Historical Fencing In Scotland
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historical fencing Historical European martial arts (HEMA) are martial arts of European origin, particularly using arts formerly practised, but having since died out or evolved into very different forms. While there is limited surviving documentation of the martia ...
as practised in
Scotland in the Early Modern Era Scotland in the early modern period refers, for the purposes of this article, to Scotland between the death of James IV in 1513 and the end of the Jacobite risings in the mid-eighteenth century. It roughly corresponds to the early modern perio ...
, especially fencing with the
Scottish basket-hilted broadsword The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' crossguards since the Late Middle Ages. In mod ...
during the 17th to 18th centuries. Most of our current knowledge of these arts derives from various combative treatises or
Martial arts manual Martial arts manuals are instructions, with or without illustrations, specifically designed to be learnt from a book. Many books detailing specific techniques of martial arts are often erroneously called manuals but were written as treatises. Pros ...
s, as well as written anecdotes (i.e. battle accounts, folklore, etc.) and artistic representations from different periods and locations in
Scottish history The recorded begins with the arrival of the Roman Empire in the 1st century, when the province of Britannia reached as far north as the Antonine Wall. North of this was Caledonia, inhabited by the ''Picti'', whose uprisings forced Rome ...
(see Penicuik SketchesHighland Swordsmanship: Techniques of the Scottish Sword Masters, by Mark Rector (editor) and Paul Wagner (editor), Published by The Chivalry Bookshelf (15 November 2001)).


Scottish fencing masters

The following is a list of fencing masters that were very influential in their day, and have contributed to our current knowledge of the martial practices of Scotland (see ''Combat Treatises'' below): * William Machrie – a Scottish fencing master who taught in
Aberdeen Aberdeen (; sco, Aiberdeen ; gd, Obar Dheathain ; la, Aberdonia) is a city in North East Scotland, and is the third most populous city in the country. Aberdeen is one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas (as Aberdeen City), and ...
and
Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...
, Scotland in the late 17th, and early 18th centuries. He was also known as "Judge and Arbitrator of all who make any publick Trial of Skill in the Noble Art of the Sword, within the Kingdom of Scotland". * Sir William Hope (1660–1724) – a Scottish fencing master who wrote a number of books on fencing, his most important works being the "New Method" (dedicated to William Keith, 9th Earl Marischal of Scotland), and the "Vade-Mecum". *
Donald McBane Donald McBane (1664 - April 12, 1732) was a noted Scottish swordsman, career soldier, and fencing master, who is widely regarded as one of the most prolific duelists of all time. He was born in the Highland town of Inverness during the late seve ...
(1664–c.1730) – Born in
Inverness Inverness (; from the gd, Inbhir Nis , meaning "Mouth of the River Ness"; sco, Innerness) is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for The Highland Council and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands. Histori ...
, Donald joined the British Army, fought in the Highlands and in Europe where he opened a number of fencing schools. Donald later wrote a book on his extensive experience in swordsmanship and his life in the army. * Captain James Miller – a Scottish fencing master who dedicated part of his treatise of 1735 to
John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll Field Marshal John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, 1st Duke of Greenwich, (10 October 1680 – 4 October 1743), styled Lord Lorne from 1680 to 1703, was a Scottish nobleman and senior commander in the British Army. He served on the contine ...
. * Thomas Page – an English shop owner who served in the Norwich Artillery Company, raised in January 1746 for the defense of the City against possible invasion during the Jacobite Rebellion in 1746. He dedicated his Broadsword treatise to
John Hobart, 1st Earl of Buckinghamshire John Hobart, 1st Earl of Buckinghamshire, (11 October 169322 September 1756) was a British politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1715 to 1728, when he was raised to the peerage as Baron Hobart. Early life Hobart was the son of Sir ...
, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Norfolk.The Use of the Broad Sword, by Thomas Page (1746), http://sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Page/ * Donald McAlpine – A Sergeant in Captain Archibald Campbell's Company in the 78th Fraser's Highlanders during the
Seven Years' War The Seven Years' War (1756–1763) was a global conflict that involved most of the European Great Powers, and was fought primarily in Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Other concurrent conflicts include the French and Indian War (1754 ...
. In 1769 he moved from Scotland to
Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...
,
Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...
and there established a fencing academy. Among his students were the likes of Robert Hewes (cousin to George Robert Twelves Hewes), an early American revolutionary. * Captain G. Sinclair – An officer in the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot, or
Black Watch The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The regiment was created as part of the Childers Reforms in 1881, when the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment ...
, during the late 1700s. He wrote two treatises on the Broadsword or Singlestick, "Anti-Pugilism" in 1790, and a later revision/renaming of the same treatise under the title 'Cudgel-Playing Modernized and Improved' in 1800. * Archibald MacGregor – Archibald MacGregor was a Paisley fencing master who toured Scotland in the late 1700s giving lectures and instruction on the sword. *
Henry Angelo Henry Charles William Angelo (1756–1835) was an English memoirist and fencing master, as a member of the Angelo family of fencers and son of the Italian master, Domenico Angelo. As the leader of his father's Angelo School of Arms fro ...
(c.1760–1839) – Son of Italian fencing master
Domenico Angelo Domenico Angelo (1717 Leghorn, Italy – 1802, Twickenham, England), was an Italian sword and fencing master, also known as Angelo Domenico Malevolti Tremamondo. The son of a merchant, he was the founder of the Angelo Family of fencers. He has ...
, Henry and his son (also Henry) were Broadsword masters to the Light Horse Volunteers of London and Westminster at the time he wrote his treatise in 1799, which they dedicate to Colonel Herries. * John Taylor – Served as Broadsword Master to the Light Horse Volunteers of London and Westminster. His ten lesson system is shown in the works of Henry Angelo (1799) and Charles Roworth (1804). * Thomas Mathewson – an Englishman who taught the art of Scottish Broadsword. He wrote his treatise in 1805.


