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Dating from the 1520's, Bolognese swordsmaster's Antonio Manciolino's Opera Nova is the earliest surviving printed book on Italian martial arts. This seminal and eclectic Renaissance work contains clear and systematic instruction on the use of the sword and small buckler, sword and large buckler, sword and targa, sword and dagger, sword and cape, two swords, sword alone, and sword and rotella, plus a fascinating compendium on the use of polearms. Clearly and elegantly written, Manciolino's text is one of the best and clearest presentations of the martial skills required of the ideal Renaissance man.
For the first time since its original publishing, this book has been translated into English by experienced historical fencing instructor Tom Leoni. Also included is a valuable and extensive technical introduction, complete with illustrations from both original sources and modern photographs, making it easy to follow Manciolino's instructions, sword-in-hand, even by beginners, while providing years of training for veteran martial artists.
Foreword
Author's Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction:
Martial Arts in Renaissance Italy
Martial Arts and the Italian Renaissance: What They Were, Who Taught Them, Who Learned Them
Tackling Manciolino's Opera Nova: A Primer of Bolognese Swordsmanship
Lines, Measure, Tempo and Stances
The Guards (Guardie)
Footwork (Passeggiare)
The Attacks (Offese): Moving Between the Guards
Defense (Difese): Parries and the Role of the Buckler
Other Actions and Definitions
The Assalto and the Main Parts of the Play
Attitude and Mental Disposition In Bolognese Swordsmanship
Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, the Great Devil: A Portrait of a Famous Swordsman of the Bolognese Style
A Note on Language, the Translation, and on Editorial Decisions
Opera Nova to Learn How to Fight and Defend with any Sort of Arms, Written by Antonio Manciolino, Bolognese
Here Begin a Few Main Rules or Explanations on the Valiant Art of Arms
Of Combat and Fencing With All Sorts of Weapons In Six Books