〈◊〉 ●a● disagree with me which I could not omit to set down, because it makes to the honour of the worthy Professors of this Science, whom I desire the courteous Reader by no means to imagine that I am so ignorant to mean, where any question is made of their sufficiency in this Book: for I dare boldly affirm, for general Weapons no Country can afford more able and sufficient professors than this our own in their performance; whose teaching I will not dispraise, if it come not within compass of these following Taxations, which by way of Objection and Resolution, I presume, I have made apparently worthy of censure to all indifferent practisers.    

The Defects of the Teachers of science▪ discovered by way 〈…〉 the true use thereof set down in the Rection.  

OBJECTION I.  
MOst of the common Teachers use but one form of play, and teach all men alike without observing the nature of the Scholar, whether he be of a hot spirit or a cold; or whether he have advantage or disadvantage in ●●n it soortnesse, strength or weakness of arm or body.  

RESOLUTION.  
HE that shall teach a strong man with a single weapon to run Passages with shift, takes from him the advantage of his strength, who should either attend the Close, or having length to his strength, should standing offend to the nearest, as in this Book you shall find under the title Order for fight. Or he that shall teach a weak man single weapon or binding Passage for the Close of advantage, forfeits him to a strong man's mercy, though he hath much less courage or skill. Whereby the defect in the Objection plainly appears, as in many other, rising from this example.    

OBJECTION II.  
THE public Teachers teach, at many weapons, as they give it out in their Challenges, as though every Weapon were used with several Guards and Defences, one contrary to another.  

RESOLUTION.  
THis is mere deceit, to blind the eyes of their spectators in public, as they do their Scholars in private: for all mentioned in the defect are contained in two weapons, that is single Rapier and Quarterstaff, and their defences, as you shall find in the rules of Practice.    

OBJECTION III.  
THey teach all men to lie at a settled guard with their whole breast towards their enemies, and do likewise make them trust to a Dagger's defence.  

RESOLUTION.  
TO give the whole breast, when the more thin the body offers itself to the offender, the more free it is from being hurt, is no less absurd, then if they should teach only to guard the head, & leave the breast open: for of dangers choose the least. Lastly, for defence, he that trusts to his Dagger, cannot possibly at that instant offend with the same. And there is no surer principle than this; there is no good defence without offence: neither good offence without defending, which since only the Rapier or Sword can most certainly do, the main of both must necessarily be cast upon them.    

OBJECTION FOUR  
THE public Professors of this science, teach nothing at Backe●w●d, and Sword and Dagger, but the have blow.  

RESOLUTION.  
IF the point beats the blow in fight as less engaging him that proffers a thrust, then him that offends with edge, which I know and they cannot deny, it is as much prejudicial to their Scholars, to teach them the bare blow at Sword and Dagger, as if they should teach at hapier only to thrust and not disorder: the necessary use whereof you shall find in the next Resolution.    

OBJECTION V.  
IN single Rapier, and Rapier and Dagger, they teach all their Scholars as they call them, Stucks, otherwise Long, to throw them into hat without disordering their adverse Rapier: and do likewise teach Passages, to run them right forward upon their enemy.  

RESOLUTION.  
TO my knowledge there is no offending Long, otherwise Stuck, upon any man, with any safety, without disorder: and no Passage that is done without shift, can be without great danger.    

OBJECTION VI.  
THey will suffer their Scholars to see one another's practice, and likewise they themselves will discover every man's play to any man.  

RESOLUTION.  
TO let any man see another's practice, giveth much advantage to the spectator, and is much prejudicial unto him whose practice is seen: and most murderous and damnable in the Teacher to betray their own Scholars to death.    

OBJECTION VII.  
THey will seldom or never fight in the same guard they teach others: nor so much as hold the same guard good to morrow they used yesterday.  

RESOLUTION.  
THeir knowledge is accidental, not material, they have some general notions, which (wanting Art) they cannot reduce to heads and principles: how can he then be constant in one guard, that cannot set down any for best, and yield a reason thereof?  
Hence it comes that I was taught more in a week by an understanding Artist, than I could learn in seven years practice in public Schools. And if any of their Scholars happen to be excellent, it proceeds rather out of their own witty and industrious observance upon the accidents of practice, then from any certain demonstration of their Teachers.  
Considering all these advantages and disadvantages, let every man make his own Practice private, and with those he may have no cause to deal withal: for their nice tricks in Schools, or frantic fights at many Weapons upon Stages, are mere shadows without substance. Therefore let Art and Nature be joined in one.  

Order in fight.  
THE managing of a Quarrel is half the performing thereof, let every man be rather Defender, for he hath the advantage of the Offender in choice of Weapons. Let him if he be strong make choice of a single Weapon, either being a long Rapier, or a long Sword: for the Challenger hath thereby the disaduanatge of a strong man; for he cannot command his point to help his weakness upon the Close. Or likewise a Turkey Samatorie; for he is crooked, and hath a broad point that will not enter, and therein is the least danger of all; and is much a●a feeble for a strong man for the Close of advantage to disarm.  
Let him that is weak of body, and hath a short reach, make choice of a double Weapon, being a short Rapier and Dagger, or short Sword and Dagger: so may he the easier command them to help his weakness; for he must keep his enemy from the Close. Therefore let him give a little ground, for that will encourage his enemy (a strong man desirous to close) to come forwards. Then is your Passage, or Crosse-Passage with shift unexpected: or if he hath length and not strength, let him offend to the nighest parts, otherwise answer.  
Likewise if a strong man be offender, and hath a long reach, let him offend at length to the nighest part, or else to seek for the Close of advantage as aforesaid.   

