A 15th Century
English Sword Text - MS 39564
This short, rare
English text, known only as Additional Manuscript 39564 (or MS. 39,564) in the
form of a small handwritten velum roll was recently discovered in the British Library by
Dr. Sydney Anglo. Presented here for the first time online, it reveals a number of
characteristics similar to another short English treatise from the mid 1400s, Harliean
Manuscript 3542 (the Man Who Wol). The text according to Dr. Anglo is on
great-sword however, as has been pointed out, nowhere does it actually define
the type of blade used, whether single or double-handed. It could be applied to both
but appears to work more easily with double-hand swords.
MS 39564
consists of approximately 40 paragraph entries, including 2 Flourishes, 14
Chases, a dozen Poynts, and a dozen other various techniques or
actions. Like the Harliean, MS 39564 is cryptic and near indecipherable. Many of the words
and phrases are quite difficult to grasp despite being in English. But it
still sheds some light on methods of swordplay from the period and offers a different
perspective from the exclusively Italian and German sources which understandably dominate
study. As with the Harliean, the text is highly subjective and open to many
interpretations. Yet there are several terms and phrases which bare fairly close
resemblance to German sources.
MS 39564 includes a
number of obscure but tantalizingly interesting terms and phrases, such as fallyng
stroke, cros rake, and the use of the word voyding to refer
to slipping back the leg when striking. There is frequent reference to a
quarter (perhaps referring to one of the traditional 4 target areas) as in
repeatedly instructing to smeyte a quarter and smyte bake a
quarter. Not surprisingly, there are also recurring instructions to
foyne (thrust) including bake foyne, bowe foyne, doble
foyne, fore foyne, and brokyn foyne. Interestingly,
used twice is the term Florysth in apparent reference to a short opening
routine of a few cuts, thrusts, and steps. Noticeably there are a number of familiar terms
which also appear in the Harliean manuscript (MS. 3542), such as rakys,
rownde, ye duble rounde, and additionally includes the phrases rakys,
doubil rake, and spryng. The Harliean also uses the terms,
Thy sprynys, thy quarters, thy rabetis, which MS 3956 does as well. After
flourishes the MS 39564 text also advises to end with settyng the poynte
sofftley before you on the grownde. Similarly, the Harliean also mentions several
times making a stroke followed by sett˙g dovne thy swerd by thy foete.
The text makes
mention of feints (to profur), several thrusts, various foot steps, and not
surprisingly, makes no mention of parries or blocking. However, curiously it does mention
the term rabet, which may mean a form of deflecting strike or defensive
closing action. The Harliean manuscript also includes lyghtly pley a rabbet at his
legge and the Rabett with a downe ryght stroke. Surprisingly, the work
seems reminiscent in many ways to 15th & 16th century German
long-sword material. Some of these seem too close to be coincidental, given the contacts
and trade that surely existed between the German lands and England isles. For example, MS
39564 includes a description of the spryng which is nearly identical with
depictions of the action within German Fechtbuchs. At one point as well it states to
smyte a full spryng. Then there is the very familiar Rundstreich
and Doppel Rundstreich. Also interesting are references to the familiar use of the
left hand letting go of the sword and being used in strikes and apparent closing actions,
such as with ye lyfte honde smyte a snache (seemingly indicating a single-hand
technique) and with the lyfte honde to hys head caste a foolle. This, along
with ye poynt called ye fool, also makes one wonder if it may have any
relation to the German stance of Alber, the fool.
Given the brief nature
of the material and the fact it was not written in verse form as was common, suggests it
was merely a set of informal study notes, perhaps incomplete, and not a training guide.
Yet, being produced in the mid to late 1400s, the work may reflect a method of
fighting going back a century earlier somewhat adopted to using larger blades and changing
armors. While no overall method of English swordplay from the period can be reconstructed
from the text alone, it is nonetheless another useful historical resource for todays
scholar-practitioners of Medieval fencing. Insights into MS 39564 can be gained from
comparing and contrasting it with better-known German and Italian manuals as well as
modern experimentation and practice. Yet, care must be taken in keeping our analysis
broad. The temptation should be avoided to force a literal or technical
mindset onto something that at the time may have been seen much more holistically or
metaphorically.
Any thoughts, comments, and analysis
on MS 39564 are welcome. NOTE:
The
text presented here was transcribed by Russell Mitchell from a copy
of the original document. This
translation is only as reliable as is so far known and we make no
claim as to its accuracy.