Fencing manuals

Scottish
fencing manual Martial arts manuals are instructions, with or without illustrations, specifically designed to be learnt from a book. Many books detailing specific techniques of martial arts are often erroneously called manuals but were written as treatises. Pros ...
s detailing the use of the
basket-hilted Scottish broadsword The basket-hilted sword is a sword type of the early modern era characterised by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand. The basket hilt is a development of the quillons added to swords' crossguards since the Late Middle Ages. In mo ...
(besides other disciplines including the
smallsword The small sword or smallsword (also court sword, Gaelic: or claybeg, French: or dress sword) is a light one-handed sword designed for thrusting which evolved out of the longer and heavier rapier of the late Renaissance. The height of the small ...
and
spadroon A spadroonP. G. W. Annis (1970). ''Naval Swords, British and American Naval Edged Weapons, 1660-1815'', Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books, p. 38. is a light sword with a straight-edged blade, enabling both cut and thrust attacks. This English term ...
and, to a lesser extent, the
targe Targe (from Old Franconian ' 'shield', Proto-Germanic ' 'border') was a general word for shield in late Old English. Its diminutive, ''target'', came to mean an object to be aimed at in the 18th century. The term refers to various types of shie ...
,
dirk A dirk is a long bladed thrusting dagger.Chisholm, Hugh (ed.), ''Dagger'', The Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th ed., Vol. VII, New York, NY: Cambridge University Press (1910), p. 729 Historically, it gained its name from the Highland Dirk (Scot ...
and
quarterstaff A quarterstaff (plural quarterstaffs or quarterstaves), also short staff or simply staff is a traditional European pole weapon, which was especially prominent in England during the Early Modern period. The term is generally accepted to refer t ...
) were published throughout the 18th century, with early and late examples dating to the late 17th and early 19th centuries, respectively: * The Scots Fencing Master (the Complete Smallswordsman) – Sir William Hope (1687) * Advice to his Scholar from the Fencing Master – Sir William Hope (1692) * Complete Fencing Master – Sir William Hope (1691–1692) * The Swordsman's Vade-Mecum – Sir William Hope (1692) * New Short and Easy Method of Fencing (1st Edition) – Sir William Hope (1707) * New Short and Easy Method of Fencing (2nd Edition) – Sir William Hope (1714) * A Few Observations upon the Fighting for Prizes in the Bear Gardens – Sir William Hope (1715) * A Vindication of the True Art of Self-Defence – Sir William Hope (1724) * Expert Swords-man's Companion – Donald McBane (1728) * A treatise on backsword, sword, buckler, sword and dagger, sword and great gauntlet, falchion, quarterstaff – Captain James Miller (1737)A treatise on backsword, sword, buckler, sword and dagger, sword and great gauntlet, falchion, quarterstaff, by Captain James Miller (1735), http://www.sirwilliamhope.org/Library/Miller/ * The Use of the Broad Sword – Thomas Page (1746)The Use of the Broad Sword, In which is shown, The True Method of Fighting with that Weapon as it is now in Use among the Highlanders; deduc'd from the Use of the Scymitar; with every Throw, Cut, Guard, and Disarm, Thomas Page, Norwich, Printed by M. Chase in the Cockey-Lane, 1746, https://linacreschoolofdefence.org/Library/Page/Page.html * A Dictionary Explaining the Terms, Gards and Positions, used in the Art of the Small Sword – Hary Fergusson (1767) * The Sword's-man – John Ferdinand (1788)Scottish Fencing: Five 18th Century Texts on the use of the Small-sword, Broadsword, Spadroon, Cavalry Sword, and Highland Battlefield Tactics, Presented by Maestro Jared Kirby, Introduction and Historical Essays by Maestro Paul MacDonald and Ben Miller, Hudson Society Press, New York, First Edition (November 2018) * Anti-Pugilism – Anonymous (Captain G. Sinclair, 1790)Highland Broadsword:Five Manuals of Scottish Regimental Swordsmanship, by Paul Wagner (editor) and Mark Rector (editor), Published by The Chivalry Bookshelf (July 2004) * Lecture on the Art of Defence – Archibald MacGregor (1791) * Treatise on the New Sword Exercise, for Cavalry – Sholto Sorlie (1797) * The Art of Defence on Foot with Broad Sword and Sabre, by C. Roworth (1798)Art of Defence on Foot, by Charles Roworth (author) Ben Kerr (Facsimile Creator) and Keith Farrell (Facsimile Editor), 1st edition, Fallen Rook Publishing (14 October 2014) * The Guards of the Highland Broadsword – Henry Angelo, art by
Thomas Rowlandson Thomas Rowlandson (; 13 July 175721 April 1827) was an English artist and caricaturist of the Georgian Era, noted for his political satire and social observation. A prolific artist and printmaker, Rowlandson produced both individual social an ...
(20 January 1799)The Guards of the Highland Broadsword, by Thomas Rowlandson, 1799, http://www.davidrumsey.com/amica/amico820629-47674.html * Hungarian & Highland Broadsword – by Henry Angelo and Son (12 February 1799) * Ten Divisions of the Highland Broadsword – Henry Angelo (20 June 1799) * Cudgel Playing Modernized and Improved; or, The Science of Defence, Exemplified in a Few Short and Easy Lessons, for the Practice of the Broad Sword or Single Stick, on Foot – Captain G. Sinclair (1800) * Lecture on the Art of Defence – Archibald MacGregor (1791) * The Art of Defence with Broad Sword and Sabre, by C. Roworth (1804 & 1824) * Fencing Familiarized; or, a New Treatise on the Art of the Scotch Broad Sword – Thomas Mathewson (1805)