To help the length of a short man.  
IF a weak man be offender having a short reach, let him run Passages upon his enemy, with as much shift of body as he can: eat the Close; for if he seek to hit at length, he gives advantage to his enemy to hurt him; for his enemy hath advantage at length by reach, and advantage of strength upon the Close, or if he be strong though short of reach, let him make choice of a single Weapon to disarm.   

To help the strength of a weak man.  
THree things help the strength of a weak man: change the point when the adverse seeks to take it; change back to recover it; or else open your side, and then it is not well to be taken.   

A good Guard  
IS he that lieth with the right side as thin as he can, towards his enemy, and the point no higher than the shoulder, trusting to your Rapier or Sword's defence; for thereby your enemy hath little room to hit, and you the less to defend. And also a good guard discourageth the enemy to offend, and is ready always to defend. He that dazzles much never defends well: for if you offend when he 〈◊〉 be can neither certainly de●●● himself, 〈◊〉 offend you  
He tha● doth practise many guards is most commonly con● 〈◊〉 none and i●●ight that behove one most to be constant in a good guard▪ and slow to put out without great advantage: for he 〈◊〉 offends is thereby the easier 〈◊〉 and if you offend upon one 〈…〉 his guard offend to the highest part for them you may go 〈◊〉 of and if you offend to the other parts that lieth further of your offence is flow, and most common past recovery, if it do 〈◊〉 or not, for a hapier enters, and 〈◊〉 at the ●oyie doth, help 〈◊〉 offender of again, but rather 〈◊〉 himself.   

Principles belonging to Fight  
STay no longer with●● 〈…〉 your enemy than you are offending.  
Offend always upon the adverse coming forward.  
In offending go off with your weapons point strait 〈◊〉 your enemy's breast, for than you are 〈◊〉 ways ready to defend yourself▪ and offend your enemy.  
Many tricks do too much trouble the mind: know 〈◊〉 ●●e few; three defends the whole.   

Rules of Practice.  
THere is but three defences 〈◊〉 single weapon.  

1 Long.  
2 Passage.  
3 Change back 〈◊〉 〈…〉 them back to your guard.   
And likewise three Offences.  

1 Disorder Long.  
2 Disorder Passage.  
3 Your binding Passage for the Close of advantage.   
The Dagger helps the Rapier especially in two things in Offence.  

1 Passage.  
2 Crosse-Passage.   
And two in Defence.  

1 When the Rapier binds high, the Dagger binds low.  
2 Or when the Dagger binds high the Rapier binds low.   
The chiefest way to force a man to good practice for play or fight, is to make him maintain a single weapon against all advantages.  
First, let him learn single Rapier then to maintain single Rapier against Rapier and Dagger; and likewise against Sword and Dagger: and lastly, to maintain short Sword against all the aforesaid advantages.  
I have concluded my rules of Practice, and the whole Book, with the most necessary instruction belongs to this Science, and the least observed in Schools, which is the maintaining of Defects: this being the scope and true end of our skill, to help the weak, wherein the strongest shall also confess himself to want this knowledge, if he consider the use thereof in accidental quarrels, which cannot be denied much to exceed occasions for the field: for supposing himself incident to sudden onsets, how is he provided with his wearing weapon, being for the most part, a single Rapier or short Sword, to defend himself from the advantage of a Sword and Dagger, Rapier and Dagger, or Halberd? whereas by practice against this unequal opposition (as in the Chapter before prescribed) he shall find himself enabled not only for defence in this extremity, but also may offend his adversary, as I have seen upon the public Stage, a single Rapier most shamefully foil both Halberd and half Pike. To add to this supply of defect, I would have a man wanting one hand, or one eye, by practice, to help his imperfection: or being lame in both arms, with his feet and shift of body, to clear that defect (all cunning in this Art consisting more in feet than hands.) Further, should one be lame in feet having eyes and arms, I would have him practise those Weapons and Guards may best perfect his condition, being neither able to pursue nor retire. This I could express, being a man myself defective, but that act and demonstration, not words, must make this apparent, wherein I refer myself to judicious trial, concluding with an Answer to one Objection, that will arise from meanest understanding, being this.  
Why should so few of our Fencers arrive to this knowledge, or to no more height of doing, than this discovery of their defects hath manifested?  
I answer, these two conditions must concur to make a Fencer absolute, Art and Nature; now for Art examine the equality of those Ushers our Masters brings up, you shall find most of them Butchers, Byt-makers, Shoemakers, or Truncke-makers, men enured to the hide, rather able to bear blows then avoid them. Whence we see a Gentleman or Artist, who can reduce knowledge unto rule, in small time outgoes his Teacher having both Hands, Art and Nature, his Schoolmaster wanting one, and many times both of them. Not that this my taxation reacheth to all Masters of Defence: for I have seen some, whom I must confess to be both knowing and able, who detest our commonly applauded, rude, and buffeting play: whose judgements will be as far from depraving me or my work, as I shall be from the least envy towards them, whom I confess much worthy of esteem and reward.     
FINIS.