Additional Manuscript 39564
The First Flourysh
A quarter fayre before
you deliueryde at ??? hande voydyng baek the ryght fote yth an ??? quarter with both
hands. A downryght stroke voydyng bake the
lyfte fote standyng styll play 3 rakys lythly ???yng by the elbows with a quarter fayre
before you with both handys And yet another
with 2 turnes and ??? downright stroke voydyng bake the lyfte fote styll standyng playing
smite 3 rakys with a quarter fayre before you And
2 quarters after with 2 turnes. A down rytht
stroke setting forth your ryght foot as forward your lyfte with a broken foyne upon the
lyfte syde an other on yore ryght syde turnyng yore sworde under yore rythe arm... yore
same syde wyth a brokyn foyne uppon yore lyffte syde an other on the ryght syde turnyng
yore sword fote the poynt soffte before you uppon the grownde.
The Seconde Florysth
A quarter fayre before you with wn
hande standyng style ??? yore ryght loge witha dragonys tayle then sett the lyfte hande
uppon yore sworde smytyng a quarter fayre before you with wn hande turnyng yore body sete
in youre ryghte legge as fore as yore lyfte bryngyng the poynt of the sworde over yore
hede sote he do ynd sofftly before you uppon yore grownde then stonde styll pley youre
rakys uppon ony syde uppon as offte as you wyll restyng uppon youre ryghte arme then smyte
a down rythe stroke voydyng yore loffte legge bryngyng after the ryght legge with a rake
lyffte uppe yore sworde over yore hede bryng forthe yore ryght legge as fore as yore lefte
pley a brokyn foyne uppon euyre syde turnyng the sworde over the ryght arme settyng the
poynte sofftley before you on the grownde.
The Laying Down of Your
Sword
A profur to hys face folowyng in with
(a/your???) ryght legge with a rake stonding style smyte a quarter fayre before you with
another after, voydyng bake the ryght legge then smyte a down ryght stroke voydyng bake
the lyfte legge with a rake following in with the ryght leg, lyftyng up yore handys ouer
yore ryght shulder turnyng a gayne sete in your ryght legge before youre lyft softly lay
down youre sworde.
The
Firste Chase
A full stroke a for
foyne with a quarter lythly delyueryde And
yff hyt be tweys pleyde hyt wyll bryng you agayn to yore grounde
The
Seconde Chase
A bouwble rownde wyth a bake foyne and
a quarter lyghtly delyueryde And hyt be tweys pleyde hyt wyll bryng you agayne to yore
grounde.
The
Thyrde Chase
A dowble rownde forwarde an other
bakwarde A down ryght stroke voydyng bake ye lyffte legge a bake foyne voydyng bake the
ryght legge folowyng in wyth the lyffte legge smyte a quarter bakewarde And yff hyt be
tweys pleyde hyt wyll bryng you to yore grounde.
The Fourthe Chase Callyd Ye Bewne
Foyne
A dowble rowndys forewarde an other
bakewarde a downe ryght stroke voydyng bake the lyffte legge A bake foyne with a bo(e?)w
foyne voydyng bake with the ryghte legge lyghtly smyte a quarter
The Fyffte Chase Called Att Ye
Rowndys
To doble rowndys forewarde and ther
folowes contrary all to son/yon/yor man and yff you pley hyt a gayne hyt wyll bryng you to
yore grownde.
The Sixte Chase
Callyd Ye Tumblyng Chase
To doble rowndys forewarde with as mony
badewarde all uppon the lyffte fote lythtly delyveryde then tumble forewarde rownde as a
ball that ys to say wythe a downe ryght stroke sete forewarde the ryght fote bryngyng the
sworde over youre hede voyde bake the lyffte fote with an other downe ryght stroke
folowyde with the ryght fote then bryng bake the same fote with a bake foyne sete in the
lyffte fote and smyte bake a quarter.
The Sevyneth Chase
A full stroke a for foyne folowed with
a quarter pleyng a brokyn foyne uppon the ryght syde an other on the lyffte syde therste
forth a for foyne folowyde with 2 quarters with the sayde brokyn foynes pleyde on euery
syde throste forthe a for foyne at hys face voydyng bake with 2 quarters.
The Eghte Chase Callyde Ye Spryng
A full stroke a for foyne settyng
forthe ye lyffte fote with the lyffte hande smyte a spryng voydyng bake ye same fote with
a full stroke then pley a bake foyne with an other spryng voydyng bake the lyffte fote
with a full stroke then voyde bake the ryght fote and pley a doble foyne with a spryng
voydyng bake ye lyffte fote wythe a full stroke pleyng an other doble foyne with a spryng
voydyng bake ye lyffte fote wyth a full stroke and a bake foyne.