Techniques

The Highland Broadsword texts of the 1700s portray 7 cuts and numerous guards. The footwork is sword leg forward (usually right leg) with the other leg behind, similar to modern fencing. Traversing footwork allows one to step off the center-line of attack, either to right or left. The following Guards are listed in these texts: * Inside Guard: Defends the left side of your face (or if you are left handed, the right side of your face) * Outside Guard: Defends the right side of your face (i.e. sword arm side). Typically one's default guard. * Medium Guard: A stationary position that defends cuts from neither outside or inside one's line of defense, but is in wait to shift to either Inside or Outside Guard. Tip is usually facing up, but in Mathewson's treatise, the tip is aimed at the opponent, and the body is in a lunging position. * Hanging Guard: Another default guard that defends the head, but can also shift easily into other guards. Hilt is held above head, with tip facing diagonally down to the left side. * St. George Guard (aka "Cross Guard"): A horizontal guard defending the top of one's head. * Half-Hanging Guard: Similar to the hanging guard, but held lower to defend a cut 4. * Half-circle Guard (aka "Spadroon Guard"): Similar to Half-Hanging guard, but the tip hangs to the right, and defends against a cut at the wrist (i.e. Cut 3). One may also hold the guard above the head and defend a cut at the right side of the head, similar to the regular Hanging Guard. * Inside Half-Hanger: Defends a cut at the belly (i.e. Cut 5), and the tip hangs straight down, hilt held to the left side. * Outside Half-Hanger: Defends a cut at the ribs on one's back (i.e. Cut 6), and the tip hangs straight down, hilt held to the right side. The Cuts are as follows: * Cut 1: Diagonal downward cut aimed at the left side of an opponent's face * Cut 2: Diagonal downward cut aimed at the right side of an opponent's face * Cut 3: Diagonal upward cut aimed at the left side of an opponent's wrist * Cut 4: Diagonal upward cut aimed at the right side of an opponent's wrist or knee * Cut 5: Horizontal cut aimed at an opponent's belly from their left side * Cut 6: Horizontal cut aimed at an opponent's ribs from their right side * Cut 7: Vertical cut aimed straight down at an opponent's head (note: this cut doesn't appear in all of the Scottish fencing manuals) Shifting the Leg: When an opponent cuts at the outside of your leg, it is prudent to step back (and thus avoid the cut at the leg), counter-attacking with either a cut at the head or at the wrist simultaneous to shifting the leg. This technique was taught by Angelo, Taylor and Roworth.


