I’m a trained historian (PhD, medieval history), the author of several books, and I taught college courses from 2003 to 2016. These days I apply this research background to the study of historical fencing, especially the Radaellian school of sabre, French smallsword, and the development of fencing generally. As a Latinist, I’ve had the honor to assist the gifted teacher and translator, Chris Holzman, with the Latin portions in several of his translations, including Marcelli’s Rules of Fencing (1686), Pallavincini’s Fencing Illustrated (1670), and Rosaroll and Grisetti’s The Science of Fencing (1803).
I support open source and free access to scholarship, and so happily share my work when possible should it be of interest or help to anyone. I ask only that you cite it if you use it in your own writing.
Below are a series of articles, lecture transcripts for talks, links, and other items on the history of fencing I have delivered, discussed, or written.
ARTICLES
Most of these have not been published via traditional means, i.e. within an academic journal or other publication. As a researcher who too often suffers the unfortunate reality of paywalls for such articles, I’m a big fan of open and free research, so in an effort to promote free access I share my work here.
Things to note:
- first, I do have academic and other credible, fencing researchers review these pieces before I share them. It’s part of the process and important
- second, because I do share my work here, it is open for review by other readers. Not everyone will agree with me, and that’s fine–if you present evidence or reasoned arguments that counter my conclusions; if you find flaws in my reasoning or gaps in sources; if your criticism is valid I will examine it and revise if necessary. If you leave your name I will credit you with the help and/or correction
- I have prepared these articles as if for publication. It’s a decent format and one many people are used to; I’m working on better ways to present images and text side by side in such articles–if you have suggestions for an improved process and presentation, please let me know
2023
“A Very Brief History of Smallsword” [prepared for students at Capitale Escrime, Salem, OR, and SdTS]
“High Heels & Hokum? The Demi-Pointe Lunge and the Evidence from Smallsword Treatises”
“‘By Way of Grace and Balance,’ The Demi-Pointe Lunge Examined: Part 2, Dance, Deportment, and Equitation”
“Fencing, Footwear, & the Demi-Pointe Lunge,” Part 3 of the Demi-Pointe Lunge Examined
2021
6 April: Lecture Transcript: “High Heels & Hokum: The Demi-Pointe Lunge in Historical Fencing,” Sala della Spada, Carlisle, PA, USA [this was a lecture and discussion where I introduced preliminary conclusions with other fencers before revising the articles above]
2020
10 June: Lecture Transcript: “Prance or Pounce? Interpreting Images in Bolognese Treatises,” Northwest Armizare Weekly Online Meetup
2019
30 March: Lecture Transcript: “Parchment, Pommel-Strikes, and PDFs–How to Read Medieval Fight Manuals, Part I: The Art of Translation,” Thundermark Armored Deed, hosted by Northwest Armizare
2007
“Maestro Leon Bertrand’s Cut and Thrust Eighty Years Later”
2006
“Fundamentally, we have gone off track…” in Fencers Quarterly Magazine 9:3 (Spring 2006): 26-28.
2002
“The Difficulty of Judging an Attack in Modern Foil,” with Dennis Le
INTERVIEWS
“Italian Sabre as Codified by the Radaellian School,” 5 April,
2022, Interview with Dr. Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, Razmafzar TV: https://youtu.be/7V1BZBNBs6s
“History & Principles of Smallsword,” 29 June, 2021, Interview
with Dr. Dr. Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, Razmafzar TV:
https://youtu.be/GE3CFZlIxDE
“Historical Fencing,” 23 April, 2021, Interview with Dr.
Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, Razmafzar TV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKdyGoBXO80
VIDEO:
I don’t have a lot of video, but what I have can be found here (I update it as I can):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMMzUA30gYjg6twVdw6OjLlV8UVr3u349
Sala delle Tre Spade 