The 9th Chase Callyd Ye Four
Poynts
A down ryght stroke voydyng bake ye
lyffte legge sodenly pley a rake folowyd wyth ye ryght legge stondyng styll pley a quarter
fayre before you then sete in the lyffte legge and smyte bake a quarter.
The 10th Chase Callyd the 2 Poynts
A down ryght stroke voydyng bake the
lyffte fote sodenly pley a rake folowyd wyth ye ryght fote then voyde bake the lyffte
legge wythe an other down ryght stroke and pley a bake foyne voydyng bake the ryght legge
steppe in with ye lyffte legge and smyte bake a quarter.
The 11th Chase Callyd 3 Poynts
A rake uppon ye ryght syde stondyng
styll smyte a quarter voydyng bake the ryght legge stryke an other after.
The 12th callyde ye poynts (???)
A down ryght stroke voydyng bake with
the lyffte legge lythly pley a rake folowede wyth the ryght legge then foyde bake same
legge sodenly pley a quarter
The 13th Callyde Ye Gettyng Chase
A quarter fayre before you with bothe
handys standyng styll pley a profur at hsi face folowyng with yore rakys bakewarde smyte a
spryng turnyng with a full stroke folowyng with yore rakys before you smyte a quarter
turnyng youre body pley 2 quarters all upon ye lyffte fote.
The Fyrste Poynte Of Ye Cownter
A profur at hys face standyng styll
then sett in ye ryght legge with a rake and a quarter voydyng bake ye same legge with an
other quarter then voyd bake yore lyffte legge and stande at youre stoppe.
The Seconde Cowntyr Callyd Ye
Full Spryng
A profer a rake with a quarter an other
voyde lythly smyte a full spryng settyng in ye ryght legge with a quarter and an other
voyde be at yore stoppe.
The Thyrde Countyr Callyd Ye Shorte Spryng With
Fallyng Sty(???)
A profer a rake with a quarter an other
voyde stondyng styll a short spryng with a fallyng stroke then set in the ryght legge with
a quarter an other voyde and be at yowr stoppe
The 22th Callyd The Large Profer
With A Rabet(???) Ys a Fore Quarter
A profer large stondyng styll lyghtly
pley a rabett at hys legge lowe by ye grownde then lythly sete in ye ryght legge with a
quarter and smyte hym to ye grownde then voyde bake the same legge and be at yore stopps.
The 23th Callyd Ye Facyng Wyth Ye
Spryng
Also stondyng at yore defence when yore
enemy begynyth to cum in with a profer loke stedfastly in hys face and ??? sett in your
lyffte legge cros before your ryght legge lythly smytyng a full spryng at hys legge and
then a voyde a bake yore lyffte lege and be att your stoppe. ???ther fote sete in the ryght with a full
quarter and an other voyde and be att youre stoppe.
The Stoppyng Rabbetts
Also standyng att yore defence wythe
yowre spryght enemy when he begynneth to play a profer lyghtly sett in yore lyffte legge
with a rabett voydyng bake. Voydyng bake the
same legge be at your stopp. Other els when
yore enemy playeth a profer with a rake and begynnyth to pluke bake hys sworde to sete a
quarter lyghtly sett in youre lyfte legge wyth ye seyde Rabett then voyde bake the same
legge and be att youre stopps.
The Dragonys Tayle With a
Pendante
A profer with a rake stondyng styll
with youre ryght hande pley a voyde quarter above hys hede and as the sworde waveth a
boute. On youre hede sett in youre lyfte fote
then lyghtlye wyth the ryght hande and foote throste forth a foyne at hys face standyng
styll lyghtly bryng bake youre sworde with both hands and throste a bow foyne att hys
bely, then smyte a pell/pull quarter And an other voyde And be att youre stopps.
[nigh indecipherable heading]
The 4th Callyd The Rabett With A Downe Ryght Stroke
A profur a rake with a quarter sett in
your lyfte legge with a rabett then sett in youre ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke
with both hands wyth a foyne and a quarter with an other voyde be att yore stoppe.
The 5th Poynte Callyd Ye 3
Quarters
A profur a rake wyth a quarter full
stondyng styll pley an other voyde above hys hide with an other at hys legge then voyde
bake the ryght legge with an other quarter and be att youre stopps.
