Secrets of the Sword

Baron de Bazancourt's volume was originally published in French in 1862, reprinted in 1875, and translated into English in 1900. It's appearance in English came at the point where fencing had largely made the transition from dueling skill to sport, and thus some of the book's inherent value as a simplified approach to combat may have been lost by that time. However, de Bazancourt provides a very good snapshot of both tactical and pedagogical thinking in the classical period, and many of his lessons are still applicable. The discussion of the lesson for the novice faced with a duel is excellent, and I have used that same lesson for fencers making the transition to one touch epee.

from cover

A Lance C. Lobo Book

A sharp point is a peremptory fact, which makes short work of illusions...

'You have given us most excellent advice,' exclaimed the Comte de C. 'If one could only think of it all at the critical moment, one would be well provided.' 'Think of only half of it,' I answered, 'and you will not do so badly,-there are so many men who cannot think at all.'-Baron Cesar de Bazancourt

'Secrets of the Sword carries the reader back into the comfortable and charming world of Alexandre Dumas and Guy de Maupassant. It is also replete with priceless fencing wisdom.'

'Baron Cesar de Bazancourt's Secrets of the Sword, is one of the most fascinating and readable works yet written on fencing, and should be of interest to both the show more trained fencer and the general reader.

'The book takes the form of a series of evening conversations between sophisticated French gentlemen. The discussions are prompted by distinctions that the principal speaker makes between three kinds of swordplay: fencing regarded as graceful athletic exercise; fencing conceived as an exact science; and fencing considered from the point of view of practical self-defense. At the heart of the matter lie the differences between the academics or classicists and the realists, the former arguing that fencing is an art form that must be practiced in strict accordance with the artificial 'rules' that govern fencing practice, and the latter advocating an approach to swordplay based purely on the practical considerations that grow out of dueling practice. These conflicitng views still exist at the present time, and continue to perplex contemporary fencers.'-Dr. William M. Gaugler, Professor Emeritus and Director, Fencing Masters Program, San Jose State University & Author of The Science of Fencing and The History of Fencing

Contents

Preface
Introduction
First Evening
Second Evening
Third Evening
Fourth Evening
Fifth Evening
Sixth Evening
Seventh Evening
Eighth Evening
Nineth Evening
Tenth Evening
Eleventh Evening show less