Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

htm

Fiore dei Liberi: Flos Duellatorum, 1410 (Pisani-Dossi, F. Novati, Bergamo, 1902)
5 spada longa in arme - armoured longsword
5.0 poste (guards)
5.0.1 posta breve, la serpentina (guard of the short serpent)

Io son posta breve, la serpentina,

Che per passare arme la punta fina

I am the guard of the short serpent,

A sharp point which will pass through armour

Synopsis: The name la

serpentina implies that
the movement is
comprised of quick
thrusts and cuts, such as
is the movement
observed of a striking
snake or serpent. The
thrust is delivered and
re-coiled immediately for
a follow-up strike and
possibly repeated again,
somewhat like jabs. The verse comments on the
effectiveness of thrusting against armour.

Practical Application: Liberi describes this efficient

guard with only a single purpose in mind, it is
quick/fast. It is clear that the principle purpose of this
guard position is to deploy thrusts which may or may not deliver a mortal wound, but provides the opportunity of the
thruster to engage in close-quarters by pressing in due to the distractions to the opponent caused by his/her receiving a
quick succession of thrusts. Should the thrusting point be planted well on the opponent as he/she steps forward ("sticky
point"), the thruster can then easily terminate the engagement with a forceful thrust, or engage with cross-swords and
therefore, close-quarters.

This same guard can also be used as an entry into close-quarters combat by simply transitioning to the guard of the true
cross by placing the blade against the opponent's blade resulting in the crossing of swords. This is accomplished by
arching outwards and forward of the right hand pivoting against the left hand gripping on the blade (guard of the
bastard cross) and stepping forward to press in onto the opponent. It is expected that this manner of movement is
deployed when the opportunity presents itself which may have been setup previously with the principle purpose of posta
breve, la serpentina.

Secondly, because of the grip on the blade, the foible is very fast and can deliver quick cuts in a circular motion in order to
attempt to hook the opponent's blade effectively setting it aside quickly followed immediately with a thrust or engage in
giocco stretto.

Grip: For the purpose of clarity, the grip configuration is explicitly described. Right hand: palm down, thumb forward
(inside); Left hand: palm up, thumb forward (outside). This is consistent with the illustration in the Getty's version. This
posta leads to an easy transition to the posta di vera croce in terms of posta to posta transitions.

The following text on the same plate is an introduction to these plates found in the treatise, which is indicated in the
figure above right. The following text appears on the first page of the longsword portion of the treatise, and is included
here for interest purposes including its translation.

Noy semo sei guardie in lato de armiçar,

Che quella arte integrament sauemo far,
E questa arte conclude in tuto la drita ueritade,
Aça, spada e daga mete in grande stremitade,
E qui parlaremo como l'arte pó uenir,
Magistri e scolari lo farano a non mentir

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Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

We are the six general guards for armoured combat,

Which we know the skills of this art completely,
And these arts end in all true methods,
Axe, sword and dagger in great expertise,
And here we will explain a little how this art works,
The masters and students will do so without falsehood

example applications/similarities

Author Year Reference Page

Anonymous, Cod 11093 c1440 pflug
Anonymous, Gladiatoria 1425-1475 pflug - variation

Hans Talhoffer, Fechtbuch aus dem Jahre 1467 1467 gewappnete ort

Copyright © 1999 All Rights Reserved Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (AEMMA)
Released: October 21, 1999 / Last modified: March 07, 2010

2 of 2 3/8/2010 10:36 AM
Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

Fiore dei Liberi: Flos Duellatorum, 1410 (Pisani-Dossi, F. Novati, Bergamo, 1902)
5 spada longa in arme - armoured longsword
5.0 poste (guards)
5.0.2 posta di vera croce (guard of the true cross)

Io son posta chiamata uera crose,

Che a mi tagli e punte niente nosé

I am the guard called the true cross,

Because cuts and thrusts can do no harm to
me

Synopsis: Liberi calls

this the guard of the
true cross which
obviously has religious
overtones relating to the
crucifix implying that this
guard is an exceptional
or the definitive one to
protect the wielder from
any harm.