The 6th Poynte Callyde The Cros Rake
A profur a cros rake with a foyne at
hys face with a quarter full and an other a voyde be at youre stoppe.
The 7th Poynte Callyd Ye
Downeryght Stroke
A profur a rake wyth a quarter A nother
A voyde a downe ryght stroke folowyde wyth the ryght legge then standyng styll lythly pley
a fore foyne with a quarter and an other voyde be att youre stops.
The 8th Callyde The Rabett With A
Downe Ryght Stroke
A profur a rake with a quarter a voyde
a down ryghte stroke folowyde the ryght legge with a fore foyne settyng in the lyfte legge
lythly pley a rabett then sett in ye ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke a foyne with a
quarter an other a voyde be att yore stoppe.
The 9th Callyde Ye Duble Rounde With 2 Foynes
A duble rounde forewarde with a foyne
at hys face An other att hys bely standyng styll pley a quarter full with an other voyde
be att yore stops.
The 10th Callyde the Snache
A profur a rake wyth a quarter full
voydyng bake the ryght legge with ye lyfte honde smyte a snache then voyde bake yore lyfte
legge and be att yore stoppe.
The 11th Callyde Ye Shorte Spryng
With 2 Foynes Folowyng
A profur a rake with a quarter full an
other voyde lythly pleying a shorte spryng voydyng bake the lyfte legge sett hands uppon
the sworde settyng up a foyne by ye lyfte shulder bryng hutt forthe byfore you sett in
yore lyfte legge wythe suche a nother foyne at hys face folowyde with the ryght legge
lythly pley a quarter full with an other voyde and be att youre stoppe.
The 12th Poynte Callyde Ye Fooll
A profur a rake wythe a quarter full
and a nother A voyde standyng styll lyghtly with the lyfte honde to hys hede caste a
foolle then set in yore ryght legge and smyte a quarter full with another voyde be att
youre stoppe.
The 13th Poynte Callyde Ye Downe
Ryght Stroke Stondyng Styll
A profur a rake with a full quarter
another a voyde a bou hys hede stondyng styll meue yore body bryngyng youre sworde ouer
youre ryght shulder lyghtly smyte a downe ryght stroke att hys hede wythe a foyne and a
full quarter with another voyde be att yore stoppe.
The 14th Poynte Callyde Ye Brokyn
Spryng With Ye Foyne
A profur a rake with a full quarter
another a voyde then softely sett in yore ryght legge be att yore stoppe. That doon set in yore lyfte legge with a rabett
fayre aboue hys hede lyghtly sett in youre ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke at hys
hede with a foyne and a full quarter with another a voyde be att yore stoppe.
The 15th Callyd Ye Turnyng Quarter
A profur a rake with a quarter an other
a voyde stondyng styll hold youre sworde with both hande and bende yore body as you wylle
smyte a full spring then loose youre ryght honde with the lyfte honde therste forthe ye
foyne att hys syde settyng in ye ryght legge lyghtly with a full quarter another a wyde be
att youre stoppe.
The 16th And Ye Defence Yt Nowed
Shalt ????
A profur a rake with a quarter full
with another quarter largely a voyde then lyghtly turne youre body with a full quarter an
other voyde be att youre stoppe.
A profur a rake with a full quarter
then loose yore lyfte hande fro youre sworde voydyng bake youre ryght legge bring hyt bake
with yore ryght honde fayre before yore broste redy to foyne and ron in with a rake and a
full quarter pleying the same pley twyse then bryng bake agayne youre sworde with ye sayde
ryght honde and legge And smyte a full spryng lythly with a full quarter And an other A
voyde and be att youre stoppe.
The 17th Callyd Ye
Duble Spryng
A profur a rake a full quarter with
another a voyde lyghtly caste owte a full shorte spryng att hys face stondyng styll when
ye sworde comyth a bowte off yore hede ???
hytt with yore ryght hond att yore ryght shuldyr then lyghtly smyte a full spryng with a
full quarter an other a voyde be att youre stoppe.
The 18th Callyde Ye Duble Rabett
A profur a rake with a full quarter lyghtly sett in the lyfte legge with
a rabett stondyng styll lyghtly pley another rabett wyth a full spryng
att hys legge other ??? sett in ye ryght legge with a downe ryght
stroke att hys hede and a full quarter another a voyde and be att
youre stoppe.
*There are two or three additional
verses at the end of the text, but the copy is indecipherable.