Famous Scottish duellists

In the 17th–18th century, there were a number of warriors and soldiers that developed a reputation as skilled duellists. In the highlands, they were known as Caterans, and were noted for cattle theft as well as black-mail, and often traveled to different villages challenging them to produce a fighter that can best them, or pay a fee. Some belonged to the Duine uasal (Warrior Class) of their Clan: * John (Iain) McCombie (aka McCombie Mor) – 7th Chief of
Clan MacThomas Clan MacThomas is a Highland Scottish clan and is a member of the Clan Chattan.Way, George and Squire, Romily. ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scot ...
, he was noted for duelling against an Italian fencer to defend the reputation of his enemy the
Earl of Atholl The Mormaer or Earl of Atholl was the title of the holder of a medieval comital lordship straddling the highland province of Atholl (''Ath Fodhla''), now in northern Perthshire. Atholl is a special Mormaerdom, because a King of Atholl is repor ...
. He joined Montrose at
Dundee Dundee (; sco, Dundee; gd, Dùn Dè or ) is Scotland's fourth-largest city and the 51st-most-populous built-up area in the United Kingdom. The mid-year population estimate for 2016 was , giving Dundee a population density of 2,478/km2 or ...
in 1644 and fought for the King's cause throughout the campaign. * Ranald MacDonald, aka "Ranald of the Shield" (''Raonull na Sgeithe'' in Gaidhlig) – The hero of 1645. He was the son of Allan MacDonald of Achtriachtan. He agreed to fight a duel with Dirk and Targe against a captured English officer that was armed with a broadsword. He won the duel, earning his title "Ranald of the Shield".The Clan Donald, by Angus Macdonald, Archibald Macdonald, Volume 2, page 205, https://books.google.com/books?id=vBIXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA205 He was later killed in the
Massacre of Glencoe The Massacre of Glencoe ( gd, Murt Ghlinne Comhann) took place in Glen Coe in the Highlands of Scotland The Highlands ( sco, the Hielands; gd, a’ Ghàidhealtachd , 'the place of the Gaels') is a historical region of Scotland. Cultur ...
. * "Black Allan of the Deer" ("Aillen dubh nam fiadh" in Gaidhlig) – The celebrated Daldness deer stalker. He was supposed, next to Alastair Mac Colla, to be the greatest swordsmen in Montrose's army. Upon hearing of the impending duel of Ranald (of the Shield), he rushed over to fight in his place, as Ranald was only skilled at the use of Broadsword & Targe, but not Broadsword alone. He was not permitted to take Ranald's place. * Alasdair Mac Colla, aka "Alasdair the son of Colla the Left-handed MacDonald" ("Alasdair Mac Colla Chiotaich Mac Dhomhnaill" in Gaidhlig) – He was known as the best swordsman in the army of
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose (1612 – 21 May 1650) was a Scottish nobleman, poet and soldier, Lord Lieutenant, lord lieutenant and later viceroy and captain general of Scotland. Montrose initially joined the Covenanters in the Wa ...
, and is even believed to have been able to use a sword with either hand. He is also credited for the creation of the Highland Charge (though the Highland charge was essentially a variant of the tactics used by the Gael and Celts from a much earlier period). However, his version or refinement was much used in the wars that followed to the 1745 Rising. (There are some who believe the famed "Rebel Charge" with the battle yells that accompanied it were a sort of variation of the Highland Charge, though this is not clearly proven. *
