Follow along, sword-in-hand, with internationally renowned swordsman and instructor Devon Boorman, as he leads you through the fundamentals of Renaissance rapier combat! This sophisticated art represents the pinnacle of the duel of honor as it was originally practiced in the seventeenth century and its practice today. You will develop grace, power, and effective martial skills with solo and partnered exercises that teach the foundation of swordplay. Ideal for beginners of all age levels and physical abilities.

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Posture & Movement

3. The Lunging Attack

4. Gaining the Opponent’s Sword

5. Recovering Control of the Fight

6. Tempo: Timing & Opportunity

7. Full-Speed Sparring & Freeplay

8. Conclusion

About the Author

Devon Boorman is the Director of Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay. He co-founded the school in 2004 and under his leadership it
has grown to become the largest school of its kind in the world. Devon’s expertise centres on the Italian swordplay tradition including the arts of
the Renaissance Italian rapier, sidesword, and longsword, as well as knife and unarmed techniques.

He has won international competitions, taught workshops and seminars throughout the world and is actively involved in the
translation, interpretation, and revival of Western Martial Arts from surviving historical manuals, several of which are on display at his school.