A 15th Century English Sword Text - MS
39564
This
short, rare English text, known only as Additional Manuscript 39564 (or MS.
39,564) in the form of a small handwritten velum roll was recently discovered in the
British Library by Dr. Sydney Anglo. Presented here for the first time online, it reveals
a number of characteristics similar to another short English treatise from the mid 1400s,
Harliean Manuscript 3542 (the Man Who Wol). The text according to Dr. Anglo is
on great-sword however, as has been pointed out, nowhere does it actually
define the type of blade used, whether single or double-handed. It could be applied
to both but appears to work more easily with double-hand swords.
MS 39564
consists of approximately 40 paragraph entries, including 2 Flourishes, 14
Chases, a dozen Poynts, and a dozen other various techniques or
actions. Like the Harliean, MS 39564 is cryptic and near indecipherable. Many of the words
and phrases are quite difficult to grasp despite being in English. But it
still sheds some light on methods of swordplay from the period and offers a different
perspective from the exclusively Italian and German sources which understandably dominate
study. As with the Harliean, the text is highly subjective and open to many
interpretations. Yet there are several terms and phrases which bare fairly close
resemblance to German sources.
MS 39564
includes a number of obscure but tantalizingly interesting terms and phrases, such as
fallyng stroke, cros rake, and the use of the word voyding
to refer to slipping back the leg when striking. There is frequent reference to a quarter
(perhaps referring to one of the traditional 4 target areas) as in repeatedly instructing
to smeyte a quarter and smyte bake a quarter. Not surprisingly,
there are also recurring instructions to foyne (thrust) including bake
foyne, bowe foyne, doble foyne, fore foyne, and brokyn foyne. Interestingly, used twice is the term Florysth
in apparent reference to a short opening routine of a few cuts, thrusts, and steps.
Noticeably there are a number of familiar terms which also appear in the Harliean
manuscript (MS. 3542), such as rakys, rownde, ye duble
rounde, and additionally includes the phrases rakys, doubil
rake, and spryng. The Harliean also uses the terms, Thy sprynys,
thy quarters, thy rabetis, which MS 3956 does as well. After flourishes
the MS 39564 text also advises to end with settyng the poynte sofftley before you on
the grownde. Similarly, the Harliean also mentions several times making a stroke
followed by sett˙g dovne thy swerd by thy foete.
The
text makes mention of feints (to profur), several thrusts, various foot steps,
and not surprisingly, makes no mention of parries or blocking. However, curiously it does
mention the term rabet, which may mean a form of deflecting strike or
defensive closing action. The Harliean manuscript also includes lyghtly pley a
rabbet at his legge and the Rabett with a downe ryght stroke.
Surprisingly, the work seems reminiscent in many ways to 15th & 16th
century German long-sword material. Some of these seem too close to be coincidental, given
the contacts and trade that surely existed between the German lands and England isles. For
example, MS 39564 includes a description of the spryng which is nearly
identical with depictions of the action within German Fechtbuchs. At one point as well it
states to smyte a full spryng. Then there is the very familiar Rundstreich
and Doppel Rundstreich. Also interesting are references to the familiar use of the
left hand letting go of the sword and being used in strikes and apparent closing actions,
such as with ye lyfte honde smyte a snache (seemingly indicating a single-hand
technique) and with the lyfte honde to hys head caste a foolle. This, along
with ye poynt called ye fool, also makes one wonder if it may have any
relation to the German stance of Alber, the fool.
Given the
brief nature of the material and the fact it was not written in verse form as was common,
suggests it was merely a set of informal study notes, perhaps incomplete, and not a
training guide. Yet, being produced in the mid to late 1400s, the work may reflect a
method of fighting going back a century earlier somewhat adopted to using larger blades
and changing armors. While no overall method of English swordplay from the period can be
reconstructed from the text alone, it is nonetheless another useful historical resource
for todays scholar-practitioners of Medieval fencing. Insights into MS 39564 can be
gained from comparing and contrasting it with better-known German and Italian manuals as
well as modern experimentation and practice. Yet, care must be taken in keeping our
analysis broad. The temptation should be avoided to force a literal or technical
mindset onto something that at the time may have been seen much more holistically or
metaphorically.
Any thoughts, comments, and analysis on MS 39564 are
welcome. NOTE: The text presented here was transcribed by Russell
Mitchell from a copy of the original document. This translation is only as reliable as is so far known
and we make no claim as to its accuracy.