Robert Roy MacGregor Robert Roy MacGregor ( gd, Raibeart Ruadh MacGriogair; 7 March 1671 – 28 December 1734) was a Scottish outlaw, who later became a folk hero. Early life Rob Roy was born in the Kingdom of Scotland at Glengyle, at the head of Loch Katrine, a ...
(1671–1734) – Son of Chief Donald MacGregor of
Clan Gregor Clan Gregor, also known as Clan MacGregor, () is a Scottish Highlands, Highland Scottish clan that claims an origin in the early 9th century. The clan's most famous member is Rob Roy MacGregor of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The Clan ...
, he was a cateran of great repute. He was said to be the best swordsman in all the Highlands. His final duel was with Charles Stewart, 5th of Ardsheal (a laird of
Clan Stewart of Appin Clan Stewart of Appin is the West Highland branch of the Clan Stewart and have been a distinct clan since their establishment in the 15th century. Their Chiefs are descended from Sir James Stewart of Perston, who was himself the grandson of Al ...
), to whom he lost with a cut to the chin (which would later cause his death). * Roderick (Rory) MacNeill of Barra, aka "Black Ruairidh the Unjust" – Chief of
Clan MacNeil Clan MacNeil, also known in Scotland as Clan Niall, is a highland Scottish clan of Irish origin. According to their early genealogies and some sources they're descended from Eógan mac Néill and Niall of the Nine Hostages. The clan is particula ...
of
Barra Barra (; gd, Barraigh or ; sco, Barra) is an island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, and the second southernmost inhabited island there, after the adjacent island of Vatersay to which it is connected by a short causeway. The island is name ...
, he known for his frequent raids from the Isle of Barra. He is said to have fenced against Rob Roy MacGregor, having his sword-arm sliced in the process (they became faithful friends after this). His life ended after a failed raid on
Duart Castle Duart Castle, or ''Caisteal Dhubhairt'' in Scottish Gaelic, is a castle on the Isle of Mull, beside the Sound of Mull off the west coast of Scotland, within the council area of Argyll and Bute. The castle dates back to the 13th century and ...
, where he was mortally wounded in the heart by a dagger. However, he refused to die until his men had returned him to Castle Ciosmal in Barra, after which he died. *
Donald McBane Donald McBane (1664 - April 12, 1732) was a noted Scottish swordsman, career soldier, and fencing master, who is widely regarded as one of the most prolific duelists of all time. He was born in the Highland town of Inverness during the late seve ...
– The noted fencing master (see above). According to his personal account, he fought against numerous men in his day, usually with victory. He is believed to have challenged Rob Roy MacGregor (under the name "Donald Ban"), who refused to fight him due to his lack of status. Even at 63 years of age, he still took up the challenge of the Irish fencer Andrew O'Bryan, whom he defeated and whose arm he broke with a
Falchion A falchion (; Old French: ''fauchon''; Latin: ''falx'', "sickle") is a one-handed, single-edged sword of European origin. Falchions are found in different forms from around the 13th century up to and including the 16th century. In some version ...
.