Practical Application:
There are two readily
apparent attributes of such a guard. The first is the
wielder's orientation with respect to its counterpart
guard, the posta breve serpentina. The wielder has
the sword pommel oriented towards the opponent and
his stance is such that the body is held sideways, reducing the breadth of a visible target for thrusting from the
perspective of the opponent's posta breve serpentina.

The second attribute is the stance itself, which is illustrated with the wielder's weight bearing down on the leading left
foot while the trailing foot is positioned on the toes ready to leap into action in order to parry against an inbound thrust or
cut. The orientation of the sword enables the wielder to quickly hook the inbound thrust with the pommel, and while
hooked, rotate the sword around the hook bringing the point of the sword bearing upwards on the attacker concurrently
for a thrust to the face or throat while the wielder is rotating his body on the trailing right foot and passing forward with
the left towards the attacker. If the attack is a cut, a similar rotation of the body and footwork will ensue, however, the
inbound cut will be parried with the wielder's blade quite possibly resulting in cross-weapons and therefore, close-quarters
or possibly deploy a thrust to the face or throat. The angle of the parry would be deployed with the pommel around the
hip area or raised overhead to parry a fendente cut from above and thrusting to the face or throat. It is of interest that the
next illustration would be a posta serpentina soprano.

Grip: For the purpose of clarity, the grip configuration is explicitly described. Right hand: palm down, thumb forward
(inside); Left hand: palm up and to the right, thumb forward (outside). The Getty's version is somewhat unclear. The
orientation of the forearm and wrist suggests that the thumb is forward as is illustrated in the PD version, but it is not
entirely conclusive. With the thumb forward and palm up offers a smooth transition from the posta breve la serpentina to
the posta de vera croce. Secondly, this posta offers a smooth and easy transition in terms of grip placement, to the posta
serpentina lo soprano with a simple change in the orientation of the body, and chambering the longsword further back, i.e.
posta breve, la serpentina ==> posta di vera croce ==> posta sagittaria.

example applications/similarities

Author Year Reference Page

Anonymous, Cod 11093 c1440 pflug
Anonymous, Gladiatoria 1425-1475 pflug - variation
Hans Talhoffer, Fechtbuch aus dem Jahre 1467 1467 gewappnete ort

1 of 2 3/8/2010 10:37 AM
Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

Copyright © 1999 All Rights Reserved Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (AEMMA)
Released: October 21, 1999 / Last modified: March 07, 2010

2 of 2 3/8/2010 10:37 AM
Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

Fiore dei Liberi: Flos Duellatorum, 1410 (Pisani-Dossi, F. Novati, Bergamo, 1902)
5 spada longa in arme - armoured longsword
5.0 poste (guards)
5.0.3 posta serpentina lo soprano (guard of the high serpent)

E' sono serpentino lo soprano,

Cum grande punte me meto al piano;
Anchora per courir de taglio e de punta
Aquilli colpi a mi pocho si monta

I am the high serpent,

With my great point, I put horizontal;
Anchored to cover for cutting and for
thrusting
I strike smartly from my little mountain

Synopsis: The reference

to the serpent is found
again with this posta and
therefore implies a quick
type of action similar to
the posta breve serpetina
described earlier. The
second pair of phrases
seems to indicate that
the deployment of the
action from the high
serpent may be done
from a stablile or "anchored" stance. This indicates
that the deployment is the time of the hand resulting
in very quick movement of the hands in order to parry
or re-direct an inbound strike. Given the raised sword
above the head, this creates the "mountain" from
which the wielder can smartly attack his opponent
from above.