Additional Manuscript 39564
The
First Flourysh
A quarter
fayre before you deliueryde at ??? hande voydyng baek the ryght fote yth an ??? quarter
with both hands. A downryght stroke voydyng
bake the lyfte fote standyng styll play 3 rakys lythly ???yng by the elbows with a quarter
fayre before you with both handys And yet
another with 2 turnes and ??? downright stroke voydyng bake the lyfte fote styll standyng
playing smite 3 rakys with a quarter fayre before you
And 2 quarters after with 2 turnes. A
down rytht stroke setting forth your ryght foot as forward your lyfte with a broken foyne
upon the lyfte syde an other on yore ryght syde turnyng yore sworde under yore rythe
arm... yore same syde wyth a brokyn foyne uppon yore lyffte syde an other on the ryght
syde turnyng yore sword fote the poynt soffte before you uppon the grownde.
The Seconde
Florysth
A quarter fayre before you with wn hande
standyng style ??? yore ryght loge witha dragonys tayle then sett the lyfte hande uppon
yore sworde smytyng a quarter fayre before you with wn hande turnyng yore body sete in
youre ryghte legge as fore as yore lyfte bryngyng the poynt of the sworde over yore hede
sote he do ynd sofftly before you uppon yore grownde then stonde styll pley youre rakys
uppon ony syde uppon as offte as you wyll restyng uppon youre ryghte arme then smyte a
down rythe stroke voydyng yore loffte legge bryngyng after the ryght legge with a rake
lyffte uppe yore sworde over yore hede bryng forthe yore ryght legge as fore as yore lefte
pley a brokyn foyne uppon euyre syde turnyng the sworde over the ryght arme settyng the
poynte sofftley before you on the grownde.
The Laying Down of Your Sword
A profur to hys face folowyng in with
(a/your???) ryght legge with a rake stonding style smyte a quarter fayre before you with
another after, voydyng bake the ryght legge then smyte a down ryght stroke voydyng bake
the lyfte legge with a rake following in with the ryght leg, lyftyng up yore handys ouer
yore ryght shulder turnyng a gayne sete in your ryght legge before youre lyft softly lay
down youre sworde.
The
Firste Chase
A full
stroke a for foyne with a quarter lythly delyueryde And
yff hyt be tweys pleyde hyt wyll bryng you agayn to yore grounde
The
Seconde Chase
A bouwble rownde wyth a bake foyne and a
quarter lyghtly delyueryde And hyt be tweys pleyde hyt wyll bryng you agayne to yore
grounde.
The
Thyrde Chase
A dowble rownde forwarde an other bakwarde A
down ryght stroke voydyng bake ye lyffte legge a bake foyne voydyng bake the ryght legge
folowyng in wyth the lyffte legge smyte a quarter bakewarde And yff hyt be tweys pleyde
hyt wyll bryng you to yore grounde.
The Fourthe Chase Callyd Ye Bewne Foyne
A dowble rowndys forewarde an other bakewarde
a downe ryght stroke voydyng bake the lyffte legge A bake foyne with a bo(e?)w foyne
voydyng bake with the ryghte legge lyghtly smyte a quarter
The Fyffte Chase Called Att Ye Rowndys
To doble rowndys forewarde and ther folowes
contrary all to son/yon/yor man and yff you pley hyt a gayne hyt wyll bryng you to yore
grownde.
The
Sixte Chase Callyd Ye Tumblyng Chase
To doble rowndys forewarde with as mony
badewarde all uppon the lyffte fote lythtly delyveryde then tumble forewarde rownde as a
ball that ys to say wythe a downe ryght stroke sete forewarde the ryght fote bryngyng the
sworde over youre hede voyde bake the lyffte fote with an other downe ryght stroke
folowyde with the ryght fote then bryng bake the same fote with a bake foyne sete in the
lyffte fote and smyte bake a quarter.
The Sevyneth Chase
A full stroke a for foyne folowed with a
quarter pleyng a brokyn foyne uppon the ryght syde an other on the lyffte syde therste
forth a for foyne folowyde with 2 quarters with the sayde brokyn foynes pleyde on euery
syde throste forthe a for foyne at hys face voydyng bake with 2 quarters.
The Eghte Chase Callyde Ye Spryng
A full stroke a for foyne settyng forthe ye
lyffte fote with the lyffte hande smyte a spryng voydyng bake ye same fote with a full
stroke then pley a bake foyne with an other spryng voydyng bake the lyffte fote with a
full stroke then voyde bake the ryght fote and pley a doble foyne with a spryng voydyng
bake ye lyffte fote wythe a full stroke pleyng an other doble foyne with a spryng voydyng
bake ye lyffte fote wyth a full stroke and a bake foyne.