Clan styles

It has been suggested that certain Scottish Clans and families had specific training systems that were distinct from one another. For example, it is said that some members of
Clan Macdonald Clan Donald, also known as Clan MacDonald ( gd, Clann Dòmhnaill; Mac Dòmhnaill ), is a Highland Scottish clan and one of the largest Scottish clans. The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry i ...
were ambidextrous, and were thus able to fence with either left or right hand. The
Kerr Kerr may refer to: People *Kerr (surname) *Kerr (given name) Places ;United States *Kerr Township, Champaign County, Illinois *Kerr, Montana, A US census-designated place *Kerr, Ohio, an unincorporated community *Kerr County, Texas Other uses ...
family is reputed to have predominantly left-handed swordsmen such as in poems by
James Hogg James Hogg (1770 – 21 November 1835) was a Scottish poet, novelist and essayist who wrote in both Scots and English. As a young man he worked as a shepherd and farmhand, and was largely self-educated through reading. He was a friend of many ...
however a study concluded that the family has no increased incidence of left-handedness. The Black Watch appears to be the source of Highland Broadsword technique during the later part of the 18th century, as evidenced in Captain G. Sinclair's manual.


See also

*
Military history of Scotland Historically, Scotland has a long military tradition that predates the Act of Union with England. Its soldiers form part of the armed forces of the United Kingdom, more usually referred to domestically within Britain as the British Armed For ...
*
Andrew Ferrara Andrew Ferrara or Andrea Ferrara was a type of sword-blade that was highly esteemed in Scotland in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Sir Walter Scott notes that the name of Andrea de Ferrara was inscribed "on all the Scottish broadswords th ...
* Scottish wrestling *
Scottish sword dance The Sword Dance is one of the best known of all Highland dances, an ancient dance of war. Performance of sword dances in the folklore of Scotland is recorded from as early as the 15th century. Related customs are found in the Welsh and English Mo ...
*
Irish martial arts There are a number of traditional martial arts native to Ireland. The Irish language term for "martial arts" is ''ealaíona comhraic''. Traditional styles include ''Dornálaíocht'' (boxing), ''Coraíocht'' (wrestling), ''Speachóireacht'' ( kic ...
*
Western martial arts Historical European martial arts (HEMA) are martial arts of European origin, particularly using arts formerly practised, but having since died out or evolved into very different forms. While there is limited surviving documentation of the martia ...
*
Dirk dance A dirk dance is a Scottish dance performed while brandishing a dirk. It is a solo dance but can be performed by two or more people dancing in unison. The dance is quite different in style from the better known Highland dances and in many ways im ...


References


External links


Gods and Fighting Men Index



Library



Stork's Beak: School of Historical Swordsmanship






{{DEFAULTSORT:Scottish Martial Arts Historical European martial arts
Martial arts Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; a ...
Military of Scotland Sport in Scotland Early Modern Scotland Fencing in Scotland Historical fencing