Practical Application: This is a classic 1/2-sword

technique found throughout the German fechtbücher. The most outstanding feature with this particular posta illustration
is the fact that the blade appears to be positioned behind the head (a similar observation of the Getty's version of the
same posta). In practice, this has been observed as most difficult to deploy given some restrictions imposed by armour in
terms of flexibility of the arms, and of course, the crown of the helm being in the way. However, despite the problem of
positioning the blade behind the head, the principle maneuvre from this posta is the thrusting downwards of either point
or pommel into an opening, typically between the hand and sword of the opponent and secondarily, parrying aside a
fendente or colpi mezana and driving in the point to the opponent.

Grip: For the purpose of clarity, the grip configuration is explicitly described. Right hand: palm up, thumb forward
(inside); Left hand: palm up, thumb inside. This is consistent with the illustration in the Getty's version. This posta offers
easy transition (in terms of grip placement) to the posta di croce bastarda.

example applications/similarities

Author Year Reference Page

Anonymous 1425-1475 1/2-sword - Gladiatoria
Anonymous 1450 Codex Vindobonensis B 11093
Anonymous 1450 Codex Vindobonensis B 11093
Anonymous 1450 Codex Vindobonensis B 11093
Anonymous c1500 Goliath

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Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

The Getty's text...

Sompno serpentino son lo soprano e ben armado grande punte zetto sotto mano
che son in erto e torno al piano.
Una forte punta ti buterò cum lo passare.
Ella è mia arte che la so ben fare.
Di toi tagli non me curo niente tanto so in l'arte che de grande punte io ti darò
gran parte.

Sonno serpentino lo soprano

/sompno/ I am the high serpent and is a good large armoured point /zetto/
within reach of you because I am steep and can return level.
A strong point with a pass to your throw.
Because to you, my abilities are made well.
Such that you can never cut me in this art because I lead with a great point
towards you.

I am the high serpent

Copyright © 1999 All Rights Reserved Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (AEMMA)
Released: October 21, 1999 / Last modified: March 07, 2010

2 of 2 3/8/2010 10:38 AM
Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

Fiore dei Liberi: Flos Duellatorum, 1410 (Pisani-Dossi, F. Novati, Bergamo, 1902)
5 spada longa in arme - armoured longsword
5.0 poste (guards)
5.0.4 mezza porta di ferro (middle iron door)

In porta de fero io son la meçana,

A butar grande punte sempre son uana

I am the middle in the iron door,

I always cast aside your thrown large point

Synopsis: Liberi
indicated in his treatise
that most, if not all
techniques illustrated
can be accomplished in
armour. This definitely
applies to the middle
iron door. The verse
indicates, similarily as
the unarmoured middle
iron door that an
inbound thrust is easily
parried aside. The verses do not elaborate on the
footwork and therefore, the assumption is that the
same principles of the unarmoured middle iron door
apply with the armoured middle iron door as well.

Practical Application: The illustration depicted for

this guard is exactly similar to the unarmoured
middle iron door except, of course, for the armour.
Therefore, the deployment of this guard will follow the
same technical maneuvres as described earlier,
however, further examination is warranted given the
Getty's text below.

The greatest emphasis is placed on the thrusting

capabilities of this guard inconjunction with moving
off-line. The piercing of the ribs while stepping
off-line with the left foot while twisting the blade
ensures that a cover is in place (false-edge upwards)
and plant a thrust into the ribs or any other upper
target on the torso. This maneuvre makes for a very
good entry into 1/2-sword or spada mezana for giocco
stretto fighting provided the point acquires its "sticky" target, i.e. the point is planted somewhere in the upper body (the
need to actually pierce the ribs is not critical), and then move forward, grasping the blade of the sword, and engage in
1/2-sword with the opponent, and all the while, force is continuously applied behind the sword ensuring its "stickiness".