The 9th Chase Callyd Ye Four
Poynts
A down ryght stroke voydyng bake ye lyffte
legge sodenly pley a rake folowyd wyth ye ryght legge stondyng styll pley a quarter fayre
before you then sete in the lyffte legge and smyte bake a quarter.
The 10th Chase
Callyd the 2 Poynts
A down ryght stroke voydyng bake the lyffte
fote sodenly pley a rake folowyd wyth ye ryght fote then voyde bake the lyffte legge wythe
an other down ryght stroke and pley a bake foyne voydyng bake the ryght legge steppe in
with ye lyffte legge and smyte bake a quarter.
The 11th Chase Callyd 3 Poynts
A rake uppon ye ryght syde stondyng styll
smyte a quarter voydyng bake the ryght legge stryke an other after.
The 12th callyde ye poynts (???)
A down ryght stroke voydyng bake with the
lyffte legge lythly pley a rake folowede wyth the ryght legge then foyde bake same legge
sodenly pley a quarter
The 13th Callyde
Ye Gettyng Chase
A quarter fayre before you with bothe handys
standyng styll pley a profur at hsi face folowyng with yore rakys bakewarde smyte a spryng
turnyng with a full stroke folowyng with yore rakys before you smyte a quarter turnyng
youre body pley 2 quarters all upon ye lyffte fote.
The Fyrste Poynte Of Ye Cownter
A profur at hys face standyng styll then sett
in ye ryght legge with a rake and a quarter voydyng bake ye same legge with an other
quarter then voyd bake yore lyffte legge and stande at youre stoppe.
The Seconde Cowntyr Callyd Ye Full Spryng
A profer a rake with a quarter an other voyde
lythly smyte a full spryng settyng in ye ryght legge with a quarter and an other voyde be
at yore stoppe.
The Thyrde Countyr
Callyd Ye Shorte Spryng With Fallyng Sty(???)
A profer a rake with a quarter an other voyde
stondyng styll a short spryng with a fallyng stroke then set in the ryght legge with a
quarter an other voyde and be at yowr stoppe
The 22th Callyd The Large Profer With A Rabet(???) Ys a
Fore Quarter
A profer large stondyng styll lyghtly pley a
rabett at hys legge lowe by ye grownde then lythly sete in ye ryght legge with a quarter
and smyte hym to ye grownde then voyde bake the same legge and be at yore stopps.
The 23th Callyd Ye Facyng Wyth Ye Spryng
Also stondyng at yore defence when yore enemy
begynyth to cum in with a profer loke stedfastly in hys face and ??? sett in your lyffte
legge cros before your ryght legge lythly smytyng a full spryng at hys legge and then a
voyde a bake yore lyffte lege and be att your stoppe.
???ther fote sete in the ryght with a full quarter and an other voyde and be
att youre stoppe.
The Stoppyng Rabbetts
Also standyng att yore defence wythe yowre
spryght enemy when he begynneth to play a profer lyghtly sett in yore lyffte legge with a
rabett voydyng bake. Voydyng bake the same
legge be at your stopp. Other els when yore
enemy playeth a profer with a rake and begynnyth to pluke bake hys sworde to sete a
quarter lyghtly sett in youre lyfte legge wyth ye seyde Rabett then voyde bake the same
legge and be att youre stopps.
The Dragonys Tayle With a Pendante
A profer with a rake stondyng styll with
youre ryght hande pley a voyde quarter above hys hede and as the sworde waveth a boute. On youre hede sett in youre lyfte fote then
lyghtlye wyth the ryght hande and foote throste forth a foyne at hys face standyng styll
lyghtly bryng bake youre sworde with both hands and throste a bow foyne att hys bely, then
smyte a pell/pull quarter And an other voyde And be att youre stopps.
[nigh indecipherable heading]
The 4th Callyd The
Rabett With A Downe Ryght Stroke
A profur a rake with a quarter sett in your
lyfte legge with a rabett then sett in youre ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke with
both hands wyth a foyne and a quarter with an other voyde be att yore stoppe.
The 5th Poynte Callyd Ye 3 Quarters
A profur a rake wyth a quarter full stondyng
styll pley an other voyde above hys hide with an other at hys legge then voyde bake the
ryght legge with an other quarter and be att youre stopps.
