Four by Four-a beginning.

I call this page Four by Four because it is sixteen things I have learned about swordfighting over thirty years as a practitioner. The great swordsman Mr. George Silver (author of ‘Paradoxes of Defense’, ca. 1598) built his form on sets of four because he said that nobody could remember more than four things at a time when under stress. Swordfighting is inherently stressful, even when practiced, for fun, with simulated weapons. Therefore, I followed Mr. Silver’s example in this.
My other major inspirations in the art and philosophy of swordplay are:
Royal Armories MS I33
Fiore dei Liberi’s ‘Fior dei Battaglia’
‘The Book of Five Rings’ by Miyamoto Musashi
All that I have learned from the many practitioners I have crossed swords with over the years, most especially the members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA).

4x4

W is for Watch.
First, and most importantly, watch the sword hand(s).
Next, be aware of the rest of the foe’s body and what he is doing. (Be not deceived by head fakes.)
Then, pay heed to your peripheral vision, that no foe may join the fight from the flank.
At last, take care that no man is behind you.


Expansion: In any real fight, first look around you for any place where a second or third foe might be hiding. While still safely out of range, look all around, and also above.


M is for Motion.
First, keep your feet moving.
Next, if you are constrained, rock from heel to toe.
Then, use your hips to generate power, and not your arm.
At last, when your hips are pinned, generate power with your shoulders and gut, not your arm.

N is for Neutral.
First, sword neutral
Next, shield neutral
Then, stay balanced in your stance.
At last, have a defense, but do not be defensive. (Musashi)

Expansion: Musashi said: “Stand in a guard that is not a guard.”

C is for Cut
First, always cut your opponent(s). (Musashi)
Next, change the angle of the fight to open your foe to the cut.
Then, remember that time and distance are two aspects of the same thing. (Fiore)
At last, remember: often, the best defense is a rain of blows. (von Clauswitz)



You should remember that “defend yourself and cut when the opportunity arises” and “the best defense is a rain of blows” are not opposites. They are different aspects of the same mindset. When you can transition smoothly between these aspects, then you can choose any point on the scale between that best applies to the situation at hand. You will then be always in the optimum mindset for the fight you have in front of you.