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Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

example applications/similarities

Author Year Reference Page

Fiore de' Liberi 1410 Mezza porta di ferro (Half Iron Gate - unarmoured)
Fiore de' Liberi 1410 Denti di cinghiale (Guard of Boar's Tooth)
Hans Talhoffer 1467 (tafel 2) Twisted Cut and Low Guard
Hans Talhoffer 1467 (tafel 16) Guard of the Iron Door (low guard)
Giacomo di Grassi 1594 The Low Ward
Giacomo di Grassi 1594 (13.3) Of the Defense of the Low Ward at Two Hand Sword

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Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

The Getty's text...

Porta di ferro la mezana son chiamata perché in arme e senza e fazo le punte
forte,
e passarò fora d'strada cum lo pe' stancho e te meterò una punta in lo volto,
overo che cum la punta e cum lo taglio enfra li toi brazi à intrado per modo che
io te meterò in ligadura mezana in quella ch'è denanzi penta e nomenadad.

Porta de ferro la mezana

I am called the middle iron door because in armour and without I can make
strong thrusts,
and I step aside with my left foot to pierce you as I turn the point,
in so much so as, with the point or with the edge enters there, through your
ribs, as an entry point, in such a fashion as I can put you in a half binding hold,
in which can give excrutiating pain and {nomenedad}.

Middle iron door

Copyright © 1999 All Rights Reserved Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (AEMMA)
Released: October 21, 1999 / Last modified: March 07, 2010

3 of 3 3/8/2010 10:39 AM
Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

Fiore dei Liberi: Flos Duellatorum, 1410 (Pisani-Dossi, F. Novati, Bergamo, 1902)
5 spada longa in arme - armoured longsword
5.0 poste (guards)
5.0.5 posta sagittaria (guard of the archer)

Io son posta sagitaria la çentille,

Per ferir e courir non son nient uille

I am the archer guard of the sentinel,

I will not cowardly run and nothing will injure
me

Synopsis: Given the

reference to "sagitarius"
or the archer, it brings to
mind images of a great
archer, able to inflict
wounds at distance from
a stationary position,
hence the "sentinel".
Given the tone of the
verses with references to
a standing
offensive/defensive position of an archer, the second
verse implies that this guard may be an excellent
defensive position resulting in its deployment of
thrusting from a relatively stationary position.

Practical Application: The German references below

are only remotely similar to this particular guard
stance. The German manner of gripping the blade is
with an over-hand grip as opposed to the under-hand
grip as illustrated by Liberi. The Getty's version of the
text appears to indicate some movement with respect
to throwing the "great thrust". However, in these
verses, assuming the sentinel is correct, would imply
that thrusts would be delivered without the need to
take a passing step forward. Taking the archer into
consideration, and working through this physically,
the initial targeting with the left hand is released as the right hand with force throws the thrust against the opponent. This
manner of thrust would be immediately followed by close-quarters combat. However, there are no other references by
Liberi to simply throwing the sword and possibly releasing it and therefore, is inconsistent with his armoured approach.
Through the posta's application in practice, the great thrust is entirely viable and can be devastating when delivered with
force. This same posta can easily deploy a parry against an inbound thrust similar to that of the posta breve serpentina.

In practice, it was thought that the deployment of such a guard was the "last ditched effort", however, the text implies
that this may in fact, be an opening to giocco stretto in which the wielder would immediately open with the guard of the
archer, and throw the sword towards his adversary, and rush in to engage in close quarters combat. The thrown sword
makes for a very effective distraction, providing a moment in time for the wielder to move in quickly. The injury incurred
by the receiver is a "bonus".

Grip: For the purpose of clarity, the grip configuration is explicitly described. Right hand: palm down, thumb forward
(inside); Left hand: palm up, thumb forward (outside). This is consistent with the illustration in the Getty's version.

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Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

example applications/similarities

Author Year Reference Page

Anonymous, Cod 11093 c1550 plate 11
Anonymous, Cod 11093 c1550 plate 23

2 of 3 3/8/2010 10:40 AM
Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

The Getty's text...