The 6th Poynte
Callyde The Cros Rake
A profur a cros rake with a foyne at hys face
with a quarter full and an other a voyde be at youre stoppe.
The 7th Poynte Callyd Ye Downeryght Stroke
A profur a rake wyth a quarter A nother A
voyde a downe ryght stroke folowyde wyth the ryght legge then standyng styll lythly pley a
fore foyne with a quarter and an other voyde be att youre stops.
The 8th Callyde The Rabett With A Downe Ryght Stroke
A profur a rake with a quarter a voyde a down
ryghte stroke folowyde the ryght legge with a fore foyne settyng in the lyfte legge lythly
pley a rabett then sett in ye ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke a foyne with a quarter
an other a voyde be att yore stoppe.
The 9th Callyde Ye
Duble Rounde With 2 Foynes
A duble rounde forewarde with a foyne at hys
face An other att hys bely standyng styll pley a quarter full with an other voyde be att
yore stops.
The 10th Callyde the Snache
A profur a rake wyth a quarter full voydyng
bake the ryght legge with ye lyfte honde smyte a snache then voyde bake yore lyfte legge
and be att yore stoppe.
The 11th Callyde Ye Shorte Spryng With 2 Foynes
Folowyng
A profur a rake with a quarter full an other
voyde lythly pleying a shorte spryng voydyng bake the lyfte legge sett hands uppon the
sworde settyng up a foyne by ye lyfte shulder bryng hutt forthe byfore you sett in yore
lyfte legge wythe suche a nother foyne at hys face folowyde with the ryght legge lythly
pley a quarter full with an other voyde and be att youre stoppe.
The 12th Poynte Callyde Ye Fooll
A profur a rake wythe a quarter full and a
nother A voyde standyng styll lyghtly with the lyfte honde to hys hede caste a foolle then
set in yore ryght legge and smyte a quarter full with another voyde be att youre stoppe.
The 13th Poynte Callyde Ye Downe Ryght Stroke Stondyng
Styll
A profur a rake with a full quarter another a
voyde a bou hys hede stondyng styll meue yore body bryngyng youre sworde ouer youre ryght
shulder lyghtly smyte a downe ryght stroke att hys hede wythe a foyne and a full quarter
with another voyde be att yore stoppe.
The 14th Poynte Callyde Ye Brokyn Spryng With Ye Foyne
A profur a rake with a full quarter another a
voyde then softely sett in yore ryght legge be att yore stoppe. That doon set in yore lyfte legge with a rabett
fayre aboue hys hede lyghtly sett in youre ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke at hys
hede with a foyne and a full quarter with another a voyde be att yore stoppe.
The 15th Callyd Ye
Turnyng Quarter
A profur a rake with a quarter an other a
voyde stondyng styll hold youre sworde with both hande and bende yore body as you wylle
smyte a full spring then loose youre ryght honde with the lyfte honde therste forthe ye
foyne att hys syde settyng in ye ryght legge lyghtly with a full quarter another a wyde be
att youre stoppe.
The 16th And Ye Defence Yt Nowed Shalt ????
A profur a rake with a quarter full with
another quarter largely a voyde then lyghtly turne youre body with a full quarter an other
voyde be att youre stoppe.
A profur a rake with a full quarter then
loose yore lyfte hande fro youre sworde voydyng bake youre ryght legge bring hyt bake with
yore ryght honde fayre before yore broste redy to foyne and ron in with a rake and a full
quarter pleying the same pley twyse then bryng bake agayne youre sworde with ye sayde
ryght honde and legge And smyte a full spryng lythly with a full quarter And an other A
voyde and be att youre stoppe.
The
17th Callyd Ye Duble Spryng
A profur a rake a full quarter with another a
voyde lyghtly caste owte a full shorte spryng att hys face stondyng styll when ye sworde
comyth a bowte off yore hede ??? hytt with
yore ryght hond att yore ryght shuldyr then lyghtly smyte a full spryng with a full
quarter an other a voyde be att youre stoppe.
The 18th Callyde Ye Duble Rabett
A profur a rake with a full quarter lyghtly
sett in the lyfte legge with a rabett stondyng styll lyghtly pley another rabett wyth a
full spryng att hys legge other ??? sett in ye ryght legge with a downe ryght stroke att
hys hede and a full quarter another a voyde and be att youre stoppe.
*There are two or three additional
verses at the end of the text, but the copy is indecipherable.
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