About the treatise
The treatise dedicates numerous pages to the differentiation between two forms of fencing ('' destrezas''), ('true fencing') and ('vulgar or common fencing'). It must be noted that the treatise was not officially translated into English. The treatise consists of five chapters and starts with the title page which states: "Book of the Greatness of the Sword, in which many secrets which the Commander Jerónimo de Carranza composed, are declared. One may study the book without a ''maestro'' (teacher). Dedicated to Don Philip III King of Spain, and of the greater part of the world, our lord." The treatise was published inContents
Prologue
Luis Pacheco de Narváez persuasively discusses the skill in general, as well as the reason and evidence that is considered a true science.First chapter
* Evidence that and art of weapon handling is a science * About Memory and service * About prudence and duty * Animo, honorSecond chapter
* DemonstrationsThird chapter
*Fourth chapter
* Peculiarities of True ()Fifth chapter
* What a maestro shall know to practice * Handling a sword * Practicing with a cloak, dagger and a swordCriticism
The treatise is considered by some to be a magnificent work not only about fencing, but also about the art of living for a noble man. Indeed, the treatise is written in sophisticated language with examples from geometry, mathematics, logic, Aristotelian works, Pythagorus, as well as an explanation of human temperament types and their classification. On the other hand, certain fencing schools of past centuries considered the work of Luis Pacheco de Narváez to be pedantic work more about mathematics and calculations than practical combat. Moreover, some people consider that Pacheco simply rewrote the work of his maestro. The treatise dedicates numerous pages to the differentiation between ('true fencing') and ('vulgar or common fencing').References
Sources
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Libro de las grandezas de la espada Spanish books Combat treatises 1605 books