Posta sagittaria son per nome chiamada,

grandi punte e' zetto passando fora de strada.
E si me ven contra colpo o taglio io fazzo bona coverta e subito io fiero lo mio
contrario.
Questa si é mia arte in la qual non svario.

Posta Sagittaria

The name of this is called guard of the archer,

I pierce you through from this way with a large quiet point.
And I overcome your strike or cut, I make a good cover (protection) for myself
and immediately I injure my adversary.
This one is my art for the likes of which there are not many.

Guard of the archer

Copyright © 1999 All Rights Reserved Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (AEMMA)
Released: October 21, 1999 / Last modified: March 07, 2010

3 of 3 3/8/2010 10:40 AM
Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

Fiore dei Liberi: Flos Duellatorum, 1410 (Pisani-Dossi, F. Novati, Bergamo, 1902)
5 spada longa in arme - armoured longsword
5.0 poste (guards)
5.0.6 posta di croce bastarda (guard of the bastard cross)

De posta de crose io son bastarda,

De far soy zoghi non son nient tarda

I am the guard of the bastard cross,

There is nothing slow when I make this play

Synopsis: Liberi makes

reference to the "bastard
cross" which probably is
meant to describe that
the "business end" of the
sword with respect to the
opponent is not the
point, but rather the
pommel and hence, the
"bastard". However,
there are significant
difference between the grip on the blade (the posta di
vera croce has the left grip with palm up, the posta
de crose bastarda, the left grip is oriented with the
palm down) and the orientation of the body with
respect to the opponent. Liberi writes that the posta
de crose bastarda is "from" or possibly derived from
the posta di vera croce which may indicate that one
can change quickly from one posta to the next posta
with little effort. The second phrase sets the context
for the posta, in which the posta is intended to be
deployed very quickly and which implies that the
effectiveness of the deployment is dependent upon
how close the wielder is to his opponent. The closer
the better, and while the body and pommel is
oriented towards the opponent, it is less threatening
than a point which may result in closing in towards
the opponent in order to deploy quickly.

Practical Application: Despite the potential threat from the companion posta sagittaria, the opportunity with this guard
is that it is relatively quick, and should the opponent throw his sword, the guard can deflect the trown with the pommel
end of the sword, or the forte very quickly. This action then presents to the opponent the pointed end of the sword as a
result of the torso rotating in order to parry the in-bound sword. This places the opponent in a less than desireable
position. This posta is also quite effective in countering the other posta in which it hunts for the holes found in the
opponent's stance, i.e. those areas called the "crotch" between the hand grip and the sword. The posta can deploy an
offensive by plunging the pommel of the sword into these holes, if from below, then lift up and around to disarm or tie up,
or from below, pull down and around for a disarm or tie up. In any of these tie-up cases, the point of the sword can easily
and effectively come into play.

Grip: For the purpose of clarity, the grip configuration is explicitly described.

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Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

example applications/similarities

Author Year Reference Page

Anonymous, Gladiatoria 1425-1475 pommel hook
Anonymous, Codex 11093 c1450 guard of the bastard cross
Anonymous, Codex 11093 c1450 bastard cross parry
Anonymous, Codex 11093 c1450 another guard of the bastard cross

2 of 3 3/8/2010 10:43 AM
Fiore de' Liberi: Flos Duellatorum [Link]

The Getty's text...

Posta di crose bastarda son di vera crose,

zò che la pò fare volontiera lo fazzo.
Bone coverte e punte e tagli fazo per usança sempre schivando gli colpi fora di
strada.
E di miei colpi fazzo grandissima derada.

Posta de crose bastarda

I am the guard of the bastard cross from the true cross,

know that I do this stance easily.
Well covered (well guarded) I stab and cut to make you bleed always avoiding
(deflecting) the blows out of step.
And with my blows, I do significant damage.

Guard of the bastard cross

Copyright © 1999 All Rights Reserved Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (AEMMA)
Released: October 21, 1999 / Last modified: March 07, 2010

3 of 3 3/8/2010 10:43 AM